Shelving of water charges shows we get the politics we deserve
Bring back the Troika. At least they would know what to do.
The firm spanking of German leather on the backsides of our politicians is exactly what is needed to break the nine-week impasse in forming a government.
This country has been a political basket-case since they left at the end of 2013 and it is only getting worse.
Now, it is often said we get the politics we deserve. And the antics of the last week have shown that we as a people are utterly incapable of governing ourselves.
The deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, which will see water charges suspended, is a victory for political pragmatism over what is generally best for the country.
Described to me by one astute political apparatchik as Fianna Fáil’s waterboarding of Fine Gael, the deal is, quite simply, a gross betrayal to common sense.
Waterboarding is defined as a form of water torture in which water is poured over a cloth covering the face and breathing passages of an immobilised captive, causing the individual to experience the sensation of drowning.
In political terms, that is exactly what has happened to Fine Gael, who, by their own words, have been trapped into trying to form a messy minority government.
But momentarily away from their own woes, the citizens of this country have been let down by their political leaders.
Because of the deal, those leaders now have sacrificed the future of the country’s water supply for political expedience.
The decision to scrap water charges is a slap in the face to the 950,000 homes who paid their water charges. All of those people have been made suckers of.
While technically the parties are only agreeing to a nine-month cessation, in truth we know water charges are now off the table for at least a generation.
Fianna Fáil’s Sean Fleming confirmed as much on the radio with Keelin Shanley yesterday.
The cave-in from Fine Gael was the worst betrayal of the 105 councillors who lost their seats in 2014 largely because of the water issue.
It is also a betrayal of common sense in terms of the future of water provision.
The decision to essentially neutralise Irish Water places billions of euro worth of investment in the pipe network in jeopardy.
But, worst of all, the decision is a betrayal of taxpayers, who are going to be paying more income tax to cover the shortfall in charges.
Outgoing Environment Minister Alan Kelly and Health Minister Leo Varadkar were absolutely spot-on in their criticisms of the deal.
While both are outspoken loudmouths, the pair spoke with right and logic on their side on this occasion.
Kelly took to his feet in the Dáil on Wednesday to brand the deal as “environmental treason”.
Kelly’s blistering attack on the deal continued for more than 10 minutes, as he described it as “economic and political sabotage”.
Kelly accused Fianna Fáil of “environmental treason” over its call to abolish charges. He warned that the proposed deal has echoes of the 1977 decision to abolish rates, which he said was a massive mistake.
“I believe Fianna Fáil are guilty of environmental treason and the Labour Party stands behind the important public service of water provision,” he said. “Politics is failing the people of the country again. Utopian populism is winning again. It’s groundhog day. We will regret it, just as we did in ’77.”
Then, on Thursday, Varadkar chipped in with his own invective. Speaking to Keelin Shanley, Varadkar said he thought the fact that Fianna Fáil went to the wire over Irish Water was “ridiculous”.
Varadkar said: “Water charges are being suspended, they’re not being abolished. But it’s the wrong thing to do. It’s not in the public interest to do this.”
He said he has always been in favour of water charges and he stands by that, because a dedicated stream of income is needed to upgrade and maintain the water system while also promoting conservation.
There was a collective dropping of jaws at his no-nonsense comments, particularly the timing of them, when a deal with Fianna Fáil is not yet finalised.
His comments to many came across as petulant, given he is one of the Fine Gael team negotiating the very deal he was bemoaning. To others, it seemed like his opening audition for the looming leadership in Fine Gael.
But this mess all came about because Fine Gael had to capitulate to Fianna Fáil, who temselves are looking over their shoulder at a ravenous Sinn Féin, who are themselves looking over their shoulders at the ‘hard left’.
So, in a way, you could argue all of this is Paul Murphy’s fault.
The deal was heartily welcomed by Murphy and his colleagues as a victory for the anti-water charge movement: the body of people who refused to pay, who defied the rule of law in this country — and they have been vindicated by this shoddy deal.
Had temporary Taoiseach Enda Kenny not caved, there was a very real chance that a second election was imminent. While a deal eases that threat, chances of this arrangement falling apart remain real.
This weekend, the focus will shift back to the Independents who are demanding much more than a simple consultation with the big parties.
They want their day (or three) in the sun and they want their share of the spoils in terms of ministerial appointments.
As my colleague, political reporter Elaine Loughlin, astutely reported yesterday, divisions among the independent ranks are emerging as to who will be in government. She also detailed just who is and isn’t likely to sign up.
But relying on the support of Independents whose commitment and stomach for the harsh realities of high office is questionable at best is not a recipe for a long-lasting administration.
Hence, this is why we need the Troika back in town.
Barrett misses out
This week also saw the Seanad elections and while many bright new faces have made it into the Upper House, there have been some notable losers. Among them was Trinity senator and economist Sean Barrett, who was not re-elected.
A welcome dissenting voice, Barrett was one of the most effective legislators and strongest critics on public sector waste. He will be missed.
