Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out the prospect of allowing all citizens to vote in Seanad elections, saying it was not what the framers of the Constitution envisaged.

Mr Kenny, who met the other party leaders yesterday to discuss Seanad reform, has also ruled out the holding of another referendum to change the way the chamber does its business.

Speaking to political journalists yesterday Mr Kenny pointed to a report from the Referendum Commission that found significant confusion among voters in the Seanad referendum last October. He said the cause of the confusion would have to be looked at. Reform of the Seanad could involve constitutional change, legislative change or procedural changes.

In its report yesterday the commission has said consideration should be given to a review of how ballot papers are designed after it found significant confusion among voters in the recent Seanad referendum.

It said 55 per cent of those it surveyed after last October’s vote said it was quite difficult or very difficult to tell from the ballot paper what they were being asked to vote for.

In its report to Government on the referendum, the commission said consideration should be given to a review of the format of the ballot paper in the future. Some voters were perplexed by the wording of the question being put, where a Yes vote was a Yes for its abolition.

The Referendum Commission polled 1,000 people four days after the vote and the research shows 13 per cent of those surveyed who said they voted Yes actually wanted to retain the Seanad.

The commission said 6 per cent of those surveyed who said they voted No wanted to abolish it. It recommends the referendum process should be reviewed to ensure it conforms to international standards.