Powerless Seanad

I am tired of reading letters to the effect that if the Seanad were abolished the Dáil would be left unfettered in matters of legislation.

The fact is the Seanad has no powers of any consequence beyond the following: It can initiate a bill, but even if the bill passes through the Seanad, it must then go to the Dáil where it can either be passed, or voted down.

A bill passed through the Dáil must go to the Seanad but all it can do is propose amendments.