Election campaign - Auction politics gets us nowhere

IN a refreshing sign of change on Ireland’s political landscape, for the first time in years a huge number of the country’s 1.3 million voters are actually hoping that candidates will knock on the door in the course of this general election campaign. They want a chance to vent their anger by giving politicians an earful.

But over and above that perfectly understandable reaction of citizens struggling to make ends meet in an economic crisis not of their making, this election is not only an ideal opportunity for people to exercise their democratic rights by going out and voting, it is also a chance to put hard, searching questions to politicians of all hues regarding their policies and promises.

Following yesterday’s formal launch of the manifestos of the main parties, voters across the country should now apply a fine-tooth comb in scrutinising the policies of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil.