Sweden such as Ireland votes - Swedish Dagbladet

– Seanad Éireann is powerless and undemocratic. It costs 20 million euros a year, says Prime Minister Enda Kenny in a wicker innumerable.

– Other small countries like Sweden and Denmark have shown clearly that the unicameral parliament not only cost less but work very efficiently and with far greater transparency.

Opinion polls indicate a yes to the scrapping of the house.

Denmark had a “rigsdag” with two chambers until 1953, Sweden abolished the bicameral 1971.

Those who are critical to implement a change accuses Prime Minister and his Conservative party Fine Gael to hide behind the promise of savings. The power will be centralized and end up in the hands of the government – and thus closes the door to more radical political reforms, according to the critical voices.

It was when Prime Minister Enda Kenny was in opposition he brought forward the proposal for the referendum – as a populist move, says Michael Gallagher, a professor of political science at Trinity College Dublin, for the BBC.

– The government has presented it as an opportunity to cut down on the number of politicians. At a time when Ireland is not in love with their politicians, the idea seems to have gone home, said Michael Gallagher.

Among ordinary people are also the perception of the house as a kind of “rest home” for politicians who failed to get into the Dail Eireann, House of Parliament.

The Independent Senator Katherine Zappone warns that a yes will bring Ireland into “a constitutional limbo.”

– Yes, will lead to the Irish Constitution is filleted and dismembered said she Democracy Matters conference in Dublin.

The votes will be counted until Saturday, when the result is expected to be completed in the afternoon.