Political ReformIn order to move away from a focus on local issues, and move towards a national system, changes to the electoral system are recommended.The Irish political system is one of proportional representation using the single transferable vote, which has a tendency to make elections into local popularity contests, removing the focus that politicians need to have on national issues, a weakness that shows in particular when strong national leadership is needed, leading as it does to a fragmented and individualised base of policy makers. To improve this system, a transition to part-national and part-local elections will take place.
What we have at the moment is the Single Transferable Vote system, one of the most unusual of all the countries which use proportional representation. The overwhelming majority of countries with PR use a list based system.
Single Transferable vote explanation
This method of proportional representation uses a system of preferential voting to determine the results of the election.
A constituency elects two or more representatives per electorate. Consequently the constituency is proportionally larger than a single member constituency. Parties tend to offer as many candidates as they most optimistically could expect to win: the major parties may nominate almost as many candidates as there are seats, while the minor parties and independents rather fewer. Voters mark their ballot, allocating preferences to their preferred ranking for some or all candidates. A successful candidate must achieve a quota, being the total number of votes received divided by the number of candidates to be elected plus one; i.e. in a nine member constituency the quota would be the number of votes divided by 10 (9 + 1).
Only in a few cases is this achieved at the first count. For the second count, if a candidate wins election his surplus vote (in excess of the quota) is transferred to his voters' second choices; otherwise, the least popular candidate is eliminated and his votes redistributed according to the second  preference shown on them. If there are more than one candidate who can not get enough votes after the transfer of votes of least popular candidate, he will be eliminated too (as he could not avoid it on the next round under any circumstance).
This process continues for as many counts as are needed until all seats are filled either by the required number of candidates achieving a quota and being deemed to be elected or until there are only the number of candidates remaining as there are number of seats. Although the counting process is complicated, voting is clear and most voters get at least one of their preferences elected.
All deputies are answerable directly to their local constituents.
An explanation of Party List based systems
Party-list proportional representation systems are a family of voting systems emphasizing proportional representation (PR) in elections returning multiple candidates (e.g. elections to parliament). They can also be used as part of mixed additional member systems.
In these systems, parties make lists of candidates to be elected, and seats get allocated to each party in proportion to the number of votes the party receives. Voters may vote directly for the party, as in Israel, for candidates and that vote will pool to the party, as in Turkey and Finland, or for a list of candidates, as in Hong Kong.
The order in which a party's list candidates get elected may be pre-determined by some method internal to the party or the candidates (a closed list system) or it may be determined by the voters at large (an open list system).
The proposed amendment to the Irish electoral system
The amendment to the Irish electoral system would mean increased powers being devolved to local authorities and councils, directly elected mayors with executive powers, the consolidation of several local authorities to reduce administration overheads (paying close attention to the divide between rural and urban so that larger areas don't overwhelm smaller areas) without reducing services, and giving Mayors increased responsibilities to improve accountability.
There will also be an emphasis on more direct democracy at the regional level to allow people to vote for regional issues themselves without having to concern TDs.
Half of the members of the Dáil will be elected directly from their constituencies. Then the other half are elected from the list of the parties on the basis of each constituency. This means that each voter will have two votes in the elections to the Dáil. The first vote allows voters to elect their local representatives to the Dáil and decides which candidates are sent to Dáil from the constituencies. The second vote is cast for a party list and it is this second vote that will determine the relative strengths of the parties represented in the Dáil.
Seats will only be distributed among the parties that have gained more than 3% of the second votes. Each of these parties will be allocated seats in the Dáil in proportion to the number of votes it has received.
In addition to this, there will be certain circumstances in which some candidates win what are known as an overhang seat when the seats are being distributed. This is very similar to the German electoral system.
Lastly, the membership of the Seanad will be adjusted to give directly constituency-elected representatives an input into the national running of the country, with limited powers of legislation and amendment.
Further Policies
- The Seanad, Dail and the Councils count as separate offices.
- No person who has held one of the three can hold one of the other 2 within 5 years.
- There will be a three term limit for TDs.
- The practice in Councils where a seat becomes vacated and co-opting occurs and it goes to the next of kin or a Party Member will be replaced with a by-election.
- Where corruption has been proven, pension entitlements will be revoked.
- All party donations will be subject to full disclosure and auditing, and made relevant to activiy within each political party.
- Expenses and allowances will likewise be reviewed and subject to full auditing.
- The possibility of recall referendums will be investigated.
- Legislation will be implemented to mandate that no relation to a sitting or previous public representative can run for office or be appointed to committees on the basis of that relationship. Here is a list of the family related politicians in the Dáil, including all major party political leaders. For a job as important as the leadership of the country, we need the best people, not the best connected.
- The removal of special benefits to sections of society to pursue a career in politics.
- Tribunals will be given special investigative and criminal prosecution powers in order to combat corruption.
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OTHER POLICY AREAS |
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Recovery
Economic and social recovery must be the first steps to be taken before any others, consolidation of our position and ensuring a sustainable standard of living.
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Energy
Ireland is in a unique position globally with regard to renewable energy resources, an advantage which must be exploited to its maximum potential.
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Agriculture
While agriculture in Ireland is facing unique challenges with CAP and GATT reform, it also has unique opportunities in the changing face of global agriculture.
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Growth
Ireland has natural advantages in our location and political situation, which must be taken advantage of fully in order to encourage sustainable growth, the central focus of any growth policy.
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Culture and Society
Irish culture is widely acknowledged as one of the oldest and most fascinating in the world.
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Europe
Our associations and agreements with Europe must focus on the mutual benefit of both parties.
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Health and Education
The Health and Education systems are two of the most important sectors in any society, and Ireland is no different.
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Political Reform
In order to move away from a focus on local issues, and move towards a national system, changes to the electoral system are recommended.
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Foreign Policy
Our position in the world and our relations with other countries have never been more important.
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Defence
To meet the changing needs and requirements of the twenty first century, the Defence forces of the Republic of Ireland will have a broader and more relevant mandate.
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Forestry
Trees are one of the great renewable and aesthetic resources we have available to us in Ireland.
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Housing
The property market is undergoing a correctional phase at the moment.
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Technology
Technology plays a central role in the vision for the future of the country, allowing us to use our resources to the best advantage for ourselves and future generations.
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Irish language
The Irish language is a valuable resource for ourselves and for our children, and the protection and support of this important part of our culture is an important priority.
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Partnership Rights
This is a broad and complex issue, and should be dealt with in different ways on different levels.
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Transport Policy
Our Transport Policy, supporting people and the environment.
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Pensions
As with many countries today, Ireland is facing great difficulties in future paying pensions to a longer lived and healthier senior citizens group, especially since the national pension fund was spent to bail out Anglo Irish Bank.
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Justice
The Justice system is one of the most vital areas of any society.
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Children and Family
Our policies on child benefit and the role of the family in society.
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Northern Ireland
Our policy on Northern Ireland.
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Environmental Policy
These are the Environmental policy proposals for Amhrán Nua.
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OPTIONS |
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