LINDA O'SHEA FARREN,
Sir, - It is great to see so many articles and letters to the Editor about the reform of Seanad Éireann.
If this issue got more media attention between elections, we might not lurch from one Seanad election to the next, always talking about reform but never doing anything about it.
Garret FitzGerald said (Opinion, June 22nd) that the test of the value of any system of choosing the members of a second chamber should be whether or not it produces a body capable of taking a fresh look at legislation which will not just duplicate the scrutiny by the main, democratically elected house.
I believe this is the kernel of the issue. Our system of choosing the members of Seanad Éireann does not produce enough independents, young people, women, people with first-hand experience of issues such as disadvantage and disability, and other weaker groups in society.
This, more than anything, is what has discredited the very valuable work of the Seanad. The sameness of its membership has inevitably produced a sameness of contribution to the Bills going through.
Not surprisingly, the notable exceptions come from the ranks of the university senators who are elected from a wider base. Instead of abolishing the university panels, I believe that the electorate for all other panels should be widened, covering various other aspects of Irish life.
Also, if the Seanad election were held on the same day as the Dáil election, it would generate more interest in it and would stop the much criticised system whereby many failed Dáil candidates run for election to the Seanad.
The Seanad has to be taken out of the grip of the political parties if it is to have the useful role it should and could have. - Yours, etc.,
LINDA O'SHEA FARREN,
Raglan Road,
Dublin 4.