Madam, - Given the disappointment with the 2002 general election turnout of 63 percent, the nation's politicians will undoubtedly be imploring their constituents to oil the wheels of democracy and cast their votes. In the wake of our gross negligence in 2002, Tasc, the think-tank for social change established the Democracy Commission to research and promote solutions to voter apathy. In tandem with this initiative has been the Taoiseach's campaign promoting the virtues of active citizenship.
However, it must be noted that just 73 TDs voted on behalf of their constituents on Minister for Justice Michael McDowell's contentious Criminal Justice Bill which will (rightly or wrongly) alter civil liberties in this republic.
Given that our citizens are lucky enough to have 166 political representatives, this would indicate a 44 per cent turnout. Perhaps the Democracy Commission should have included "active politicianship" in its terms of reference. - Yours, etc,
ANNE MARIE DONOVAN, Smithfield, Dublin 7.