General Election Issues

molloyjh

So now that it has been confirmed that we will be having an election in the New Year what do people think the major issues will be or should be? Obviously there is the economy (goes without saying). But to my mind there are 2 other issues that must be addressed. The first is serious reform of the public sector. The second is an overhaul of the political system in this country. The over-representation is facilitating the BS local politics that is incredibly damaging to this country and has to be addressed. And the fact that we can have glorified County Councillors like JHR holding the balance of power in this country is just downright pathetic.

And as a side do people think the Irish electorate have the ability to push for the changes needed here? We've hardly shown huge intellect in our electoral decisions over the years. Are we capable of focusing on what needs to be done and pressurising the Government to go and do it? We moan a lot about them but for years have done little or nothing to effect change.

wobbles-grogan

molloyjh wrote: »

So now that it has been confirmed that we will be having an election in the New Year what do people think the major issues will be or should be? Obviously there is the economy (goes without saying). But to my mind there are 2 other issues that must be addressed. The first is serious reform of the public sector. The second is an overhaul of the political system in this country. The over-representation is facilitating the BS local politics that is incredibly damaging to this country and has to be addressed. And the fact that we can have glorified County Councillors like JHR holding the balance of power in this country is just downright pathetic.

And as a side do people think the Irish electorate have the ability to push for the changes needed here? We've hardly shown huge intellect in our electoral decisions over the years. Are we capable of focusing on what needs to be done and pressurising the Government to go and do it? We moan a lot about them but for years have done little or nothing to effect change.

I agree with you, i think the public sector and the political system in ireland needs some serious reform. Re-build from the ground up sort of reform. The séanad needs real, proper reform. The dail needs less seats. 166 seats in such a small country is ridiculous. Somewhere closer to 100 would be better in my opinion. And also, along with that ~40% decrease in numbers, i think politicians wages should be decreased a similar amount, or abolish expenses. One or the other.

Also, what are the chances that the General Election will be held on a saturday or sunday, when everyone in this country can have access to the voting stations? Students are a prime example, in the second half of january you can be sure that a lot will be gone to college and wont have re-registered in their new (temporary) constituency.

Ninja edit: Also, will this new announcement have any impact on the bye-elections? Is there any point in running them now that there is only at most 2 months left in the current dáil?

electrogrimey

Both Labour and Fine Gael are making vague claims about these kinds of reforms, so all we can hope is that once they get in (inevitably), they actually go ahead with the reforms needed, but seeing as they'll need referendums, it'll be months into the New Year before anything happens.

molloyjh

electrogrimey wrote: »

Both Labour and Fine Gael are making vague claims about these kinds of reforms, so all we can hope is that once they get in (inevitably), they actually go ahead with the reforms needed, but seeing as they'll need referendums, it'll be months into the New Year before anything happens.

That and they'll need to take jobs away from their own to do it as well. Not too optimistic about that...