Voters chose by a narrow margin in a referendum in 2013 to retain the Seanad. It’s unlikely they are happy with that decision, writes Senator Gerard P Craughwell.
Earlier, the Taoiseach promised that senators will get more work once legislation to give all third-level graduates a vote in Seanad elections is passed. The upper house is sitting for just a day-and-a-half this week.
Enda Kenny has said the upper house can have greater powers of scrutiny but he does not intend to introduce universal suffrage for elections to the Seanad.
With the onset of the crisis five years ago, the malaise in our political system came to the surface; now, thanks in part to the Seand referendum, it is bubbling over, writes Colin Murphy.
Some cynics claim that the government will do nothing about the Seanad now, but they are ignoring the reality that 93 per cent of the people oppose the status quo, writes Larry Donnelly.
Some might argue that a bad Seanad is better than no Seanad – but having a “bad” Seanad is far worse, inspiring only cynicism and harming the political process, writes Ale White TD.
In pushing for Seanad abolition, the government is trying to strip a layer of democracy designed to give fundamental protections to citizens, writes Niall Collins TD.
I have a lot of time for the Taoiseach, but his leadership has been autocratic and even authoritarian in a representative democracy and I find this unsettling, writes Larry Donnelly.
While there are practical arguments for a bill that requires no constitutional change, it limits any reform across the whole legislative body, writes Eoin O’Malley.
MANY COVID RESTRICTIONS are being lifted around the country today by Government including the 5km travel restriction.
There is plenty to be cheerful about today as all students return to classrooms, two households can meet outdoors in a public place, some construction work can begin, but the big one, for most people, will be the easing of the 5km restriction on travel.
From this morning it is permitted to travel within the border of your county or 20km from your home across county borders.
Ireland has been on a strict lockdown since December 30 with the 5km limit seen as one of the key ways to fight the virus.
But the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said last month that the government “gets it” and understands that people are “fed up” with this kind of restriction.
This morning, as the restrictions ease, we are asking: Will you travel beyond 5km today?
A few afternoon showers
Max: 9 °C
Min: 1 °C
Clouds and sun, a shower in the p.m.
Max: 11 °C
Min: 2 °C
Times of clouds and sun
Max: 11 °C
Min: 2 °C
