Seanad Elections

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2015

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Ceisteanna (200)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

200. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of correspondence from the Chancellor of the National University of Ireland to graduates (details supplied), stating that it is unlikely there will be a single university constituency before the next general election to Seanad Éireann, if he, or officials in his Department, have informed the National University of Ireland of this, or of a time frame for legislation; if reforms to the university constituencies will take place prior to the election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7539/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2015 session provides for publication of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill in 2015.

In 2014, the General Scheme of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill was published for consultation. The General Scheme is part of the legislative process to implement the 1979 constitutional amendment to extend the Seanad franchise to graduates from institutions of higher education in the State that heretofore did not form part of the Seanad university constituencies. The Statement of Government Priorities published in July 2014 provides for the enactment of this legislation.

I am currently considering issues raised in submissions made as part of the public consultation process on the General Scheme of the Bill and observations made by the Technical Working Group set up to examine and make observations on operational matters. These are informing the further development of the General Scheme, which has not yet concluded.