So many reports and recommendations advocating Seanad reform have gathered dust over the decades that it is difficult to become enthused by the latest offering. This time, however, a different outcome may be possible because of pre-emptive action by an official working group headed by Maurice Manning and containing influential former senators of all parties. Rather than submit proposals to Government and hope for a legislative response, they will publish their own legislation within weeks and exert pressure to have it passed by the end of this year.
Such assertive action is, on the basis of past official lethargy, essential. The Government’s failed efforts to abolish the Seanad in 2013, provides added urgency. If the Upper House is to survive and have relevance to the electorate, significant change is required. These proposals offer a way forward but, mindful of political sensitivities, retain some existing privileges and specify that legislative reforms should not take effect until the election after next.
Changing the electoral base is the most important proposal. Voting for candidates on all six vocational panels, involving third level institutions, culture, agriculture, labour and other bodies will be opened to all Irish citizens, be they passport-holding emigrants or Northern Ireland citizens. More than half of all senators will be elected by this process, which is expected to involve on-line registration and postal voting. In an attempt to appease the existing electorate, composed solely of TDs, Senators and councillors, they have been accorded a right to fill 13 seats, rather than their present compliment of 43. The remaining 11 senators will be appointed by the taoiseach.
The primary weakness of the existing body has been its control by politicians and political parties. Councillors make up the bulk of the electorate and political parties influence the choice of candidates and trade votes. The original idea of independent, vocational representation has almost disappeared. Under the proposed dispensation, the Seanad will not act as “a roadblock to the will of the Dáil” but will focus on proposals from the North/South Ministerial Council and on secondary EU legislation. It will consider reports from official regulators and investigate matters of public interest. And, in a comment likely to scare ministers, the report acknowledges the reformed body “will have to find its own way”.
It is 36 years since a referendum to reform the electorate for university seats was passed. Nothing was done. Since then, proposals to grant a Seanad vote to emigrants and to citizens from Northern Ireland have been hotly debated and quietly forgotten. This time, action is required. The general public thwarted the Government in its efforts to abolish the Upper House. These proposals, if adopted and implemented, have the capacity to give this institution a new vigour and relevance.