Seanad Reform

Promoting radical Seanad reform and the extension of Seanad voting rights to every Irish citizen. Contact: [email protected]

[Seanad Reform @SeanadReform]

In 1979, the 7th Amendment to the Constitution (University Panels) was passed by over 90% of voters and yet 41 years on, it has not been enacted! It is time to open up Seanad voting rights to all citizens and the enactment of the 7th Amendment would be an important first step!

[Seanad Reform @SeanadReform]

“Renewed calls to expand number of graduates who can vote in Seanad elections” via @CormacMcQuinn:
https://t.co/1CpKUMaPO2

[Brian Mahon @_BrianMahon_]

Could *some* reform of the Seanad actually be on the cards after the latest by-election? @SimonHarrisTD says the "time is right" and has spoken with @malcolmbyrne who has a private members bill on it.

https://t.co/G4PeTiA2RG

[Ireland Votes @Ireland_Votes]

POLL

Ireland Thinks / Sunday Independent

Q. “Should the Seanad be abolished, reformed, or kept as is?”

Reformed: 45%
Abolished: 35%
Kept as is: 15%
Unsure: 5%

April 2022

[Irish Times Politics @IrishTimesPol]

Renewed calls to expand number of graduates who can vote in Seanad elections https://t.co/Ds7Pe7EqVq via @IrishTimesPol

[Malcolm Byrne 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 @malcolmbyrne]

Congratulations to @TomClonan on his election to the #Seanad . He will be an informed and passionate advocate.

However #SeanadReform is long overdue. My Bill to #Enactthe7th amendment would allow all graduates to vote, but we also need to broaden the franchise more generally.

[Adam Long 🏳️‍🌈🇪🇺 @adamlong80]

@WilliamQuill So pleased for @TomClonan. The Seanad exists to provide a voice for advocates like Tom. And he’s a gent to boot. #tcdseanad

And if we could enact the 7th Amendment that would be nice too. It was only passed by referendum in 1979…

[Mícheál Lehane @MichealLehane]

Higher Education Minister calls for implementation of 43 year old referendum result to extend Seanad voting rights to graduates of all third level institutions.

[Daire Keogh @DaireKeogh]

.@SimonHarrisTD calls for action to implement 7th Amendment(1979), voted for by the people 7 years before he was born! He is right: this NEEDS to happen #SeanadReform

[Simon Harris TD @SimonHarrisTD]

Great to see so many excellent candidates running in the Trinity Seanad by-election. This has to be the last time a Seanad university election takes place without the reforms that people voted for in a referendum many years ago being put in place.

[Colm Flynn @colmflynn]

@MichealLehane Only 19.8% bothered to vote? Any chance of enacting the 7th amendment before next election & giving the rest of us our constitutional right to a senate vote? It is an easy first step in Seanad reform that could be done with a stroke of a pen & 80%+ Trinity grads dont seem to care

[Kennedy O'Brien @kennedy798]

The Seanad needs reform, plain and simple.

The quickest way to expand the electorate in the meantime is to enact the 7th amendment and open the franchise to all Third-Level graduates.

But that alone is not enough, we need meaningful reform.

[Daire Keogh @DaireKeogh]

@WilliamQuill Not good enough that we are still waiting for legislation on the 7th Amendment. And I say that as someone with a vote in 2 Seanad constituencies. And we criticise historic rotten boroughs!

[Marie Brady @MarieTBrady]

Any update on Trinity College Seanad election? The % of graduate turnout is disgraceful and is in urgent need of expansion to other universities and colleges.

[Trinity College Dublin @tcddublin]

The first count of the #TCDseanad bye-election has concluded, with no candidate having reached the quota.

Counting will resume tomorrow at 9am.

Total poll was 13,434.

[University Of Limerick @UL]

OPINION: Why reform of Seanad Éireann should start with the electorate

UL's Dr Laura Cahillane explains that the 7th amendment of the Constitution allows all graduates to vote in Seanad elections, but the relevant legislation has never been enacted
https://t.co/UsaUfOhQSu
#Law

[Irish Times Politics @IrishTimesPol]

Irish is the ‘perfect medium of reconciliation’ in Northern Ireland, Seanad told https://t.co/NXvyQhF07H via @IrishTimesPol

[Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais @OireachtasNews]

Today Irish Language activist, Ms. Linda Ervine MBE was welcomed to Leinster House by the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, and signed the Distinguished Visitors Book before addressing #Seanad Éireann to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge. #SnaG22

[Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais @OireachtasNews]

Ms. Linda Ervine MBE concludes her Opening Address to the #Seanad to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge. #SnaG22

[Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais @OireachtasNews]

Ms. Linda Ervine MBE delivers her Opening Address to the #Seanad to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge. #SnaG22