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Can we afford Seanad Eireann any more?

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  • 08-02-2009 1:56am
    #1
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭


    okay I posted here about the NDP a couple of weeks ago and Cowen says that it's gonna be cut so hopefully the same will happen in this case.

    Just watching pathetic Eoghan Harris' performance last night on the Late Late I was thinking that maybe in recessionary times, An Bord SNIP should look at getting rid of Seanad Eireann.

    It serves no purpose, and is meant to be in an "advisory role" to the Dáil. There are 60 senators (who earn approx €65,000 each = €3.9mill) and the administration costs. It is undemocratic, as eleven are nominated by the Taoiseach of the day (of which unsurprisingly Harris was one), six by the universities, and the remainder by a panel. It tends to be used a lot of time as a sort purgatory for TDs who have lost their seats, until they have another run at getting re-elected in the next election.

    And whatever minor power that it does have, it should have not have as the people have not been elected to do so by the people of Ireland.


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    #2
    gd1987
    Registered Users Posts: 114 ✭✭gd1987


    I have always felt that the seanad is pointless. The little responsibilities it has are not important and never will be! Waste of time and money, should go for sure!


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    #3
    turgon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,762 ✭✭✭turgon


    JonathanAnon wrote: »
    There are 60 senators (who earn approx €65,000 each = €3.9mill) and the administration costs.

    Its jobs for the boys, and that why its no ridded of.

    I would be more for reform than removal, as there is a serious lack of balance of power in this country. Maybe something based on party lists.


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    #4
    B2k
    Registered Users Posts: 66 ✭✭B2k


    turgon wrote: »
    I would be more for reform than removal, as there is a serious lack of balance of power in this country.

    I agree. Would you like to see a system more based on the US model? Obviously it wouldn't be the exact same but it seems to be a better system if used correctly.

    Link to structure chart here: http://www.library.arizona.edu/about/libraries/govdocs/research/govstructr.html


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    #5
    yomchi
    Registered Users Posts: 4,621 ✭✭✭yomchi


    Pointless, undemocratic and useless body. It should be scrapped as soon as possible.


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    #6
    Outkast_IRE
    Registered Users Posts: 7,516 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    scrap it simple as!!


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    #7
    OhNoYouDidn't
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭OhNoYouDidn't


    Outkast_IRE wrote: »
    scrap it simple as!!

    And leave legislation totally in the hands of the Dail, which means the cabinet?

    No thanks.


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    #8
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »
    And leave legislation totally in the hands of the Dail, which means the cabinet?

    No thanks.

    I dont see your point though. It's not like the Seanad is democratic and representative of the views of the common man. The eleven elected by the Taoiseach are going to back his party's view, no matter what they are trying to get passed. So it's already weighted in his favour.

    I like Shane Ross and David Norris, they should be given positions within the government as advisors. I know it would be strange to pick public servants for promotion based on their ability, but we could break the rules this once.


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    #9
    Outkast_IRE
    Registered Users Posts: 7,516 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »
    And leave legislation totally in the hands of the Dail, which means the cabinet?

    No thanks.

    Its already totally in the hands of the dail for all intensive purposes , if you think otherwise your only deluding yourself


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    #10
    MrMicra
    Closed Accounts Posts: 457 ✭✭MrMicra


    The executive controls the Seanad even more than the Dail.


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    #11
    Irlbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 347 ✭✭Irlbo


    Absolute sham of a body,get rid of it,no use to nobody


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    #12
    astrofool
    Registered Users Posts: 16,691 ✭✭✭✭astrofool


    Outkast_IRE wrote: »
    Its already totally in the hands of the dail for all intents and purposes, if you think otherwise your only deluding yourself

    FYP


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    #13
    Outkast_IRE
    Registered Users Posts: 7,516 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    astrofool wrote: »
    FYP
    i wish you didnt


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    #14
    deadhead13
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,034 ✭✭✭deadhead13


    Can we afford 166 tds anymore - thats 1 for every 23,000 members of the population. Whereas England has 1 for every 70,000.


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    #15
    thebigcheese22
    Registered Users Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭thebigcheese22


    This is such populist bull**** - scrap the Seanad and it will solve all our woes! :rolleyes:

    Firstly, the Seanad does have a role in the making of legislation, and can even initiate legislation, so it is not at all pointless.

    Also, it allows people like David Norris, Shane Ross etc to have a role, where they don't need to pander to constituents, unlike TDs, and give expert advise - David Norris has been responsible for number of postive iniciatives
    I do agree tho that their salaries shoudl be cut


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