From 2003 ‘Re-Inventing Democracy’ A Green Party/Comhaontas Glas Discussion Document on Oireachtas and Institutional Reform which I thought might be of interest given the ongoing debates on political Reform.
The Presidency, Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann, Regional Government/Local Government, Bunreacht na hÉireann/ The Constitution and Legislative Changes are the areas covered.
I’ve Uploaded the Document in *.PDF format HERE
From the Document “Summary of Proposals in relation to Dáil Éireann”
– Dáil Éireann to sit for 45 of the 52 weeks of the year
– Sittings to be held from Monday afternoons to Friday lunchtimes
– Sittings to begin as early as 9.30am but end no later than 7pm
– Proposals to change Dáil sitting arrangements to be agreed by no less than two thirds of the membership of the Dáil
– Membership of the Dáil to be reduced from 166 members to 130 members
– Membership of the Cabinet to be reduced from 15 members to 12
– The office of Minister of State to be abolished
– Consideration to be given to change electoral system to Dáil Éireann
– Return to the previous system of Leaders’ Question – three days a week on a round robin questioning basis
– Increase powers of Ceann Comhairle obliging members of the government to give full and adequate information to the Dáil
– Increase Private Members Time and allocate on a more regular basis
– Replace adjournment debates with commencement debates chosen through lottery
– Link expenses received to participation in Oireachtas votes
– Give Oireachtas committees powers of compellability
– Allocate Committee Chairs under D’Hondt system
– Change of standing order on the recognition of parties in the Dáil from seven members to five, however formed in the lifetime of the Dáil
– Give all Oireachtas committees the power of compellability
– Outside interest groups to direct input at committee stage of relevant legislation
– Power of Taoiseach to call early election to be removed
The only mention of anything touching Gender is in the Seanad Proposals.
Electoral lists to be constructed to allow for greater participation of women and
minority groupings
Click on the image Below to launch the document in PDF format
Irish Election Literature 
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