A good chance wasted

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny’s analysis before the last election was that “Ireland’s broken political system is at the heart of its economic collapse”.

The people agreed. Fine Gael’s five-point-plan pledged a “new politics” to fix the broken system. To deliver “new politics”, Mr Kenny promised to “hold a referendum on Constitution Day, within 12 months of assuming office, at which the people will be asked to approve the abolition of the Seanad and changes to other articles of the Constitution covering the institutions of the State — principally the executive, the Dáil, the presidency and the judiciary”.

In government, Labour and Fine Gael promised a Constitutional Convention. Tánaiste Éamon Gilmore recently upped the ante for change by pledging Labour’s support for gay marriage. The Taoiseach, however, preferred to dive over flower pots last week rather than explain where he stands on that issue.