Huge implications if we reduce TD numbers

The chorus of people calling for the number of TDs to be reduced by anything between 20 and 80 has begun again in earnest.

But it’s about time that the people making such calls thought about the logical implications of this.

A huge reduction in the number of TDs would lead to a radical increase in the legislative and constituency workload of the remaining TDs. It would be impossible to expect them to fulfil their duties properly without an increase in their pay, expenses and staff in line with the increased workload. So a reduction in the number of TDs would not save much money at all.

We really need to put things in perspective.

If we closed down the Dáil and Seanad tomorrow, all we would save is €40m per annum. In contrast, we are about to pay out a huge €180m in increments (ie. pay increases) to public servants this year alone.

In the grand scheme of things, which is more deserving of the anger of the general public?

Thomas Ryan

18 Mount Tallant Avenue

Harold’s Cross

Dublin 6W