The Seanad has this evening voted to scrap itself. Senators approved plans to proceed with a referendum on Seanad abolition by 29 to 22.

The move means it is now virtually certain that Ireland will hold a referendum on scrapping the Seanad in early October.

The last time the Seanad voted against a government Bill Eamon de Valera was Taoiseach so it is not surprising that the Seanad did not block plans to hold a referendum on scrapping itself.

However a slew of Fine Gael Senators had spoken out against abolishing the Upper House of the Oireachtas. They held fire this evening and decided not to oppose the plans until the referendum campaign itself.

The Seanad is now likely to sign off on the plans next week with a referendum in early October.

Speaking last week, former Presidential candidate Senator David Norris launched a scathing attack on those trying to abolish the institution.