Ahern wants EU issues role for Seanad

ENTRUSTING Seanad Éireann with much greater responsibility to deal with European and international issues would reduce the democratic deficit between Ireland and the EU, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.

Speaking before Mary O'Rourke's Seanad Reform Sub-Committee, which is this week hearing submissions on reform of the upper house, Mr Ahern said the Seanad would be the ideal place to debate European issues.

He said he had no problem with the suggestion, made earlier in the Progressive Democrat submission to the committee, that the sitting Taoiseach should be legally obliged to address the Seanad before EU summits.