You might see a new link in my blog roll! Rosaleen McDonagh is running in the University of Dublin (TCD) Panel in the forthcoming Seanad Eireann Elections. She’s blogging the campaign and promises regular updates! (ah she’ll have to do it now won’t she!)
Rosaleen has been my best friend for I don’t know how long. We have been friends for at least 10 years anyway. As you might expect I’m endorsing her campaign publicly (never mind giving a hand with some campaigning) and if you have a vote in the forthcoming election or know somebody who has a vote please consider Rosaleen for a Number 1. To vote one must be a graduate of TCD, an Irish citizen and most importantly have your name on the electoral register. Votes are being distributed by registered post next week and must be returned by July 24th.
As you will see from her biography and manifesto, Rosaleen brings a very different perspective to Irish politics and her election would be historic for many reasons. So as the results of one election bring us nearer to a new government, canvassing and campaigning are well underway for the next. Even though the electorate in this case are most privileged in their suffrage, the message of her candidacy for those of us seen as other means an awful lot.
Not that I have a vote in TCD panel (NUI panel). But I wouldn’t vote for someone how doesn’t have reform of voting methods of the senadad number 1. It is an utter disgrace not everyone in the country has a vote in this election. Yet no one is willing to change it.
Really annoys me
IMO, it is not the job of members of the Seanad to alter the mechanism by which members are elected. The TCD panel (and Seanad more widely) was established by the 1937 Constitution. I would have thought that it is through a wider constitutional reform that any such change/s would be made, and not through misguided claims by candidates to change the Senate.
Perhaps Simon might vent his spleen a more worthy “disgraces” in Irish politics in the ‘other place’ but the Seanad is an honourable institution and it has had some interesting members down the years.
I particularly value a Seanad candidate of quality with a keen mind and the vision to contribute to debates about the future of the country. As I *do* have a vote, I’m pleased to give my No1 to Rosaleen! Don’t be annoyed about your lack of direct franchise Simon, seek a referendum to change the Seanad’s role if that’s what you think is right, but save your sense of ‘disgrace’ for the goings-on by certain members of the ‘other place’ and not for good people who want to run for parliament.
As it turns out, the people already did change the Constitution in part – in 1979. What’s needed is legislation, which is permitted (but not required) by the 1979 amendment; this could allow for the extension of the vote to other graduates. However, changing the system (i.e. more or fewer seats for university/higher education, changing the panels or Taoiseach nominees etc) would require a referendum.
I do believe that Seanad reform is an important issue – but it is not the only one and the utter disgrace that is the health service, primary education, public transport etc – I think that has a more significant impact on Irish voters than fixing what’s broken with the Seanad (which is, after all, secondary to the popularly-elected Dáil). Although my number 1 vote for the Seanad is committed elsewhere, I think Rosaleen has a fantastic platform, is a great candidate, and I’d trade one of her for ten grey old men mumbling about electoral reform any day.
Rosaleen has presented to the Seanad Committee on Seanad Reform in 2003 – full transcript- in particular she has for years highlighted the importance of parliamentary representation of indigenous minorities as per several Central and Eastern European parliaments.
Thanks for the legal clarification Daithi, you seem to also suggest that a referendum is required to institute Seanad reform, but argue that legislators’ roles should be focusing on social issues in the main.
Thanks for the link to Rosaleen’s presentation on reform Suzy.
It left me astonished as to just how polished a political performer she is – poor Brian Hayes is all I’ll say! She didn’t give him an inch … my kinda woman [and I don't say that often!!!]
focusing on social issues in the main.
So you don’t think the right to vote is not the most fundamental social right in a democracy?
By the way I do have a vote in the Seanad Elections ass I went to NUIG. It is simply a disgrace that I have and so many don’t. How gets to vote in this election? By and lare people from well off back grounds. This is a terrible aracaic way of voting. Much of her platform is about travellers. Yet the majority of them I would say don’t have a vote.
It is all well and good highlighting on behalf of someone, but it is no substitute for them having a voice of their own.
I am amazed how many people don’t have a problem with the seanad. I guess that many have votes.
The seanad can introduce bills for consideration by the dail I believe. If she really wanted to she could bring up seanad alteration. Alas she is not.
When I wrote ‘focusing on social issues in the main’ I was referring to the main role of senators [i.e. their jobs] as I saw it, and it is not about the ‘right to vote’. You seem to be conflating issues.
While the right to vote is a fundamental right, and there is universal suffrage for the Dail and voting for the Seanad is established by the Constitution. Who votes more generally is a much wider issue in Ireland. In my own Dail electoral area, whole estates aren’t canvassed by politicians because there is a culture of non-voting and the politicians focus on who will give them No1 or other preferences. I’ve no exact idea on traveller voting, but if the level is low, I suggest it might be part of a wider malaise about enfranchisement and keeping travellers (and the “others”) out of mainstream politics.
While we might lament that there are constitutional restrictions on who can vote for Seanad members, Rosaleen’s goal (as it appears to me) is to try and punch through the system and provide a voice for an often isolated minority and for the TCD electorate more widely. This is the system as it is, and it seems to me, at least, to be a smart electoral strategy. Her focus on travellers is advanced as a leading women traveller activist in this country.
Incidentally Simon, the right to vote is not a social right. It is a civil/political right, and of course it is important. However, the right to vote has been established for the Dáil, President etc – given that other important rights, including social and economic rights, have hardly been achieved in as successful a fashion as the right to vote has, why would you dismiss Rosaleen (or anyone) unless they made voting reform their “number 1″ issue?
Right to vote: mostly in place (Seanad should be fixed, the turnout/canvassing issues highlighted by Seán are important)
Right to shelter: not clearly in constitution, significant challenges in terms of the Traveller community policy issues raised in Rosaleen’s campaign
Right to health: two-tier system. Need I say more?
What sort of voter makes the right to vote in the Seanad a litmus test?
why would you dismiss Rosaleen (or anyone) unless they made voting reform their “number 1″ issue?
How many poor people vote in the seanad. ? Far more people from well off backgrounds vote in this then poor? Is that right should economic background say how much of a say you have in the country? It trumps all other issues. You talk about a two-tier health service but have no problem with a two-tier democracy? The health service is far less two tier then the Seandad. It is a disgrace in a republic.
No poor people voting in the Seanad? Don’t make me laugh: I’ve a massive overdraft to prove it! For someone who’s a graduate, I’m puzzled how you think graduates are particularly wealthy.
Most of my fellow former and postgrad students could tell you a great deal about being poor and its a total stereotype to think that college kids are rich. From my tutoring and lecturing experience over the years many *have* to work to support themselves in college as they are not able to live in Dublin on pathetic grants. Often they work to the detriment of their health and studies, BTW. Older (mature) students are (in my experience) overwhelmingly from lower income groups, and many are trying to make up for having quit school at 15 or 16 initially. i don’t know how many of them told me tales about how they struggle to make ends meet, and a number of them quit college as they can’t juggle everything.
Furthermore, and staying closer to the subject of this blog entry, I would have thought that it would be evident that Rosaleen represents one of the poorest minority groups in this country. As a representative of a relatively impoverished minority with specific issues about equality and so forth, I would argue that Rosaleen should merit our support.
Again, “two-tiered democracy”… Ya-de-ya-de-ya … a constitutional amendment is required. Good political reasons why the two chambers Dail and Seanad have separate roles, briefs and powers under the Constitution… Ditto Daithi’s comments, irrelevent issue in relation to Rosaleen’s campaign.
If you’re interested in discussing Seanad reform further, I would suggest looking at http://www.politics.ie as I think I spotted that being aired recently.
As a representative of a relatively impoverished minority with specific issues about equality and so forth, I would argue that Rosaleen should merit our support.
Who chose her to be their representative her or them?
Also suggesting that a student on a low grant is equivalent to someone poor living in the likes of Ballymun and Mosross is possibly the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
The homogenization of third level students, residents of Ballymun and elsewhere aside, good luck Rosaleen!
Does Trinity elect 3 senators this time?
(Personally, I’d like it if DCU finally got a franchise, but broader reform also seems sensible).
simon, how could you say no one is willing to change it? I’m running to reform the place. I heard Rosaleen on VB on Tuesday (ok, I listened to it on the Wednesday online) and while I’m not so inclined on her suggestion that specific groups should get specific proportions of the seats a la Romania, I do think that the Seanad could be a more diverse place if the electoral system were altered to be different from the geographical bias of the Dail.
Correct Dan you are different. And will probably get my vote.
I would have no real problem with a non-geo voting base. (Not sure how it could work but no problem if a good idea came along)
As long as everyone has a vote I will be happy. Until then my vote on the Seanad will be dominated by the sole most important issue in a democracy the right to vote.
Lots seems to be talked about reform but I haven’t seen much happening.
Martin Hogan and Brenddan Ryan in the NUI and Sean Connor in Trinity seem to be meeting Gormely on the issue, hopefully something will come of that