The Seanad should be moved out of Leinster House and sent down to Farmleigh.

That is according to one Fianna Fáil Senator, who says Senators should assert their independence while the Seanad chamber is being refurbished.

The chamber is due for upgrading in the coming months due to health and safety fears.

There is one suggestion that the Seanad could borrow the Dáil chamber for a couple of days each week.

Senator Terry Leyden says the Seanad should become fully independent of the Dáil by having its business in Farmleigh instead.

But the head of the Seanad has rubbished a proposal for Senators to move out of Leinster House.

Seanad leader Maurice Cummins does not see it as a realistic option.