Fianna Fáil bill would 'dramatically alter' composition of Seanad

Fianna Fáil has published a bill on Seanad reform which would increase the franchise to all those eligible to vote in Dáil elections as well people in the North who qualify for Irish citizenship and Irish passport holders abroad.

Leader Micheál Martin claimed the Seanad Reform Bill 2014 would strengthen the powers of the upper house to act as a check on Government and scrutinise national and EU legislation on behalf of the people.

Mr Martin said the main difference the bill would make would be to change the method of election which would in itself “dramatically alter the composition of the Seanad.”