Referendum on abolishing the Seanad set for October

Amid angry scenes, senators have voted in favour of a referendum which could sweep away the Seanad.

Railing against the move, outspoken Independent senator David Norris branded the referendum legislation a “piece of rubbish” as he accused the Government of “dishonesty”.

Fianna Fáil’s leader in the Seanad, Darragh O’Brien, called the move the “greatest act of political vandalism” in the State’s history.