The next year could see impassioned debate in the Republic over the merits of changing Ireland's method of electing its politicians. If it were to pass, a new system could be in place before the next general election. Under this system each Dail constituency is represented by multiple seats rather than just one.
Voters rank each candidate in the constituency from first preference to last on their ballots.
This continues until the number of remaining candidates equals the number of constituency seats. In this view Irish politicians are forced to spend too much time competing with the other TDs in their constituency in looking after constituent matters and local concerns. Satisfying these local concerns, of course, is an indispensable component of winning elections. This leaves less time available for work on issues of national importance, and also leaves less time available for work in the increasingly important European Union arena. The alternative favored by the current government is a system of combined single-seat constituencies and list system.