Sir, – I would like to agree with Cian O'Mara (Letters, April 15th) that there needs to be a limit on the number of TDs in Dáil Éireann, rather than an increase due to the current census.
The Constitution states that there shall be no less than one TD for every 30,000 people. The average in UK is one MP per 96,000 people.
When the Constitution was approved, in 1937, the Ireland was a very different place as far as communications were concerned. Most households did not own a car or telephone.
Nowadays the public have instant access to their politicians, if they so wish, by means of mobile phones and email and the population is fully aware of developments in current affairs, etc, from round-the-clock television bulletins, radio and social media.
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Our high representation ratio, combined with the PR system, have produced a situation whereby a TD can be elected with a tiny number of first preference votes. In Dublin Central in 2007 a candidate was elected with only 979 first preference votes. As a result, TDs are desperate to hold on to every single vote and cannot afford to be associated with any action or budget measure that might alienate support in their constituency. TDs regularly turn up for “constitutency clinics” all over the country several times a week, often to find no constituents there to consult them. TDs tell us constantly (and truthfully) that they are working very hard. The problem is that they are working hard at getting re-elected instead of working on matters of some national importance.
If we had half the number of TDs, they would need more votes to get elected and would be forced to concentrate on broader issues instead of Mrs O’Brien’s broken footpath or Mr Daly’s passport. Each one of us would be less represented but better governed and the culture of dependence and cronyism would be gradually eroded.
Naturally, the politicians are not in favour of a change that might cause them to lose very well paid employment.
Why is there no pressure from the national press or individual journalists for constitutional change in this area?
Perhaps this would be a suitable subject for discussion by a citizens’ assembly? – Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD,
Dublin 16.