Flanagan: Seanad reform may 'eclipse Dáil reform'

The Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party has said that neither the Taoiseach nor the party are to blame for the Government losing the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

Charlie Flanagan was speaking in the wake of a wave of criticism towards Enda Kenny over his refusal to take part in a debate on the issue.

The Laois-Offaly TD has also claimed that any reform of the Seanad may slow down or overshadow Dáil reform.

Mr Flanagan said: "This has been a setback for Fine Gael, it is a setback for political reform but it shouldn't stop.

"My major worry at this stage is that if we have all the focus on a reformed Seanad, that this might in fact eclipse reform of the Dáil.

"That's why I think the major program of work must be undertaken, in terms of changing the way we do our business in the Dáil chamber, making the Government more accountable and more relevant."