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NUI Seanad Declaration
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I’ve been talking with some people (I believe that is part of the vernacular for this sort of thing) and have decided that in the interests of highlighting a particular issue which I believe warrants attention and which spans party boundaries that I would put myself forward for election for one of the NUI seats in Seanad Eireann.
Cutting to the chase I’m going to be seeking a nomination as a candidate for one of the NUI Seanad seats as a means to give people an opportunity to vote and in doing so highlight the fact that more than a quarter of a century after there was a referendum on it (1979) that graduates of other universities and colleges in Ireland still don’t have a vote for the Seanad. Whatever happened to one person, one vote?
I recognise from the outset that the likelihood of getting elected is considerably limited by the simple fact that as a non-NUI graduate I won’t be easily able to tap into any particular alumni base. However, there are now a considerable number of DCU, UL, QUB, UU graduates and also those from the ITs who also hold postgraduate degrees from NUI colleges and vice-versa. I believe that they would look favourably on an opportunity to voice their support for extending the franchise.
In this sense I intend to use the PR-STV voting system as a means to highlight the issue. Much along the idea of a preferenda, I am asking people to vote for me No.1 to highlight the issue and then subsequently to transfer to the candidate of their choice thereafter.
If elected, I would seek on my first day in the Seanad to present legislation to reform the election of Senators to ensure the principle of one person, one vote is respected within the context of the 6 seats constitutionally set aside for higher education. There was a time when one could continue to argue the idea that the University of Dublin represented a section of Irish society that needed some particular shielding. Now, it is as likely that the minority tradition in Ireland will have attended some other institution within the state or elsewhere on the island. And if the intent is truly to include people from the other tradition on the island then why deny graduates from QUB or UU a vote?
6 seats, one person, one vote.
There will be more information over the coming days on my polly site here – http://dansullivan.blogspot.com/
Comments welcome.
As a CIT graduate, I’m right behind you on this one. I only wish that only extended to a vote.
As an NUIG grad with a vote I have to say I think it is appaling that colleges get votes. It should be open to all members of the public regardless of their educational attenment. This would open up the seandad and allow more people to realise what it is all about.
But as that it not likely to happen you can have my vote if i vote.
Fact is, Simon, that’s not the basis on which the Seanad is voted for, nor is it meant to reflect the people as a whole. That, after all, is what the Dail is for, and why it’s the house with virtually all the power. The Seanad was intended as a counterbalance against extreme populism, which is why its make-up is as seemingly undemocratic as it is.
Use your vote and get Dan in there.
Here’s the lowdown on college seanad seats
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/government_in_ireland/government_and_politics_at_national_level/seanad_eireann/seanad_university_constituency.html
Actually Mark, that report covers the reform of the entire Seanad. Though it does include the higher education seats in the mix. Thanks for linking it.
Fact is that postponing doing the bit about the six 3rd level seats while trying (and not very hard it seems) to get the other reforms in place is a bit like refusing to fix a broken window because you’re planning to ring the double glazing folks any day now and get the whole house done.
Martin Hogan is running on the reform ticket in the NUI election and has the support of Graduate equality (www.graduateequality.com). Reform in this area is the first step to reforming the Seanad.
Martin Hogan http://www.martinhogan.ie is running on the reform ticket in the NUI election and has the support of Graduate equality (www.graduateequality.com). Reform in this area is the first step to reforming the Seanad.
I am a declared TCD candidate running very much on a reform ticket. Not only will I target reform the graduate franchise but I also believe that the current graduate voting system is a massive waste of tax payers funds as the registers ( NUI and TCD ) are out of date. The whole Seanad needs reform along the lines of the 04 all party report which has been buried by the Government. This reform should all allow for voting by the general public and a reduction in the power of local authority members. This reform is needed to regain public confidience.
I am a declared TCD candidate running very much on a reform ticket. Not only will I target reform of the graduate franchise but I also believe that the current graduate voting system is a massive waste of tax payers funds as the registers ( NUI and TCD ) are way out of date. The whole Seanad needs reform along the lines of the 04 all party report which has been buried by the Government. This reform should all allow for voting by the general public and a reduction in the power of local authority members. This reform is needed to regain public confidience.