Election reform pledges - Establish a ministry for reform

GERRY ADAMS’ platform is the past.

His role, and Sinn Féin’s, in the conflict that almost consumed this country will, fairly or unfairly, overshadow everything they attempt for some time to come.

For those old enough to remember — and very many voters are not — the bloody depths of the North’s last round of conflict, Mr Adams’ every utterance is heard through a filter that instinctively recoils from violence and the brand of nationalism that makes everyone who does not support it uneasy.

Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil, as they too try to escape their past, are caught in a similar bind. Yesterday he launched a manifesto that advanced political reform as a central tenet. This, and other proposals surrounding reform, is entirely welcome and long overdue but its sincerity must be challenged by the fact that Mr Martin and his party are inextricably linked to decisions that did far more to entrench the cynicism that destroyed Ireland than they did to initiate reform we all crave.

Fianna Fáil’s manifesto advanced some ideas that seem attractive. The idea of allowing a minister to appoint a substitute TD, nominated before any election, to look after constituency affairs seems plausible. It does much more than formalise a situation that exists where a representative of a minister is the first point of contact for constituents. It takes Dáil voting rights away from cabinet members and may lead to real debate, but whether it is the right response to the clientelism that has delayed great political innovation — as we are assured — remains to be seen. Whether it encourages or challenges bureaucracy and transparency are also valid questions but the idea should get serious consideration.

The acceptance of some sort of a list system and measures to ensure that far more women can pursue political careers are very welcome. Sadly, that welcome must be undermined — again — by the fact that those issues are still active despite the fact Fianna Fáil could have resolved both with little more than the wave of a hand any time in the last decade.

Fine Gael also launched reform proposals yesterday. They seemed far less ambitious and more focussed on cutting costs than making for better politics but their ambitions might have been limited by the great challenges they expect to inherit after the election.

The hope that our political system can evolve is universal but the depth of the crisis facing us means reform will be sidelined once the next Government is formed. However, there is a way to keep the issue alive. It would give real expression to the universal hope for a system that serves the country, our democracy and the inherent decency of this society well. It would also show that the next Government, though it will have to concentrate on other matters, is committed to the idea.

If Mr Kenny is the next Taoiseach he should establish a new ministry for reform shadowed by a parliamentary body whose sole purpose is to ensure delivery, to prod, to remind and demand. And he should make Micheál Martin its leader. Such a decision would represent the kind of real reform and generosity the day demands.