I fully agree with Dr John Crown on his recent criticism of how we elect the national government in this state.

With the exception of Iceland , there is hardly a government in the developed world more complicit in the economic demise of its country than here in Ireland.

Any independent observer can see that as a group of people (a majority of whom were in power during the Celtic Tiger), they are significantly responsible for the credit-pumped construction bubble, and the subsequent economic vacuum that followed. The opinion poll in Friday's Irish Independent is indicative of the level of disillusionment Irish people now have, not only with the government, but also with alternative political parties. John Crown is absolutely correct in highlighting how the current political system in Ireland failed continually to produce an enlightened government consisting of our nation's brightest minds.

It is simply a local popularity competition that through subsequent inter-party and inter-parliamentary power bargaining, eventually produces a highly ineffective and politically compromised government.

In a democracy, when a citizen exercises their vote for national government, they should be able to vote directly for their chosen candidate(s). In Ireland, one must vote for a local representative, and then sit back and see how the aforementioned inter-party and inter-parliamentary power bargaining (to which the citizen is excluded) results in an executive branch. We effectively vote the executive cabinet in on the strength of promises made by local representatives. Examples of the inefficiencies and inequities of the current system are endless, and indeed beyond the scope of this letter.

We crucially need a separate vote to directly elect an executive vested with the power to make crucial decisions for the nation. It would be a more inviting process for our most talented citizens to enter. Such individuals will compete on their merits, in a far more transparent and effectual way elsewhere.When you compare the record of this government, and the internationally comparative level of pay and expenses they award each other, it is easy to see why Ireland is becoming the laughing stock of the international community.

The three most influential political offices in this state are occupied by individuals who have absolutely no professional experience in dealing with the economic difficulties we face. They collectively share an abysmal record in their individual attempts thus far, and again share a common bond in being the progeny of a party member, all holding similarly prominent political office before them. This composition is hardly a coincidence. We need internationally experienced minds and crucially, uncompromised leadership, and we need it now.

David Sherwin,

Galway.