‘Tricky’ time for Kenny if Seanad abolished

Taoiseach Enda Kenny could be facing “more trouble than he bargained for” from senators if the electorate votes to abolish the Seanad — and the forthcoming Social Welfare Bill “will be a prime target”, Seanad sources said last night.

A number of senators, who asked not to be named, yesterday said that if the house is abolished after next Friday’s vote, it is “an open secret that it’s going to get very tricky” for the Government..

Following the budget, the Government needs to pass the Social Welfare Bill which could contain up to €440m in cuts, and while one Fine Gael senator doubted it would be rejected, he envisaged it being delayed for some time.