Spot on Sean, couldn’t agree more.

Guess who created that mentality?

Agreed Sean

And the Eurozone, most especially because we share a currency, should be thinking along the same lines – co-operation, not beggar-thy-neighbour competition in a race to the bottom which serves only to impoverish us enrich the elites.

100 % agree with this right of referendum.

The deafening silence on this from politicians speaks volumes about their integrity (lack of).

I had begun to think
That the only other option was a complete ignoring of the goverment. No reacting, complaining, approving ,
Detracting of any sorts of government actions and statements. That would remove their power over us.. It would need to start with opposition TD’s and I have started to contact them.
However, here is another real alternative. I see some people have a major issue with giving power to the people though. Do those people know that we gave power to Bertie Ahern for about 15 years!!?!?!!!!! Have they ever listened to his post-political interviews? NOTHING could possibly be worse than him having power so all the neigh-sayers should realise thatDDI or anything would be an improvement on Bertie

At last. Something new, that just might work. It’s an awful pity that we might have to wait another three years for change though. The damage this government could inflict in that time could end up being virtually irreparable. I suggest that people who have signed up to this start protesting straight away. I’m in. Just tell me where I sign.

There is a website (which I can’t find right now) that records electoral promises. I intend to confront any campaigners next election with any broken promises. While I’m already aware of their stock responses, I’ll enjoy making the squirm.

You can see the catalogue of broken promises in the FG and Labour election manifestos.
FG manifesto here.
Labour manifesto here.

Any approach to some form of accountability, political or otherwise, would be a welcome improvement on that which we have currently, which is no accountability at all.

What we do have is a nice chap known in comedic circles as the Minister for Public Expenditure, the venerable Brendan Howlin, a picture in a dictionary next to the definition of useless.

DDI is a fantastic idea if people engage with it. The Irish nation appears pissed off enough to do so, whether they do or not remains to be seen.

You could set a time limit, an issue cannot be voted upon more than once every 2 years or something?

It will need a landslide election because a constitutional change requires a dail vote and the political parties wont vote for this, no way. I dont think its achievable. Why are people so excited by referendums:? You cant run country by referendums. The idea seems to be to leave the gombeen men free to ruin us and then when the screw up our lives we have to work hard to clean up the mess! Stupid idea in my opinion. We already have a lwa making body so why not use that?

Why don’t ddi just follow the candidate undertakings of the peoples convention by which candidates are selected by the people themselves and if elected are bound to a locally based democratic process?

That would be my first referendum choice. End all bloated insider pensions especially the Celtic tiger politicians and banksters.
I’m instigation it now.. Who’s signing up? :D

We are happy enough to blast and critisise the current government why cant i do the same with DDI

Jay… You can do whatever you wish. Freedom of speech is a right. However, speaking, criticizing and detracting without all the facts does no one any good. Please note, my comment is not to silence you or anyone. I’m suggesting your voice would carry more weight with factual substance.

The facts are above you in the article
1) people can call a referendum soon as they get 100k signatures a government wouldnt stay in power 6 months as soon as they make a tough decision that may need to be made for the good of the country but because itll effect the voters on the ground they will vote against it

Because the current government have failed! DDI has not yet had the chance.

Sorry…. But all the facts are not all in the article above. Hence, the author inviting us to visit their website for more information. I’m sure they have something in place to balance your concern. And if they don’t … With the organization being at the grassroots of development, then your point could be brought for discussion. An open discussion concerning the pros and cons of a concern or issue.

In a time in the country when we need to make very tought unwelcomed decisions this party would be ran by the people who are only interested in short term gains that benifit themselves

Lol.. Jay… How do you know this to be true. Have you visited their website? Have you directed you concerns and questions to their attention? I will go on the limb here and say…. You haven’t. Though your opinions are your own. However, when shared openly… Your opinions become that of the public. Which then can be commented on… Therefore, I would state strongly without malice or prejudice. .. Your speaking “Pants”… A well fed healthy cow delivers less manure to the fields than the missives you deliver. And all done with little informed content.

Ah nothing like an insulting comment when the person devating against yot has nothin productive or constructive to contrabute .. I have been on the website quite alot over the past 2 months but the my views ans opinions still stand. As valid

Your opinions are only valid to yourself.

Yes ryan they are only valid to myself but unlike you i base my opinions on realistic relivent information not populist retoric

The point I’m trying to make here Jay… Is that your time on this website, your comments, your opinions mean nothing to this country without action. It is clear DDI is trying to instigate peaceful legal action. Sitting behind missives and comments will not change our state of affairs. It isn’t about supporting DDI 100%, but it is about given them credit for trying. And people like yourself, coming up with an alternative solution to correct our state. Because what we have just “ain’t” working.

Marlon
If whats currently happening in government isnt workin that dose not automatically validate any alternative

Jay… Could you educate me and the readers of these comments… And share with me when the governmental infrastructure of this country ran 95% properly? When the infrastructure of the systems that link us people to each other and our jobs worked 95% properly? When NHS didn’t run a deficit? When our leaders weren’t profiting from the hard work of the people?

Jay you base your opinions on realistic reliable sources from the current government which have proven to be untruthful, which doesn’t say a lot for your opinions now does it? And I would like to know how I base my opinions on populist rhetoric when DDI have only just broken the surface into the political world. Theres more buzz words and spin thrown about these days than I’d like to care for. That’s another reason DDI sounds good to me…..no BS spin.

Ryan… I’m wholly on the DDI band wagon (I have research to do), but I respect that you are willing to seek an alternative to the status quo. If we can we get more people to act and support more action towards solutions, than the whinging that is so prevelant… We can hopefully make a better place for our grandchildren.

Interesting exchange of views. For me the DDI idea is fine but not the solution (you’ll see my comments elsewhere on this on this article). DDI itself won’t work but perhaps elements could be integrated into the system.

Tom… Thanks for your post. It appears that we are on the same page. DDI may not be the total and “end all” solution to our crises. However, they are opening an opportunity for the people to debate the past, current and future politics is a good thing. Further, when the people break free of their old ways of dooming the possibilities of positive change, then we can take this country to a place of pride and security for our grandchildren.

The inter-generational attitudes and fear has damaged our country. If we had an ounce of the energy and conviction that the 3,430 men, 79 women arrested and the 15 executed in cause of Irish liberty and democracy, then we could peacefully organize ourselves to seek a better Ireland.

Ryan… Please let correct a past comment. After re-reading my post I noted that an important word was missing “not”. I’m “not” wholly on the DDI’s band wagon. However, I intend to support there effort and with more search… May join and agree 100% to their ideas and philosphy. Again apologies for the mis-typing. Mobile phone responses can be somewhat challenging sometimes. ;)

I love the way people on this website tend to believe that anything that is anti-government is the manna from heaven that Ireland needs…..

CAL1… I’m not a full supporter of DDI. I don’t have enough information yet. However, thanks for taking the time to refer to their website and posing your questions here. Your legitimate questions and comments benefits us all as we dig down deep to find solutions and alternatives. Fairplay to you!

Oh and a complete ban on corporate donations for individuals and parties.

We dont consent to politicans, because we dont have any say over what they do. The political system is an oligarchy not a democracy, It is designed to destroy the idea in the peoples minds that it is possible to have a democracy and it does this very well..The people dont really feel it is a democracy, they see the truth, It is a gombeenocracy. So when they vote they have very low expectations.

A vote for a dodgy gombeenman will get you a few crumbs if you are lucky, Not voting is seen as negative. In a gangster ridden slum like Hells Kitchin in the old days people went to the mafia to get things sorted because that was the only bit of power they had. Ireland is sophisticated version of that., Its completely disengenous to suggest that Irish people are such ignorant cretins that they dont want a fair society, They do. They political system is designed to stop that. Thats why we should stop surrendering our right to rule the country every five years and elect only those politicans that will be bound by the will of electorate on every issue.

Marlon

I vote my governments if in the 4 year they do t do a good enough job i vote them back out its 2 years into a 4 years cycle and

if this was DDI

All harsh budget cuts would not happen so as not to anger the mob

We would be back to the punt and in a country with hyperinflation inflation the money in your hand wouldnt be worth the paper its printed on

I

Tua nua, there would once be a time when I would agree with you, an in part I do. There are certain people who will blindly vote and are happy with the failed state of affairs as it stands, but there is an interesting political shift happening and the start up of DDI is only the beginning.
The days of older voters, doing such because ‘he fixed the road’ are coming to a stop. As each new generation gets into the voting ring, it’s one step away from the old times.

Ryan, they said there was a massive shift in Irish politics 2 years ago when FF were more or less wiped out. Unfortunately the only shift was from one bunch of crooks to another. Same system, difference suits. And now opinion polls are not ruling out FF getting back into power at the next election which is astonishing. So where’s the political shift there? I’m not having a go at you, just pointing out that every time we’re told that there’s a massive change we end up right back at the same place all over again. DDI might just be the system that breaks the cycle once and for all. That can only be a good thing even if it’s not the finished article. I’d rather take a chance on something new than be landed with another FF/FG/LAB circus.

And reading down through your other comments I’m in agreement with you on most things you’ve posted.

Little acorns tax….little acorns.

All the political parties in Ireland are shite and they discourage dissenting voices. No point in joining any of them.

I have reservations too, how does it ensure a stable government that can be effective. How do we prevent too many referendums and less government of the country.

Do they promote less TDs (as we have too many of them)?

Hi Tom,
If by ‘stable government that can be effective’ you mean for example the current government. Who live on television, admitted to telling the electorate lies to gain power. To go and change the game rules as soon as they got that power and continue to ignore the will of the Irish people.
Is that what you mean?

There would need to be a certain amount of signatures required to call a referendum. This figure would have to be set high, lets say 200,000. This would ensure that there would not be a referendum called for every little issue as people would have to be sufficiently motivated to sign up.

I think this could pay for itself, we’d need less politicians so put their pay towards the cost and it may become cost neutral.

Hold proposed referenda 2, 3 or 4 times a year so we don’t have to go out to vote too often.

I don’t really see too many flaws with the idea.

I don’t mean current or previous government, they all failed us. The main issue are the people we elect, they are in it for themselves not the country. I know that who ever would be on power would have to make some unpopular decisions but if it was for the great good then fine, problem today it the TDs are not competent, selfish and unaccountable. Our current system can work with the right people.

Agreed. That’s where the accountability comes into play.

Who votes? Anyone who can vote in a General Election or anyone who can vote in a Constitutional Referendum or anyone resident?

If we can get less TDs, complete accountability, total transparency and attract people to public office who want to contribute to the nation in a selfless way then we’ll be sorted. Problem is we don’t have any of those people wanted to become TDs and people still vote with hearts rather than mind, as in always voting for one party for life for example.

I think sometimes people forget that it’s not a governments job to be popular and do exactly what the people want all the time. It is the governments job to legislate and enforce for the greater long term good of the country.

Fianna Fail failed in this regard by giving away budgets in order to buy votes before the next election. They failed completely by over cooking the economy be relying for funds off of a non-sustainable industry. Once the economy imploded they got voted out as people finally saw what they were doing.

The problem with Ireland Inc as we speak is that our government essentially needs to balance the books in order to create a more sustainable standard of living for all in the country, not just now but well into the future for us all. The government has to raise taxes and decrease spending in order to reverse the economic follies that Fianna Fail and McCreevy instigated over the past few decades. These are hard decisions and every spending cut is cost-benefit analysed by qualified bureaucrats in the civil service, most of whom have master or PHD educations. These people then advise the government on what to do. Bertie Ahern overruled the sound economic advice he was given and ordered the giveaway budgets regardless.

The problem with DDI is that there wont be a long enough time-frame for hard decisions to be made. Every hard decision will be vetoed by the particular interest group it affects who will march around until they have the required amount of signatures to enforce a referendum.

These referendums have a huge chance of over-ruling ever hard decision that is made because people generally only look in the short term at how it effects themselves. People often don’t look at the long term macro effects of the decision being made.

We have every opposition party spilling populist rhetoric, which Fine Gael and Labour were guilty of themselves when they were in opposition with Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail doing the exact same now that they are the ones in opposition. Every party makes unrealistic promises in order to appeal to the sort sighted mentality of the Irish people. Our economy is in shaky order and there needs to be a clear long term view of where we need to go, rather than reinstalling the short-term benefits a la Bertie with severe long-term consequences that every opposition party wants to do simply because it will increase their short term popularity.

DDI cannot work in Ireland because we are not on a stable enough footing to veto major decisions on a populistic wave a few times a year. Switzerland is sound, safe and sensible everything Ireland was not over the past twenty years, there is no need to make extremely hard and painful decisions. We need to think long term in Ireland, rather than the short-term mentality that we are used to. Hard decisions have to be made and thats just simply a fact. The government is out of money and today’s short term pain will be tomorrows long-term gain.

Cornor… we have to start somewhere.

Thats just how the Swiss Roll!

I’ll take boring over the bankster ridden financially raped place we have now. Legal corruption on a massive scale, institutional gonbeenisim and mass emigration ? No I’ll go for DDI. The biggest threat to insider Ireland since 1926. Watch the attack dogs on this one.

“Workable system currently being operated”? Is that a joke?
“Knee jerk”?
I understand the treat to the current legally corrupt system but hopefully it’s days are numbered.

Maybe just with DDI, the people of Ireland might get a real referendum on staying in Europe. One not filled with lies, fear and scaremongering, that the world will end if we did the opposite of what Europe wanted.

This is a young model here and while comparing it to Switzerland in its infancy you may find some flaws, but it would be only a matter of time before DD in Ireland would be on a par with Switzerland.

Accountability is the deciding factor for me. No more lies from politicians. The people decide, that’s how true democracy works.

So of you got your referendum and we jumped ship from europe what would be the positive vs negitive results of this?

Who knows jay? I can’t see the future unlike many on here claim to do. What I do know, is that the current administration lied through its back teeth to gain power and failed me as a citizen.

Thanks very much youve just highlighted all my points on this you would happly vote on something as serious as leaving europe without an absolute clue of its pros or cons .. Thats why DDI will never ever ever work in this country

Proportional representation is currently not working – how many pre-election promises have been broken already? How many voters are disillusioned with the current batch of liars & hypocrites? FG got in simply because people could no longer, in good conscience, vote for FF! Now we’re in the same boat with the FG-Labour coalition.
The old adage still rings true; “if its not broken, don’t fix it”. Well politics, and the nations faith in its politicians to govern in the best interests of all it’s people, is truly shattered. All the nay-Sayers who say it will never work – what other alternative is there?
The old conservative party allegiance is gone. Grow the balls to try a new approach before we jump on the not-so-merry-merry-go-round again for another 5 year downward spiral of crisis-tripping-over-crisis & scandal/incompetence heaped on deepening scandal/incompetence.

Where do I sign up?

Where does it say that I need a degree in finance, masters in political history and a doctorate in social studies to have an opinion? I speak for myself, unlike many who claim to be superior because they know a few buzz words and believe political spin. I think for myself, I am an Irish citizen and a ‘European person of the year’. I live, breath and pay taxes which gives me the right to have a different opinion to you.

Are you happy giving away power to an unelected technocratic super government.? Can you see the future if Europe and more importantly where we as a small nation stand? And finally are you happy and satisfied that the current government lied to the nation and secured pier under false pretences?

Ramble on all you like the act of the matter is you nor i are qualified to make these decisions as we dont hae ecconomic or political degrees so we shouldnt make these decisions we should. BE capible to trust the government to be qualified to do this not in the hands of the uneducated people

Jay you say trust the government! I say a man is born with one sure thing, his word. Educated or not. A mans word is his bond. And I can not trust anyone who lies, this includes FG and LAB politicians. The irish electorate are wiser than that but you can continue to do so if you wish. I wouldn’t have much faith in a person who trusts proven liars. In fact I would say an uneducated man is more likely to believe such things.

But once they are established the pro’s and con’s can be debated. From my reading of it DDI will not result in the abolition of the Dail or elections but will allow the electorate to hold those who represent us to greater account

Plenty of our TDs don’t have economic or political degrees yet many of the electorate view them and treat them as having them and they themselves make big decisions in Government as if they do. Maybe this plays a role in why the country is as it is.

Vocal outrage .. The pros and cons would be debated and end result 99 times out of 100 will be what ever gives te electorate te biggest short term gain

Thomas thats also the problem i dont belive people should be allowed in the dail without a political or economic degree

But jay you say trust the government yet you admit they don’t have the qualifications to do the job?!?! I’m confused which is it that you want?!?

I trust they are making the right decisions Based on their economic advisors

… the same economic advisors that GOT US in this position in the first place?? Jay, please!!
It’s the senior civil servants who advise the politicians. DDI advocate that the people have final say. Referenda don’t have to happen every day, surely there would be some regulation of decisions taken – but to trust the economic advisors!!!?!??
I had respect for your opinion until that comment.

Michael, FYI, all through the boom years the people were constantly demanding the government spend more money than they did, cut more taxes than they did and increase public pay and welfare even more than they did. If we had DDI during the boom years the crash would have been much, much worse. Populism is short term gain, long term pain. Every single time. And the general public have the collective memory of a goldfish (as seen by FF’s recent rise in the polls).

The problem in the boom was the government gave the people to much of what they wanted more welfare less taxes etc … What would DDI do … Eh alot more of that ….

Your view on economic advisor is they are the enemy i think thats a very foolish way to look an important job in the country and all because you didnt like how a previous advisors handled it

PAYE Income Tax is a con. What’s wrong with abolishing it? Tax is a method for politicians to get power by spending other people’s money. If the electorate voted that it is to be abolished so be it. If the people of Dublin started a petition to keep money raised in their county, then it would probably be defeated as they are in a minority.

Exactly

The lost lenore: that’s real Irish. Irish people are incapable of making decisions in their own interest? For some reason politicians are our best hope? The present state of the state blows that argument out of the water.
We CAN be like Switzerland.. And maybe even Iceland too.
Imagine… Long term stability, financial security, low unemployment and accountable politicians and councillors.

We deserve nothing less.

Yup! Mob rule is what DDI is kinda proposing.

Is their mob rule in Switzerland ?

There

The fact youve used iceland as an example makes your comment even pointless to read after that word it shows me you know as much about te irish economy as you dote icelandic

I mean, god forbid people actually got a say in how their country is run. That’s insanity, there would be chaos!

Why? Iceland are on the pigs back right now. But Ireland remains a PIIG! Explain in detail why you think that otherwise its just another slap stick poke at others real opinion without anything substantial to back it up!

After the boom bust

Well over 70% of the private businesses in Iceland became insolvent immediately and a a wave of bankruptcies followed,

the unemployment rate rose, the IMF was called in in November 2008 for a loan, capital controls were instituted, stopping many foreign creditors from getting their money back.

Iceland’s economic crisis is considered to have destroyed wealth equivalent to seven times its national income.

I’m tired of hearing the Iceland comparison. It has a tiny, tiny population and makes most of it’s income from primary industry. We have 15 times the population, are dependent on FDI, have a services based economy and are part of a currency union. Fact is, Iceland can happily tell everyone to go and shove it and still do well enough just by selling fish. Why not compare us to Zimbabwe if you’re going to do it with Iceland. No more of these ridiculous comparisons, please. Because something worked somewhere does not mean it will work here. Did we not learn enough from applying Russia-style cartel capitalism here during the boom?

@Sean Hyland – all that will happen with this is that the most populist, short term gain route will win out every time as opposed to about half the time under the current system. It will become impossible to take a longer term tough decision. Like the Iceland comparison, the Switzerland comparison is also ridiculous. Have you been to Switzerland? Do you know any Swiss people? Their outlook is totally different to us. They have also been a very rich country for centuries. We’re culturally and economically poles apart from the Swiss. They take a long term, prudent view. I’m 100% certain if this was brought in here we’d vote en masse to slash tax and vastly increase spending straight away with the result that the place would be in absolute shit by March.

And Iceland now?? Which is the point.

Ryan your ill informed ramblings are almost as damaging to the country as the governmet you hate so much

You Jay are the ill informed one. Blindly believing what your untruthful government spins to you. Stick with what you know best like a good chap, let the rest of us ‘thinkers’ and ‘movers’ really get the country back to where it once stood, because quite frankly your government aren’t cutting the mustard and failed. As you were.

@Ryan Where it once stood? It seems most of what you’ve got is one or another magic bean solution. Direct democracy/reprint the punt/leave Europe – all this is arty farty nonsense with no proper research or figures behind it. All you’ve got it that X worked in Y country ergo it most certainly will work here.

Hardly sound logic.

Ryan these are my government just as much as they are yours im not pro FG im just not anti government like you seem to be. Stop claiming for a thinker and a mover because if you truely were a thinker you would think about DDI as a long term solution and you would clearly dismiss it

That’s just silly the put up shut up school of medicine for them and sugar for us is what got us here.

Well of course they will overturn the cuts !!! This is a perfect example of the sense of entitlement of the irish political class. You are expressing superiority, taking as a given that cuts are the correct course of action, and reducing anyone who disagrees to be failing to face realty.
The whole austerity program is insane economics and is driving the Irish and european economy into a triple dip recession. the program make sense, but only to the one percent of financiars who control the political class, and thats why the politcos are voting for it. They dont care about mass poverty, the care about themselves, and they use their power to enforce policies that suit them. Thats whats going on. Question whose interest do you stand by, Are you a banking billionaire or an ordinary joe? If legislation was in the hands of the people we would be well on the road to recovery by now.

Jay – ever read Plato’s cave? If not, do. You are obviously quite firmly looking at the shadows thrown on the back wall of the cave & are too frightened to turn towards the light & strive to move towards the light.
You are every current politicians wet-dream; a media-puppy, led-by-the-nose, better-the-devil-you-know voter!
Are you honestly suggesting that trying something different could leave us in a worse state than we are currently in?
I’m sure there were voices like yours in Iceland when they decided to let their banks go bankrupt & they started over again. Of course there will be pain – we’ve been suffering since ’08, while the politicians continuously tell us it’s our patriotic duty (?), only one more year to go (??), we are all suffering equally (??!!??).
Open your eyes Jay. There’s no harm trying a different way.

“DDI” the best thing to happen to Irish politics, ever. I support DDI one hundred percent! Great article, brightened up my day, thanks Raymond Whitehead.

Michael. Let me start with im not pro the current government but i do belive that the decision currently made are whats needed do i think the government could do more yes should they be doing more yes but the answer isnt to run the country via mob politics

Out of a matter of interest

If DDI get in what would the first 3 referendums be ?? And what would in your opinion be the outcomes?

1) Remove the current Govt.
Agree.

2) Stop/Reverse all monies paid to Banks/Bankers/Politicians/TDPensions
Agree.

3) Appoint capable TD’s to appropriate Dept; Stephen Donnelly to Finance etc.
Agree.

Next?

@Michael, we would have already had referendum 1 on your list when that happens, it’s called an election. My understanding of DDI is that individual TD’s could be removed but to constantly hold general elections would cripple the country even more than at present. There should be a min time between votes, as I outlined above.

Reactionary comments such as constant elections will destroy the very notion of DDI

I said when ddi get is

Removing the current governmet would already be done unless you wanted ddi removed???

Burnin bondholders will have no negitive effects no???? Do the negities not outweigh the positives ??? Have you even a clue of any repercussions of this decision

Do you jay? And what makes what you say more solid or truthful than the next guy?

I know exactly what the repercussions are but clearly u do not as your pushing for magic wand politics

>Are you honestly suggesting that trying something different could leave us in a worse state than we are currently >in?

I have to laugh. At best it’s a leap into the unknown. People forget that change can be both positive and negative.

And a bunch of failed school teachers. Have ?

I’m waiting for you to enlighten me jay. What will the re-procussions be? If you have all the answers and are so sure that you’re right why don’t you enlighten me….uneducated as I am. It’s always interesting to hear what you have to say….or do you not believe in your own convictions and are afraid to post?

… Iceland.
That is all.

Sorry ryan i had thing to do couldnt stay on this all morning breakfast was to be had

If we burned the bondholders the markets would react in such a way as the only money will be get from them would be at an insustainable interest rate

So what? im assuming is your next responce
Well if the country wasnt running on such a huge deficit (20billion 2012)this wouldnt be a problem but it is so where is the money going to come fron ryan ??? Under ur mattress ??? No its going to cost 20billion worth of PS job cuts and tax hikes to balance the books. Like the us fiscal cliff we wouldnt be able to stay out of recession with those hikes and cuts but at least the short term goal was pointlessly hit. The bondholders are burnt the longterm dosent matter because your it dosent play into your narrow minded by populist retoric

Michael you know so so little about ecconomics of this country or the icelandic i think your better off commenting on the easter egg article itll make you look less of an idiot

Nazi and Communist ideas were based on totalitarianism, this is quite the opposite.

It can work in the real world, it works in Switzerland!

DDI is “the real world”

Jimbo, I hear you but Switzerland is special case, if you know what I mean. I like the idea in DDI on referendums by the people but I feel it’s trying to change a sympton (the system) rather than focus on the problem (the current TDs we elect, the lack of accountability etc, etc…). I’m still in favour of electing people to represent me and be empowered to make decisions on my behalf, I just want to know why and the impact if that decision plus know it has been made in the best interests of the public even if it is something I disagree with. We must ensure the greater good is the driver not individual / local needs.