asked the Minister for Education if he has any proposals for the limitation of university representation in Seanad Éireann; and if any research has been conducted into the statistical imbalance in the present representation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seanad University Representation.
20.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the whole system of election for university graduates is undemocratic and an almost élite system of providing representation in the Seanad? I understand it took 15,000 people to elect representatives from the constituent colleges of Dublin, Cork and Galway while roughly 4,000 people can elect three representatives from the other university. Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if there are a great many graduates who have obtained academic honours in other countries but are resident here who are denied representation, as are other institutions with degrees equivalent to those of university? This is an area that calls for reform——
I want to assist the Deputy but he must know that he is not in order in making a speech at Question Time.
Some of those elected are not representative of the people.
I note what the Deputy said but I think he will be aware that the distribution of seats to the National University and to the University of Dublin is enshrined in Article 18.4 of the Constitution and any change would require the normal procedures to be adopted in respect of changes in the Constitution.
In the suggested proposals by Ministers and spokesmen on behalf of the present so-called National Coalition Government could there not be included reforms to end this outrage against democracy?
As I said, what the Deputy has said is on record now. I have noted it and no doubt it will be borne in mind by any people concerned with changes in the Constitution.