John McGuirk

I was in my car this morning, in Dublin City Centre, (where, incidentally, whilst observing the new speed requirements, I was overtaken by a Tricycle) and made the criminal error of turning on the radio to pass the time. I was greeted by a report from the Dáil chamber, where our esteemed leader was answering questions on the economy from our even more esteemed leader-in-waiting. It went something like this:

EK: Taoiseach, the new unemployment numbers are terrible.

BC: The new unemployment figures show that the Government’s strategy is working.

(Laughter)

EK: What steps will the Government be taking to address the unemployment numbers?

BC: The opposition have no policies.

(Laughter)

Meanwhile, out in the real world, where I was being overtaken by a pensioner on some kind of mechanised trolley, I passed a post office where people where queing, I imagine, to get their dole. The que went around the corner, and there were at least 50 people in it. These are scenes that I’d previously seen only on “reeling in the years” programmes dealing with the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

The next report was a bit of good news. The Tánaiste came on to take credit for some company creating 70 jobs in North Dublin over the next five years. Apparently, this is evidence that the recovery is underway, and that the Government’s long term strategy is working.

The Tánaiste has been in Dáil Eireann since, I believe, 1987. The Taoiseach, since 1982. Enda Kenny came into the house when Gerald Ford was US President, Paul VI was Pope, and the Soviets had the upper hand in the cold war. Since then, his life has been devoted to the pursuit of public office. I mention these facts because there’s been increased chatter in the last few days about political reform, mainly thanks to the efforts of my good friend Naoise Nunn, whose Leviathan event I look forward to attending tommorrow night.

It seems to me that when you’ve had a comfortable existence in the cocoon that is national politics for over thirty years, you become slightly removed from the every day world that people live in. The conversation in the Dáil this morning didn’t convey to me any sense of the desperation or panic that thousands of people find themselves in. I think it’s common sense that if you want responsive leadership, you need leaders who know what it’s like to live as an ordinary person. This isn’t a left-right issue, it’s an issue of democracy and effective representation.

I know that people choose their politicians and can throe them out at any stage, but for a cohesive political system to function, we need parties, and parties like continuity. This is an area where the interests of the electorate and the interests of politicians, which are supposed to be in harmony, come into conflict. The electorate want fresh thinking and new ideas – politicians want power, and to retain it for as long as possible.

As such, I’m getting back on my term limits hobby horse. I really think that 30 years in Dáil Eireann is not the right experience for a prospective Taoiseach. I’d prefer 10 years, preceded by 10 years in business, or public service. I think most people would agree with me.

I really think it’s something we should look at.