Does Ireland need a new electoral system?

Abstract

The STV electoral system has become a topic of debate in Ireland over the last few years, but this paper argues that there is as yet no coherent case against it STV cannot be faulted for failing to produce proportional representation nor, taking the 1922–87 period as a whole, for creating a problem of unstable governments. It is criticised in Ireland mainly for allegedly forcing TDs to do an excessive amount of constituency work and thereby producing a weak Dail. The paper tries to identify the assumptions on which this line of argument rests, and concludes that they are unconvincing. Finally, the likely consequences of introducing a new electoral system are assessed.

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