Why the Seanad needs to go

In the Seanad referendum on Friday, the Irish people are being offered a choice that past generations were deprived of by Irish governments — the choice to vote yes to abolish the current undemocratic and elitist Seanad, or to keep it.

I have decided to vote yes in favour of abolition for the following reasons.

Abolishing the Seanad will enshrine the concept of meritocracy into Irish politics like never before; it will mean that for the first time in Ireland, all serving politicians in the State will be democratically elected by ordinary citizens at the ballot box. This should also increase levels of accountability in Irish politics.