Is now not the time to look at our democracy in a truly representative way?

The argument that if you pay peanuts you will get monkeys has always been used to justify a system which excludes people because they are not members of the local cumann or political party. This in itself is undemocratic. We do not get to pick our candidates; the party does.

Here is how the job of a public representative should be structured:

• They would work a 35-hour week.

• They would be entitled to 21 days' holidays a year, to increase as per current legislation.

• They would be paid €35, 000 a year.

• Those fortunate to be elected will be obliged to give up their present jobs.

• Chairing committees will be part of a public representative's role.

• There will be no 'parachute' payments; as a PRSI employee you take the same chances as everyone else in the country.

• Wages of those paid from the public purse – medical consultants, teachers, etc – will be decided by political representatives.

• Pension contributions will be made as per legislation; employee and employer make a contribution.

• Legislation will be drawn up to claw back the pensions already in existence for working and serving TDs.

• Public representatives on international trips will use public transport. They can then be accommodated in the embassy, and if not mid-range accommodation will be used.

• Consultants will only be used as a last resort, on fixed time/payment contracts.

One of the biggest failings of our present system is that it does not represent the people. It represents the party first, interest groups second – and finally the people.

We need to create a culture of participation in our democratic process. This will only happen when the present system is broken down to be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all the people.

Declan Baird,

Corbalis,

Laytown, Co Meath.