A new report, Power to the People? Assessing Democracy in Ireland, by the independent think tank TASC “spotlights a democratic deficit at the heart of Irish politics,” according to the ICCL’s Director Mr Mark Kelly.
“This is a myth-busting report, which exposes the exploitation of public fear of crime for political gain, and highlights ‘significant weaknesses’ in parliamentary scrutiny of government” he said.
The TASC audit finds that the Dáil is ‘one of the weakest parliaments in Europe’ and that ‘the legislature is significantly hobbled in its ability to scrutinise the actions of government and hold them to account. The capacity of members of the Dáil, particularly the opposition, to have a meaningful input into legislative activity, i.e., initiating, scrutinising and amending proposed legislation, is also similarly constrained’ (see page 315 in the report)
“These findings resonate strongly with the practical experience of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)” said Mr Kelly.
“To take just one current example, the Criminal Justice Bill 2007 is being propelled through the Dáil this week, with wanton disregard for the views of stakeholders including the legal profession and the Irish Human Rights Commission. Effective parliamentary opposition to this ongoing abuse of the democratic process is notable by its absence” he concluded.
Mr Kelly was speaking at the launch of the new TASC Audit, Power to the People? Assessing Democracy in Ireland in the National Library this morning.