With the problems we have, the new government needs to be in top form

OUR politicians are so self indulgent. It’s always about them. Dithering over the timing of the election date reminds me of similar political paralysis in 2008.

Let me remind you: the economy was in freefall, Northern Rock went wallop, share prices in Anglo, AIB and BoI were tumbling, the sub-prime time bomb detonated in New York. What did our politicians do? Bertie Ahern retired, followed by months of laps of honour and a consequent coronation of Brian Cowen. No serious governance work was done from March to August. The roof fell in with the bank guarantee in September.

Politicos seem oblivious of the real world beyond their own bubble. Ireland Inc can’t afford four months before government clicks into gear again. We are faced with the following timetable: extensive Christmas holiday break; politicking (electioneering) in February, full-blown campaign in March and a new government in situ during April. It’s like going to big fight boxing, having umpteen meaningless under-card bouts, before the main action. Extra time to endure 296 political hacks appointed to quangos and John Gormley finalising pet projects like a land fill levy of €120 per tonne to increase waste disposal costs. The election outcome will be about the relative strengths of the current opposition parties. Fine Gael seeks to target ten extra seats from their tally of 51 deputies obtained in 2007. Their top hit list includes a seat in Dublin Central, Dublin Mid-West, Dublin North West and Kildare South; a second seat in Carlow-Kilkenny, Cavan-Monaghan, Dublin South Central, Galway West, Cork North Central and Cork North West. If they achieve 32% of the vote, they will be the largest party and lead the next government. Their recent polling consolidation is mostly to do with their improved collective cohesion and unity of purpose.