Bringing forward a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad will be a priority for the Government.
Speaking in the Dáil, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the drawing up of a bill to do away with the Seanad is not as simple as it sounds, and said he has asked his department to start work on it immediately.
Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin said Fine Gael were the only people who were making it sound simple to abolish the Upper House during the last two years.
Mr Martin also said he was against the idea of holding the children’s rights referendum on the same day as the presidential election.
The Taoiseach said he did not hold a firm view either way on the matter, but did say it is the belief of children’s rights groups that the two can be held on the same day.
He also said the Government will 'shortly approve' its legislative programme for the current Dáil term.
Abolition of Seanad part of 'global move'
The Minister for Justice has said the abolition of the Seanad is an important demonstration that the political system is delivering efficiencies and savings and also reflects a global move towards single chamber parliaments.
Speaking in the Seanad today, Alan Shatter said the move does not reflect on the individual contributions of current or past members in the House.
Fianna Fáil senator Marc MacSharry said the idea to abolish the Upper House is populist. He said the focus must be on trying to use the institution correctly.
The Seanad was recalled today to debate the Programme for Government.
Later the debate went slightly awry for a while when Senator Terry Leyden used his time to highlight the fact that his car was clamped in Galway last week.
Mr Leyden said the company that clamped his car should be investigated by the Revenue Commissioners and said he wanted to use the House 'expose gangsters.' He added that he was 'very angry about it.'
