Sir, – Seán Lemass, speaking in 1928 in support of a motion that the Senate should be elected solely by the Dáil, explained the purpose was to ensure that if there had to be a Senate it would be entirely subordinate to the lower house, “held tight in the grip of this body and unable to wriggle unless this body so permits it”.
He added, “We are in favour, of course, of the abolition of the Senate, but if there is to be a Second House let it be a Second House under our thumb. Let it be a group of individuals who dare not let a squeak out of them except when we lift our fingers to give them breath to do it.” – Yours, etc,
PAT WHELAN,
Millmount Avenue,
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Mullingar, Co Westmeath.