Cheques and balances

Abolishing the Seanad for a money-saving soundbite is a knee-jerk reaction that will only consolidate more power in the hands of Dáil incumbents, writes Michael Clifford

AS OF now, Seanad Éireann appears to be living on borrowed time. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to hold a referendum on abolishing the upper house. When and if such a referendum takes its place in the queue of constitutional polls, the smart money says a majority will opt to be rid of the institution.

Right now, the public at large might abolish the Dáil if it was polled on whether to do so. There is widespread disillusion with politics and how it contributed to landing the nation at its current, sorry pass.