Those in favour of reform should vote yes

There is a misconception about the Seanad referendum that those in favour of reform should vote no. In fact reform can happen even if you vote yes.

In the 1930s the Seanad was abolished only for it to be re-created two years later. If it happened once, it can happen again.

In the event the referendum is approved, there is nothing stopping a future government asking the people to re-establish a reformed Seanad.

The danger of a no vote is that there is no guarantee of reform. It is highly unlikely reform will occur before the next general election. This means that an unreformed Seanad could continue until the subsequent general election, in seven years’ time! Even then there is no guarantee that a future government will reform it, or that a reform referendum will be approved. Thus the worse case scenario of a no vote is that the Seanad continues for decades more without any reform. The risk of no reform is too high, and consequently the risk of a no vote is too high. Those in favour of reform should vote yes.

Jason Fitzharris

Swords

Co Dublin