FREE STATE SENATE
QUESTION OF ITS ABOLITION. PROTEST BY CHAIRMAN. ILLEGAL AND NOT CONSTI- > TTJTIONAL, (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) DUBLIN, May 30. The Irish Free State Senate met to discuss the Bill terminating its existence. Mr de Valera said that the Government had a mandate to abolish the Senate, but intended to introduce into the Constitution articles guaranteeing democratic rights. Mr T. Westropp Bennett (chairman of the Senate), following the precedent set by former speakers,, said that under the circumstances he could not remain neutral. He addressed the House from the floor. Mr Bennett denied De Valera's allegation that the Senate was constantly harrassing the Government and mutilating and wilfully delaying measures. He added that a single-chamber Government in the Free State would inevitably lead to a dictatorship of the Left, which would mean revolution, followed by an attack on religion, a<3 in Spain and Russia. Mr Bennett added; "An international lawyer of the highest standing told me that abolition of the Senate is illegal and unconstitutional. It would probably be found that the law did not permit it."
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 195, 31 May 1934, Page 5
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183FREE STATE SENATE Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 195, 31 May 1934, Page 5
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