Letters to the Editor: Share the ministerial loads among TDs and MLAs

One reader has a suggestion about the way our island is governed, while others consider matters as diverse as abortion law, energy costs, and unique achievements of GAA legends

A guard of honour for Cork sporting legend Teddy McCarthy at Rathcooney Cemetery, after Requiem Mass at St Joseph's Church, Glanmire, Cork, last Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins

The solution to Northern Ireland and the Republic problem regarding representation could be to make every MLA and TD outside the Executive or Cabinet a junior minister of some kind with a budget and portfolio.

At present, TDs in the Republic get €107,376 every year plus expenses and all we get is a shouting match across the floor as they bark at each other. Same is true of MLAs who get £55,000 for another shouting match — of course in Northern Ireland representatives have to do nothing at all, other than collect their pay because they don’t show up for work.