Seanad100

With The Seanad Looking Forward, the final exhibition in our 'Minority Voices, Major Changes' series that celebrates 100 years of Seanad Éireann, we draw attention to ongoing work in the Seanad that will strengthen its role.

Scrutiny, minority representation, public engagement

Over the past 100 years there have been many published reports on reform of the Seanad.

In 2013, the referendum to abolish the Upper House demonstrated a strong desire for change and the need for renewal and reform. This is recognised by Seanad Éireann.

To this end, this exhibition shines a light on some of the actions we have taken to extend and improve scrutiny in the Seanad, as well as minority representation and public engagement.

At a time when democracy is facing many challenges, I hope that this exhibition demonstrates how Seanad Éireann will continue to be a national platform for minority voices and major changes long into the future.

Looking forward to enhanced security

Scrutiny of EU legislation is one of the constant themes in successive reports on Seanad reform and renewal.

In July 2022, with the support of all parties and group leaders and members of the Seanad, it secured Cabinet approval that the Seanad would take a lead role in this scrutiny.

This new role ensures that regulations giving effect to EU directives will be scrutinised in advance of being signed into Irish law by Ministers. It also ensures that fines being incurred due to late implementation might be avoided.

The Seanad will improve this scrutiny through the establishment of a Seanad select committee that will have an oversight role in respect of EU directives.

Scrutiny with committees

The Seanad has also recently adopted new rules to strengthen its review of recommendations made in reports by Oireachtas committees. The House may now invite the Chair of a committee who is a member of the Dáil to speak to a sitting of the Seanad on a motion relating to a report of a committee.

The Seanad may now also debate a further motion to review progress on implementation of committee recommendations after six months. This will help give more prominence to the valuable work being done by committees and encourage Departments to give greater attention to their recommendations.

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The establishment of a new Seanad Éireann select committee with enhanced oversight over statutory instruments that transpose EU directives will bring a welcome level of added transparency to EU secondary legislation, which has the power to benefit areas such as the environment, consumer rights and employee rights

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Close-up of bell used by Chairman of the Seanad during a sitting

Looking forward to public engagement

Seanad panel forum

Increasing public engagement is another recurring theme in reports on Seanad reform.

The establishment of the new Seanad panel forum is a recently implemented reform measure that will increase the level of engagement with public and nominating bodies.

We need transformative change in less than eight years to be in the right place for 2030 and to have a safe world for the future

Looking forward to minority representation

Seanad Éireann continues to build on its long-standing role in minority representation and to act as a platform for minority issues.

A recent change to Seanad standing orders provided for time to be allocated to panel and university members for debates on motions relevant to that panel or university.

On 12 July 2022, this new standing order was invoked to hold a debate on the final report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community Committee.

Climate action

At the launch of the Seanad100 programme of commemoration, former President and Senator Mary Robinson spoke of the need for increased focus on the issue of climate change. She said that the climate crisis is a minority issue that must be discussed at community and national level. This prompted a number of important public engagements on climate action in the Seanad Chamber.

In September 2022, MEPs from the Dublin constituency addressed the Seanad and climate action was among the issues discussed. This followed a commitment from the Cathaoirleach that engagement with MEPs over this Seanad term would focus on climate action and climate justice, including the EU response to those issues.

Topics of debate included the consequences of climate injustice and the changes that are needed in certain sectors, including agriculture, construction and travel.

Public consultation

The Seanad Public Consultation Committee holds public hearings on areas related to the legislative powers of Seanad Éireann and public policy. Since 2012 it has published eight reports, many of which discussed minority issues.

The current Seanad Public Consultation Committee, established on 30 September 2022, held its first meeting on the constitutional future of the island of Ireland. Over the course of several hearings it has listened to the voices of youth groups, individuals and communities, academics and Northern voices across the board.