Madam, - Vincent Browne has argued in several recent columns for parliamentary and electoral reform.
However, his suggestions appear to focus solely upon the Dáil. His most recent (July 6th) argues for the 52 Fianna Fáil Backbenchers to be put to better use. The 60 members of our Seanad go unnoticed.
The Seanad must surely be the most under-used resource within the Oireachtas. Upper houses can be justified easily in federal states. In unitary ones, their purpose is more elusive. To a large extent, ours has become a talking shop with very little noticeable effect.
One simple reform that could empower the Seanad to have considerable purpose (though its composition might have to be changed) would be to allow it to interview and scrutinise candidates for prominent government appointments. Even if the conclusion of such interviews were merely a nod of approval or a formal note of disapproval, this would go a long way to making our government more accountable to the people.
Ministers should be interviewed to make sure they are appointed for their ability and not their geography. Judges should be interviewed to make sure they are appointed for their facility and not their political affiliation. Secretaries general should be interviewed to make sure they are appointed for their expertise and not their length of tenure.
And all this should be done in a chamber open to the public and media. Appointees should also be liable to be recalled on matters of public urgency if a set number of senators feel such action is required. This would surely strengthen a culture of fiscal rectitude among Ministers and their Departments. - Yours, etc.,
ROBBIE ROULSTON, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.