Madam, – Dr Edward Walsh (Opinion, July 6th) writes that the Single Transferable Vote was adopted by the first Dáil.
Perhaps, but it was thrust into the Dáil’s arms by Westminster’s “Better Government of Ireland Act” of 1920 which imposed partition, and called elections for “the Parliament of Southern Ireland” and “the Parliament of Southern Ireland” in 1921, under that system.
But the STV was endorsed by the electorate of the 26 counties as part of the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. When encouraged to abandon it by the country’s most popular and successful party in 1959 and 1966 the electorate refused. I believe it should stay.
Dr Walsh believes Ireland should be ruled by movers and shakers. Only last year, the whizz-kid George Lee got elected but found he couldn’t stand the pace. In 1969 a raft of talent was elected on the Labour ticket and they went into government in 1973. In 1977 it was the electorate which couldn’t stand them and they were given the bum’s rush.
I can’t say I’m over impressed with the Ireland’s parliamentarians. But the idea of putting Michael O’Leary, Willie Walsh, Bono or, indeed Dr Edward Walsh, singly or together, in charge of Ireland fills me with dread. – Yours, etc,