Coalition to accept Bill on Seanad reform amid fears of internal revolt

A threatened revolt by Fine Gael and Labour Senators has prompted the Government to accept a Bill outlining detailed proposals for a reformed Upper House, which will be debated tonight.

The Cabinet yesterday decided not to oppose the Seanad Reform Bill 2013 which is being proposed by Senators Feargal Quinn and Katherine Zappone.

The move followed indications that a significant number of Coalition Senators were prepared to defy the Government whip and allow the Bill to proceed.

Government sources insisted the decision would not modify the plan to offer the electorate a clear choice of abolition of the Seanad or its continuation in its present form when the referendum is held in the autumn.

However, the option of a reformed Seanad will be a key element in the campaign for a No vote to the Government’s plans.

A number of figures such as former minister for justice Michael McDowell and former senator Joe O’Toole have announced their intention to join the campaign by Independent Senators for a No vote.

The Seanad Reform Bill proposes to give every citizen a vote in Seanad elections and also proposes to extend the franchise to emigrants and people living in Northern Ireland.

It also proposes that the make-up of a reformed Seanad should be 50 per cent female and 50 per cent male and that the salary paid to Senators should be half that of TDs.

The Bill would give a range of additional powers to the Seanad in the scrutiny of legislation, the examination of public appointments and the holding of inquiries.

The Government Bill outlining its plans to abolish the Upper House is expected to be published in the coming weeks.

Fine Gael came under pressure over political reform on another front last night when its parliamentary party came out strongly in favour of a radical reform plan for the Dáil proposed by Dublin South East TD Eoghan Murphy. Frustration at the slow pace of progress was expressed by a number of TDs at a specially convened meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party to discuss the plan.

The plan called for a more relaxed whip system on issues that are not vital to the Government’s survival. TDs also expressed disappointment at the new topical issues procedure and the failure of senior Ministers to turn up for such debates.

Party chief whip Paul Kehoe defended the Government's record and said that Taoiseach Enda Kenny wanted to go further with political reform but initiatives were being blocked by the Opposition whips.