Statement: Bacik speaks on Seanad Reform at Trinity College Debate

STATEMENT BY SENATORIVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader andSpokesperson on Justice

Wednesday 7th December2011

BACIK SPEAKS ON SEANAD REFORM AT TRINITY COLLEGE DEBATE

Senator Ivana Bacik will speakthis evening at a debate in the Long Room Hub, Trinity College, hostedby the Trinity College Law Review on the topic ‘Is the Seanad worth Saving?'.The other speakers will be former Minister for Justice Michael McDowellSC and Charlie Flanagan TD.

Speaking at the debate this evening, Senator Bacik will say:

“I believe there is a role withinour parliamentary system for an Upper House in order to provide enhancedoversight of government business and also to provide a forum for more consideredand thoughtful debates than those which can take place in the Dail, particularlyon matters of social policy. The Seanad can and does make a significantcontribution to legislative business, particularly during Committee stagedebates.

“However, in order to make thecase for retention of the Seanad, significant reforms must be made to itsprocedures, and to its composition and method of election. The questionof fundamental Seanad reform or abolition should also only be consideredin the context of wider parliamentary reforms. It would not be wise toabolish one of the two Houses of the Oireachtas without examining how bestthe other should be reformed so as to ensure adequate parliamentary oversightwithin the system overall.”