After political crisis, time to go to work
AFTER a tumultuous week last week, a relative calmness has descended on national politics. It is to be hoped that lessons have been learned, that a strengthening of the ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement has been achieved and that the body politic will now settle into a more constructive form of governing to bring about positive changes to society.
It is equally heartening to see that the two main political parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are this weekend working together in the national interest as the crucial issue of Brexit enters a critical phase. While the parties may differ in some regards, specifically in relation to State assistance to Irish businesses in preparation for the exit of the UK from the European Union, nonetheless they are working together on the broader issue at a time when the seeking of partisan political advantage is not required. This is also to be welcomed.
In a week such as that which has passed, it is sometimes easy to overlook positive developments as a consequence of the ‘confidence and supply’ agreement: for example, the process of beginning the repayment of water charges has commenced, a Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients has been paid, 1,700 sports clubs around the country have received significant, and welcome, grant aid and four year olds now get to use public transport free of charge. These are, indeed, positive developments and an example, albeit unheralded, of how a properly functioning centre ground in Irish politics can work for the benefit of a cross-section of society.
That is not to say that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail must subsume their separate identities and, despite what some claim, their continued distinct ideologies, into a form of national government. The two parties come from a different base, and have unique traditions, but they also straddle the broad centre ground of politics which, for all the criticism, still represents the best interests of all citizens.
It should also be noted that at the recent Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, particular acclaim was reserved for its TD Martin Ferris, who was at hand to meet the Provisional IRA terrorists responsible for the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe when they were released from prison. In that context, the concern expressed by Sinn Fein about the treatment of Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe rings somewhat hollow. The troubling issues raised by Mr McCabe, and the broader reach of those issues into the Department of Justice and the criminal justice system in general have been a running sore in the political system for a decade. But to come latterly to these issues, while at the same time lauding the actions of the IRA, should be viewed with a jaundiced eye by all right-thinking citizens.
It is now to be expected that the Fine Gael minority government, with the support of Fianna Fail, will run its scheduled course. Beyond Brexit, significant social issues remain to be resolved, not least in relation to housing and consequent homelessness. There is little point in any government marking time. The Government must get on with dealing with these issues and, in the process, set aside the seeking of party political advantage. At the appropriate time, the public will reward those who do what they have been elected to do.