Madam, - In recent weeks there has been much criticism of TDs' pay, holidays and conditions of employment.
Meanwhile, some Government ministers have suggested that the amount which may be contributed to party funds should be increased and that sponsorship should be sought for official events during Ireland's upcoming presidency of the EU.
In the interest of Dáil reform I suggest that all of the foregoing could be combined, refined and turned to the advantage of everyone by way of sponsorship, thus maximising the facilities of Leinster House without in any way compromising the essential dignity of our public representatives.
As the Dáil sits only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and not at all for about three-and-a-half months in the Summer and a month or so at Christmas and Easter - not to mention mid-term breaks - the building and grounds of Leinster House would be free for commercial activities such as car-parking, farmers' markets, craft fairs, fairground attractions at Christmas and St Patrick's Day, seminars, conferences, Christmas parties and wedding receptions.
The bars, cafés, restaurants, gymnasium and crêche could be opened to the paying public during the down-time of the public representatives.
Sponsorship would come in the form of naming rights in the manner of sports stadiums, festivals, halls of learning, competitions, television programmes, etc. Thus Leinster House, Government Bills and Departments would all be up for offer, with the name of the sponsor always being attached.
TDs and Senators would be personally sponsored and in the House they would wear discreet, dark, uniform, unisex waist-coats with their sponsors' logos, in the style of snooker players. When interviewed on TV they would be required to wear a baseball cap proclaiming their sponsors' name, as in golf or motor racing.
Official cars would be sponsored, with the appropriate logo painted on the side. Government jets would also lend themselves perfectly to this treatment.
Finally, the pay of all TDs and Senators would consist of the average industrial wage plus 10 per cent of their personal sponsorship earnings. In this way Ministers and those at the top would, quite properly, earn more than those further down the greasy pole would earn less.
The great advantage of all this is that not only would the Dáil not cost the taxpayer anything but it would also turn a tidy profit and would facilitate many people-friendly activities in the city centre. We would also know what we were really voting for.
I feel my suggestions will find special favour with the supporters of the Harney-McCreevy, axis of affluence as they could start to make plans for privatisation as soon as the Oireachtas became productive and began to turn a profit. - Yours, etc.,
ROBERT McKEOWN,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.