Dardis calls for direct-election Seanad

09 October 2003: Newbridge-based senator John Dardis says members of the Seanad should be directly elected by the people, rather than the archaic system of nominations and elections by small groups of Irish society.

Speaking on this morning's Marion Finucane programme on Radio One, Senator Dardis also said that there should be a set term for the Seanad, to differentiate it from General Elections.

The programme included contributions from a number of senators, including David Norris, who defended the current system of Vocational Panels which include the universities and county councils.

Senator Dardis expressed his appreciation of the element of Taoiseach nominations to the House, noting that in his 13 years in the Seanad, some of the best debates had involved such nominees, including the late Gordon Wilson and Sam McAughtry.

An all-party report on proposed Seanad reforms is expected to be delivered in December.