Sir, – Several contributors to the debate on the future of the Seanad have called the system by which it is elected “undemocratic”. I beg to differ.
Indirect election by an electoral college is an acceptable form of democracy, especially when the members of the college are themselves elected by universal suffrage. Most Senators (43 out of 60) are elected in this way, the college consisting of elected local authority councillors, plus TDs and outgoing Senators.
A further six members are elected by graduates of two universities. Recognising the academic and financial efforts that students have to make to achieve graduation, as well as the State’s own contribution to costs (which means that third-level education is now accessible to many more adults, whether young or “mature”), the State is entitled to “reward” with the right to vote those who have increased their value to society by graduating. (The two universities would do well, however, to open their voters’ rolls to diploma-holders and senior students).
The main flaw in the system is that not all third-level institutions qualify. To correct this without taking seats away from the older universities (as an unused section of the Constitution foresees) the government could offer, say, four or five of the 11 seats that it now fills by appointment to be voted for by the graduates and senior students of the excluded institutions. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL DRURY,
Avenue Louise,
Brussels,
Belgium.