Call for election every four years

THE Citizens’ Assembly has narrowly voted to change the law so that Dáil terms would last just four years.

In its last act before it is stood down, the body voted by a narrow majority, 51% to 49% yesterday, to put an end to Taoiseach’s power to decide when to call an election, allowing him or her up to five years in government.

The recommendations were reached by ballot paper voting and follow a weekend of deliberation which focused on the topic.

The discussions covered the current law and practices on the summoning and dissolution of Dáil Éireann, the history of the practice in Ireland, the experience and practice in other jurisdictions, and the pros and cons of fixed-term parliaments.

A total of 84% voted that if the current constitutional position on the dissolution of the Dáil is changed, and there was a fixed-term Dáil, which could be cut short subject to certain conditions, the approval of the President should be needed.

The chairwoman of the Assembly former judge Mary Laffoy said: ‘I would like to thank all of the 65 expert speakers we heard from across the past 11 meetings for sharing their wisdom, professional knowledge and expertise.

‘They provided us with the information to make informed recommendations for each of the topics considered,’ she said.

And she added high praise to the ordinary members.

‘The commitment the members have shown to the assembly’s key principles of openness, fairness, equality of voice, efficiency, respect, and collegiality have meant that all of the members’ work has been conducted with the utmost deference to others’ opinions,’ said the chairwoman.