Seanad ‘reforms’ are mere tinkering

Nine months after the Seanad was saved, we’re still wondering why it was retained, writes Prof Gary Murphy

SO, nine months after it was saved, the Seanad has nudged its way back on to the news agenda. While tales of senators complaining about the etiquette of Dublin seagulls had the chattering classes giggling as to these vital matters of public interest, something more important was taking place in our sleepy second house.

On foot of a proposal by Independent senator John Crown, the Seanad passed an amendment removing the restriction on GPs speaking out, the so-called “gagging clause”, in the legislation providing free GP care for children under six.