Sir, – The Supreme Court has now set the clock for the Oireachtas and Government to finally implement Seanad electoral reform (“Supreme Court pauses Seanad election invalidity declaration”, News, July 26th).
Since the passing of the Seventh Amendment on July 5th, 1979, 18 successive administrations have failed or simply refused to legislate for that constitutional amendment.
By giving the current Oireachtas until May 31st, 2025, to legislate, the Supreme Court has ensured a 19th Irish Government does not fail in its duty to democracy and the rule of law.
The question for the Government now is will it openly tell the electorate that it believes only graduates of higher education institutions in the State should have a vote in Seanad elections, while the majority of the population are denied that right to vote?
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Let’s not pretend we don’t all know why the Government struggles with the issue of expanding the Seanad franchise to all citizens on this island. They would prefer to continue to use the 43 vocational panel seats as gifts to party loyalists after each general election.
But the reality must now be faced up to and the Government must respect the very cornerstone of democracy: one person, one vote.
Under the Seanad Bill 2020, introduced by Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Gerard Craughwell and Michael McDowell and currently stuck at stage two of the legislative process in the Seanad, 28 seats would be filled through votes of those entitled to vote in Dáil elections, people in the North of Ireland entitled to Irish citizenship, and Irish passport-holders living outside the State.
Six seats would be filled through the votes of graduates of institutions of higher education in the State, and 15 would continue to be filled by the votes of TDs, councillors and outgoing senators.
The Seanad Bill 2020 is the clear way forward on this matter and the sooner the Government deals with that reality, the better for everyone. – Yours, etc,
TOMÁS HENEGHAN,
East Wall,
Dublin 3.