Hereditary seat culture stultifying growth?

Wednesday, 11th April 2012

Dear Editor,

We are often told by the political pundits here in Ireland that we get the politicians we deserve.

In looking back over the last four decades of our politics, this claim is clearly arrant nonsense. We certainly have not got those we deserve – but rather sadly, we have got the politicians we have voted for.

As things stand, we are not much more than two years away from the next set of elections – euro and local.

All of our parties are turning their thoughts to candidate selection for these jousts. In them, those same parties could improve our political talent and culture all at once – simply by agreeing a covenant to remove, for once and for all, the hereditary-seat culture that has stultified the growth of leadership capital in our country.

One gets an insight into this matter in a very revealing article in Wikipedia, entitled "Families in the Oireachtas" wherein is found a compendium of Irish political lineage. The article demonstrates – if demonstration is indeed needed – the extent of the problem. I would imagine that things are just as depressing in local politics here.

At its most fundamental, passing on a seat to a member of one's family strikes at the very spirit of democracy. True, the people can decide – but the die is cast long before the voters enter their numbers on the ballot-paper. Conventions have been stitched up, with browbeating and beguiling and worse, and possible new talent coming through is confined to a hopeless limbo. Is it any wonder that we are in such straits currently, when we have tolerated talentless political dynasties in our State for generations?

The Taoiseach likes to portray his government as a reforming one. Without costing us a cent, he could make what possibly would be the greatest political change this country has seen by ending this aspect of our crony political culture that demeans and impoverishes everyone.

Yours truly,

Joe Conway

Roselawn,

Tramore,

Co. Waterford