Senator Higgins, Senator Lynn Ruane and Senator Frances Black wrote to the Taoiseach to affirm their position that the Seanad should be allowed to sit. They agreed with the analysis of the Constitution put forward by Senators Bacik, McDowell and others and believe that the 26th Seanad can indeed convene prior to the appointment of the Taoiseach’s eleven nominees and that the 49 members who have been elected should be allowed to express their mandate.
Moreover, they noted that the Dáil has been meeting for a number of weeks now to engage with non-legislative parliamentary work including scrutiny and oversight of public policy and that the Seanad should also have the opportunity to engage in such scrutiny.
They believe that as an absolute minimum, a date must be set for a sitting of the Seanad for the purpose of selecting a Cathoirleach and re-establishing a committee to order the business of the house.
Independent Senator, Alice-Mary Higgins spoke at the Conference of Western Attorneys Generals in New Mexico this week about data protection, privacy and online regulation in Europe and Ireland. The Senator was speaking at the invitation of the Conference which brings together the highest law officials from a number of US States.
Senator Higgins welcomes the commitment from the Taoiseach this week to convene a Seanad reform committee. This move is long overdue but a welcome and much needed step towards a fairer and more inclusive democracy in Ireland.