Sir, – Well done to former senator Paschal Donohoe (Opinion, May 23rd) for standing up and stating the truth – that in its entire existence the Seanad has done nothing of significance, and its continuance would be wasteful, anachronistic and of benefit only to insiders.
Some status-quo stalwarts from the Law Library (May 24th) counter with the argument that the Seanad has in some instances proposed minor amendments to legislation that were subsequently adopted by the Dáil. However, proposing amendments is not the sole preserve of the Seanad – just look at the number of organisations currently proposing amendments to planned abortion legislation. The fact is that the Dáil is no more obliged to listen to suggestions from the Seanad than to suggestions in the Letters page of The Irish Times – the Letters page being subject to certain quality standards and delivered gratis to the State. – Yours, etc,
JOHN THOMPSON,
Shamrock Street,
Phibsboro,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Deputy Pashal Donohoe must take us for fools. Fine Gael and Labour right now pay 37 unelected “special ministerial political advisers” a total of €3.4 million each year. We pay 60 Senators €4.1 million in salaries each year. If money really is the issue, as the Deputy seems to think, a 50 per cent reduction in salaries for advisers and Senators is the answer. – Yours, etc,
ANNE DRUMGOOLE,
St Fintans Cresecent,
Sutton, Dublin 13.
Sir, – I was somewhat surprised to see my former colleague and friend Paschal Donohoe TD writing so dismissively of Seanad Éireann (Opinion, May 23rd). He was glad enough to make use of the Senate as his entry point into political life himself, and I remember him making many fine analytical speeches particularly in the economic area.
In the main question with which he confronts your readers he clearly signals the truth of my contention that this is a political gimmick under which heads of Senators are to roll as a sacrifice for the incompetence of the lower house. It is true that the public is baying for the blood of politicians, and this is almost entirely due to the financial mess we find ourselves in. They are probably not aware that the Senate is entirely guiltless in this as the lower house removed all financial powers from the Senate at the time of its foundation.
Mr Donohoe, like his leader, makes much of the savings. There have been many exaggerated and inaccurate estimates of this. However I understand the clerk of the Dáil has indicated that the cost of the Senate is €4 million to €6 million per year. In the light of the hundreds of billions the Dáil has cost this country, I think it a small price to pay for a chamber that has been to the forefront of progressive social legislation and was responsible for the creation of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Even in this session so far members from all sides, including every single member of the Independent University Group, have introduced substantial items of legislation.
One must ask why serious debate is avoided by the leaders of Government. They seem determined to force a referendum in the early autumn, conveniently and immediately following the silly season in the media; crucially they have deliberately prevented any discussion of this, the most important constitutional change of the past 80 years, at the Constitutional Convention.
Your correspondent states that the Senate has never been reformed despite many reports making recommendations for its reform. That is true. And Deputy Donohoe knows perfectly well the reason. This is that every single government, including those led by his own party, has always refused to implement reform.
Worryingly, a week ago the Government published the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013, which is a most insidious attempt to undermine democracy. This proposed legislation articulates a dormant element in the Constitution which would allow the establishment of a committee to impeach and dismiss the President and do the same to the Supreme Court. If the Senate is abolished this effectively means that the quartet of senior ministers who run this country, led by the Taoiseach, will effectively comprise a dictatorship enabling them at a whim to dismiss the President of Ireland and the Supreme Court.
Let us remember that it was in this fashion, and by the abolition of a senate that President Mugabe made his way into absolute power.
I would be happy to debate this matter and indeed have already issued a challenge to the Taoiseach to so debate it with me in any forum, preferably one to which the broadcast media has access so the people can make up their own minds having fully informed themselves. I hope that Enda Kenny will find the courage and chivalry to take up the gauntlet I thus fling down before him.
Finally Mr Donohoe writes, “After 75 years it is time to abolish the Seanad”. Tut tut. Wrong again. The Seanad has just celebrated its 90th birthday, having been created in 1922, principally at the instigation of Mr Donohoe’s own party. It was subsequently abolished in the 1930s by the Fianna Fáil taoiseach Éamon de Valera, but it was restored after about a year. Must one make the same mistake twice for petty political advantage? – Yours, etc,
Senator DAVID NORRIS,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.