Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield has called on the Taoiseach to radically reform the Seanad.

Speaking today, Senator Warfield said:

“The Supreme Court recently found that laws limiting the electorate for the Seanad University Panels are unconstitutional and that the Oireachtas must legislate to expand the franchise. 

“I would like to commend Tomás Heneghan and FLAC for taking this landmark case.

“This judgement represents an opportunity for much needed root and branch reform of the Seanad.

“Sinn Féin fundamentally believes that a majority of the Seanad should be elected by the public, including Irish citizens in the north and overseas.

“Sinn Féin worked tirelessly on the Seanad Reform Implementation Group to fully reflect the range of reforms recommended in the Manning Report. The resulting report and draft legislation would fundamentally reform the Seanad into a more representative and diverse house.

“Sinn Féin believes that this ruling marks an opportunity for root and branch reform of the Seanad. This opportunity to develop a truly representative Seanad that respects and represents the full diversity of Irish life must not be wasted. We must not settle for piecemeal reform. 

“Sinn Féin is willing and waiting to work with Government to make this happen.”