Madam, - Now that the Dáil has resumed sittings, let us have some real performance improvements to justify benchmarking. Some suggestions:
1. No double-jobbing, as TDs are paid to do full-time jobs. Earnings from "nixers" and consultancy work should be used to reduce Dáil salaries.
2. The Dáil's annual holidays should be only four to six weeks. Normal office hours should apply from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays reserved for constituency work and clinics.
3. The number of TDs should be rationalised - one TD per constituency is adequate.
4. All expenses and allowances paid to TDs should be accounted for in the same way as applies to the self-employed.
5. TDs should have the same tax allowances as all other workers or self-employed people. Newly elected TDs should supply tax certificates before taking seats in the Dáil, and every year thereafter. No cert, no seat.
6. Official transport should be used only for official business. The cost of unofficial or party use should be reimbursed to the State.
7. TDs should have the same pension entitlements as most working people and should be eligible for redundancy payments when they lose their seats.
8. The productivity of TDs should be tracked by the quarterly publication of their attendances and speaking records in the Dáil and at committees.
9. The Dáil's effectiveness should be monitored in terms of sitting days, Bills proposed and passed and the output of committees.
10. Backbenchers should have greater flexibility in respect of Dáil contributions and votes. Free votes should become the norm rather than the exception.
11. If backbenchers cannot become more active and productive in the Dáil, their hours of work and pay should be scaled back.
12. There should be greater public accountability of TDs' performances via annual public meetings with constituents.
13. To ensure that TDs have real mandates, elections should be rerun if fewer than 50 per cent of the electorate in a constituency cast their votes.
In return for implementing these changes, the salaries of the remaining TDs should be substantially increased to reflect their enhanced roles. As is often said, change and good example must start at the top! - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN FLANAGAN, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.