A chara, – Frank Walsh (Letters, April 18th) is correct in his argument that we have a greater number of politicians in our national parliament on a per capita basis in comparison to other countries.
What his analysis misses is the fact that unlike all the other countries he cites, we have an incredibly weak system of local government and far fewer councillors (and hence politicians) per capita than any other country in Europe.
Our total of 949 councillors could be compared with the 2,432 local and 205 regional councillors in Denmark, a country of similar size.
In England and Wales, there are over 20,000 local councillors.
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With our ratios approaching one councillor for ever 5,500 people, that is the highest in Europe and more than twice the number in almost all EU member states.
Our councillors have the fewest powers of their colleagues across Europe and that also means that national legislators here deal with more local issues than our fellow European parliamentarians.
While I have no issue with seeking to change our Constitution to limit the size of the Oireachtas, a more important debate is about ensuring real local democracy by empowering local councillors and councils.– Is mise,
Senator
MALCOLM BYRNE,
Seanad Éireann,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – In making a plausible enough case for a reduction in the number of seats in the next Dáil because he believes we’re grossly over-represented in our bicameral Oireachtas, Frank Walsh draws our attention to the fact that we currently elect 160 TDs – one for every 20,000 to 30,000 of the population; he compares this to the UK, which has 650 MPs –one for every 92,000 people. However, it must be remembered that unlike England – the only country in the United Kingdom whose affairs are decided solely by the Westminster parliament – along with sending MPs to Westminster, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have their elected devolved unicameral assemblies.
Perhaps we’re not that spoiled after all? – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – May I wish Frank Walsh every success with his suggestion recommending a Constitution change regarding the number of politicians elected relative to the population. Turkeys voting for Christmas comes to mind. – Yours, etc,
LIAM CLARKE,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.