Galty Cottage,

Skeheenarinky,

Cahir,

Co Tipperary.

Dear Editor

We are in danger of losing a democratic system in this country that countless countries have never achieved, that other countries yearn for, that millions of people have died for throughout the world. Just because this country in is the most appalling economic mess, it doesn’t justify abolishing our Seanad. We didn’t abolish the regulator’s office because we felt the regulator had not been forceful enough. We didn’t abolish the Dail because we felt that that house had been responsible for mismanagement, collusion with the banks, giving a guarantee to bond-holders, overseeing mass emigration, imposing the most awful austerity, breaking election promises, etc., etc. But we are being asked to abolish the part of our parliament that didn’t do any of the above listed things! The mind boggles!

The Seanad needs reform, urgent reform. It needs a new system of appointing/electing senators, it needs more powers over the government so it can function as a watchdog for the people. The first step is to retain the Seanad by voting ‘no’ to abolition on this Friday, October 4. There is no real democratic representation in Dail Eireann. A handful at the top of the ruling party can expel, will expel, and have expelled from the party, any TDs that vote in accordance with their own beliefs, their own consciences or even held themselves subject to election promises. A handful of people dictate what they want, and woe betides any who disobey them. The one protection we have is the Seanad.

Perhaps the Seanad is not seen to exert a lot of influence over legislative matters, but the very existence of the Seanad – even in its current unsatisfactory form – is a powerful part of our democracy. Its existence forces the government to stay within certain bounds when bills are being drawn up in preparation for being placed on the statute books. Don’t be hoodwinked by false arguments! Come out on Friday and vote No to abolition of our Seanad and let’s get started on Seanad and Dáil reform. It’s your democratic right!

Respectfully,

Ed O’Riordan.