Fine Gael have failed to reform

Why is anyone surprised all but one of the public sector allowances have been protected and that ministers baulked at even the most timid of reforms?

Fine Gael have Enda Kenny, a teacher who inherited a seat in the Dáil because no one else in his family wanted it, hardly the most inspiring start to a political career. But he’s nothing if not consistent given that over his 40-year career he hasn’t instigated one single piece of legislation, and his contribution record to Dáil and committee debates is one of the lowest of any TD in the history of the State. Is it any wonder he is incapable of making hard decisions.

Beside him is Michael Noonan, also a teacher who has a long career and nothing to show for it. Oh, except the persecution of a dying woman, so it can’t be any surprise that he will just fall into line with what his department officials tell him.

It makes you wonder why these men entered politics until you add up how much money they have made from tax free unverified expenses since 2002 alone, then you see the motivation.

Both are supported by Junior Officer Hayes, also a teacher, whose career was handed to him on a plate for being John Bruton’s mini-me. It’s a sad reflection on Young Fine Gael that the best it can produce are the likes of Hayes, Varadkar and Creighton.

Then for Labour we have Comrade Gilmore, a trade union official who moved from left to right (let’s give up the pretence that Labour has any trace of its left-wing roots remaining please) quicker than a windscreen wiper, and who has also enriched himself through the tax free expenses and leaders allowance scheme far above what his abilities would afford him in the real world.

In the context of the abject failure of this ‘new’ reforming government to reform, and certainly nothing that affects the pay, pensions and perks of politicians themselves, the heart of the matter must be that none of these people have ever had to fend for themselves in the real world and as a result they are intellectually incapable of doing what needs to be done.

Of course the Government hasn’t got the guts to abolish most of the allowances because its failure to reform political allowances would immediately be thrown back in their face by the unions.

Enda Kenny came into office with even lower expectations than Brian Cowen and he has failed to reach them.

It would seem that instead of our anger being directed at Fianna Fáil for years to come, it’s going to be directed at Fine Gael.

Desmond FitzGerald

Canary Wharf

London