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Ireland votes in referendum to scrap the Senate | euronews, world news
Ok. So this raises 2 topics for discussions.
#1. Is a unicameral parliament better than a bicameral one?
#2. Will the cost cuts of 20mil euros/year be a good trademark to what is basically, removing half your democratically elected position....
I personally think that a bicameral parliament is better. It has historically been better. The only way I see a unicameral parliament be better is if you massively overhaul the democratic process and improve the means by which people can communicate with the legislature. This means improving internet connection and outreach programs, set up web pages where people can offer direct real time input, have more referndums a year on various issues... basically integrating the population in the legislative process to a greater degree than now. Otherwise... it's kind of bad. But that's my opinion.
Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand all did it. Today, Ireland decides whether to abolish the Irish upper chamber, known as the Seanad, or Senate.
The Irish national parliament, known as the Oireachtas, consists of the President and an upper and a lower house.
Most major Irish political parties favour abolishing the Senate. Opposition party Fianna Fáil does not. It argues that the government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny wants to centralise its power.
Kenny’s government says that eliminating the Senate would save €20 million a year, which, in this time of crisis, is a necessity.
Recent opinion polls suggest over 60 percent of Irish people support scrapping the Senate.
Results of the referendum are expected on Saturday.
Ok. So this raises 2 topics for discussions.
#1. Is a unicameral parliament better than a bicameral one?
#2. Will the cost cuts of 20mil euros/year be a good trademark to what is basically, removing half your democratically elected position....
I personally think that a bicameral parliament is better. It has historically been better. The only way I see a unicameral parliament be better is if you massively overhaul the democratic process and improve the means by which people can communicate with the legislature. This means improving internet connection and outreach programs, set up web pages where people can offer direct real time input, have more referndums a year on various issues... basically integrating the population in the legislative process to a greater degree than now. Otherwise... it's kind of bad. But that's my opinion.