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This is a forum for you to dicuss ideas on line - these ideas are your ideas - they are ideas that we may not agree with - but we are providing you with a framework for that discussion. The outcome of the Claiming our Future Event will be the results of the deliberations on the day
Ireland’s political system needs to be changed and its government needs to answer to the electorate.
The objective of the Direct Democracy Ireland organisation is to reintroduce articles 47 and 48 from the previous Irish constitution of 1922, for the purpose of creating a new platform of sover... more
Dave Morriss
This has to come sooner rather than later. The 'elected representatives' we are stuck with have absolutely no interest in what the people are saying, and they certainly have no desire to change anything. Their nests are well feathered.
kitty
This is the MOST important issue, and most available issue which can be instigated, prior to the many other issues withstanding.
Eanna Dowling
Separate national and local politics through a smaller Dail and council reform
We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and hav... more
We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the p... more
Separate national and local politics through a smaller Dail and council reform
We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and hav... more
We need a citizens assembly of some sort to define current policy and practice on the issues of the day. And we need the politics of the local Fix-It reps, who in the best examples attract positive developments to their areas, support their constituents in their engagements with the State and have an ear for all with the courage to speak.
Unfortunately we have a system where our citizens' assembly representatives, TDs, do both jobs – the legislator and the local man. Our politics will not thrive until we separate the functions.
So let there be a Dail of some 60 or 70 legislators elected. Let them spend their time deciding policy and practice in relation to the key areas of State Governance. Let them use power point or other tools to make their cases, or have the authority to invite experts to support their views.
Let them have authority in 5 key areas:
1. International relations – assess and assimilate the impact of WTO treaties and international agreements on our laws, culture and economy
2. European matters – establish our position in relation to various EU Directive proposals and explore their potential consequences
3. Management of State Services – Education, Welfare, Health, Defense, Justice and all other State sponsored and regulated activities
4. Finances – endowed with the power of taxation, responsible for keeping the State’s balance sheet in order
5. Planning for a long term sustainable futures – new regulations, policies and practices to transition to the future where we emit 80% less carbon by 2050.
As of now our political system over-focuses on the management of State Services and the finances of the nation. But the truth is that we have accepted our role in the globalised world, and international developments have a huge impact on our isolated, island life. We need a more efficient national politics that focusses on issues, policies, practices and planning rather than the PR driven soap opera of mock dispute.
Michael
The ideas you mentioned are good. How do we go about achieving these objectives?, What is your plan?
We already have albeit extremely limited form of Dircect Democracy here with the requirement for referendums to amend the constitution.
If you support candidates that "support" direct democracy how can you run against them in a general election?
And where would your party stand on issues like Social Welfare , Health. Tax, and all the other issues?
Your manifesto makes no mention of these.
Mark
This is more than needed as democracy in Ireland at the moment is not democracy but a totalitarian dictatorship.
Paul Clarke
Thank you for your comments. Here is a link to our website for more information about direct democracy in Ireland:
http://www.directdemocracyireland.org/
hugh
this is a great oppertunity to give power back to the people,the irish nation is crying out for this
kitty
Unless we give the power back to the citizens as outlined in our First Constitution, articles 47 & 48, there will be no hope of any REAL change for the future - as it stands, we will just 'more of the same' and we now know this mjust NOT/NOT be allowed to continue.
[email protected]
Time to make our forefathers ideals a reality! Freedom and justice for every citizen, Man, woman and child! Those are the principles on which this republic was built in 1922!
Charlie Williams
I think we need a new constitution from the scratch. First of all: strict secularism.
We have to start with a blank sheet, and then adopt the good values of our existing constitution.
Our parliamentary democracy needs to become overhauled.
More power to local councils with an own budget. No more unelected county managers.
A 50:50 solution how the Dáil shall be elected.
One half like the existing TDs from local lists.
The other half from a nationwide list.
Abolishing the unelected Seanad.
Other countries ... more
I think we need a new constitution from the scratch. First of all: strict secularism.
We have to start with a blank sheet, and then adopt the good values of our existing constitution.
Our parliamentary democracy needs to become overhauled.
More power to local councils with an own budget. No more unelected county managers.
A 50:50 solution how the Dáil shall be elected.
One half like the existing TDs from local lists.
The other half from a nationwide list.
Abolishing the unelected Seanad.
Other countries do a much better job with that kind of parliaments.
Bobby
If ever Ireland needed to review the framework of its existing institutions with a view to achieving constitutional reform that enhances the rights of individuals and underwrites the processes of good government, that time is now. Carpe Diem!
Noel Dolan
Totally agree. Plus, agree with the Finnish concept, directly elected people in local arena, sent forward to national level preferably with relevant qualifications and absolutely zero tolerance for any conflicts of interest. No more cronyism and clientelism in this country. Bring back the 1922 constitution, remove all inequality from all legislation, incorporate the UN and EU declarations on human rights, children's rights etc. Bring in a national identity card (I know that bothers some) and use ATM-like... more
Totally agree. Plus, agree with the Finnish concept, directly elected people in local arena, sent forward to national level preferably with relevant qualifications and absolutely zero tolerance for any conflicts of interest. No more cronyism and clientelism in this country. Bring back the 1922 constitution, remove all inequality from all legislation, incorporate the UN and EU declarations on human rights, children's rights etc. Bring in a national identity card (I know that bothers some) and use ATM-like machines for referenda etc. and use the same cards to cut down welfare cheats and black-market employment.
freda king
Time for change...!! Direct Democracy Ireland...make this Democracy a real one because the one we have is not..!
Bernie Fitzgerald
We need to give the power of referendem back to the people so we can start to rebuild our country and not be held to ransom.
HardWorkingEejit
Ciaran : Stop thinking EXPENSIVE REFERENDA
Think safe reliable eVoting as well, so we can be consulted frequently and at low cost.
colm
I think the system in Finland is one that is worthy of a close look. They seem to elect local councillors to a total of circa two hundred councils. This eliminates the prevalence of faceless party politics. The candidates are locally known and need to be locally active and proven to gain support.
The elected council then send forward one representative to the national parliament. The representative must gain the respect of his/her peers to be selected. They remain accountable to the local council for th... more
I think the system in Finland is one that is worthy of a close look. They seem to elect local councillors to a total of circa two hundred councils. This eliminates the prevalence of faceless party politics. The candidates are locally known and need to be locally active and proven to gain support.
The elected council then send forward one representative to the national parliament. The representative must gain the respect of his/her peers to be selected. They remain accountable to the local council for their activities at national level.
Party politics does come into play then in forming a government, quite often a coalition. Meritocracy seems to be the name of the game here which might go some way to explain why the country, repeatedly, is voted top of economic efficiency tables.
I would love to see this eliminate the practice of having one face and three names on election posters in Ireland, exhorting voters to vote them in the order of your preference. Time for a real choice of people who earn and deserve our respect.
Ciaran Campbell
Some interesting points but when we re-write the constitution can we not enshrine in the same that actual democratic decisions are made in consultation and negotiation with the people. This will thus provide for better democratic decision making and remove the need for expensive referenda. It will aslo ensure true democratic accountability and thus ensure that those that govern do so at the behest of the people and to the best of their abilities. Democracy should primacy to the collective and its interes... more
Some interesting points but when we re-write the constitution can we not enshrine in the same that actual democratic decisions are made in consultation and negotiation with the people. This will thus provide for better democratic decision making and remove the need for expensive referenda. It will aslo ensure true democratic accountability and thus ensure that those that govern do so at the behest of the people and to the best of their abilities. Democracy should primacy to the collective and its interests, not the individual!