Madam, – I agree with those who call for reform, not abolition, of the Seanad; a proposal for abolition could function as a lazy sop substituting for wholesale reform of both houses of the Oireachtas.
I would like to support the call for such reform and the six principles outlined by Peter Mooney,Robin Hanan and Seamus Boland, (March 29th). A second house which could freely scrutinise legislation and have some teeth such as power to veto, ought to be totally apolitical – (as should the judiciciary and other bodies dealing with sensitive areas of social legislation) – and give voice to citizens’ interests through appropriate groupings representing defined areas both of expertise and of social experience. Regarding the debate on whether it is a whole-time or part-time position, perhaps the former group could be full-time, while the latter would be more part-time? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Conor Brady makes an eloquent case for retention of the Seanad based on the benefits of emulating a decent parliamentary tradition established by some senators (Opinion, April 14th).
But surely the more compelling case for retaining the Seanad is grounded on a solid appreciation of bicameralism and the link between this and an appropriate balance of powers between the legislature (parliament) and executive (government). The imbalance that currently favours the executive – both the permanent civil service and transient cabinets – is the most urgent issue of political and constitutional reform facing this country. Over-concentration of power in the executive, with weak and unconnected accountability mechanisms, has been at the root of so many problems resulting from bad and occasionally corrupt decision-making.
Abolishing the Seanad and trimming the Dáil will not address these. If anything, it may exacerbate the problems associated with centralising power. Both the Dáil and Seanad require major reform. That is beyond debate. Such reform must address the over-concentration of power in the executive and avoid the populist option of cutting off a limb to save the body politic. – Yours, etc,