Sir, – “Our job is to hold the Government to account.” We frequently hear this refrain from Opposition politicians and increasingly from political journalists. At first sight the proposition is plausible but, on closer examination, it is a shallow analysis of political opposition and frequently a licence for self-serving negativity.
The past few years in Irish politics has seen the emergence of a relentless negativity. More and more Opposition politicians from across the political spectrum are searching for the little that is wrong without any acknowledgment of anything that is right. They do so knowing that the media will usually give more attention to a negative commentary than to a more positive contribution. It is nigh impossible to envisage this negative approach bringing about the kind of change we require to build a well-functioning and more equal society in 2016.
Is it too much to dream that some politicians would acknowledge the good which they are hearing from across the floor of the Dáil, and that some political commentators would take a lead in rewarding politicians who positively build on what is good, regardless of which party or individual it originated? – Yours, etc,
JA O’GRADY,
Harold’s Cross,
Dublin 6W.