Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
235. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill into the Oireachtas; and the reason for the delays in legislating to give effect to the seventh amendment of the Constitution. [19070/16]
View answerA Programme for a Partnership Government includes a goal for this Government to pursue the implementation of the Manning Report, formally known as the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform. That report makes recommendations to restructure and reform the Seanad, including implementation of the 1979 amendment of the constitution to extend the university franchise at Seanad elections to graduates of other institutions of higher education in the State. The implementation of the 1979 amendment is to be further considered in the context of the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform and having regard to the work of the last government on the General Scheme of a Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill.
