There’s something for everyone in Programme for Government, so there’s nothing of substance

Programme for Government is cliche-ridden, and without priority or meaningful resource allocation, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 17 May, 2016 - 01:00

Fergus Finlay is a former political activist and adviser to three governments, the former head of the children's charity Barnardos, a writer and a broadcaster.

O, what do you think of the new programme for government? Have you read it, studied it, parsed and analysed it? Has it affected your view of the human condition? Will it add to the gaiety of our nation?

Well, it should, God knows. It might be the most incoherent, occasionally frightening, and daft document ever produced by an incoming government, but it recognises the difficulties faced by community and voluntary groups, in relation to “VRT rates on vehicles” (and promises to examine the issue).