Taoiseach Confirms No Repeat Of Referendum

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed there will be no repeat of the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad.

Mr Kenny was speaking after his party failed to persuade the electorate to support its proposal to abolish the upper house.

The Fine Gael leader has suffered criticism since the outcome, for what some people view as a failure to properly debate the issue in the lead-up to the vote.

Speaking in Co Sligo, An Taoiseach said: "People love to have shouting matches.

"We know now that like the All-Ireland Final, it is not going to be replayed so we have to deal with the question of how you make a Seanad effective."

Independent Senator Feargal Quinn told RTÉ's News at One that the Taoiseach should introduce a bill incorporating proposals by Independent Senators for reform of the upper house.

"He could do something that de Valera wasn't able to do, others weren't able to do - 75 years without change and we could have legislation in 75 days," he said.

"We don't have to go to Constitution to do that. We don't have to change the Constitution. We don't need a referendum. We could have the perfect answer.

"Most parliaments get together and people from different parties get together. I think that's what we have to do first thing. We have to work on that and see if we can get our thoughts together."

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the government should now refer the issue of the Seanad’s future to the Constitutional Convention.

"The low voter turnout demonstrates that the Seanad simply was not a priority for people," he said.

"The government ran a ridiculously dismal campaign. Their arguments, focusing on cost were the wrong arguments.

"The Taosieach has rightly been criticised for refusing to engage in debate on what was his personal political initiative.

"Sinn Féin ran a strong campaign. In many areas Sinn Féin was the only party actively canvassing the doors. We distributed thousands of leaflets and erected posters right across the state.

"All participants and parties involved in the referendum campaign – on both sides – were clear in saying that the Seanad in its current form is elitist, undemocratic and unacceptable."

Senator Denis Landy of the Labour Party said: "The first action that government must take is to amend the terms of reference of the Constitutional Convention and bring Seanad Reform under the remit of the Convention. Secondly, the Government should engage members of Seanad Eireann, Dail Eireann, Local Government and civic society in open, frank and honest discussions on reforming politics in general so as to make it more accountable to the electorate.

"Reform of Seanad Eireann must begin immediately, the time for unused reports and long fingering has now passed. The people have spoken and the Government lead by An Taoiseach must at last prioritise this issue and bring forward real and effective reform in time for the next Seanad elections which will take place in 2016."

(IT/CD)