Plans to cut the number of senators elected by TDs and local councillors are being examined by a Seanad sub-committee which is developing a package of proposals for reforming the upper House of the Oireachtas,Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter.
These include the extension of the university franchise and the appointment by the Taoiseach of a set number of Northern Ireland members to every Seanad, a measure which would require a constitutional referendum.
Chaired by the leader of the House, Ms Mary O'Rourke, the sub-committee of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges is expected to finalise its report next month. The committee will then make proposals to the Government, which will make the ultimate decisions on reform.
While the sub-committee has not yet signed off on proposals to reduce the number of senators elected by TDs, councillors and outgoing senators, the discussions are well advanced.
It is understood that such a measure is being examined as a means of freeing up Seanad seats for direct election by the electorate at large, which would greatly increase the Seanad franchise. To credibly reflect that increase, there would be a requirement for a significant cut in the 43 senators currently elected by politicians.
As a quid pro quo to mollify any dissent by local authority members, the sub-committee is examining a proposal to give councillors the right to nominate candidates to the Seanad panels.
To achieve this, the committee would withdraw the right to nominate candidates from the bodies on the current nomination panels. There are about 100 such groups, including some of the biggest trade unions in the State and influential professional groups such as the Law Society and the Bar Council.
With the sub-committee already agreed in principle to call for the creation of Northern Ireland seats in the Seanad, it has been suggested by informed individuals that a referendum to enable this to take place could be held on the same day as the local and European elections next June.
The sub-committee is also understood to have agreed in principle to seek legislation to give effect to a constitutional amendment already passed to extend the university franchise.
This would open the Seanad franchise to the graduates of Dublin City University and the University of Limerick and those of the institutes of technology.