Campaigners dispute claims that shutting Seanad will save €20m

Clashes have been sparked by Government claims on how much shutting down the Seanad will save taxpayers.

Campaigners urging voters to keep the upper house in an October referendum on its future have attacked Government assertions that abolition will save €20m a year as misleading.

Former PD leader and tánaiste Michael McDowell insisted the real figure would be about €6.5m per year, saying that broke down to €1.60 per person per year.