A Vocational Upper House?: Lessons from Ireland

In: (Constitution Unit Publications 36 ). The Constitution Unit, School of Public Policy, UCL: London, UK.

Abstract

The government has expressed a commitment to maintain an independent element in the reformed second chamber, and not to hand overall control to any one party. This raises the question of how independent members are selected for the house. Appointment is one solution, but others include ex-officio seats for defined vocational groups, or election from these groups. Ireland is the only country in the world where such a system is used for the bulk of second chamber members - through elections using vocational categories, with nominations from voluntary and professional organisations. This briefing looks at the Irish system and lessons to be learnt for the reformed House of Lords.