Laois Government TD warns of voter 'backlash' over byelection kite

Voters would not back the the abolition of 'byelections' according to Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan who has warned such a move would cause a backlash among the public.

The senior Fine Gael TD flagged the potential pothole after Minister For Housing Darragh O’Brien has asked the Electoral Commission to research ways to replace byelections with an alternate list system. 

A switch to the list model would mean people could be co-opted to fill a vacancy should it arise, is already in operation for European elections. Councillors can also be co-opted onto local authorities between council elections whiche take place every five years. There is not a clear list system in place for councils.

However, as reported in the Irish Times Dep Flanagan, insisted byelections “play an important and often crucial role” and “they should not be abolished”.

He believes that they are one of the few devices available to the people to hold government to account after a government is formed.

Mr Flanagan said they keep governments “firmly focused on delivery of programme for government commitments”.

"If Government moves to abolish byelections it’ll spark a similar backlash to the ill-conceived plan to abolish the Seanad,” said the TD.

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Dep Flanagan was first elected to the Dáil in 1987. He has been Fine Gael Party Chairman had held Ministries in Justice, Foreign Affairs and Children. He is currently the Chair of the Dáil Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.