Nothing changes despite new contract

In the context of the topical question of political reform, consider the following scenario: As an employer, you have given a man a five-year contract.

After two years he comes to you and says: “I am applying for another contract. If I get it I will be dropping this one, but don’t worry, I have already selected someone to take my place.”

You reply: “But your present contract has three years to run. Furthermore, I will select your replacement. By the way, who are you applying to for this new contract?” He replies: “You”.

Incredible? Yes. So why, then, do we put up with it? Some guy applies to us, the people, for a contract to represent us in the European Parliament.

After two years a general election comes along. This same guy now asks the same employer, the people, for permission to walk out on the existing contract and be given a new contract to represent us in Dáil Éireann.

If we agree and, incredible as it may seem we often do, then he is replaced by the first person on the list selected by him. The political parties will not agree to change this. It suits them fine, but we don’t need their agreement. All that we need is a national consensus that, irrespective of the person or party involved, we will not vote for a sitting MEP in a Dáil election, or vice versa.

Brendan Casserly

Waterfall

Near Cork