Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1331. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Election of Members of Seanad Éireann by Institutions of Higher Education) Act 1979; the reason the Act has never been commenced; if the possibility of doing so prior to the next election to Seanad Éireann will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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.
In April 2018, the Taoiseach established an Implementation Group on Seanad Reform to consider the Manning report and to develop specific proposals to legislate for Seanad Reform. The Implementation Group comprises Members of the Oireachtas with the assistance of outside experts, as appropriate. The Group held its first meeting on 9 May 2018 and is to report back by end October 2018, with the text of a Bill.
The implementation of the 1979 amendment is to be further considered in the context of the work of the Implementation Group. I await the outcome of that group's deliberations as regards the extension of the university franchise.
