Madam, – Eamon Gilmore’s proposed new Constitution (Opinion, May 20th) won’t make much difference if we end up treating it like Bunreacht na hÉireann, and only pay it lip service when it’s not politically expedient to act in the spirit of the Constitution.
Two examples are: 1. The current impasse on byelections. The Government is acting within the letter of the law, but ignoring the spirit of the Constitution which calls for a byelection to fill vacancies. 2. The failure to expand the franchise for the university seats in the Seanad, although voters amended the Constitution to allow for this.
Unless we address that attitude, replacing the Constitution won’t make any difference. – Yours, etc,