Enda Kenny ‘box-ticking’ on Seanad reform

Opposition leaders have accused Taoiseach Enda Kenny of not being serious about Seanad reform as they insisted he refused to discuss substantial issues at a face-to-face meeting on the future of the upper house.

The Taoiseach was only interested in a “box-ticking” exercise, rather than exploring ways of widening the electorate and powers of the Seanad at the cross-party gathering, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said.

Mr Kenny avoided any discussion of key elements of a reform package put together by Senator Maurice Manning such as expanding the vote in Seanad elections to all citizens of the Republic and the North as well as Irish passport holders world-wide.

“This was just a box-ticking exercise. The Government has not taken a view on the recommendations of the working party they set up. It is very disappointing. It turns out the Government has not even discussed the Manning report.

“They clearly want any substantive reform kicked-off until the next government, they did not want to talk about anything of significance. We need to bring in direct election for the Seanad, but it is now very unlikely there will be any reforms before the next election,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Kenny told opposition leaders that the Dáil was set to hold a debate on Seanad reform in September.

The Taoiseach suffered a humiliating blow in October 2013 when voters decided in a knife-edge result to retain the upper house after Mr Kenny let a strong poll lead for abolition slip away.

The Taoiseach admitted that voters had given him a “wallop” as he pledged to accept the result and seek reform of the Seanad.

Dr Manning’s proposals also included recommendations for voters to directly elect half the upper house — 30 senators.

Mr Kenny campaigned to abolish the Seanad in 2013 on the grounds that it was too expensive and lacked power to keep the lower house and executive in check.

Pro-Seanad campaigners countered that it was an important piece of the democratic landscape and needed reform and expansion rather than being consigned to history.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also met with the Taoiseach to discuss the future of the Seanad.

SF campaigned for the abolition of the upper house in the referendum, but now wants to see it given broader powers.

Some senior figures in Fine Gael fear that giving the vote to Irish passport holders world wide could disproportionately boost support for Sinn Féin.