Populists should be wary of risks

Earlier this week, as I waited on the line to do an interview with Waterford Local Radio, I overheard the Independent TD for the constituency, John Halligan, say that 24-hour cardiac services in Waterford hospital would be “a red-line issue” for him in terms of supporting a government.

I can see where he is coming from, because anybody in the city or its hinterland would have to be painfully aware that the hospital is struggling to deliver general health services, not to mention cardiac services.

However, it struck me that every Independent TD interested in lending support to either of the two major parties in a minority government would most likely be on their own local radio stations asserting that some service or other for their area would be a red-line issue.