FINE GAEL’S proposals for reform of the Dáil and Seanad are a welcome recognition of the existence of long-standing problems, even if they do not amount to a comprehensive solution. For months, Oireachtas members appeared oblivious to the growing public anger concerning their pay, conditions and extraordinarily generous expenses. Suggestions by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan that they should be seen to accept some of the pain of projected savings were largely ignored. But now, as Government revenues crumple, radical reform has become a necessity.
It is not just the unvouched expenses of elected representatives that cause understandable resentment to ordinary workers. The bloated nature of government administration is out of keeping with new economic realities. Bertie Ahern shamelessly appointed 20 Ministers of State. He then pacified those disappointed at not being made junior Ministers with special pay awards as chairmen, vice-chairmen and convenors of 19 Oireachtas committees. In short, he bought off potential critics with public money. It can no longer be tolerated or afforded.
Enda Kenny has suggested the number of Ministers of State should be cut to 12; the number of Oireachtas committees be reduced to 10 and that special payments for committee officials be abolished. The number of public servants dealing with ministerial constituency problems should be reduced. If Fianna Fáil won’t do it, Fine Gael will, on being elected to government. Such a commitment won’t make him popular inside or outside of his parliamentary party. But that is the kind of language needed to convince the electorate that all sections of society will be required to pull their weight.
The casual, even dismissive, manner in which the Dáil is treated by Government must end. Last summer, it remained on holiday for three months as the housing market collapsed and the banks and financial institutions seized up. There was no official platform from which to call the Government to account. When Ministers eventually shook themselves out of a seasonal torpor to address the worsening economic situation, their responses were both uninformed and inadequate. Sitting in plenary session for less than 80 days a year is not acceptable in a properly functioning democracy. While extending a normal Dáil working week from three days to four will improve matters, the issue of extended holiday periods can no longer be ignored.
Brian Cowen resisted public pressure to cut the number of Ministers of State from 20 to 15, even as individuals concerned acknowledged the work could be done by fewer people. It reflected an arrogant, stubborn streak that did nothing for the Taoiseach’s image. That lack of flexibility has now led to demands for more extensive reforms, including an overhaul of the Seanad election system to make it more representative, while reducing the influence of councillors. It is no longer a question of whether there should be cuts in Oireachtas administration, overheads and allowances, but how deep they should go.