Election 2011 and transfers

Liam Weeks* Since 2011 may be the last general election by PR-STV in Ireland (if some of the political parties get their way), it is worth looking at the value of the transferable nature of the vote. This is one particular feature that makes STV so voter-friendly and yet its value is sometimes dismissed by…

Predicting Transfers

by Kevin Cunningham Trinity College Dublin Why a new approach? STV is very exciting. With so many independent candidates, it is quite likely that transfers will have an even greater effect in this election than in previous years. Our system has so many intricacies that it is quite difficult to convert estimated vote share (from…

A 10 Point Manifesto Towards a Second Republic

Posted by Elaine Byrne An excellent  collection of discussion papers on options to transform Governance and Leadership in the Irish Republic for the Better by the Dublin City Business Association can be found here The State We Are In – Mr Roderic O’Connor Planning for Problem and Solutions – Mr James Kelly Rebuilding the Economy – Mr…

Policy Advisers: who are they and what do they do?

Liam Weeks* Micheál Martin recently suggested that the government should pay more attention to experts outside of the political process in formulating its strategy. But what about the paid experts already brought in from the ‘outside’ to advise the government? I am referring to the special advisers of every minister and minister of state. Who…

Are independents a danger to democracy?

Liam Weeks* Recent media reports of the voting intentions of independent TDs re-the Finance Bill seem to imply that independents undermine the stability of Irish democracy. The claim is that Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry et al are acting selfishly by not voting in favour of the Finance Bill or by attempting to extract promises from…