Seanad Referendum video – Mary Lou says Sinn Féin not ruling out second chamber in future

» Mark Moloney

Mary Lou says there are scenarios in the future – such as Irish reunification – which would warrant consideration of a second chamber.

SINN FÉIN deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has told An Phoblacht her party is not ruling out the possibility of some form of second chamber in the future – but the Seanad in its current form must be abolished, she insists.

Speaking to An Phoblacht following the launch in Dublin of Sinn Féin's proposals for Oireachtas political reform, Mary Lou said:

"We do think there is scope for a considered conversation around whether or not people want one or two chambers. That could happen in a new Constitutional Convention. But as things stand we could not recommend to people that they retain the Seanad as it is."

Mary Lou urged people to vote 'Yes' to abolition of the Seanad on 4 October, describing it as "an elitist and undemocratic institution".

She also said there are scenarios in the future – such as Irish reunification – which would warrant consideration of a second chamber.

The Towards a New Republic Oireachtas political reform document includes proposals on:-

• Gender quotas
• Reducing the voting age
• Partial list systems
• Extending voting rights for Northern citizens, citizens living abroad and non-citizens legally resident in the country for the last five years.

Mary Lou said Fianna Fáil's disastrous mismanagement of the economy had shattered trust and confidence in the political system.

"These political reform proposals are based on the principles of sovereignty, democracy, accountability, transparency, national unity, equality, the empowerment local communities and the creation of a political system where citizens comes first."