On Friday October 4th voters decided not to abolish Seanad Éireann. Voters Parties and Elections are delighted to invite you to an open debate on the campaign and result. It was a colourful campaign with allegations of populism and power grabbing levelled at the government by political parties and campaign groups on the No side. The Yes side focused on the cost of the Upper House and have tapped into public hostility towards politicians and the political system, yet failed to win in any Dublin constituency. Despite the emergence of new civil society groups OneHouse and Democracy Now, the campaign was dominated by elites and seems to have largely passed the public by. Concerns about apathy and a low turnout are encouraging many to dismiss the idea of further referendums. But is this a logical response? And what really did happen in those last few crucial days of the campaign?

Come along to hear from all sides on Thursday 10 October 5.30pm

• The debate will be chaired by Dr Jane Suiter (DCU)Our expert panel includes:

  Campaign Participants
  Regina Doherty, TD (Leading the Fine Gael campaign for the abolition of the Seanad)

  Prof Gary Murphy, DCU (Chair- Democracy Matters)

  And campaign experts

  Prof Michael Marsh (TCD

  Prof David Farrell (UCD)

  Dr Theresa Reidy (UCC)

  Places are limited, so please email us on voterspartieselections@gmail.com to reserve a seat:

  Date: 10th October
  Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
  Venue: European Parliament Offices, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2