Senator Quinn welcomes plan for autumn referendum on Seanad abolition

Independent Senator Fergal Quinn has welcomed the news of a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad next autumn.

"We don't want to maintain the Seanad. What we want is a reformed Seanad," he said.

"The present Seanad that we have isn't geared to do what it's capable of doing. What we'd like to do is convince the public that there is a need for a second chamber and that a reformed Seanad would be able to do a much better job."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said today in his end-of-year briefing with journalists that a vote would be held in the Autumn.

He confirmed that he is commited to holding a referendum on the issue, along with a possible vote on other constitutional issues.