A Chara, – I must have a very old copy of Bunreacht na hÉireann, because nowhere in my somewhat dog-eared version is there any mention of a “preferendum”, whereby a majority (weighted or otherwise), of 150 unelected party activists can control the legislature of the State.
Green Party ministers never shy from informing us that they belong to the most democratic party in Ireland, in that any decision about the party’s continuance in government, Nama, the Lisbon Treaty etc. is put to a special delegate conference of the party.
Bunreacht na hÉireann sets out quite clearly and simply how Governments are selected in this State. The people, by universal suffrage (that’s one vote per citizen over 18, just to be clear), elect 166 TDs. Those TDs, by majority vote at a sitting of the Dáil, elect a Taoiseach who forms a government of up to 15 ministers in cabinet, appointed by the president.
Nowhere in the Irish Constitution is provision made that elected TDs must submit themselves to a meeting of party activists, whose views outrank the citizens of this State. – Is mise,
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