Slimmer Dáil and Seanad could save millions

The now humiliated Taoiseach feared to debate the Seanad issue and was even unaware he was putting the cart before the horse.

The referendum should have been worded to include all the questions on Constitutional change, vital to bringing about complete Government reform. It would have saved hard-pressed taxpayers millions on having another one. Enda knew from the start what was needed most was a radical reform and reshuffle of the entire Oireachtas, top heavy in numbers and well past its shelf life.

Start off with the retained Seanad — cut it by 10, with just 50 competent members to be directly elected from a panel by the public, with minimum one senator per county. Apart from its general responsibilities, the new Seanad could keep a discreet eye on Dáil activities, and, part of its portfolio could be assigned to job creation. Ten fewer members should produce savings of over €2m annually.

By international standards only 60 TDs are required. Let the Government settle initially, by reducing the Dáil from 160 to an even 100 deputies. Here we would create a further saving of €16m annually. Then cut in half the reputed cost of €1m per week paid by Government to advisors and consultants — and save another €26m.

A grand total of €44m in annual savings — with Angela Merkel and the troika still there to take up the slack.!

James Gleeson

Thurles

Co Tipperary