Busy politicians are only wasting their time

I AM surprised at someone as worldly-wise as Terry Prone making such a facile defence of ministers’ workloads (Irish Examiner, September 4).

She above all people should know there is a hell of a difference between intelligent, productive work schedules — using time, effort and resources to best effect — and running about all over the place like a headless chicken.

We all know that politicians are among the most active members of society.

It can’t be easy chasing photo opportunities, attending every funeral in one’s constituency, holding clinics for malcontents or appearing to get favours for those who are too lazy or stupid to sort out their own affairs. Not to mention glad-handing and rubbing shoulders with the well-off and beautiful people at every sporting fixture or social event on the planet and, of course, finding time to fit in a few junkets to exotic locations for the good of the plain people of Ireland.

Such activities may ensure our politicians are busy for much of the time, but it also means they are not doing the job they were elected to do — ensuring the Government is functioning in the best possible manner for the benefit of all citizens irrespective of class, colour, creed or political persuasion.

We know that politicians are busy — the problem is they are misguided, inefficient and inept.

Michael Roche

11 The Downs

Maryborough Hill

Douglas

Co Cork