McNamara not convinced of Seanad’s purpose

SUPPORTERS have not presented a convincing case for the Seanad’s retention, according to Clare Deputy Michael McNamara.
If its abolition results in savings of up to €100 million over five years, he said this could be better spent on improving health and education.
“I don’t think the Seanad is serving a useful purpose in its current form.
“The Seanad hasn’t held the Government to account because about one sixth of the Seanad are appointed by the Taoiseach.
“The party whip system also applies to the Seanad which means there aren’t any meaningful checks and balances. Apart from major budgetary issues, I don’t believe the whip system should apply to committees in the Dáil.
“Everyone in the Labour Party supports the plan to put the abolition of the Seanad before the people in a referendum. I can understand why senators want to retain this institution but I am not aware of any compelling reason for its retention.
“However, I am willing to listen to what people have to say on this issue before I cast my vote in the referendum,” he said.
Fine Gael TD Joe Carey believes a full reform of the political system is needed and that this should include the abolition of the Upper House.
If abolished he believes draft legislation can be debated in a more meaningful way by giving more powers to committees and that parliamentary reform will lead to a modern political system that holds executives to account. 
“It’s very clear that the Seanad is not fit for purpose. Countries of similar size to Ireland don’t have a second chamber and, in actual fact, they have less politicians than we have. We are asking people do they want less politicians and can we afford a Seanad.
“Together with the abolition of the Seanad, we do want to strengthen the Dáil and give teeth to committees. We need a new modern parliament that holds executives to account. I don’t believe that the Seanad is an effective balance for the Dáil and the executive. I believe if the people decide to abolish the Seanad, we also need to have a reformed Dáil,” Deputy Carey said. 
His party colleague Deputy Pat Breen believes the Government must stick to its pre-election promise of abolishing the Seanad. However he didn’t say if he personally favours getting rid of the Upper House.
“The programme for Government gave a commitment to put a referendum before the people on a number of issues relating to parliamentary reform and among them is the abolition of the Seanad.  The Seanad evolved at a very different time in our democratic development as a country and indeed this county has been served well by a number of senators since then,” he commented. 
“However, we are now living in a very different time and it is fitting that we are going to have a debate on what democratic institutions will best serve this country going forward.  Ultimately, it will be a matter for the people to decide,” he added.