SENATOR TERRY LEYDEN – who last made the headlines with comments about how the “steady hand” of Brian Cowen could have helped the Greek economy – has suggested moving the Seanad to the Phoenix Park. Specifically, to Farmleigh.

The suggestion’s not as offbeat as it might initially sound: the upper chamber might have to be moved for much of 2017, as substantial renovation works take place in Leinster House.

It’s been suggested that the house could hold its sessions in the Dáil chamber as the works are taking place – but Leyden is suggesting a move to the State’s official guesthouse would help keep the work of the Seanad fully independent.

“I’d like to see a separation of both house of the Oireachtas. I’ve no particular wish to sit two days there,” the Fianna Fáíl politician said today.

And I think that we could actually move to Farmleigh which has good facilities and good parking… And I was never invited there yet so I was never there, so I understand it’s very nice from television.

Replying, Leader of the Seanad Maurice Cummins said that while the issue needed to be examined further, he had “no intention” of going to Farmleigh.

People wouldn’t welcome “a flood of cars” driving through the park, if the Seanad were to relocate, the Fine Gael senator said.

Read: 11 things we learned on Brian Cowen’s final day at the banking inquiry

Read: ‘The Greek people needed the steady hand of Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan’