FG document on electoral reform does not even have the full support of its own party -  Dooley

In response to the publication of Fine Gael's document on electoral reform this afternoon, Fianna Fail TD for Clare Timmy Dooley has said “following extensive criticism and a number of significant u turns within the party, questions must now be raised over how serious Fine Gael are about implementing these proposals and if the leadership has the support to see them through”.

“Fine Gael has been claiming for a number of months now that a list system would form a key part of their reform proposals. However in a dramatic uturn at the Fine Gael National Conference at the weekend, Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan announced that the list system had been removed from the document.”

“This turnaround is clearly the result of a number of stinging criticisms from Michael Ring TD, Lucinda Creighton TD and also Young Fine Gael and is the second significant uturn in recent weeks. Deputy Creighton’s objections to quotas for female candidates forced part of the document on female quotas to be withdrawn a few weeks ago.”

“At the weekend, Young Fine Gael circulated a document that made clear its opposition to all major reforms proposed by the party leadership. They described the reforms as “piecemeal”, “tokenistic” and “almost meaningless”” added Deputy Dooley.

“As the party leadership continues to row back on significant policy proposals and criticisms of its proposals become more vocal, it would seem the party leadership has little or no support to see any of these proposals through in Government. If Fine Gael doesn't have the support of its own party now on political reform, how can they expect to achieve agreement when tougher policy decisions need to be taken in Government? ” concluded Deputy Dooley.