Seanad Reform report recommendation is sectarian: Ford

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Apr 2004

Responding to the publication of 'Report on Seanad Reform - Seanad Eireann Committee on Procedure and Privileges', Alliance Leader David Ford MLA stated:

"It is highly regrettable that the Reform Committee's report advocates entrenching a sectarian view of Northern Ireland in the Seanad.

"Instead of getting a range of views from Northern Ireland, the Committee is suggesting that there are only two kinds of people here. At a time when both Northern Ireland and the Republic are becoming more diverse communities, this is to be regretted."

Note: On page 49, the Report recommends "that the Taoiseach should nominate two senators from Northern Ireland, one from the unionist and one from the nationalist traditions."