Kenny accused of destroying political accountability

A Government TD has accused the Taoiseach of destroying political accountability by being “caught up in a presidential-style of leadership”.

Labour’s Joanna Tuffy said Enda Kenny was “anti-politics” and “anti-democratic” with his “populist nonsense” that Ireland has too many politicians. She also said he was being “flippant” in his attempt to abolish the Seanad in a referendum to be held in October.

“Power is not just being moved to the centre, to the executive under this Government’s so-called reforms,” she said. “It is also being put further into the hands of unelected advisers and spin doctors, many of whom earn twice the salaries of senators with no accountability whatsoever.”