Madam, – I’m perplexed that the current debate on quotas for TDs on your Letters page focuses solely on quotas for women.
I would think that even greater diversity would be introduced to the Oireachtas if two further quotas were introduced: 1. for candidates who are not teachers, lawyers or accountants and 2. for candidates with no direct familial connection to current or past members.
Further, diversity is only desirable if it produces greater productivity and competence. To that end, I propose two initiatives: 1. To make it illegal for a TD or Senator to attend a funeral of anyone other than a close relative or friend (criteria – and even pre-registration of “close friends” could be required) and 2. To make it illegal for a TD or Senator to make representations for a constituent on a matter on which public information is freely available and through public services, eg pension/welfare entitlements, ESB pole placement, getting a hospital bed. Further, any and all representations made on behalf of constituents would, by law, be published on the relevant TD/Senator’s website. I foresee a vast increase in productive work. Or at least a vast increase in the time available for productive work. The competence issue remains to be sorted. – Yours, etc,