Matters on the Adjournment – Seanad Éireann – 9th Nov 2009
For those of you who are interested, the following matters were on the Adjournment tonight in Seanad Éireann. They are submitted to the Cathaoirleach by members of Seanad Éireann in order to receive a response from Minister. Tonight, Minister Brian Lenihan is taking the Matters on the Adjournment in place of Ministers O’Dea, Harney and
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Sen. David Norris – The policy of the Irish Army of acquiring military expenditure from Israeli companies.
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Sen. Cecelia Keaveny – Holistic approach to lifelong aftercare for breast cancer patients.
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Sen. Maria Corrigan – Inspections on certain residential homes for children with disabilities, adults with Intellectual Disabilities and unaccompanied Minors
Reform of Seanad Éireann
I read the Irish Independent today (don’t judge me please…there were no Irish Times in the newsagents) and there was an interesting article about Senator’s opinions on how Seanad Éireann should be reformed. I was heartened to see that a number of Fianna Fáil Senators want a change in how it is elected and about how it conducts its business.
I firmly believe that we need an Upper House. I think there is an important role for it to play and Deputy Kenny’s calls for its abolition are nothing more than populist. Deputy Kenny is playing the traditional Fine Gael game of meandering in search of column inches. So here is how I would like to see Seanad Éireann reformed!
How its Elected:
I think Noel Dempsey’ calls for a National List system has merit. I think however, it should be used in the Seanad and not the Dáil. 25 Senators should be elected a list system based on Euro Constituencies, with 5 Senators assigned to each area. The percentage vote for each party in that area would be used to decided the number of seats for that party in that area. Parties would nominate their candidates ahead of the election in order of preference. 15 Senators would be elected by members of County, City and Town Councillors from 3 panels. Five Senators would be elected by Irish citizens from across the globe with two to be elected by Irish Citizens in Northern Ireland. There would be five 3rd level Senators with a further 10 Taoiseach’s appointees.
New Role of the Seanad:
- Increased role in the scrutiny of EU legislation
- Scrutiny of Appoinments to State Agencies
- Approval for Judicial Appointments
These are just my initial thoughts. Let me know what you think?
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 6 so far )Seanad Éireann – To Kill or Not to Kill
Following Enda Kenny TD’s remarks over the past number of days calling for the abolition of Seanad Éireann and the possible savings of €150 million over the lifetime of an Oireachtas session (5 years), many people from both within his own party Fine Gael and from my own party Fianna Fáil have attacked his comments. Once such person is Senator Maria Corrigan from Dublin South. She was nominated to the Seanad in 2007 by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. A clinical Psychologist by profession, Senator Corrigan is the Government Seanad Spokesperson on Mental Health and Disability. Today, she posted the following blog on the Fianna Fail website in defence of keeping Seanad Éireann and also dimissing Enda Kenny’s remarks as being nothing more than political opportunism following his humiliation by Eamonn Gilmore over the Oireachtas expenses issue:
The Important Role of the Senate – Senator Maria Corrigan
Enda Kenny’s call for the scrapping of the Seanad at the weekend completely contradicts his previous position and comments on this matter.
In March this year, Fine Gael published a document on Oireachtas reform in which they called for additional powers to be given to the Seanad. There was absolutely no mention of its abolishment or a reduction in size.
In an interview with LMFM, not long after the document was published, Enda Kenny went on to say that he would provide a more important role for the Seanad than had been given in the past.
RTE’s Sean O’Rourke challenged Enda Kenny on his position on the Seanad at the MacGill Summer School in July, and once again Kenny made it quite clear that he planned on keeping the Seanad. He merely said he would change the voting system and allow it to become a forum on European matters.
That means that up to three months ago, Enda Kenny still strongly believed in keeping the Seanad and giving it an increased role. Therefore, I find it hard not to be cynical about his comments at the weekend.
After being upstaged by Eamon Gilmore on the issue of Oireachtas expenses two weeks ago, it seems Kenny has been waiting for the right opportunity to make such a populist move.
As a hard working Senator on mental health and childrens issues, I am disappointed that Deputy Kenny would be so dismissive of our important role.
Having previously worked in Seanad Éireann with Senator Corrigan herself, I know all too well how hard the vast majority of the members of Seanad Éireann work. They play a pivitol role is scrutinising legislation before the house and raising matters of considerable national importance. Having said that, all Senators I believe want the Seanad to be reformed significantly.
Personally, I think all graduates should have a vote on the Universities panel regardless if they have a Degree from UCD or Tallaght IT. The numbers elected by County and City Councillors should be reduced and a new group of Senators should be elected by citizens of Ireland living abroad who are unable to vote in Dáil elections. I think that this would give Irish citizens living in the 6 Counties or further afield a way of connecting with the Irish political system. This isnt a new idea; many countries such as Italy and the US allow their citizens living abroad to vote in elections.
What do you all think? Let me know…I will forward all of your comments to Fianna Fáil Senators for their information.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )
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