Bruton’s Seanad stance criticised

In the Government’s main statement of its reasons for trashing the Seanad, Minister Richard Bruton, cites as part of the main viciousness of the institution that ‘… the final 11 seats in the Seanad are hand-picked by the Taoiseach of the day, who can parachute individuals directly into a seat without reference to any electorate, large or small.’

I have great difficulty in accepting that the Mr Bruton I know and have respected greatly for 30 years actually drafted the pathetic, sloppy and repeatedly ‘unfactual’ (sic) diatribe issued under his name. Or that he vetted it before it left his office.

Leave aside the Constitutional and legal reality that the Taoiseach is accountable to us, the citizens, for all and every action he takes as Taoiseach — including the nomination of Senators.