Independents strike blow in fight to save Seanad
Independents Feargal Quinn and Katherine Zappone tabled the proposed legislation as part of their campaign to save the Seanad from closure.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has committed the Coalition to a referendum on the future of the upper house this autumn after calling for its abolition.
However, Fine Gael and Labour backed away from opposing the reform bill due to fears that their own senators would break ranks.
The bill would see all voters given the right to elect senators, as well as passport holders living abroad and those eligible for citizenship living in the North.
The modernisation effort would also see the upper house given new powers to instigate legislation and launch investigations.
A reformed Seanad would also have to maintain a 50:50 gender balance among members.
Under the slogan “open it, don’t close it”, defenders of the upper house say a reformed chamber is essential in order to keep the executive in check.
Opponents of abolition see the Government decision not to oppose the bill as a moral victory, as they know it cannot become law but does boost the campaign to modernise the Seanad.
Government plans to abolish the Seanad are expected to be made public next month.
Meanwhile, a number of Fine Gael TDs have indicated they want a looser whipping system in the Dáil and a reform of the lower house as well.
