Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Election to Seanad Éireann.
- Seanad restructuring proposals 2 speeches
The Taoiseach said the Government had no current proposals to restructure the Seanad.
Michael Begley, Garrett Fitzgerald
- Overseas graduates’ Seanad voting rights 4 speeches
Begley questioned whether graduates living abroad who support apartheid should retain Seanad voting rights. The Taoiseach said all university-seat electors may vote regardless of where they live and noted that even jailed graduates retain the right.
Michael Begley, Garrett Fitzgerald
- Accuracy of university elector registers 2 speeches
Haughey asked for university Seanad registers to be updated and made more accurate. The Taoiseach agreed they were defective and difficult to compile, and said efforts had been made to improve them.
Charles J. Haughey, Garrett Fitzgerald
asked the Taoiseach if the Government have any proposals to restructure the Seanad; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
Does the Taoiseach agree that graduates from Irish universities now domiciled in South Africa and who support apartheid can elect Members to the Houses of the Oireachtas? Will he allow that position to continue? As we have banned their fruit, why not ban their votes?
Comment on this
The electorate for university seats in the Seanad consists of graduates no matter in which country they live. We have never made any distinctions in this regard and the issue has never arisen. I note the Deputy's comments.
Comment on this
Will the Taoiseach still allow graduates who actively support the South African Government in public relations exercises around the world to vote in Seanad elections?
Comment on this
Well, some graduates may be in jail but they still have a right to vote in Seanad elections.
Comment on this
Could the Taoiseach, in one of his many capacities, do anything to ensure that university registers for the Seanad elections are updated and made more accurate than they usually are?
Comment on this
I would be very happy if that should be done as effectively as possible as I share the Deputy's awareness of the defects of the system which lead to very inadequate registers because of the problem of establishing addresses and the survival of graduates. The registers are defective and I know that efforts have been made to improve their quality but, by the standards of other registers, because of the way they have to be compiled, they are defective and unsatisfactory in certain respects.