Irish Examiner view: A vote for democracy over chaos

Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys in Dublin. 'We can have those willing to go before the people and to present themselves on their records, or we can accept violence on the streets. Only one of those choices can be called democracy, however, and only one is acceptable.' Picture: Niall Carson/PA

The counting of votes in the presidential election begins in the morning and some readers are no doubt looking forward to the last chapter of the campaign almost as much as the candidates.

The campaign has not lacked incident. From Jim Gavin’s dramatic departure from the campaign following revelations about a former tenant, to recent deepfake clips circulating online incorrectly saying Catherine Connolly had also dropped out of the race, there has been no shortage of talking points.

Ms Connolly and Heather Humphreys have both been questioned closely on their political records, and it is surely no accident that the housing and accommodation crisis has cast a shadow over the candidates.

Gavin’s travails are well known by now but Ms Connolly has defended herself from criticism for acting on behalf of banks in house repossession cases while a barrister. Ms Humphreys has defended herself from criticism over the credit union she managed pursuing bad debts through the courts. That said, those describing various points of the recent campaign as a “new low” have clearly forgotten some of the old lows when it comes to skullduggery in elections.

It should be stressed that anyone expressing reticence about voting today should bear in mind that the alternative to the democratic process was visible this week in Dublin, where rioters confronted gardaí near the Citywest complex, injuring several officers by throwing fireworks, bricks, and other objects at them.

Violence and thuggery have never been a replacement for democracy, but there is an even more sinister aspect to this week’s rioting in Dublin. Coimisiún na Meán says it has asked various social media platforms to account for their actions in relation to the rioting, as such platforms are obliged to identify and mitigate any risks presented via their services, including risks to public security.

Those social media companies are notoriously slow to accept responsibility for the content they provide, and that abdication of accountability for what they are spreading only makes today’s choice all the more stark.

We can have those willing to go before the people and to present themselves on their records, or we can accept violence on the streets. Only one of those choices can be called democracy, however, and only one is acceptable.

EU solidarity with Ukraine

Though events in Gaza have pushed Ukraine off the front pages, war continues to rage in eastern Europe, and the latest international response involves Ireland.

This week, Ireland committed with other European nations to co-guaranteeing a €140bn ‘reparations loan’ for Ukraine based on frozen Russian assets, most of which are held at the Euroclear financial repository in Belgium.

Commenting, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there had to be an economic cost to such flagrant violations of international law, and that the funds would help Ukraine “survive and to sustain its economy and its society, because Europe is doing a hell of a lot in terms of underpinning Ukraine’s economy at the moment”.

It could be argued that the conflict in Ukraine is spreading, given recent drone attacks on several Danish airports, for instance, and Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. In that context, it makes sense that Europe should present a united front in the face of such aggression.

There may be questions here about the implications of such a move for Irish neutrality, however. The Taoiseach was in no doubt on that point, stating: “We are militarily neutral, we’re not members of Nato, we’re not members of any military alliance, but countries like Ukraine have a right to defend themselves. I don’t believe there are implications for Irish neutrality.”

Others may not agree with that assessment, but it is difficult to argue against supporting a country which is fighting to survive, as noted by the Taoiseach.

As for the loan itself, Belgium has expressed some reservations about its legality and — though Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, has said a legal mechanism to reassure Belgium is being prepared — Russia itself was swift to describe the seizure of its assets as “theft”, in the words of a spokeswoman for that country’s foreign ministry.

The hypocrisy of such an accusation — from a country which has invaded its neighbour — illustrates the challenge facing all of Europe.

More than music

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has already started, according to its own schedule. There were concerts in venues all over Leeside last night, and the festivities continue through until Monday.

It is a landmark event in the calendar and synonymous with the October bank holiday weekend for almost half a century, and provides a valuable boost to Cork businesses at a time when Christmas is still in the distance. That boost has been estimated at €50m, spent by thousands of festival-goers.

Recently, there has been the occasional grumble about the dilution of the jazz element of the festival, though insisting on musical purity seems misguided. Other famous jazz festivals such as New Orleans are unafraid of hosting non-jazz artists — famously, Motörhead played Montreux almost 20 years ago. It seems unfair to criticise Cork for following the lead of such long-running, successful festivals.

For most people, it is a chance to ramble around Cork City and soak up the atmosphere in a variety of locations. If you are attending, enjoy your weekend.

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