Sir, - Regarding Dr Garret FitzGerald's article on electoral reform (January 18th), it can safely be asserted that a considerable body of informed opinion shares the view that the Irish electoral system, proportional representation by the single transferable vote (PR stv) in multi seat constituencies, produces vagaries which could he eliminated to improve our political system. As Dr FitzGerald makes plain, modalities exist which would make it possible to achieve this while at the same time preserving the proportionality which our present system allows.
Given the past history of this issue in Ireland, it appears that an all party, non partisan approach is required. Perhaps the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, would ask Dr FitzGerald to chair an all party commission on this subject.
As we face the millennium, it is now time to improve the design of our electoral system, and thereby boost the performance of our political class as a corporate whole. Yours, etc.,
Millmount Avenue,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9.