Seanad needs reform not abolition – Cowen Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen has confirmed that the party will campaign against the abolition of Seanad Éireann in the upcoming referendum in this autumn. Speaking after the government published its legislation to abolish the upper house, Deputy Cowen announced that Fianna Fáil will oppose the abolition of the upper house and instead campaign for its reform. The Offaly Deputy said, “I strongly believe in the need to change how we do politics in this country. But scrapping the Seanad outright is not the answer. Such a move, in the absence of wider reform of the political system, will actually undermine democracy rather than enhance it. “We need to make Irish politics more transparent and more accountable, and ensure that political decisions are subject to proper challenge. Abolishing the Seanad will do the exact opposite – it will make our system less accountable and less transparent. It will give a government with a record majority even more control over the political process. That is the very last thing that people want. “Fianna Fáil will strongly campaign against what we believe would be a step back for democracy in this country. We intend to publish detailed proposals on Seanad reform, changing how Senators are elected and changing how the Seanad does its business. “Our plans will aim to bring more challenge and more transparency into our political system rather than undermining democracy as this proposal will do,” said Deputy Cowen. ENDS
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:26:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015