Referendum on Seanad next year, says Kenny

THE REFERENDUM to abolish the Seanad will be held next year, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil.

Proposals for the constitutional convention, which would consider the referendum, were close to completion.

“I intend to have a referendum on the matter in 2012,’’ said Mr Kenny.

The Government, he said, believed that the referendums on the Abbeylara judgment and the protection of whistleblowers should be held on the same day as the presidential election next October.

In the first instance, said Mr Kenny, the Government believed that Oireachtas committees should be able to compel witnesses to come before them and the Attorney General was drafting the appropriate legislation.

The Government also believed whistleblowers, who brought important information to the notice of people, should be fully protected.

Replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, he said the referendum on children’s rights was not scheduled for the day of the presidential election.

Mr Kenny said there would be consultation with the Opposition on the constitutional convention.

“It is a matter that will, I hope, result in several changes to the way the country is run and it will be reflected in our Constitution,” he added. Citizens, he said, would have an opportunity to participate in the convention.

Mr Martin said there should be more proactive engagement with members of the House.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said there should be meaningful consultation with TDs, adding that he did not see any way of bringing about the type of political reform envisaged by the Taoiseach without it.

He asked if votes would be given to Irish citizens outside the State in the presidential election.

Mr Kenny said the Dáil electoral system would be a matter for the convention, and would include the possibility of people outside the jurisdiction being able to vote in the Republic’s elections.

“At a meeting in Brussels before the last election it was pointed out to me that more than 3,000 Irish people work in the European Commission, parliament and other EU institutions.

“A simple amendment to the existing legislation would allow them to vote in the same way as diplomats can.’’ He said consideration would be given to the “national reflection’’ on the matter.

He added that it would not be long before proposals were brought before the House.

“It will be unlike the past when the House was disregarded,’’ said Mr Kenny.

“When the proposals are put together I will certainly discuss them with the leaders opposite.’’