Yet another round of hollow promises as phoney war of the general election gets under way

We had a glimpse of times past and times present this week and it wasn’t pretty. The phoney war of the general election is well under way. Policies and promises are already being dispersed like guns at a Donald Trump rally, writes Michael Clifford.

Typical of much of it was a policy launch by Fianna Fáil on crime. At the launch, Justice spokesman Niall Collins brought up rural Garda stations.

“Fine Gael and Labour closed 139 Garda stations, saving a measly €556,000 while rural communities are left unprotected,” his press release thundered. “This policy was extremely short-sighted and has increased rural isolation. The principle of community policing has all but been completely eroded by the Government.” This sterling defence of rural Garda stations might lead one to believe that Fianna Fáil would reopen them once in power. But Mr Collins told the Irish Examiner’s Elaine Loughlin that decision would be up to the Garda Inspectorate.