The Minister for Justice says the Seanad's role is already defunct.

Alan Shatter says much of what is discussed in the Upper House has already been dealt with in the Dáil.

According to the latest opinion poll published in today's Irish Times - the referendum to abolish the Seanad looks set to pass.

Minister Shatter told Newstalk's Pat Kenny show it's time to modernise how Ireland does politics:

The government looks set to win the referendum on scrapping the Seanad, according to a new poll by the Irish Times and Ipsos MRBI.

Voters look set to accept the amendment to the constitution by a majority of 44 to 27%.

However, with just four days to polling, a fifth of those questioned for the poll said they have not made up their mind on the issue.

The poll shows that the savings generated by abolishing the Seanad is the biggest motivating factor for those supporting the referendum.

The vote to set up a Court of Appeal also looks set to be passed.