Ahern approves plan for reform of the Seanad

The Taoiseach has given approval to a high-level Seanad sub-committee to advance with plans for reform of the House.

Mr Ahern met the Seanad's sub-committee on reform, a branch of the Committee on Procedures and Privileges (CPP), yesterday evening, and agreed to appoint to it a civil servant from his Department or the Oireachtas who would help draft proposals.

The leader of the Seanad, Mrs Mary O'Rourke, is to report on the matter to the CPP today, and to the House next Tuesday, following what she described as a "very positive" meeting.

"The Taoiseach is very interested in reform of the Seanad, and he has agreed to take on board the terms of reference we have drafted.

"A civil servant is to work with us, and we intend to go through a public consultation process, which would include an input from political analysts, before producing a report."

The move aims to address long-standing criticism of the Seanad, and its relevance to law-making in the State. Mrs O'Rourke said some in-house reforms had already been introduced, including a new emphasis on debating the EU and Northern Ireland. However, there was much yet to be done.

"We feel optimistic that reform is no longer in the air. It's happening," she said. "So often people speak in a wry or derisory tone about the Seanad. But it has such an important function. All legislation goes through it."

The leader of the Opposition in the Seanad, Mr Brian Hayes, and the Labour and Independent group leaders, Ms Kathleen O'Meara and Mr Joe O'Toole, also attended yesterday's meeting.

Mrs O'Rourke said the committee hoped to have an interim report on the issue published by July and a final report by December. One of the matters to be examined is the manner in which senators are elected.

Earlier this week, Mrs O'Rourke said she personally supported a proposal to extend voting rights to all third-level graduates in such elections.

Six senators are currently elected by graduates of Trinity College and the constituent colleges of the NUI.