We need to reform how the Taoiseach and ministers are chosen

I propose a template for resolving the political impasse and for providing a more inclusive, democratic government.

The Dáil should elect an interim Taoiseach, who agrees to form a government on the following basis: The members who vote for the interim agree to support a government for the full-term. These members should be randomly broken into a number of groups equal to the number of cabinet seats, including the interim.

Each group should elect a minister who can be replaced at any time by a two-thirds majority of their group.

These ministers should then elect a Taoiseach, who can again be replaced at any time by a two-thirds majority of the ministers.

The Taoiseach then allocates portfolios to each minister, who consults his group on all matters relating to his portfolio. By doing this, the Taoiseach is subservient to the ministers, who are subservient to their groups, who, in turn, are subservient to the electorate.

This system gives equal status to all elected members and equal opportunity to become Taoiseach.

The present system, which has failed us, confers too much power on the Taoiseach and compromises the ministers, who can be removed too easily.

Michael Terry

College Grove

Castleknock

Dublin 15