Calls to abolish presidency receive loud applause

CALLS to abolish the presidency received loud applause as Fine Gael debated major constitutional reform at its national conference.

The party leadership distanced itself from the extreme proposal, but said it would consider looking at lowering the voting age to 16.

A robust discussion of the party’s reform programme saw strong differences of opinions between delegates as the party readied to unveil its “new politics” programme.

One delegate from FG’s youth wing who proposed lowering the voting age to 16 was told to “go home to your mammy” by another speaker.

The proposal to do away with the presidency also strongly divided opinion but did receive vocal backing. However, no votes were taken on the matter.

Enda Kenny’s attempt to boost the number of women in parliament by introducing a quota system for female candidates was killed-off by internal opposition, but he has pressed ahead with plans to cut the number of Dáil deputies by 20.

However, Mr Kenny was also forced to shy away from proposing a list system to elect some TDs after concern among his colleagues.

Mr Kenny’s plan to abolish the Seanad remains in place, and he also hopes to establish a “citizen’s conference” similar to ones which exist in Canada and the Netherlands to give voters more power and make ministers more accountable.

Mr Kenny said reforming the country’s political system was vital if faith was to be restored in national institutions and that politicians must make sacrifices in order to show leadership.