THE YOUTH wing of Fine Gael has come out against all the major reforms proposed by the party leadership in its radical New Politics document.
In a document to be circulated at this weekend’s national conference in Killarney, Young Fine Gael (YFG) opposes the abolition of the Seanad; the introduction of a list system; the reduction of the presidential term of office from seven years; the lowering of the voting age from 18; and the introduction of a gender quota.
Entitled Transforming Our Democracy, the document has been approved by the YFG national executive, under its president Barry Walsh.
It criticises many of the reforms driven by party leader Enda Kenny and his team as “piecemeal” and questions if such fundamental changes to the democratic system can be justified under the heading of “cost savings”.
"Some of the Fine Gael policies unveiled to date seem to be based primarily on cost-savings to the exchequer, while other seem to be a knee-jerk response to public anger," states the document, which has been seen by The Irish Times.
“There seems to have been little consideration of how the proposed changes will impact on the workings of our democratic structures.”
According to the document, a majority of YFG members are opposed to the abolition of the Seanad and believe the savings of €30 million over a Dáil term do not constitute legitimate grounds.
Instead, YFG wants the Seanad to become a “citizens’ assembly” or a crucible of ideas, with a strict focus on long-term policy, no whip system, no remit to discuss day-to-day issues, and powers to vet appointments to important State positions.
It suggests Senators be elected on a national list system, and proposes the abolition of university seats and of the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees.
On Dáil reform, the YFG document describes the proposed list system as “tokenistic and almost meaningless”, saying it favours the retention of the current system.
On the presidency, it says reducing the seven-year term will be “meaningless to the man on the street”. It instead argues for the powers of the President to be expanded to reflect the direct mandate from voters.
The new powers would include legislation initiative, following a petition from citizens; veto over legislation; power to propose constitutional amendments; a right to meet the Cabinet; and an expanded role in foreign affairs.
On lowering the voting age, YFG states simply that it does not accept the proposition.
The document commends the party’s TDs and Senators for their decision to reject gender quotas.
“YFG is strongly opposed to the imposition of gender quotas . . . It would represent a gross distortion of the electoral process,” it states.
The party yesterday outlined details of this weekend’s conference, which is likely to be dominated by debate on the radical political reforms spearheaded by Mr Kenny, which takes place on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Kenny will make his presidential speech at 8.30pm tomorrow.