Nothing in the world of politics makes my heart leap with joy as much as a politician debating with the facts, or some convincing notion thereof. Even if it's tenuous from one end to the other. If it's watertight, if it possesses elegant logic, wrapped up in a bow of oratory ribbons, then stick me in the front row with popcorn and a copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. One thing is clear, though. There is not a single politician of note in the mainstream who has the savant-like grasp of data to win an argument, the skill to apply cool analysis and clear, concise language to discuss the topics of the day. There isn't even a decent rabble-rouser who can read his staffer's cheat notes these days. There is, not to put too fine a point on it, a distinct lack of politicians who can explain what the hell is going on. Not least, in the realm of Europe, not least the Fiscal Treaty.
To some, the Fiscal Compact sounds like an obscure brand of makeup. Some may even think it is. Very few might be able to explain what is in this short treaty, and even fewer will vote on its merits. As short as it is, 24 pages, as straightforward as it might be, we'll never know, cos we won't read it. To our detriment, we won't get a politician hard working enough or articulate enough to earn their wage and make a decent case for or against it. Enter big Gerry from Belf...I mean Louth.
Adams had to come clean when accused by FG's Paschal Donoghue of misrepresenting the views of leading Irish economists: Quotes were taken out of context, characterizing them as arguing against the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance. They were all, in fact, of the view that this treaty was the only show in town as far as ending the Eurocrisis was concerned. Cue Adams explaining that yes, it was arse, but, but, but. Cue also the sound of someone from his office opening up the Evening Herald Jobs Section.
This scene made Adams, whose place in history is assured, look like a rank amateur, and that maybe one day he wouldn't have his biography discussed by Mary Wilson some weekday evening. If Sinn Fein is to be a viable alternative to the current government, if it is to eclipse the carrion rump of FF, then it needs to know more, say more, make more sense and generally not come across like a bunch of gobshites who came down with the last shower. As Richard Boyd Barrett learned this week, when even Enda Kenny can score cheap debating points off you, that's not a good sign.
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| Richard Boyd Barrett in heated debate with Kenny (right) |
In the head-to-head between the Adams and Kenny, the best beard and the best barnet in the Dail, Kenny was putting it up to Adams to defend his claim that the treaty would drive the destiny of the Irish electorate into the hands of unelected officials in Brussels or elsewhere. Adams' claim is obviously hokum. That EU train left the station some time ago. Moreover the treaty, a rerun of the stability pact supposedly agreed prior to the Euro's introduction, requires more than just a vacant soundbite. Similarly, Kenny's assertion that our little vote has nothing to do with anyone else in the whole wide world is also nonsense: Yes, it is interrelated with the Dutch elections, the German regional elections, the future of Merkozy (as long as THAT lasts) and more importantly, with the future of the country, which at any rate has been index-linked to continental Europe since 1973.
The vote is on the 31st of May. So far, a convincing argument for or against the treaty has been absent from the discourse. Since we can't even trust our politicians to tell us what to do, we may actually have to get up of our lazy, apathetic backsides and read the thing ourselves.
If you want to, you can read it here. Or print it out and Pritt-Stick it to your TD's head.
