Under starter’s orders - Vote for rejuvenation not revenge

THOUGH the hangman knocked on the door slightly earlier than expected the moment the Greens pronounced sentence on this forlorn Government the undeniable force of our democracy was celebrated.

No party that had fallen as low as Fianna Fáil has in the polls — 17% — has the authority to impose the awful measures expected in just 14 days but in the greater scheme of things that deficit may be irrelevant.

The Greens’ announcement signalled what should be the end of an administration, and, dare we hope, a political culture, that has served this Republic and its people so very badly.

Despite yesterday’s bizarre bluff-and-bluster ultimatums Taoiseach Brian Cowen has decided that the situation is so grave that he must, despite being on the scaffold steps, have a budget passed and a four-year recovery programme initiated. It is likely that European and IMF impatience may have influenced his decision.

If, despite opposition from erstwhile colleagues and long-term opponents, Mr Cowen and his party manage to deliver a budget and have supporting legislation passed it will not be the first or last bitter pill we have been asked to swallow on foot of Fianna Fáil’s failings.

Nevertheless it is not hard to accept the logic of Mr Cowen’s stated intention. Other European countries are almost at the IMF door and another national collapse would undoubtedly have an impact on the support we might anticipate. Opposition voices, so strident in demanding an immediate election, should consider what might happen if Europe or the IMF were suddenly less willing or able than they seem at the moment to save our bacon. It may just be that the weight of argument lies with Mr Cowen on this one issue and that, coupled with his promise to dissolve the Dáil in January, it should be accepted.

Even under what might be called the Cowen Plan there will be an election in ten weeks or so. That will end a tragedy that has run for far, far too long. The depth of that farce makes it very tempting to settle scores rather than look to the future and take the opportunity to begin the rejuvenation of a battered society, an economy in ruins, a political class in deep denial and a parliamentary system unfit for purpose.

Whatever happens the urgency around the budget is unavoidable. The economic situation is so very critical, and our dependence on the kindness of strangers so great, that we don’t have time for prevarication.

Realistically, it would take any new government some time to get to grips with the figures so any measures introduced immediately on assuming office might be regretted in time. However, we must immediately adopt measures to address our decade of profligacy. We simply cannot, nor will we be allowed to, long-finger it.

We may have to be satisfied with the idea that the next budget has been supervised and endorsed by our European colleagues and accept it as it may be. If a new government wishes to revise it it may have to wait until the subsequent budget. Time is not on our side and this is what it means to be a supplicant rather than a sovereign state.

In any event it is hard to imagine that there might ever be a more important election in the lifetime of any Irish citizen alive today. It is time to balance the privilege of living in a democracy with the responsibility of sustaining one. Fundamental issues about how we shape and protect this society, and the individuals who make it up, are at stake. Any party or coalition that imagines itself fit for government cannot rely on grand gestures and fine speeches but must be specific on so many issues.

Up to this point Fine Gael and Labour have sat on the fence on too many issues goading a badly wounded Government. It is time for them to be specific and unified if they are to form a coalition, as the polls suggest.

Fine Gael and Labour must tell us, as an indication of their intent, how much they would cut, say, the pay of some of Europe’s best paid hospital consultants. They must tell us if they would hide behind the Croke Park deal. They must tell us how ambitious they dare to be in turning the Dáil into an effective and achieving parliament. They must tell us how they would resolve the pensions’ crisis causing so much hardship and worry. They must tell us, amongst so many other issues, how they would confront the growing mortgage crisis. They must tell us of their plans for regulation that will ensure that there will never be another Anglo Irish Bank. They must tell us if they, together, will protect or reduce the minimum wage.

Though the moment is fraught with confusion, that will pass. It is a moment too to insist on new standards and, despite everything, believe we can rebuild a country we can all be proud of.