Sir, – The failures of our political system were a major contributor to the Irish banking crisis, necessitating the €64 billion bailout. That is €13,457 for every man, woman and child in the country. The Government is now at pains to emphasis the €20 million in savings, or €4.21 per annum for every man woman and child, through closing the Seanad. I believe the people can bear the additional cost until we get proper political reform.
We have a political system with too few politicians focused on national issues; we have a system of local politics, our TDs are in effect social workers, forced through multi seat constituencies to ignore national issues of developing the economy and making laws and regulations. Even ministers and taoisigh have to commit much of their time to local issues for fear of losing the next election. We want our taoisigh, ministers and TDs to focus on national issues.
The Government should make a real effort to correct the system that failed us. We do not believe the Seanad is a flawless institution, but neither are we foolish enough to think it caused the financial crisis nor that abolishing it will fix the system that failed us. If in the end real reform entails the abolition of the Seanad then so be it, but start where the real problems lie: Dáil Éireann and our electoral system. Let us not shirk this chance to reform and instead create some positive legacy for our children to go with the €64 billion of bailout debt we are bequeathing them.
I would urge your readers to force the Government into real reform by voting No in the referendum. – Yours, etc,
JOHN TEAHAN,
Bolton Gardens,
London,
England.