NWCI recommendations for Dail Electoral Reform favoured by Constitutional Convention
Published: Friday, May 24, 2013
The Convention on the Constitution had its first session on Dáil electoral reform on the weekend of the 17th May. This session focused on a large range of electoral systems in order to decide which system to discuss at the second session, on the 8th of June.
NWCI was one of only two civil society groups to address the Convention over the weekend. Our submission was based on a long consultation process with members about reform of the electoral system. Members were uncertain over which system would maximise women's representation in society and also produce a more equal Ireland. Consequently NWCI recommended that if the Convention was choosing to change system they should select a mixed system, with a national list and large PR-STV constituencies. If, on the other hand, the Convention members opted to keep the PR-STV system then NWCI would want to see significant reforms, including the introduction of a direct democracy initiative and lager constituencies. The impact of this change would be to give citizens more power and to increase the likelihood of electing more women.
The Convention voted on a range of proposals for discussion at the next meeting. In the end the vote favoured NWCI's recommendation to discuss two options: a mixed system and also a reformed PR-STV system, with direct democracy and larger constituencies. The result is a positive one which we had a direct influence on creating.
See video footage of NWCI's presentation at the Convention