Seanad reform
Senator Warfield called for radical Seanad reform, including direct elections, Northern and diaspora representation, and gender balance, while Senator Leyden and others teased the repeated nature of the debate.
I have a great deal of sympathy for the issue raised by Senator Ray Butler, and commend him on his campaign.
I spoke yesterday on the issue of Seanad reform and the need for this House to be a modern and effective Chamber.
Comment on this
I am afraid so. This must be a priority for this House and Sinn Féin is clear on what this House should look like. It should have direct election by way of a universal franchise for all citizens on the same day as a Dáil vote, Northern representation, representation from across the diaspora, 50% representation of women and representation of traditionally marginalised groups in Irish society. On 12 successive occasions, reports have been produced proposing reform and yet none of those has been implemented. After speaking with the Leader yesterday, my intention was that I would write to the Department of the Taoiseach calling for urgency in the appointment of a chairperson to the interim implementation body. This House should collectively write to the Department of the Taoiseach to outline our call for urgency in the appointment of that chairperson. I assume, following the Taoiseach's call for nominees, that those have been fulfilled. This House should call collectively, with urgency, for a chairperson for that committee.
