Published: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 5:30pm

Demise of Seanad would be a blow to democracy - Cassidy

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Democracy and accountability to the people of Westmeath and Ireland as a whole would be dealt a devastating blow if Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny's proposals to abolish Seanad Éireann were to become policy, Senator Donie Cassidy said this week.

Speaking this week, the Seanad leader said that Ireland's political system could be classed as "undemocratic and a form of dictatorship" if the senate were removed from the political landscape.

"The Seanad didn't get its name as the upper house for nothing," the Castlepollard man said. "It has a wonderful reputation for having an influence on making good parliamentarians for the future.

"As we know, our former president, Mary Robinson served in the Seanad, as did our Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, and former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald."

But as well as grooming Ireland's top politicians, Senator Cassidy said that the Seanad plays an important role in "keeping a check and balance on the Dáil".

He explained that while the Dáil may have just four or five hours to discuss legislation before it is "guillotined", the Seanad has debated "every line and paragraph" of legislation since he first became leader of the house in 1997.

Importantly, the Fianna Fáil man submits, the upper house has presided over an "unprecendented" 1,201 amendments to bills of legislation in that period.

Sitting 93 days in 2008, Senator Cassidy insists that the senate is as relevant as the Dáil.

"For instance, on September 30 of last year, we sat debating the bank bill - one of the most important pieces of legislation to have gone through the houses - until half eight in the morning.

"That just goes to show the huge protection afforded to the democratic right of the people by members of Seanad Éireann."

In light of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the Senator added, the Seanad would be needed more than ever to scrutinise draft legislation coming from the European Commission in Brussels.

He said that Fianna Fáil has drafted a lengthy submission on Seanad reform, which will be submitted to Minister John Gormley at a meeting on November 4.

Among the measures being proposed by the party include a proposed vote for degree level graduates from all third level institutions in the State, and a possible "right of audience" arrangement with the Northern Legislative Assembly.

Westmeath is currently represented by three politicians in the Seanad - Senators Cassidy, Camillus Glynn (both FF) and Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael).

Last week, Senator McFadden joined a number of her colleagues in voicing her concerns over her party leader's proposals to axe the Seanad.

But not everybody in Fine Gael agrees with the senator, who has served on the Administrative panel of the house since 2007.

Rochfortbridge's Cllr. Colm Arthur rowed in behind Deputy Kenny at a Fine Gael meeting in Tyrrellspass last week, describing the Fine Gael chief's proposals as "an example of decisive political leadership".

"The fact that this announcement was made in front of his senators, is proof that Enda Kenny would have the courage to make the tough decisions, which are now necessary following twelve years of Fianna Fáil inaction and policy failure," Cllr. Arthur said.

"This policy, unlike the dreaded NAMA policy, has gone down well with the people, who Fianna Fáil and the Greens will target for the necessary cuts, to pay for these bailouts," he added.