Abolition of Seanad and cut in TD numbers among reforms
Lowering pay and pensions for politicians and empowering Oireachtas committees are also among plans outlined in Fine Gael and Labour’s joint Programme for Government.
The document states that “politics must be about service to the public, not financial gain for politicians”.
Both parties have also agreed to amend the Constitution and hold a number of referenda.
Top of the list of promises are reducing the size of the Oireachtas by abolishing the Seanad and reducing the number of TDs.
The latter will not take place until the next Dáil term, after the results of the 2011 population census are known. Ministers’ salaries will be further reduced, political expenses vouched for and severance payments for ministers axed, while no political pensions will be paid out until retirement age.
Dáil committees will be given stronger powers of investigation under a planned constitutional change and the actual numbers of committees will be reduced.
Greater responsibility will be given to answering parliamentary questions within a number of days, while TDs will have to be present in the chambers when their oral questions are raised.
Freedom of Information requests will be extended to other public bodies, including gardaí.
As promised by parties during the election campaign, spending limits for elections and limits on political donations will be introduced and a register of lobbyists is also promised.
A powerful new Investigations, Oversight and Petitions Committee is planned, to involve the Ombudsman and operate like the Public Accounts Committee.
Changes to the Constitution would see the voting age reduced to 17 and Irish citizens living abroad given the right to vote at Irish embassies in presidential elections.
Public funding for political parties would be linked to their amount of female candidates.
The extensive use of solicitors’ firms providing services to the State is to end under the plans.
Dáil sitting days will increase by 50% as the summer recess and breaks at Christmas and Easter will be reduced.
