Keep parties out of university panels

THE NUI and Trinity College panels of Seanad Eireann were established to give voice to minority interests in our society and to encourage people who were not in the party political structure to seek election to the Upper House.

There is widespread agreement that the university panels have been successful in this regard and that senators from these panels have greatly contributed to the political system.

It is regrettable therefore to see that party political candidates, or candidates with party political backing, are now running on the two university panels.

Such candidates have at their disposal massive financial, administrative and public relations support from political parties who clearly now see both these panels as nothing more than stepping stones to the Dáil.

This has the effect of creating an uneven playing field and offends the whole constitutional purpose for which these panels were established.

The time has now come for regulations to be introduced to deal with this matter to ensure fairness in future such elections.

Mairtin O’Maolruaidh

Polkeen

Tuam Road

Galway