Abolish the Seanad or democratise it

AT the moment an Oireachtas sub-committee is discussing the issue of Seanad reform. However, this process will be meaningless if the outcome, which will ultimately be decided upon by the main parties, is to continue to deny the majority of Irish citizens the right to decide who is elected to sit in this chamber.

Currently, the Seanad is an Irish version of the House of Lords a very expensive retirement home and talking shop for failed politicians and wannabe TDs looking to heighten their profile.

It is elitist and undemocratic, is totally unrepresentative of the public and has no place in a democratic society.