Archive for February, 2010

The real meaning of living in a proper republic

23 Feb 10

The country’s power dynamic must change if we truly aspire to be a republic in which citizens come first, writes ELAINE BYRNE in THE IRISH TIMES February 23 2010
 
OUR CONSTITUTION does not contain the word republic. Although the memory of the republic is rehearsed each year at the gravesides of Wolfe Tone and others, it [...]

No incentive for politicians to reform status quo

16 Feb 10

Institutional change is necessary to restore public faith in politics – but it can only happen from the bottom up, writes ELAINE BYRNE in THE IRISH TIMES February 16 2010
 
WHY ARE those who seek to make politics better regarded as being anti-politics? Why are practical proposals to reform an antiquated political system deliberately interpreted as [...]

Lee could have been contender but was left an outsider

09 Feb 10

The message for those contemplating making the jump to public life is that only insiders will dominate politics, writes ELAINE BYRNE in the IRISH TIMES February 9 2010
 
“IT IS a privilege to be here, of which I am conscious . . . Given the outcome of the byelection, there is no going back now . [...]

Let people have their say on type of country they want

02 Feb 10

Reform of the Irish political system will only happen when the public takes ownership of the reform process In the IRISH TIMES February 2 2010
 
HENRY GRATTAN retired from parliament in 1797 in protest over his proposed political reforms being ignored. He was convinced that in the absence of vital and fundamental reform, Ireland was drifting [...]