Sir, – An important reason for abolishing the Senate is the fundamentally different constitutional situation of Ireland now, compared to almost 80 years ago when the government of the day was intent on building the constitutional infrastructure of a 1930s independent state, including an undemocratic Senate on a tight government leash.
Since then, we have become a member state of the European Union. Most importantly, the Irish people have had their democratic franchise substantially enlarged by a directly elected European Parliament. Many smaller EU member states already do without the unnecessary distraction and expense of a second house of parliament, never mind an undemocratic one.
Progress and reform would be for the Irish people to take a deeper interest in the European Parliament and who they elect to it. Greater Dáil committee scrutiny of proposed European legislation is also necessary. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN LYNCH,
Seafield Crescent,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.