A chara, – I read with interest the letter from John Thompson (July 14th), criticising the lack of reform in the Seanad and advocating, once again, its abolition. I also noted with some wry amusement that it was juxtaposed alongside several letters in relation to the future of the Israeli embassy in Ireland and the passage in the Seanad of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. Most reasonable people would agree that the Seanad is in need of reform, especially in terms of its electorate. However, I would have thought that the passage just this week in the Seanad of the aforementioned Bill, and especially the ground-breaking and stimulating debate that prefaced the same, are excellent examples of the continuing usefulness of the Seanad and why it ought to be retained, albeit with reform. – Is mise,
E DILLON,
Farranshone, Limerick.