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Irish decide on 2nd chamber

Ian JohnsonOctober 4, 2013

Polls have opened in Ireland for a referendum on whether to abolish parliament's upper chamber. Closure advocates say debt-strapped Ireland needs the savings. Others say the upper Senate provides a counterbalance.

https://p.dw.com/p/19tTp
A Carmelite nun arrives at a polling station in North Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, May 31, 2012, as Irish voters went to the polls Thursday to vote in the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum. Irish voters are deciding Thursday whether their government can ratify the European Union's Fiscal Treaty, a deficit-fighting pact designed to bind Ireland and other debt-hit eurozone members to much tighter spending limits. (Foto:Peter Morrison/AP/dapd)
Image: dapd

The Irish began voting in a referendum Friday on whether to do away with their second parliamentary chamber, the Senate. The latest survey by the Irish Times newspaper showed that a majority of 44 percent want its closure. Retention of the upper house was wanted by 29 percent, with a further 29 percent undecided.

Among those opposing closure is the opposition Fianna Fail party. It argues that the government of Prime Minister Enda Kenny wants to centralize its powers by removing the Senate. The upper chamber has limited powers to scrutinize and delay bills.

Kenny's conservative government argues that closure of the 60-member Senate would save Ireland 20 million euros ($27 million) annually.

Ireland's 1937 constitution created a powerful lower house of parliament and a weak upper house. The Senate comprises nominees of both the premier and parliament as well as Irish universities and municipalities.

ipj/jm (dpa, AP)