Fine Gael has proposed the direct election of a third of the Seanad in a submission to a committee considering reform of the Upper House.
The party also wants the Seanad to be in charge of drafting "a long-term strategy for 21st-century Ireland" and to have a greater role in scrutinising EU legislation. Under its proposals, Irish citizens overseas would elect three senators, while graduates of all third-level institutions would be entitled to vote for the six university senators.
The party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said yesterday that the Seanad "is regarded as increasingly irrelevant to the people and there is limited knowledge of its work and functions". This was because none of its members was elected directly by the public.
Fine Gael's proposal struck a balance between an effective second house, able to attract high-calibre members, and a second House of Representatives, he said.
The 20 senators to be directly elected would be elected on the same day as a general election. Five would be elected from each of the four European Parliament constituencies, using the list system favoured in much of mainland Europe.
The number elected by the traditional panel system would be reduced from 43 to 23. With three being elected by Irish people abroad, the number nominated by the Taoiseach would be reduced from 11 to eight. All MEPs elected on the island of Ireland would be entitled to attend and speak, but not vote, in Seanad debates.
Mr Kenny said Fine Gael saw this as an opportunity to attract high-calibre individuals into the Seanad and political life generally.
The proposals are in a submission to a sub-committee of the Seanad's Committee on Procedure and Privileges set up to review and make recommendations on its composition and functions. This is one of 161 submissions received by the sub-committee, which will hold public hearings next month on the matter, chaired by the leader of the house, Ms Mary O'Rourke.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has suggested that the Seanad be elected by "universal suffrage of citizens of the 32 counties" over 16 years.
In a submission to the Seanad sub-committee on reform, the party also calls for votes for emigrants and that the procedure whereby the Taoiseach of the day can nominate 11 senators be abolished.
Sinn Féin suggests that senators be elected from sectoral panels rather than political parties by way of proportional representation. The main function of the Seanad should be scrutiny of national and EU legislation, it adds.
The Sinn Féin Dáil leader, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said his party wanted a reformed, democratic, transparent, accountable and relevant Seanad. "We need a forum that will provide for the fullest possible representation of all sectors of society in the legislative process," he said.