When will rural backbencers revolt over jobs, education, health, roads?

THE revolt by backbench Fianna Fáil TDs against Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s plans to lower the legal blood alcohol limit is a bleak example of the absolute failure of representative democracy for the people of this state.

Have the same 20 or so rebel TDs been similarly exercised or organised about the impact of government cuts and policy delivery for rural Ireland in education, health and jobs?

Of course not, because had they been, we in rural Ireland might not be dealing with the reality of unemployment rates four times the national average or travelling long hours for critical medical attention. Drinking alcohol impairs driving and puts lives at risk. And it is not OK for our politicians to argue otherwise. We in rural Ireland can get home from the pub without putting our own or others’ lives at risk.

But that said we do need more buses and trains and better roads. And we would very much appreciate some government backbench rebellion on delivering these.

Oireachtas reform is back on the agenda. Sadly, no party has offered radical reform. The pay of ministers, TDs and senators must be substantially reduced and the value of the Seanad should be questioned, but these proposals are not new and do not represent the type of deep reform we urgently need. The single greatest failing of our political system is that it is solely based on “representative” proportional representation (PR). I believe Oireachtas reform must include a proposal to move to a “political party” PR list system, or at least a mix of both. By moving away from solely representative politics we could bring ideology back into the legislative process and move away from the tragic failings of parochial politics that have dogged our people and the political process since the foundation of the state.

Sineád Máire Ní Bhroin

The Meadows

Buncrana

Co Donegal.