A new Referendum Commission has been established for the forthcoming referendum on the abolition of the Seanad. The 5-person group has been set up by the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan.
The referendum on the 32nd amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013 is on a proposal to abolish Seanad Éireann and if approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas, it is expected to take place in the autumn.
High Court Judge Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne has been nominated as the Chairperson of the new Commission. The other members of the Commission are:
- the Comptroller and Auditor General (Mr. Seamus McCarthy)
- the Ombudsman (Ms. Emily O'Reilly)
- the Clerk of the Dáil (Mr. Kieran Coughlan)
- the Clerk of the Seanad (Ms. Deirdre Lane)
The role of the Commission is to explain the subject matter of the referendum, to promote public awareness and to encourage people to vote. The Commission is an independent body set up back in 1998.
