Sunday and other stupid statements this week

guestposter

Apr 30

All examples welcome.

Gerard Howlin in The Irish Times looks back to a kinder gentler imaginary time in Irish politics:

The political ruckus about Watt's attitude in front of the committee is especially ironic. The coarsening of political debate is a fact of political life. Committees too often are bear pits for mauling witnesses. Politesse left Irish politics a long time ago.

On the same topic from today, the Government has a supporter in the media (as an aside, interesting the number of pieces which take them to task for statements made in the Dáil about the Ditch).

Eilis O'Hanlon: The clowns may change but around Leinster House it's always the same political circus

A piece which starts:

Micheál Martin is right.

In the Business Post this analysis is offered on Fine Gael, from a politician who was unable to retain their own seat after leaving that party and starting a new one.

Look though at the solution proposed. So very new and unusual in Irish politics:

At present it lacks a mission and vision, and is sometimes defined only by its similarity to every other bland party in the state. Over the years Fine Gael has done best when it concentrated on driving solutions to the problems that face Irish people, especially those who "get up early" as the Taoiseach famously suggested. It is time to reconnect with them. Otherwise retiring TDs will be the least of FG's problems; it will be those contesting the election who will really find themselves in bother.

This headline in The Irish Times. Peak Times?