Parties promise radical political reform

The major parties today set out their proposals for reform of Ireland's political system with the abolition of the Seanad and changes to renumeration of ministers and TDs taking centre stage.

Unveiling its reform manifesto, Fianna Fáil promised a major overhaul of the political system including a proposal to abolish the Seanad.

In another major political reform, the party is proposing that people who are not members of the Dáil could be allowed to serve as ministers, opening the door for experts in specific fields to take a place at the cabinet table.

Unveiling the proposals, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said our current political system is simply not working.

"Our parliamentary, governmental and political system was not effective in dealing with the profound issues of the last number of years, and we need to change that," Mr Martin said.

"We must learn lessons from the recent crisis and change the way we do things, so as to ensure that we do not make the same mistakes going into the future."

Meanwhile Fine Gael today said it will corporate donations and abolish ministerial severance pay if elected to Government, ensuring TDs only receive their pension entitlements when they reach the national retirement age.

Party leader Enda Kenny, speaking on the campaign trail in Kilkenny this morning, said people are angry at the failure of the political system and the politics of cronyism of the past 13 years.

The party proposes cutting the Taoiseach's salary to €200,000, with cuts in ministerial pay packets and the requirement for all TDs' expenses to be vouched.

Under the proposals the taxpayer would not pay above €60,000 a year in a pension to any individual, while corporate donations to political parties would be banned with a reduction in the amount individuals can donate.

Mr Kenny said he wants to lead by example and restore trust in the political system.

"The Irish people do not want to see failed ministers walking away with large lump sums," he said.

"They don't understand why former ministers, unlike everyone else, receive their pension before retirement age."

He also reiterated his party's commitment to abolishing the Seanad, and said citizens living abroad would be given a vote in presidential elections.

Elsewhere Labour is proposing to have a Constitutional Convention to draw up a new constitution for a "21st Century Ireland".

The party said that if elected, it will use a panel of experts to draft a constitution within 12 months of taking office.

Labour is also promising to end to political cronyism by ensuring all appointments to State boards are subject to scrutiny by a Dáil committee.

The party says it will scrap the Seanad, overhaul the workings of the Dáil to include a 50% increase in sitting days - to meet four days a week - with a summer recess of just six weeks.

Under the Labour proposals meanwhile all pay in the public sector including that of the Taosieach would be capped at €190,000.