Party collections - Gombeenism at its worst

There is no more subtle form of blackmail than church-gate collections by political parties — especially in rural Ireland. Unsurprisingly, the anonymity of urban areas means people are less vulnerable to badgering at the church gate on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

In the countryside, politicians and their henchmen are acutely aware of whose son or daughter needs a job or if someone could do with a medical card. In a system where nod-and-wink politics prevail, it is hard to forego the chance of getting a word in the right place.

Aside from political opponents, few people walk past the collection table without putting something in the box. Nowadays, as Mass goers dwindle, the grey vote remains the main target of this traditional but sinister form of political blackmail, gombeenism at its worst.

Every local authority should support the call by Kerry County Council for a ban on church gate collections.

With taxpayers already contributing €13m to party coffers, it is time to put an end to this insidious form of blackmail for once and for all.