Sir, – One of the ironies of a democracy is that unelected upper houses with a limited blocking function tend to have a more balanced / long-term view of life than an elected lower house. This is the real reason agenda-driven lower houses dislike them – they tend to get in the way of government agendas.
While the Seanad needs some reform, a reformed Seanad could act as a useful check and balance on the actions/antics of the Dáil. It’s depressing, but hardly surprising, that Fine Gael is pushing to abolish the Seanad instead of focusing on something far more important, namely modernising the system of ministerial appointments.
The current Irish political system ensures that experienced politicians with limited experience of the substance of their ministerial responsibilities rise to the top. We do not need Ministers to be drawn from the ranks of elected TDs. Provided their actions are subject to parliamentary scrutiny, it’s better that Ministers are not themselves elected. That way, Ireland could benefit directly from people with real-world experience in each ministerial area (not yet more lawyers and teachers); and they would be under less pressure to make populist and self-serving decisions. – Yours, etc,
SEÁN Mac CANN,
Trillick, Co Tyrone.
Sir, – I would like to take issue with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on the matter of the origins of our upper house.
In his speech this week he described the Seanad as an anachronistic model reminiscent of 19th-century Britain, clearly referring to the House of Lords (Front page, June 6th). I find this comparison inaccurate, and feel that it fails to do justice to the character of our upper house.
Yes, it is true to say, that many of our legal, political and administrative institutions were modelled on those of the Anglo Normans, and later the British establishment, indeed, if I am not mistaken, we continue to mimic and emulate some of the legislative reforms of our neighbours. However, when it comes to the Seanad I believe that it is worth mentioning that prior to the arrival of the Anglo Normans there was in place a system of Early Irish Law, to which poets contributed to the drafting and administration of the law.
I feel this model to which our current Seanad bears more resemblance. The insights of artists that extend beyond the more restrictive positivist legal traditions, I believe, have the potential to add a more human aspect to our public administration. If anything we need more of this not less. Significant Senators such as WB Yeats, Robert Ballagh and David Norris are counted in their number.
I am in favour of reform of the Seanad, and would like to see a greater diversity represented, in particular an allocation for a representative for members of the Traveller community. Law should be about fairness; diminishing the role of diverse members of society will quieten the more radical voices and reduce the quality of our parliament, a place where all voices should be heard. – Yours, etc,
SUSAN GOGAN, LLB,
MLitt, Castle Cove,
Enniscrone, Co Sligo.