Let’s get a Ministry of Reform up and running

YOUR suggestion of a Ministry for Reform backed up by a monitoring Parliamentary Committee — with teeth — is absolutely spot on.

Those of us who have sat on committees and commissions, spoken at public meetings, organised seminars — all on the need for political reform, would be delighted if such a ministry were to exist.

The whole country knows that there will be no money to spend for several years to come. Political reform does not cost money, but could do more for Ireland than most of the fruitless grandiose spending of the past. The main parties have each assured us that they are committed to changing the way Ireland is run.

Let them prove it. And as Mary Regan points out, any idea of political reform without a concerted effort and special measures to attract women into the Dáil (as enlightened countries across Europe have done) is a non-starter. This is the first time that political reform has been a major part of a general election campaign.

We must make sure that it starts to happen within the first 100 days of a new government.

Gemma Hussey

Dublin 4