Sir, - The very low poll in the Dublin South Central by-election has worried our politicians and some have concluded that recent scandals involving senior public figures may be to blame.
Could it be, however, that the refusal of 71 per cent of the electorate to vote should be taken to mean that on this particular occasion they did not wish to elect a candidate?
It has long been stated that we are over-represented and have far too many TDs in our Dail. Reform in this respect is frequently mooted but never carried out.
I would like to propose that in future elections where fewer than 50 per cent of the electorate cast their vote, the seats in question should not be filled.
In this way everyone, including non-voters, would have a real interest in the results of the election and we would also quickly bring the number of Dail representatives down to a reasonable level. - Yours, etc.,
Antoinette Clancy, The Cove, Tramore, Co Waterford.