Lack of foresight to reform the functions of Seanad Eireann has led to a lack of confidence by the public – Bannon

Speaking in the Dail on Thursday 19^th June on the 32^nd Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition f Seanad Eireann ) Bill 2013, Longford/Westmeath TD James Bannon said “in bringing forward this legislation, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD is leading by example.  In our Programme for Government, we said we would reform and stream line the workings of Government,  and restore public confidence in the political system particularly after so many costly Tribunals and abuse of expenses by some within this system.

At a time when the Government is calling for cutbacks and staff reductions in the public sector and reform of this sector, what better way to set a good example than to reduce Oireachtas members and get its own house in order.  The Oireachtas is top heavy for a small country and the cost to the tax payer is not justified. The abolition of the Senate will result in saving of €45m annually.

As soon as it took office the Government reduced the pay of the Taoiseach, Minsters and TDs increased the number of Dáil sitting days and removed the automatic entitlements to State cars and drivers.  Before we took office we witnessed the ridiculous situation when the previous Fianna Fail Government put off the holding of the Donegal South West Bye Election by almost a year and a half.  We guaranteed that Bye Elections would take place within six months, and an example of this was the recent Meath East Bye Election.

The role and purpose of the Senate causes a problem for the general public as they observe the working of that House.  There has been no reform of the Senate undertaken by any Government in the past.     Had some kind of reform taken place over the years the Senate could possibly have acted as a watch dog on EU legislation and its implications to Ireland.     The lack of foresight to reform or re-examine its functions had led to a lack of confidence by the public at large as to its current role in Irish society.

 However in abolishing the Senate we must make sure there is no undermining of the Dáil and the scrutinising of legislation.  Speaking in the Dáil yesterday 19^th June I have called for a strengthening of the Dáil Committees,  sitting more frequently and throughout the year to scrutinise legislation and to make sure no Government can push through legislation for the benefit of its benefactors, as was sometimes the case in the past.

The Referendum Commission will be charged with the task of explaining the purpose of the referendum on the 32^nd Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of the Seanad) Bill 2013 and I hope that the public will understand what and why they are voting for this legislation.