10 signatures reached
To: Taoiseach & Minister for Environment
EXTEND RIGHT TO VOTE IN SEANAD ELECTIONS TO ALL IRISH CITIZENS (including Irish emigrants)
EXTEND RIGHT TO VOTE IN SEANAD ELECTIONS TO ALL IRISH CITIZENS (In Ireland & Irish Emigrants abroad)
• Provide for free and fair elections to Seanad Éireann where the franchise (entitlement to vote) is extended to all Irish citizens over 18 including Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and to holders of Irish passports living overseas
• A majority of Seanad seats to be elected by popular vote on the principle of one person one vote
•Strengthen the powers of the Seanad to scrutinise, amend, and initiate legislation
• Provide for free and fair elections to Seanad Éireann where the franchise (entitlement to vote) is extended to all Irish citizens over 18 including Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and to holders of Irish passports living overseas
• A majority of Seanad seats to be elected by popular vote on the principle of one person one vote
•Strengthen the powers of the Seanad to scrutinise, amend, and initiate legislation
Why is this important?
Ireland needs a better democracy giving people a greater say and improved accountability of government.
Currently less than 5% of Irish voters are entitled to the vote in Seanad Elections. This is undemocratic and elitist.
In 2013 a majority of Irish people voted to retain the Seanad and gave a clear message that they wanted it reformed rather than abolished.
A reformed Seanad could improve democracy in Ireland if,
• all citizens are given the vote to elect Senators to the Seanad
• the Seanad is given meaningful powers to enable it to fulfil its role to scrutinize government and propose legislation
The Oireachtas working group on Seanad Reform 2015 concluded that
“a parliamentary assembly such as Seanad Éireann whose electoral system excluded the majority of its citizens from participation lacked popular legitimacy”.
The government, therefore, should show their commitment to democratic reform by enacting legislation to
• • Provide for free and fair elections to Seanad Éireann where the franchise (entitlement to vote) is extended to all Irish citizens over 18 including Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and to holders of Irish passports living overseas
• • A majority of Seanad seats to be elected by popular vote on the principle of one person one vote
• • Strengthen the powers of the Seanad to scrutinise, amend, and initiate legislation
Currently less than 5% of Irish voters are entitled to the vote in Seanad Elections. This is undemocratic and elitist.
In 2013 a majority of Irish people voted to retain the Seanad and gave a clear message that they wanted it reformed rather than abolished.
A reformed Seanad could improve democracy in Ireland if,
• all citizens are given the vote to elect Senators to the Seanad
• the Seanad is given meaningful powers to enable it to fulfil its role to scrutinize government and propose legislation
The Oireachtas working group on Seanad Reform 2015 concluded that
“a parliamentary assembly such as Seanad Éireann whose electoral system excluded the majority of its citizens from participation lacked popular legitimacy”.
The government, therefore, should show their commitment to democratic reform by enacting legislation to
• • Provide for free and fair elections to Seanad Éireann where the franchise (entitlement to vote) is extended to all Irish citizens over 18 including Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and to holders of Irish passports living overseas
• • A majority of Seanad seats to be elected by popular vote on the principle of one person one vote
• • Strengthen the powers of the Seanad to scrutinise, amend, and initiate legislation