Government Reform

• The Seanad must be abolished with immediate effect.
• The number of TDs must be reduced from 166 to 100.
• The whip system must be abolished.  In order that this does not make the Dail unworkable there must be a fixed term of 4 to 5 years.  Under this system we would have everyone’s views represented and not just a handful of people at the ‘top’.
• TD’s salaries should be cut by 50% in order to show the Irish people that their leaders are also willing to take the pain.  I have already proved my commitment to pay cuts for politicians by taking a 50% pay cut in my Mayoral allowance.  I would do the same again with my TD’s salary if I was so honoured as to represent you in Dail Eireann.
• If elected I will seek to have the pensions of the government Ministers who recently jumped ship reduced to the level of the non contributory old age pension.  After all they keep telling pensioners that they have done well out of the government.  Let them live on it then!

Local Government reform is essential if this country is to thrive. My proposal is that the number of councillors nationwide be reduced by 75% and that those remaining be given enhanced powers.  We also must have directly elected Mayors to replace the current undemocratic and ineffective County manager system.  The current system encourages Councillors to ignore waste for fear that the council will not co-operate with them on other issues.  My reward for hammering the council on waste was that they refused to cover our swimming pool despite the fact that it was proven to be feasible.  A reform of this system would save councils at least €2 million per year with a €1 million saving on Councillors wages alone. These saving can be translated directly into a 20% reduction in business rates.   A reduction in business rates will lead to an increase in employment.