Fundamental reform of government must pave way for recovery

In 10 days' time, the people will make up their minds on what is best for Ireland, and who are the best people to deliver on their promises made to the electorate of the country. The new government we elect on 25th February will not only need to rescue and revive an economy that was once the envy of Europe, but it will also need to shore up the very foundations of democracy. The big issues in the election, of course, are jobs and the economy, the scourge of emigration and dealing with the aftermath of the banking mess and all its horrific and far-reaching consequences. People are only too well aware that there is an economic and banking crisis but there is a democratic crisis, too, although it certainly does not rate as highly on most people's agendas, given the many other more pressing issues on the minds of voters. However, it needs to be acknowledged that the malaise at the heart of Irish politics without a doubt contributed to the economic collapse of the country and therefore it needs deep reform. Our political system has failed the people catastrophically. It was unable to create true equality during the heady days of the Celtic Tiger, and now wearing the straightjacket of the ECB/IMF, it certainly cannot do so now. Very few rate political reform as a key issue in this election, yet, without it, the politicians we elect on Friday week will be condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past and the ability of the new government to revive Ireland's economic fortunes will be compromised. But at least, amid deep public disenchantment with politics, there is an acknowledgement from all the political parties that there is a need for major change. Indeed, the parties have been trying to outdo each other during the past fortnight by announcing proposals to radically overhaul the political system. As they try to regain public trust and win votes at the same time, the main parties' proposals include cutting the Taoiseach's salary from its ridiculously high level of €214,000 (having recently been as high as €285,000 before pay cuts), abolishing severance pay for ministers, abolishing the Seanad and reducing the numbers of TDs in the Dail. Ending the type of political cronyism that sees the party in power stuffing State boards with its chums and benefactors as well as limiting large public service salaries are also among the proposals. One of the most radical suggestions has come from Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin who wants to change how government works by allowing people who are not members of the Dail be ministers. There is also an appetite for redrafting the constitution and banning political donations, all of which are very worthy suggestions which will find favour with a public jaded by what it sees as political office-holders acting in their own self-interest rather than truly serving the people. Wealthy businessman Dermot Desmond is the latest to wade into the debate with several suggestions similar to what Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour have talked about doing. He believes there has been a lack of competence at government level, the Dáil is failing to fulfil its basic functions, the Seanad is irrelevant and the electoral system encourages TDs to behave like county councillors, while county councillors themselves have little control over local decisions. Radical reform of our system of government is necessary if we are to prevent this country from sleepwalking into another crisis in another decade or two's time. Only time will tell if the new government's reformatory zeal for real and lasting change is genuine. We, the citizens, must demand that it is and hold our politicians to account if it is not. Empty rhetoric will not be tolerated any more and people will expect that the promises made during this campaign will be channelled into effective action to make government work more efficiently - and solely in the interests of the people - into the future.