Irish measure to disband senate rejected: reports

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/irish-measure-to-disband-senate-rejected-reports-2013-10-05?link=MW_home_latest_news


SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Irish voters shot down a proposal to eliminate Ireland's upper house of Parliament, according to media reports Saturday. A measure to disband the Seanad Elreann, Ireland's version of the senate, lost with 51.7% of voters against the proposal, according to BBC News. Supporters of the measure argued the upper house costs too much to run at about 20 million euros a year, but opponents said the chamber plays an essential role in government accountability and are more in favor of reforming the house rather than disbanding it, according to the BBC.