HEART BEAT: "Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the dogs of war". - (Julius Caesar, act iii sc.1)Maybe a bit melodramatic, but we have now entered into the period before a general election and there is one certain thing - those holding power do not relinquish it easily.
This period almost amounts to a long interregnum in which paralysis in achievement is usually the most prominent feature. Do I hear somebody ask, "What's the difference between this period and the preceding years?" Frankly, I don't know, but I am sure some good things might have happened, if you look carefully enough.
This time is supposed to be characterised by suspension of our faculties of reason and understanding. It is a time in which the most outlandish promises are made by the competing elves and the above noted intellectual stagnation on our part leads us to believe them. Accordingly, in truth we deserve what we get. It is starting even now. Millions are to be spent on this, that, and the other. Every crackpot notion is to be facilitated; every single issue pressure group, no matter how precariously balanced on the lunatic fringe, is to be entertained.
Nobody is to be told to get lost. It is a time to be all things to all men - socialist, conservative, republican, liberal, and religious; whatever you're having yourself. No matter that all of this is contradictory. That stupid shower (us) won't notice. So long as they have enough for a foreign holiday, a few circuses (football matches), a few pints and they can pay the mortgage, they'll think we're great.
When we throw in the SSIAs at the crucial time, sure we're laughing. If only some of that miserable shower of civil servants would get the finger out over their decentralisation, we'd be fixed rightly.
Time to wake up folks and take a good hard look at where we stand now. Have we squandered the Celtic Tiger? Letting the good times roll now is hardly a blueprint for harder times ahead. Could some lesser elf in Government, at the risk of losing his head, ask the leadership if by any chance they are losing the run of themselves? Could they point out to them that the natives are getting restless?
This particular native is restless and has been for a long time. His disquiet is not allayed in any measure by recent happenings. He finds it difficult to believe the recent legal debacle just kind of happened and that, as usual, nobody is to blame. He wonders about the grasp on reality of those who tell us that nothing could have been done about it once the process was in train. An outraged public response forced a quick 'volte face' here.
Then they acted quickly enough, albeit minus the chief elf who was lecturing the world about HIV/Aids, instead of being at home minding our little shop. Has it dawned on them yet that the populace would much rather a government to be proactive rather than sluggishly reactive?
But in any case, reaction there was, and Mr A is back in prison. We have passed new laws and although I am no lawyer I would tend to agree with those who predict trouble to ensue from this hurried legislation. How can you treat a 17-year-old boy and girl differently in these times of equality?
If what we have seen constitutes a "measured response" to the problem, then God help the children and the young in our society. We have failed children in this State before; let us not do so again.
Since I am on the subject of children, I commend the HSE for a decision on the location of the new children's hospital. This was a decision that was never going to please everybody, no matter what location had been chosen. About €56 million had already been spent on the Mater site and it is good to see it is not being wasted. The Rotunda Hospital is due to relocate there in another positive and progressive move.
Accordingly, it is disappointing to note the reaction of some of the disappointed groups. I would have thought such protests ring hollow in view of the agreed urgency of proceeding with this project quickly.
I understand the Mater put forward a logical and detailed plan for the development, covering not only the medical end, but also matters of access and parking. I think it would now be proper to publish this to allay the fears of the doubters and disgruntled. I think it is vital that we now have a time scale and costing. Let us have answers and movement now.
This is a rational move and hopefully one of a series that will examine the distribution of medical specialties logically across the State and act rationally to provide the best service. That won't be popular either.
For the record, I was a consultant in both the Mater and Our Lady's Hospital and I do not believe that this decision was made for anything but sound medical reasons, certainly not for political advantage.
I also feel that Noel Smyth's generous offer should be gratefully accepted; such philanthropy should be lauded, appreciated, and encouraged.
Stirring time lie ahead.
Maurice Neligan is a cardiac surgeon.