Spain is well run for the good of all its people

THE idea of a newspaper column is for the writer to give his/her opinions about the things readers are likely to be talking about over the garden fence or down at the pub over a pint.

It’s about getting a debate going. That being so, I should be writing today – for the third week in a row – about what’s happening in the Middle East

But that’s not going to happen.

Let me put it on the record that I have absolutely nothing new to add.

What’s left to say that hasn’t already been said?

I really can’t take any more photos of dead Palestinians, particularly babies, being carried out from under rubble.

And as for listening to the absolute hypocrisy of western politicians…. I cannot put it strongly enough how despicable I think their ongoing refusal to demand Israel stop killing totally innocent Palestinians is.

The revenge for Hamas’ barbarism has become totally disproportionate.

So let me move on to something completely different. Last week I was in Spain and one morning myself and the eldest son – he’s a school teacher off on the mid-term break – decided to go for breakfast in a village called Jacarilla.

On the way there we saw council workmen out trimming hedges, a digger-driver engaged in cleaning a long, deep drain at the side of the road, and guys wearing brightly coloured glo-type clothing hard at work painting zebra crossings and speed bumps.

What was also in evidence was the number of other people engaged in early morning street cleaning and refuse collection.

We were both struck by the fact that such a small place could have so many people employed to do this kind of work.

During the course of the week I also got talking to quite a few people, both Spanish and other, and the general consensus was the Spanish health system is fit for purpose. Waiting times are reasonable, and emergencies really are treated as such – no waiting for hours with your leg hanging off in an over-crowded and under-staffed emergency department.

The reason I mention all this is that the contrast between the two places – here and there – is stark.

Their system is functioning and it is delivering for the benefit of all.

With Stormont still in stalemate we have probably the longest waiting hospital appointment lists in Europe.

There is, or seems to be, proper planning right across the Spanish system.

It’s stating the obvious but they don’t start tearing up streets in mid-summer when traffic numbers are off the scale.

Now, I should admit I am no expert on public administration but it does occur to me that if Spain – not long ago amongst the poorest regions of Europe – can these days deliver a world-class roads network, a superb health system and is constantly upgrading its infrastructure, why aren’t our leaders capable of doing the same?

I suppose the question is almost rhetorical in that the answer hardly needs spelling out.

Just look at the row over the funding for Casement Park as a case in point.

It’s the clearest example yet of the narrow sectarianism that blots every decision here.

The old “if them ‘uns are getting it, we’re against it” attitude comes into play.

The fact that a re-developed Casement Park will play a key role in a major European soccer tournament, will show-case Belfast big time on the international stage, will boost the entire economy of the city and region in the long term is of no account.

We’d rather miss out on a good thing to ensure “they don’t get it”.

This kind of all for one, none for all philosophy – if you get my meaning - is stupidity on steroids.

Consensus is the Spanish health system is fit for purpose