Abolition would mean ‘entrenched elite’ in the Dáil

A high-profile former attorney general has said abolishing the Seanad would create a “new entrenched elite” in the Dáil and criticised Enda Kenny for avoiding a TV debate.

Former attorney general John Rogers said the Seanad should be reformed and claimed proposed changes to the Constitution would erode protections for the people.

He said Taoiseach Enda Kenny was acting like the “High King of Ireland on a bit of a roll” in his campaign to have the Seanad abolished.

Launching lawyers’ objections to closing the Seanad, Mr Rogers, a senior counsel, outlined constitutional consequences if the people vote yes tomorrow.

It is critically important to retain a measure in the Constitution (Article 27) for the President to refer matters to the people for a referendum, which would be removed if people vote yes, he said.

This was an important “safety valve” for the people.

Mr Kenny yesterday warned there would be no reform of the Seanad if the public votes to keep it.

In a last-ditch bid for support for a yes vote, he said the choice for voters was simple: Scrap it or retain it.

“The Seanad is an ineffective, powerless body,” he said.

“It costs €20m a year. It is undemocratic. It is minority representative. It is not possible to reform this body.”