Madam, – Our Taoiseach’s call for reform in the public sector, however laudable, rings somewhat hollow. Perhaps the leader of a house of 166 TDs that sits three days a week for circa 35 weeks a year should look to his own heart for a lead in meaningful reform?
Ireland’s parliamentary democracy is experiencing systemic failure. Ministerial appointments, which for the most part are based on patronage and keeping a seat in a marginal constituency rather than talent, won’t wash any longer. The Netherlands, with a population of 16.5 million, has 150 members in its House of Representatives and 75 members in its Senate. We need a significant reduction in the number of representatives and the way they are elected. What needs to change in the public sector is just about everything. It starts with Mr Cowen and the country’s system of governance. –Yours, etc,