Constitutional and political reform

Time for a Constitutional review that takes the Irish public into its confidence

Mick Fealty on December 15, 2011, 10:24 am | Readers 22

Compare a print copy of the US Constitution and that of Ireland’s Republic and the first thing that strikes you is the difference in length. It is almost possible to have the US by rote, and many more passionate citizens do. The Irish Constitution may critical to the good function of the state, but it is largely unknown (never mind unloved) by the vast majority of citizens of the State. So it’s hard to disagree with Donncha O’Connell’s assertion that …

Take it steady for political reform – why not adapt from the Brits?

Brian Walker on January 11, 2011, 3:59 pm | Readers 2

Following up my comments on the supposed “ gridlock ” on political reform in the Republic, three elements from recent UK political and constitutional reforms should be considered before throwing the whole system up in the air and creating a potentially dangerous state of flux. This is quite dry stuff and not as much fun as “panic don’t panic, ” melodramatic despair and the usual battles over history, but they could be a lot more effective. No doubt this is …