Where is the radical reform?

EVEN his opposition to the Church, his statement that the constitution is “my book”, is less about social radicalism than pursuing by different means the constant interests of changing politics.

Tonight, the government wagons will circle around Alan Shatter, and the minister will continue on. Perhaps the opposition will get lucky and the minister come unstuck on the basis of further revelations. But that is what it will take to shift him.

Shatter dieting on humble pie is a distraction but not a big deal. Issues like abortion and the underlying challenge of political reform will matter much more. It is telling that while the political legions muster to decapitate or defend a minister, there is no comparable commitment to addressing deeper challenges. The agenda for substantive change so persuasively offered by the government party’s before the last election has run into the ground. In hindsight, we shouldn’t be surprised. Enda Kenny is our longest serving TD. He has upheld the status quo longer than any other politician.