Paul Hosford: Seanad is not representative of Irish society and needs to be reformed

The Seanad elections are here again, but with reform efforts stagnant and public engagement low, Ireland’s second chamber struggles to find relevance

Prior to the 2013 referendum on its abolition, then taoiseach Enda Kenny described the Seanad as an ‘ineffective, powerless body’ that was impossible to reform, before acknowledging the electorate’s vote in favour of reform. Picture: Laurent Gillieron/Keystone

DO you remember the political wallop that Enda Kenny received?

The Mayoman’s turn of phrase was legendary, but the term will have outlasted its provenance to many.