We need root-and-branch reform of irrelevant Dáil

THE irrelevance of the Dáil when it comes to matters of critical national importance is obvious to all who take more than a passing interest in Irish politics.

For many years now, it has served as nothing but a rubber stamp for whatever is presented to it by the Government. The respect that a national parliament deserves has been continuously eroded by those who have served in government for the past 15 years, starting with the infamous declaration by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that he would not be able to take parliamentary questions on Thursdays – a ‘tradition’ faithfully maintained by his successor Brian Cowen.

The recent debacle with the Tánaiste only serves to highlight yet again the lack of respect for parliamentary institutions inherent in the Irish political psyche. However, this does not mean the Oireachtas is totally blameless. The composition and function of the Dáil is something that needs serious attention and it should behold us, as Irish citizens, to debate in a constructive manner how best to reform the parliamentary system in order to take account of the changes that have swept the nation during the past 15 years.

All too often TDs are elected to ‘serve’ the people by making sure they have access to all manner of services which they should be entitled to under a normal governmental system, without having to lean on members of parliament to lean on the service providers. Everyone (myself included) has had cause to revert to this system.

As an initial contribution to the debate over Oireachtas reform, I suggest that Dáil numbers be reduced to 100, elected to represent single-member constituencies not unlike those which existed here before 1918. These TDs would then act as legislators and little else. They would be complemented, in turn, with an expanded local government system, fully funded via local taxation which would cater for the provision of services on a purely local basis. This might sound controversial, but many of our current crop of TDs would make excellent county councillors. I fully realise no member of the current Oireachtas would vote for these reforms. That is why some form of constitutional reform would be necessary. It’s time the people’s collective voice was heard.

John O’Donovan

West Quay

Leap

Co Cork