We should reform Seanad and not abolish it

I was all for abolishing the Seanad, when it was first suggested.

But now I think we should reform it by introducing senators publicly elected, with no political connections to parties or independents, and do away with local councils.

The Senate could be made up of people from the business, social and interest groups, then they could carry out the business of holding the Dáil to account.

Also they could appoint managers to each local council of every county, one per county. We have too many councils, councillors and urban or town councils for our size of our country.

If four regional councils, are not ideal, then use the Senate to do this, if FG/Labour are serious about it.

Also, could Charlie Flanagan answer my question put to him about how many teachers are in the Government, how many are ministers and how many are in the Dáil altogether?

Emmet Murphy

Kanturk

Co Cork