List system for TDs dropped by party

PAPER ON POLITICAL REFORM:A CONTENTIOUS proposal to allow a small number of TDs to be elected by a list system has been removed from Fine Gael's document on political reform to be published today.

Party environment spokesman Phil Hogan told the Fine Gael national conference in Killarney this weekend that no reference to a list system will be included in New Politics.

In earlier drafts of the document there were suggestions that as many as 15 Dáil deputies be elected on a list system, rather than by the traditional method where TDs are elected by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies.

The proposal, suggested by Mr Hogan and by leader Enda Kenny, has proved to be divisive among the front bench and in the wider parliamentary party.

Speaking during a session on political reform on Saturday, Mr Hogan said it had not been dropped but would be subject to further consideration. “We have not come to any conclusion. We are waiting to hear [the recommendations on political reform] of the Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution. It is not something that is going to be in the document.”

There was a full attendance for the session on political reform, during which a number of delegates expressed strong opposition to some of the more controversial proposals, including the list system and the abolition of the Seanad.

In his presentation, Mr Hogan argued that political failure lay at the heart of Ireland’s economic crisis. He said the party was determined to reform political bodies and the electoral system and to puts its proposals to the people by referendum, and also by means of a new “citizens’ assembly”.

Mr Hogan outlined key proposals, including the establishment of a new senior civil service, the abolition of up to 150 quangos and new powers for parliamentarians to vet public appointments.

Political scientist Prof David Farrell told the meeting the reforms being proposed were radical and for them to succeed they would required the active participation of citizens.

There were some critics among the speakers. President of Young Fine Gael Barry Walsh said it was dangerous to argue for the abolition of the Seanad solely on the grounds of cost and of waste. “There can be no price for democracy,” he said.

Similarly, former European candidate Rickard Deasy and political blogger Dan Sullivan argued against the document being accepted without further debate.