Genuine benchmarking would mean fewer TDs
The process was put in train at the behest of Government and its supporters. It was to reward improved efficiency and productivity. The first people to benefit, it seems, are the people who set the process in motion the TDs. What else have they done? They have set up a commission on Dáil elections to look at increasing the number of TDs from 166 to 168. We have one member for less than 24,000 people. Our constitution says we can have up to 30,000 people per member. How is that for benchmarking? Even 30,000 compares badly with our neighbours in the EU: UK, one member per 81,000; France, one per 102,000 and Germany, one member per 122,000.
If benchmarking was to mean anything, the number of TDs should be reduced. But that is not the kind of example we have come to expect from our "leaders".
All this is in line with a recent article which showed that, in large State and semi-State bodies, if you want a big bonus, make sure you run it at a loss.
Brendan Hurley,
Nursery Drive,
Ballinlough,
Cork.
