Each week in the run up to the General Election, JOE is asking a representitive from each of the main political parties to answer a burning question relevant to Irish men in 2011.
We’re not putting any spin on their answers: we ask the question, they give us their answers, and we print what they tell us.
Representing Fine Gael on our virtual panel of Dáil Deputies is the TD for Meath West Damien English.
Question: “Given that the political system as it stands appears to have failed us, do we now need a radical change in the way politics in Ireland is done? And if you return to the 31st Dáil can you give us five things that you’ll urgently be pushing for?“
Answered by Fine Gael’s Damien English TD
I agree that radical change is needed in the way politics in Ireland operates. I have been a TD for 8 years. I have been a member of the opposition for all of this time.
A lot of the time, under the current system, it would be more beneficial banging ones head against a wall than trying to get through the restrictions that the Oireachtas presented.
The current system is too large and is not set up to respond swiftly to the issue of the day that arises in the State. Major change is needed.
Fine Gael have plans to radically alter the political system in Ireland. We have prioritised political reform measures to be implemented within the first 100 days of Government, if given the mandate on Friday, 25th February, by the voters in Ireland.
The following are five of the changes that Fine Gael propose to carry out specifically on the political system here:
- Publish draft legislation for the abolition of the Seanad
- Pass legislation to reduce the number of TD’s by 20 at the next general election
- Make government more open by strengthening Freedom of Information, establishing a Whistleblowers’ Charter, registration of all Lobbyists, create a new Electoral Commission and ban Corporate Donations.
- Establish a ‘Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform’ to make recommendations on electoral reform generally and increasing the number of female politicians.
- Extend the Dáil sitting time
I hope to be in a position, following the vote on Friday to be part of a Government that will push forward the major changes needed to the political system in Ireland.
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