Irish Examiner view: Intolerable idiot

McGrath evokes Nazi comparison

Mattie McGrath TD.

One of the conventions of Irish public life is that people who court publicity through abhorrent statements are afforded the latitude that occasionally exposes ignorance so profound as to be intolerable. Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath yesterday, for at least the third time this year, availed of such an opportunity.

When asked by this newspaper’s Aoife Moore if his comparison of pandemic measures with Nazi restrictions was appropriate he responded: “There is (sic) huge correlations, it’s exactly the same if you want to study it, exactly the same...”

In April, Mr McGrath amplified ignorance with hubris when he, despite a request from Taoiseach Micheál Martin, refused to withdraw a similar comparison in the Dáil. 

As he spoke under privilege then our parliament may not censure him which is a strong argument in favour of Britain’s “recall petition” system which affords an opportunity to remove a representative who proves as unsuitable as Mr McGrath.

That Tuesday's shameful remarks were made without the protection of Dáil privilege should provoke such a process.