Politicians smell opportunity as government talks enter end game
THE € 350 Covid-19 payment has thrown up all kinds of issues for the government and has divided the nation. Often labelled a nation of begrudgers, us Irish love to see others fall into hardship, or so goes the popular perception.
Growing up you’d hear stories from people like Bono who had experienced life on both sides of the Atlantic. ‘In America people look up to you if you’re successful. In Ireland they want to take you down a peg,’ was what he was getting at.
Take that to its ultimate and you get a country that elects Donald Trump - (Oops they did it again!)
What I’m getting at is there is a lot to be said for being nice to people and having some understanding. It’s easy to throw stones and at the moment – when we’re all stuck at home way too much – the temptation to vent is palpable.
Yes the temporary payment has to end, or at least be reduced. It’s populist political opportunism for certain politicians to threaten protests if the payment is cut back.
The country is spending two hundred million euros every week on the payment; that is simply not sustainable for a small country like ours.
The airwaves have been electric with debate about reducing the payment, lifting restrictions and opening Ireland for business over the past week. Contradictory viewpoints are confusing listeners and combined with the wildly divergent news suggestions (for they are often more suggestions than factual headlines), it’s hard to see the wood for the trees.
There are seven TDs in the area who are involved in government formation talks between counties Wicklow and Wexford. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are doing their utmost to accommodate the demands of the Green Party, which will be in a very strong position if they can get their 7 per cent carbon cut proposal over the line.
Several independent TDs from the Independent Group and the Regional Group have been notified by Tánaiste Simon Coveney that they will be included in government formation talks the week after next.
It’s understood the three party leaders will make contact with the independent groups next week with a view to set out how more detailed talks of the formation and structure of government will go.
The negotiators are said to be confident of having a programme for government ready in around two weeks time, with the talks process expected to be concluded by Sunday June 7.
Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin is undergoing somewhat of a resurgence as his party aims to steal the march on Fine Gael, who has emerged like a phoenix from the ashes from the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
But politics is a fickle game and if, as Michéal Martin declared on the Late Late Show on Friday night, a Programme for Government can be agreed next week – who knows what discussions will ensure to get it over the line.
Will we see a return to Healy Rae auction politics? I’d hazard a bet, yes!
One things for sure, the next few weeks and months are going to be interesting as people get back to work.