Joe Higgins exposed the hubris and vanity of career politicians

The most significant part of Michael Clifford’s excellent tribute to Joe Higgins was his description of the exchange between Deputy Higgins and Prof Patrick Honohan at the banking enquiry. 

That Prof Honohan more or less agreed with Deputy Higgins’s summary, that the political establishment here, and also in other western economies, were in thrall to corporate finance, is not such a surprise, as any unbiased analysis will lead to that same conclusion.

What it highlights is that the increasingly insidious influence on social policy of corporate finance will not be challenged by the establishment parties.

Their condescending critique of the policies of the left reveal more about their fear of any challenge to the status quo than any desire they may have to correct the increasing inequality in Irish society. Joe Higgins’s contribution to Irish politics has been to cut through the double speak that taints debate in the Dail and to expose the vanity and hubris of the many career politicians who have inhabited the house.

For this, the Irish people owe him a debt of gratitude.

Barry Walsh

Linden Ave

Blackrock

Cork