Senator Bacik Welcomes Proposed Change to Seanad University Panel Electorate
26 November 2013
STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Tuesday 26th November 2013
SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES PROPOSED CHANGE TO SEANAD UNIVERSITY PANEL ELECTORATE
Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed reports that the Government is preparing to approve legislation providing for the extension of the electorate for the Seanad University Panel to include graduates of all third-level institutions in the State. Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Bacik said today:
“I argued strongly during the Seanad referendum campaign that in order to make the case for retention of the Seanad, significant reforms must be made to its procedures, and to its composition and method of election. I am really pleased that Seanad has been retained, and that the Government is now preparing to legislate to extend the franchise for the six University panel Seanad seats to include graduates of every third-level institution.”
“As a University Senator, elected to represent the graduates of Dublin University, I greatly welcome this extension of the franchise. It will contribute to a more representative and democratic Seanad. However I believe that further legislative reforms are also necessary to provide for universal suffrage and enable all registered voters in participate in the Seanad elections in the future.”
ENDS