Madam, – Jimmy Devins sturdily defends the findings of the Oireachtas report on electoral reform (July 29th). He offers the definitive political consensus “that there is no need to change the present system of election used in this country, namely the PR-STV system”.
Such enthusiastic cross-party agreement is hardly surprising. Politicians of all hues would naturally vote unanimously for the system that ensured they were elected in the first place. That the political parties continually seek mastery over election results, strongly disallows for any real change to the status quo. Why would sitting TDs vote for anything else?
He also notes the “citizens’ assembly” recommendation as a vital component of change and highlights this “as a means of ascertaining the views of the general public as to how the present electoral system can be improved”. Such an assembly would hardly have much luck with their proposals if the all-party Oireachtas Committee has already adjudged that no change is required.
There are several more equitable and authentic PR electoral options; the STV version does not offer the widest or truest reflection of electoral choice. But turkeys and Christmas spring to mind, and no doubt the electorate will, as usual, be presented with a fair few turkeys come election-time. Roasting them is the best option! – Yours, etc,