Election campaign threats unbecoming of a democracy

You reported that Michael Noonan, Minister for Finance, said that support for opposition parties would result in new taxes and instability.

If this is true, then I fear we have a serious threat to democracy (if we are a democracy). Minister Noonan would seem to be using fear to ensure that the Government has success in the local and European elections. As a society, we are used to extravagant promises and statements during election campaigns, but to be threatened is a horse of a different colour. Is this arrogance or just the natural disposition of Noonan’s party? Minister Noonan would seem to be an exponent of the ‘soft word, big stick’ approach to representative democracy. Leave it out, Mr Noonan, and get on with the job you were elected and appointed to do.

Denis Moloney