Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)

The fundamental issue in regard to reform is the accountability of politicians and the political system to the electorate. We need to put an end to the tactics pursued in the last election. Two parties, Fine Gael and the Labour Party, were elected to Government on a platform which asserted the bailout was not acceptable and would have to be renegotiated. One of the words used was "obscene". Subsequent to their election, however, they have acted on the same basis as the previous Government. There is no fundamental difference between this Government and its predecessor.

The absence of accountability to the electorate can be addressed in at least two ways. A system should be put in place whereby the electorate is able to recall politicians who stand for election on a particular platform only to change their policies on entering the Dáil. The original Irish Constitution, as well as a number of European countries, made provisions for popular initiatives whereby a certain percentage of the electorate can call for a referendum on decisions taken by the Government. Accountability to the people is key and if these two measures were implemented politicians and the political system would have to be accountable and transparent. They would no longer be able to operate on the basis of promises which are dropped after the election.

Various other issues arise in regard to Dáil and local government reform. I agree with those who stressed the importance of Deputies being in the Chamber when their parliamentary questions are taken. The idea that somebody else can deal with the question is not sustainable.

Before speaking on local government reform, I express my appreciation for the recently retired manager of South Tipperary County Council, Ned O'Connor, who gave 47 years of service to the county. He was absolutely committed to the social and economic development of south Tipperary over those years. He was prepared to listen and learn and was committed to the future of south Tipperary. I wish him well in his retirement.

However, I refer to three issues concerning local government. First, like Deputy Wallace, I favour the funding of local authorities by the Exchequer with a ring-fenced percentage available to them to provide services. Second, powers must be devolved to local authority members because, in recent years, more powers have been taken from them. Third, county managers should be elected. Those three proposals would change local government for the better.

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