Taoiseach’s term must be shorter
A ten-year period for any individual to be in a position of authority is excessive. Consequently, the government’s term in office should be reduced to four years. That would mean that the longest a Taoiseach could serve would be eight years. Anything longer is too long.
An argument that may be advanced against a limit of two terms is that, towards the end of the second term, the Taoiseach may become a lame duck leader.
The fact is that the real lame duck is a leader with increasingly outmoded ideas which any Taoiseach will have after a ten year period in office. While when he was first appointed his ideas were progressive, in time, like virtually all concepts, they become passé.
Man’s ideas rarely mutate to a degree where they keep abreast of ever-changing times. When this intellectual freeze occurs with a leader, their nation’s progress is arrested.
A classic example one example typifies others - is that of Eamon de Valera who, by his holding the reins of power for too long, prevented Sean Lemass from implementing the vibrant ideals which started Ireland on the path to its present affluence. Mr De Valera stalled the sociological and economic advances of the nation.
The issue is that is should be made part of our legislation that a Taoiseach be limited to holding office for two terms only, irrespective of duration of the terms, and that each term be reduced to four years duration.
Frank Columb,
Dernaferst,
Loch Gowna,
Co Cavan
