Madam, – Your Editorial “Renewing the Republic” (April 3rd) outlined the need for political reform, but I share with many readers a sense of frustration at the lack of concrete suggestions.
I would like to suggest two specific actions: 1. Hold a referendum on the number of TDs per citizen. Article 16, 2.2, states that each TD should represent 20,000 to 30,000 people. These low numbers encourage local politics above national politics, thus creating the culture of “purely parochial ward-heelers.” By increasing the ratio to, say, 50,000- 60,000 we would force our TDs to rely more on broad ideas to win votes rather than personal contact and favours. This would shift our national political culture from parish-pump politics to one more focused on ideas and policies.
2. Reinstate 48: Article 48 of the original Irish Free State Constitution granted the Irish people direct democracy. A petition regarding laws or constitutional amendments could, with enough signatures, be brought before the Dáil or the people for a referendum. However, during the unstable early years of Irish independence, this provision was repeatedly postponed and finally dropped from De Valera’s 1937 Constitution. It is time to restore this fundamental right to the Irish people; instead of apathy and despair about our political system, we would have a mechanism by which the people could directly influence national policy on issues of great public concern.
Cries for change and renewal are meaningless when not accompanied by specific, practical ideas. By changing Article 16, 2.2, and reinstating the original Article 48, we may effect significant changes in our national political culture. – Yours, etc,