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The move to recall the Dáil would require the signatures of 56 TDs

Fianna Fáil seeks Dáil recall over organ donations

Fianna Fáil is attempting to recall the Dáil to debate an EU regulation that deals with organ donations.

20 senators backed a call to discuss an EU directive that was signed into law without debate

Seanad being recalled over organ donor legislation

Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Paddy Burke has confirmed he will recall the Upper House from its summer break to discuss organ donor legislation.

News • 07 Aug 13

Pearse Doherty said his party believed that the future of the Seanad should have been referred to the Constitutional Convention

Doherty claims Seanad an 'affront to democracy'

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has said the Seanad in its current form was "an affront to democracy".

News • 26 Jul 13

Seanad passes Court of Appeal Bill

The Seanad has adjourned until 18 September, after this afternoon passing the Court of Appeal Bill, which the public will vote on in a referendum on 4 October.

News • 24 Jul 13

Mary White expressed the hope that Richard Bruton would be 'crucified'

Seanad passes bill for abolition referendum

The Seanad has passed the bill providing for a referendum on its own abolition.

News • 23 Jul 13

Darragh O'Brien said it was the first time they had ever done so

Fianna Fáil Senators withdraw in committee protest

The Fianna Fáil members of the Seanad have withdrawn from the Upper House for the remainder of the day.

News • 19 Jul 13

Fianna Fáil Senator Darragh O'Brien said comments by some of his colleagues were upsetting

Abortion legislation passes Seanad committee stage

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill has moved a step closer to completing its passage through the Oireachtas after it passed committee stage in the Seanad tonight.

News • 18 Jul 13

The Government defeated the amendment by 31 votes to 27

Bid to delay Seanad referendum legislation fails

The Government has won a crucial vote in the Seanad, thanks to the support of three independents appointed to the Upper House by the Taoiseach.

News • 17 Jul 13

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames said it is with 'a heavy heart' that she cannot support the bill

Seanad passes abortion legislation second stage

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill has passed the second stage in the Seanad by 42 votes to 14.

News • 17 Jul 13

Senator David Norris is under fire after he was accused of making sexist and inappropriate comments about Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty

Norris regrets offence caused by Doherty comments

Independent Senator David Norris has said he regrets any offence caused by the comments he made towards Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty in the Seanad yesterday.

News • 16 Jul 13

Senator David Norris has been accused of using "sexist and inappropriate language"

Formal complaint to be made over Norris comments

A formal complaint is to be made to the Leader of the Seanad following comments by Independent Senator David Norris.

News • 16 Jul 13

Six days have been set aside for the passage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill through the Seanad

Seanad begins debating abortion legislation

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill has begun its passage through the Seanad.

News • 15 Jul 13

There were calls for reform of the Seanad during a debate on the abolition of the upper house

Seanad debate on abolition of upper house

Numerous Senators have called for Seanad reform in the second stage of a debate on the abolition of the Upper House.

News • 03 Jul 13

The future of the Seanad is being debated in the Dáil

Govt lifts time limit on Seanad abolition debate

The Government has lifted the time limit on debate in the Dáil on the legislation providing for a referendum on abolition of the Seanad.

News • 20 Jun 13

Joanna Tuffy said Enda Kenny is caught up in a 'presidential style of leadership'

Labour TD accuses Kenny of 'populist nonsense'

Labour TD Joanna Tuffy has strongly criticised the Taoiseach during a debate on the abolition of the Seanad, accusing him of "populist nonsense".

News • 19 Jun 13

Fine Gael voters are most likely to support the abolition of the Seanad, according to the poll

Poll shows 52% favour Seanad abolition

A new opinion poll shows a majority of people are likely to back the abolition of the Seanad.

News • 14 Jun 13

Marc MacSharry insisted his criticisms were 'justified'

MacSharry does not regret Taoiseach comments

Fianna Fáil Senator Marc MacSharry has said he does not regret accusing Taoiseach Enda Kenny of "urinating" on the Seanad.

News • 12 Jun 13

The senator criticised Enda Kenny for his comments on the Seanad doing nothing to stop the excesses of the Celtic Tiger

Senator brands Kenny a 'clown' over Seanad remarks

Fianna Fáil Senator Marc MacSharry sparked angry exchanges in the Seanad after he called Taoiseach Enda Kenny a "clown".

News • 12 Jun 13

Fine Gael minister Lucinda Creighton said she supports the referendum on the future of the Seanad

Creighton 'fully supportive' of Seanad referendum

Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton has said she is fully supportive of a referendum on the future of the Seanad, while a group of independent TDs has called for it to be reformed.

News • 10 Jun 13

Richard Bruton convinced Ireland could manage its affairs with fewer politicians

Bruton insists Seanad should be abolished

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has said he is absolutely convinced that Ireland could manage its affairs with fewer politicians.

News • 09 Jun 13

Charlie Flanagan said there was 'Plan B' for Seanad reform plans

Senior Fine Gael figures deny Seanad 'Plan B'

Senior figures in Fine Gael have rejected suggestions that the Government may consider reform of the Seanad if a referendum calling for its abolition is defeated.

News • 09 Jun 13

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he expects all politicians in the Government to back the referendum

FG Senator to vote No in Seanad referendum

Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has said she will be advocating a No vote in the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad.

News • 08 Jun 13

The Government has published its plans for a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad

Kenny says all in Govt expected to support vote

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has issued a blunt warning that he expects all politicians in the Coalition Government to back the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

News • 06 Jun 13

The Bill provides for 40 amendments to the Constitution

Govt publishes Seanad abolition proposals

The Government has published its proposed amendment to the Constitution to abolish the Seanad, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny saying the reforms would lead to a more efficient system.

News • 05 Jun 13

Enda Kenny said the future of the Seanad would be discussed at Cabinet before the end of the current Dáil session

Seanad abolition referendum 'likely' in October

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil that the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad will likely take place in October, but that he could not be too definitive on the issue.

News • 30 Apr 13