Enda, get your own ‘house’ in order first

In order to cut off any argument from those in favour of retaining and reforming the Seanad, that abolishing it would leave too much power with the Dáil, and to show that he is genuine about real political reform, Enda Kenny could ensure that the reforms he recently set out for the Dáil, as limited and unimaginative as they are, should be complete and in place before the referendum on removing the Seanad.

It would also strengthen his hand if he were to finally do something about the political expenses gravy train, at local, national and EU level to ensure that firstly, no elected representative is able to retain ownership of an asset paid for by the taxpayer via expenses, be it a ministerial car, a second home or a local office, and secondly that every single cent claimed is based on a published receipt.

One reform that would make a real difference, which Mr Kenny could do at the stroke of a pen, would be to remove the requirement for the public to obtain ‘permission’ from a TD or Senator before they can visit the Dáil.

You can walk in off the street to watch proceedings in parliaments in Westminster and Washington DC, and many others with far higher security risks than ours. After all, when it was owned and lived in by the FitzGeralds, it was specifically designed to be open to anyone.

Desmond FitzGerald

Canary Wharf

London