Ideal Parliamentary System for Ireland???

turgon

To be quite frank, we have very little separation of powers in this state. The Cabinet is controlled by the same (wom)man who controls the Dail, the Senate is a joke, and the president is ceremonial. The judiciary are independent, thats about it. So what would peoples thoughts be on a better governmental system for Ireland?

I personally would keep most of the current set up, namely the ceremonial president and the Head of Cabinet elected from the lower house. However I would change the nature of the Dail and the Senate, especcially the latter. Maybe introduce party lists for one house, or for a proportion of the houses, such as the Diet of Japan. I feel this would give a national platform to some representatives, and would give a bigger say to smaller parties like the Greens, who could pool support from across the whole state.

Another thing I had thought was that the senate would be composed of a representative from each county administrative area, in affect making it like the US Senate. However with the lack of real localised government here that may be pointless.

I think trying to find an alternative to electing people to the Senate that is not merely the same as the Dail would be important. The current way is a laugh.

I think the Irish system functions pretty well. Parochialism is a problem however. Delegating power of local decisions to properly funded local governments would go counter that somewhat. The Senate as it stands is a pretty useless institution. Senators would need to be more democratically elected if it would be more powerful.

humberklog

The elected government should be able to appoint ministers from outside the pool of elected TDs. Appoint people of genuine proven ability within the brief. Rather than politicians to important posts.

Belfast

Adopt the a system similar to the American system of government.

Executive President limited to 2 terms of 4 years directly elected by the people.

Vice President to be elected on with Executive President.

Executive President can veto laws.

Congress and Senate can over turn veto by 2 third majority of all members in each house.

All laws must be written in simple and clear language independently checked the same body that checks enforcement of laws.

independent body to check the enforcement of all laws independently checked.

If a law is not enforced it becomes null and void and cannot be reinstated for a period of 5 years.

Cabinet appointed by the Executive President approved by congress and senate

Cabinet members cannot be members of congress or senate.

Cabinet members limited to 2 terms.

2 year terms for congress limited to 2 terms

6 year terms for senate limited to 1 term

No member of senate or congress or Cabinet OR can be an MEP or other elected body.

Fixed time elections

One third congress and Senate to be up for elections every 2 years

Congress members limited to 2 terms

Senate members limited to 1 term.

All laws must are limited to 5 years and must reviewed by the senate at this point.

if law is to be renewed it must be passed by congress and senate.

Each constituency would have an equal number of male and female members.

Men run for Male seats and Women for the female seats.
same as the Olympics have a hundred meters for men and a separate one for women.

This means that there is always a gender balanced congress and senate.

Member of Congress or Senate only to be paid when they attend congress or senate.

Attendance at congress and senate compulsory while in session.

Compulsory voting

None of the above option in elections,
if none of the above wins and new ballot must be held, none of the failed candidates are not allow to run again in the new ballot.

Senate and congress to be directly elected

Elector register must be kept up to date and accurate by an independent body.

Political parties can only be funded by membership fees.

Zombrex

humberklog wrote: »

The elected government should be able to appoint ministers from outside the pool of elected TDs. Appoint people of genuine proven ability within the brief. Rather than politicians to important posts.

That idea hasn't served the USA too well in the past, positions tend to end up being filled by "yes-men" loyal to the head of government rather than the people they are expected to serve.

Of course that happens in our system as well, but to get appointed people removed from power you need to go through the central point of power, which is a lot more difficult than removing a member of parliament. For example, to get a member of George Bush's cabinet removed (say Condoleezza Rice) you have to effectively remove Bush (not 100% true, but effectively the case)

It is a nice idea that people experienced in an special area get put in charge of that area, but in practice it doesn't really work out like that. It leaves the door wide open to having special interests groups place "their guy" in powerful positions of influence and power with little democratic control.

humberklog

Wicknight wrote: »

That idea hasn't served the USA too well in the past, positions tend to end up being filled by "yes-men" loyal to the head of government rather than the people they are expected to serve.

Of course that happens in our system as well, but to get appointed people removed from power you need to go through the central point of power, which is a lot more difficult than removing a member of parliament. For example, to get a member of George Bush's cabinet removed (say Condoleezza Rice) you have to effectively remove Bush (not 100% true, but effectively the case)

It is a nice idea that people experienced in an special area get put in charge of that area, but in practice it doesn't really work out like that. It leaves the door wide open to having special interests groups place "their guy" in powerful positions of influence and power with little democratic control.

Sure, sure. There are plenty of pratfalls as is with all systems. I would've had the more recent spanish government in mind though as their political system is more like ours than say... france or the usa.

Victor

humberklog wrote: »

The elected government should be able to appoint ministers from outside the pool of elected TDs.

It can - it just never does.

The Taoiseach gets to nominate 11 senators and up to 3 ministers can be senators.

dothis

I was thinking about this and was wondering if a system for Senators whereby they have different areas of concern would work. That is maybe a Senator is elected to represent Children, some for workers, some for students etc.

turgon

Belfast wrote: »

If a law is not enforced it becomes null and void and cannot be reinstated for a period of 5 years.

And who decides if it has been enforced?

Belfast wrote: »

2 year terms for congress limited to 2 terms
6 year terms for senate limited to 1 term

A natural filter for all the experienced representatives.

Belfast wrote: »

Fixed time elections

What if a government collapses?

Belfast wrote: »

All laws must are limited to 5 years and must reviewed by the senate at this point.

Why? What a waste of time, good time that could be spent making new laws or initiatives.

Belfast wrote: »

Men run for Male seats and Women for the female seats. same as the Olympics have a hundred meters for men and a separate one for women. This means that there is always a gender balanced congress and senate.

Absolute sexism. Women and Men have different running races because Men are generally faster then women, and putting them in the same race is unfair competition. Are you saying women arent as good at getting elected? If so, why should they be elected? If not so then why should they not be put in the same race as men?

Belfast wrote: »

Compulsory voting

The perfect way of getting ignorant, uninformed voters to stupidly exercise their right.

Belfast wrote: »

None of the above option in elections, if none of the above wins and new ballot must be held, none of the failed candidates are not allow to run again in the new ballot.

Waste of a) time, b) money.

humberklog

Victor wrote: »

It can - it just never does.

The Taoiseach gets to nominate 11 senators and up to 3 ministers can be senators.

Very good point. Missed that chink. Thanks.
Has it ever occurred?

Gone West

bicameral systems are not in fashion this year, lets change it!

pigeonbutler

I'm all for seperating the executive and legislature somewhat more than they are at present. Perhaps elect the lower house using the party list system and have the lower house elect the Taoiseach. Elect the upper house using PR-STV.

That way people would have a more direct link between their vote and the government of the day but would also have their own local elected representatives in the senate.

Maybe we should remove the requirement that Ministers be members of the Oireachteas and allow the Taoiseach to nominate whoever he likes, but it has to be confirmed by the Senate. So the gist of the system will be a Taoiseach that needs the support of the Dáil to govern but who won't be able to pass anything without the consent of the senate. Thereby providing oversight over government and hopefully causing more debate on every issue.

Any thoughts? I've only thought this up since I clicked reply so it might not be great!