Bilans poprawek do konstytucji Republiki Irlandzkiej dotyczących Seanad Éireann

Results of Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland Relating to Seanad Éireann

Seanad Éireann in the Republic of Ireland, being currently one of the few examples of a chamber of parliament implementing the formula of functional representation, is often the object of criticism and proposals for constitutional reforms in terms of its functioning and, in particular, the method of electing its members. The previous amendments related to the Senate – VII of 1979 and XXXII of 2013 – ended in failure and did not implement the accompanying basic ideas regarding the systemic reform. The article introduces the composition of Seanad Éireann, the historical context of the development of both amendments, the context of attempts to implement them, failures in this regard and the consequences of this failure and includes a reflection on the future of the chamber and an indication of further attempts at its reform.

Seanad Éireann w Republice Irlandii, będąc współcześnie jednym z nielicznych przykładów izby parlamentu realizującej formułę reprezentacji funkcjonalnej, jest często obiektem krytyki i propozycji reform konstytucyjnych w zakresie jego funkcjonowania oraz, w szczególności, sposobu wyboru jego członków. Dotychczasowe poprawki dotyczące Senatu – VII z 1979 r. i XXXII z 2013 r. zakończyły się porażką i nie zrealizowały towarzyszących im podstawowych założeń dotyczących reformy ustrojowej. Artykuł przybliża sposób kształtowania składu Seanad Éireann, historyczny kontekst opracowania obu poprawek, okoliczności prób ich wdrażania, porażek w tym zakresie oraz konsekwencje braku ich realizacji oraz zawiera refleksję nad przyszłością izby i wskazanie kolejnych prób dalszej jej reformy.

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