Sir, – Reform of the Seanad is a hypothetical proposition. The people can only judge the Seanad by what it is and what it was and not by what it might be. – Yours, etc,
WILTON DENNEHY,
Lisnalty,
Limerick.
Sir, – Would it be unreasonable to expect that those current members of the Houses of the Oireachtas who advocate the abolition of the Seanad would give a public undertaking not to seek future election to the Upper House should the electorate reject the Government proposal? People of principle should have no difficulty doing so. – Yours, etc,
JANET FOX,
Annville Drive,
Kilmacud,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Now that the date has been set for the Seanad abolition referendum and the date set for the referendum on rejuvenating the courts system, when will the referendum to reform the Dáil and the Cabinet be held, lest it be forgotten that these were the institutions that got us into the mess we are currently in?
There is no point cutting off an arm when you are having a heart attack. – Yours, etc,
COLM BERGIN,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin.
Sir,– Stephen Collins (Front Page, July 24th) reminds readers that the Seanad referendum (due to be held on October 4th) will be followed some two weeks later (October 15th) by the budget. It looks like we're in for yet another dose of austerity; if there were any goodies in the next budget the Government would have held the referendum after a generally well-received financial statement. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Beacon Hill,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.