Downsizing in the Dáil should be on agenda

Fergus Finlay made a very good point about “governing behind closed doors” (Irish Examiner Oct 9).

It is just as bad that most politicians are anonymous.

Very few people could list off the top of their head the names of all Government ministers, let alone the Ministers of State.

If history is anything to go by, too many TDs never come to public notice even once during the lifetime of a Dáil. In their last year of office, a few of them might surface for one brief moment.

Up to then, most people had never heard of them or seen their faces before.

Who were they? We never knew they were a TD. The motto on the Dáil’s coat of arms could well be “Custodite deorsum caput” (keep the head down).

Do invisible legislators govern us? Accountability to the people should mean proper visibility. Could the Dáil function just as well with only the ministers and ministers of state, paired with an effective opposition?

In all, 60 TDs should be enough (especially for a small country like ours). Are the rest of the motley crew surplus to requirements?

The Government is very keen on reducing employment in the public service. They could look into their own hearts and downsize a bit closer to home.

Michael Mernagh

Raheens

Carrigaline

Co Cork