One way to cut the number of TDs

EVERYBODY is in favour of snipping the number of TDs, but nobody says how. Here’s how. Nowhere does the constitution say the power of two or more TDs cannot be vested in one person.

Think, for example, how in the past two government departments have often been merged. Entirely constitutional. My proposal is to elect only the first three candidates in each constituency, using our current PR system. Then, in constituencies with more than three seats, allocate the extra seats among the three candidates already elected in rounded proportion to their first preference votes. That would fulfil the numbers of TDs per cohort of population as laid down by the constitution.

To ensure fairness, candidates who would have taken the fourth and subsequent seats would automatically become senators. That would further empower the vote of ordinary citizens, not just the privileged elite.

We would end up with 129 TDs and 37 senators — a saving in numbers of 27%. That compares well with the 34% savings the Government is looking for in pharmaceutical costs.

Michael Mernagh

Raheens

Carrigaline

Co Cork