Irish Labour Proposes Electoral Overhaul

The Labour Party has announced the publishing of proposals for a major overhaul of Ireland's electoral process.

The plans include a proposition to set up a separate independent body to take responsibility for running elections, overseeing the electoral register and drawing constituency boundaries.

Labour says the proposals would create a more efficient and transparent system.

Elsewhere, the party is also calling for the Freedom of Information Act to be extended to include more bodies like the Gardai.

The party has jumped into action since the news of Bertie Ahern's resignation, as Labour seek to win key support in a time of turbulence for Fianna Fail.

Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, has also made statement promising to provide robust opposition for the Taoiseach in waiting, Brian Cowen.

Mr Gilmore said: "The Labour Party will continue to provide the same robust and principled opposition to Fianna Fail under Mr. Cowen, as we did under his predecessor.

"With Mr Ahern replaced as Taoiseach the public will be looking for a change of direction and a new determination to tackle the mounting social and economic problems of the country."

In a venomous attack on the governments present record on health, Mr Gilmore warned: "But perhaps the single biggest problem facing Irish society is still the quality of our health service. If Mr Cowen achieves his ambition and is elected as Taoiseach on May 7th, I hope that he will have the courage to recognise that Mary Harney has been spectacularly unsuccessful in Health and that she should be moved to another Department."

(DW/JM)