I’m considering future career plans. In fact, I’ve decided to do something about one of the first online articles I ever wrote.
Back in 19mumble or so, I wrote a few hundred words on why the Seanad, with its closed electorates and appointed members, was an undemocratic institutions.
A few years later, I submitted a version of the same argument to an Oireachtas Committee on Seanad Reform. Needless to say, they didn’t pay much heed to my proposals.
A few years later again, I got the article published in a column I wrote, so at least I made a bit of profit out of it.
So today, having just posted off my University Panel ballot, I think its time to do my bit for Seanad reform.
Five years from now (perhaps sooner) there will be a new Seanad election.
I hereby announce my intention to run for one of the seats.
If elected, I will introduce a bill to amend the constitutional provisions for the Upper House.
I haven’t quite decided how yet. Maybe just abolioshing it (that seems to be the populist sentiment) or perhaps amending it.
The only other platform I intend to run on is a proposal to extend the popular mandate in Dáil elections.
It seems a bit daft that English, Scots anmd Welsh immigrants can vote for TDs, but not Poles, Lituanians, French, Italians, and all the other New Irish.
So I propose that all EU citizens should be entitled to a Dáil vote on the same basis.
And maybe a Seanad vote too, if I don’t abolish it.
I don’t see the Seanad reform bill going very far, my colleagues in the upper house are unlikely to vote to abolish themselves.
But at least for a few hours of debate, they’ll have to justify their existence.
And lets face it, the job of Senator is a nice little earner, and I could do with a steady income.
So vote for me. Together we can make me rich.