Seanad "rotten and should be closed" - Hannigan

Meath East TD Dominic Hannigan has said that the Seanad as an institution is rotten beyond reform, stating that we need to shut it down and move on.

Speaking in the Dail on the Abolition of the Seanad Bill today, the Labour Deputy and former Senator said 'Twitter is the Seanad of the people'.

He said: 'I have seen the Seanad operate on good days and bad days.

'I was present for the debate of Civil Partnership, for the Bank Guarantee, for NAMA legislation, when voices from the Seanad raised issues that had not been considered by the main house, put down amendments and helped improve legislation.

'I've also been there on farcical occasions when business was stopped to allow golf matches take place and for debates around claims for expenses by members which were suspect to say the least.

'I ask if sufficient good is being done in the Seanad to justify its continued existence. I have no doubt that the current crop of Senators are decent, well-meaning national servants but the institution they serve is rotten, rotten beyond reform.

'None of the 12 proposals to reform the Seanad made since 1937 have happened and talk of extending the franchise to all university graduates is still elitist. Meanwhile, talk of extending the Seanad role to give it more oversight on certain issues is work that could be done by Dail committees. People talk about holding the Government to account but that is being done elsewhere, in the media and on social media. Twitter is the Seanad of the people.

'The simple fact is the Seanad simply replicates work being done elsewhere. It is little more than an expensive creche for aspiring TDs and a nursing home for elder statesmen. We need to do what other small countries with mature democracies have done  -  shut it down and move on.