The fact is that our parliament is functioning in a manner which in all likelihood subverts the Constitution.
This statement by outgoing Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is, effectively, agreeing with what we here at Public Inquiry have been saying for many years – Ireland is an intrinsically corrupt state.
If such a damaging statement were made in a functional democracy by someone of the stature of Ms. O’Reilly there would be a national outcry and either immediate condemnation of the person making the claim or emergency action to remedy the grave situation.
Here’s what Taoiseach Enda Kenny thinks:
We will strive . . . and work even harder so that we will become the best small country in the world for business, to raise a family and to grow old with dignity and respect. This will be the republic of 2016.
This indeed will be the republic of 2016 – for politicians, bankers, the legal profession, senior civil servants, property developers and all the other individuals and groups who enjoy state protection as they plunder the State’s resources, legally and illegally.
For ordinary citizens 2016 and beyond will mean continuing to pay the cost of such state corruption.
There is something intrinsically faulty about the Irish electing public’s attitude to politics. We have been conditioned over years into an attitude of clientalism and dependence vis a vis politicians. Whether this is a result of centuries of colonialism or inbred in the Celtic psyche is moot. see http://tinyurl.com/kbp2zk8
I see no change unless there is a new revolution and that avenue is fraught with danger and unpredictability.
Revolution not so far away as people might think.