Ageing Quinn teaching them how it’s done

IF YOU were looking for a slice of contemporary Irish political culture, it was all there last week. Starring role went to Ruairi Quinn, a career politician who is on the last lap. The Greek chorus was supplied by a couple of teachers’ conferences.

The prevailing emotion was anger, a general, unfocused, yet deeply felt anger that little has changed as the tide recedes on a savage recession.

Quinn is straight out of central casting for the modern politician. He is, to a large extent, only loosely attached to any ideological harbour. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1977, and since 1982 has retained his seat. Unlike others who have survived as long as he has, Quinn displays substance, and has ideas on how to improve the country. For a few years, in the 1990s, he served as Minister for Finance, but then toiled through his best years in opposition, his ideas neutered while Bertie fiddled and burned.