At least regime change didn’t cost lives here

THERE is no doubt in anyone’s mind that our system of Government needs to be reformed. The only way to do that properly is to agree that there are no “sacred cows” from vouched expenses to the existence of the Seanad, from ministerial cars to whether we need five seat constituencies or not.

From national politicians having the time to look at the bigger picture and local politics having the power and money to do the local stuff “all politics is local politics” should become a mantra of the past. Also, the relationship between semi-state companies and government departments. I find it incredible that the HSE in the shape of public hospitals seem to rip off the VHI (a state company) on the price of a hospital bed.

With the recent “goings on” of our politicians both inside and outside Dáil Éireann there has been a lot of comment in the media, by the opposition and by commentators in general. I have heard it called a fiasco, shenanigans, an appalling vista. I have heard people say that when they are abroad, they are ashamed to be Irish, that they couldn’t explain what was “going on” in Ireland.

I’m listening to all this and I’m seeing and hearing riots in Tunisia with over 60 people killed because the people wanted to change their leader and government. I look at Belgium who had an election six months ago and still don’t have a government. I look at France where they just wanted to change their retirement law last year and there were riots with cars being set on fire. Same in Greece, with three people killed when a bank office was set on fire, and wasn’t it in Holland a few years ago where a right wing politician was shot dead because of his views. Now Egypt?

Then I look back at Ireland’s “fiasco” over the last few weeks and do you know, I see a system that worked. Yes, with all its faults, it worked.

Let me demonstrate. The Irish people wanted a change of leadership and government and without any riots or burning or deaths, we got what we wanted. Our system worked and we’re supposed to be a laughing stock. I wonder.

G. Alan Crosbie

Kinsale

Co Cork