Major Reforms Planned for Seanad – Cummins

Fine Gael Waterford Senator and the Party’s Leader in the Seanad Maurice Cummins, has announced that proposals to develop the role of the Seanad within the existing constitutional framework are planned for October next.

“Proposals to develop the role of Seanad Éireann are a genuine attempt to improve the workings of the Seanad and increase its role in matters such as EU scrutiny and North South co-operation.

“These Seanad reforms, which are part of the Government’s overall reform agenda, are designed to ensure a more efficient and effective Upper House, improving the way we do business and increasing output.

“The reforms include:

• The Seanad is to review the work of the North South Ministerial Council and the British – Irish Council.  The relevant Minister will make statements to the Seanad after attending such meetings.
• The Seanad is to review the work of the North South Implementation Bodies;
• The Seanad is to continue with the work of its Public Consultation Committee – bringing the citizen closer to Parliament;
• The Seanad will continue to invite high profile individuals to address the House to inform and advise on particular areas of expertise;
• The Government is to outline its legislative priorities for the year ahead in the Seanad in the same manner as in the Dáil;
• The Seanad may review reports of Oireachtas Committees and make recommendations to relevant Ministers;
• The Seanad is to debate the European Commission’s annual work programme and review reports from Oireachtas Committees on EU policy proposals;
• The Seanad Order of Business is to be re-scheduled to avoid clashes with Oireachtas Committee sittings. This will allow both the Seanad and the Committees to do their work more efficiently and uninterrupted by one another;
• The existing system of Adjournment Debates is to be replaced by Commencement Debates which will take place before the daily Order of Business in the Seanad. This will allow Senators to raise issues with Ministers earlier in the day and represents a more effective use of the time of the House and Ministers.

“The necessary amendments to existing Standing Orders will hopefully be in place by the end of September allowing the new reforms to commence by 1 October, 2014.”