On July 13th in Seanad Eireann Senator Alice-Mary Higgins spoke in support of the Second Stage of our Seanad Reform Bill 2016 calling for implementation of the Manning Report and a more democratic and open Seanad.
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins introduced the Seanad Reform Bill along with colleagues from across the political spectrum on her first sitting day of the Seanad.
Read more about Senator Alice-Mary Higgins' work towards Seanad Reform here →
On the Electoral Reform Bill I proposed 7 Seanad Reform amendments. Very disappointed that the Government did not support them & refused to give a clear mandate to the Electoral Commission on long promised & overdue Seanad reform. I have been working on Seanad reform since I was first elected and despite the work of Senators from all groups to agree legislation, the Government is continuing to delay long overdue and needed reform.
13th April 2017
Over months of coordinated pressure and opposition in the Seanad led by Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, the Government had been forced to dilute highly controversial proposals in Heritage Bill 2016. However, a last minute amendment from Minister Humphries at the final stage of the bill in the Seanad threatens to undo much of the progress won.