Senator Malcolm Byrne’s Bill to expand the franchise for election to the Seanad to graduates of universities other than those of the National University of Ireland (UCD, UCC, Galway and Maynooth) and Trinity College moves onto Committee Stage in the Seanad tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon.
The stage is due to be taken by Housing, Planning & Local Government Minister, Darragh O’Brien. The Minister strongly supports the principle of the Bill.
This stage has added urgency following the successful court case taken by UL graduate, Tomas Heneghan. Mr Heneghan will be attending tomorrow’s debate as a guest of Senator Byrne.
Senator Byrne said,
“On 5th July 1979, the Irish people in a referendum voted to expand the Seanad universities panels franchise. Irish Governments have failed to act but now on the 44th anniversary of that vote, there can be no further excuses.
“The model envisioned is one where graduates will have to opt in to vote. Finally, graduates of UL, DCU, the new Technological Universities and other institutions will be able to vote.”
The new Electoral Commission would have responsibility for oversight of the electoral register, and it is hoped that the legislation could complete passage this year.
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