Wexford Fine Gael Senator Michael Darcy has admitted that he changed his mind on how to vote in the Seanad referendum on polling day.

I am disappointed with the result of the Seanad Referendum.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he is anxious to see the Seanad become an effective watchdog to hold the Government to account.

A second Seanad referendum, aimed at broadening its powers and voting base, has been signalled by Government ministers left reeling by the shock move to save the upper house.

The country said no — but Munster said yes, with the province narrowly voting in favour of scrapping the Seanad.

Next week’s budget is quite rightly the focus of families throughout the country and my party will, in the next few days, set out its alternative for a fairer approach to recovery.

There’s no one reason why Fine Gael lost the abolition of the Seanad referendum in such dramatic style but the court of the media is a good place to start looking.

There’s no one reason why Fine Gael lost the abolition of the Seanad referendum is such dramatic style but the court of the media is a good place to start looking.

The Government says its reviewing its options following yesterday's surprise defeat in the Seanad Referendum.

Counting begins this morning in two referenda that together look like they will only marginally avoid setting a new record for the worst voter turnout in the country’s history.

TWO men sat in a pub arguing about the Seanad referendum last night. This is part of their discussion.

There are less than 24 hours left for voters to make up their mind on how they will vote in the Seanad Referendum.

The Taoiseach's constituency colleague Michael Ring has defended Enda Kenny's refusal to debate the Seanad referendum.

Can we trust them? That is the question that voters need to ask themselves as they consider their vote in the Seanad referendum.

Fine Gael has confirmed that Richard Bruton will take part in a live televised debate on the Seanad referendum tonight.

Former Fine Gael junior minister Lucinda Creighton lobbed another political hand grenade in the direction of Taoiseach Enda Kenny after declaring that members of the Reform Alliance will again oppose Fine Gael policy and support the retention of the Seanad.

The Fianna Fáil leader said that he would join forces with the Reform Alliance to campaign for a No vote in the Seanad referendum.

The breakaway group of Fine Gael members, known as The Reform Alliance, is today calling for a NO vote in the Seanad referendum.

Independent TD Shane Ross claims Enda Kenny is "admitting defeat" in the Seanad referendum campaign refusing to take part in a televised debate.

The Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has challenged the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to a debate on the Seanad referendum.

When Labour senator John Whelan, who is supporting a no vote in the Seanad referendum, was asked (Morning Ireland, Sept 11) if he was not acting against his party he replied no, Labour’s “original intention’’ was to refer the question of abolition to the Constitutional Convention.

Somehow, the Seanad referendum has just reached galactic proportions.

The Taoiseach was yesterday accused of “ducking” a live television debate by Micheál Martin as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil launched their opposing campaigns for next month’s Seanad referendum.

Sinn Féin is the first party to hold its annual think-in ahead of the return of the Dáil.

Watchdogs overseeing the Seanad referendum battle have welcomed the fact that there will not be “confusing” material put out by the Government during the campaign.

A small increase in working hours for TDs is reported to be on the agenda for this morning's Cabinet meeting.

Prof John Crown, speaking about the Seanad referendum, on Newstalk’s Lunchtime show (Jun 6) referred to members of the Vintners Federation of Ireland as ‘drug dealers’.

The Government has decided to hold three referendums before Christmas.

Enda Kenny intends to actively campaign and inform the public about the need to abolish the Seanad ahead of a planned referendum next autumn on closing the upper house.

The Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said he expects the Seanad Referendum to go ahead next year.