Senators angry at campaign launch to abolish Senate
One senator even likened the launch to Nazi propaganda.
As Fine Gael announced its campaign for the autumn referendum, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton also came under fire for leading the party drive ahead of legislation being passed to close the Seanad. Mr Bruton yesterday announced his campaign team to promote the abolition of the Seanad and said its abolition would save €20m. Meath East TD Regina Doherty will deputise for the campaign.
Mr Bruton said savings would be diverted to schools and projects, and later said on radio that the saved funds could be used to help “people with special needs”.
“The Senate is a luxury we can no longer afford,” said Mr Bruton.
He said his party would use social media to campaign for a yes vote, would hold meetings across the country, and would spend in the region of between €150,000 and €200,000 campaigning.
Senators lashed out at the launch. Fianna Fáil senator Mary White said Mr Bruton’s campaign launch had been “like propaganda from Hitler”.
Labour’s John Whelan said the Seanad referendum should be deferred to coincide with the 2014 local and EU elections.
Senators asked why Fine Gael had launched its campaign ahead of any legislation proposing the abolition of the house being passed. They also said the cost of the Seanad was €8.8m a year, not €20m.
They also queried why Mr Bruton was using “vulnerable” people as “bait” to entice people to vote no in the poll.
Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone said the promise to spend Seanad funds on people with special needs was a “populist” move. Party whip Maurice Cummins said the move to link the disabled with a no vote was “despicable”.
Campaign group Democracy Matters said Fine Gael were using “inaccurate” figures. Fianna Fáil say it will campaign to retain the Seanad. Some Labour senators say they will support the legislation but will vote no in the referendum.
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