Seanad Should Be Confined To National Museum

East Meath Sinn Féin representative Sinéad Burke has said that the Seanad is costly, elitist, undemocratic, and in the eyes of many, irrelevant. Burke also suggested that it should be confined to the National Museum.

Sinéad Burke said “Proposals from the Government on Seanad reform do not go anywhere near far enough. Last year some Senators were outraged at the idea that the Seanad be temporarily relocated to the National Museum while the current chamber was refurbished. This is exactly where the Seanad should be located – confined to history. It is outdated and despite a dozen reports on Seanad reform since 1937 the establishment party lack the political will to reform. At time of wage cuts and job losses, each Senator gets over €110,000 per annum. For what exactly?

“Sinn Féin has argued for a Seanad that is directly elected by the people of Ireland and its citizens abroad, a Seanad that would represent a wide range of diverse views and focus on community consultation as legislation is being drafted. Senators need to take a long, hard look at themselves and not protect a chamber that is irrelevant to its citizens. It is time to stop paying lip service to Seanad reform. The public mood and support is for bold action and real leadership to change this elitist talking shop.”