Referendum anniversary and Seanad reform
Senator Byrne reflected on the tenth anniversary of the referendum to abolish the House and recalled being at the count centre. He noted the promise of major reform and praised the Cathaoirleach and his predecessor for some changes to Chamber procedures.
I wish to ask if people remember where they were on this morning exactly ten years ago.
Comment on this
You may, for slightly sad reasons, remember, because yesterday ten years ago was the day of the referendum which proposed to abolish this House and this was the morning of the count. Most of us here, I imagine, were either at a count centre or tuned into the radio listening to some of the early tallies.
Part of the commitment that was given ten years ago, when the people took the decision to retain the Upper House, was that there would be significant reform. I pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach and his predecessor, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, for some of the reforms in how this Chamber operates. There is still a need for much broader reforms. The Deputy Leader will be aware of the Heneghan case that Tomás Heneghan has taken. I have a Bill that is winding its way through this House.
I know this issue has been raised with the Taoiseach as well. Before the next Seanad elections, we need to look at a move around expanding the franchise. Apart from internal reforms in how we operate, there needs to be a move to address the views that have been expressed in the Heneghan case. We need to, at the very least, look at expanding the university franchise as was committed to. We need to move on this quickly because we are probably facing a general and then Seanad election in 12 to 18 months. It is critical and I ask the Deputy Leader to facilitate a debate on the broader issue of Seanad reform or indeed to specifically look at the Heneghan case and the response.