Eek, Enda Kenny made a speech and it’s making me cringe in my PJs. I can see him twitch and squirm through a speech – over-earnest, uncomfortable and lacking confidence. I fall somewhere between wanting to hug him and run away from him. And, I certainly don’t want him running the country. Richard Bruton should take over, put Georgie Lee in Finance, Varadkar in Enterprise, Trade & Employment etc.
Firstly, I found Kenny’s speech here (on p.ie) and it’s nowhere to be found on the FG website. Big mistake. The site is ok but, like Kenny, light on policy, concrete proposals and deadlines.
The speech was mediocre too. Channeling Obama (as everyone seems to do these days). It was all change, change, bleugh. Few real proposals. There were hefty pauses for applause. No doubt, it was a huge hit in to a liquored up FG lovein where they charged E125 a head and made a bomb to blow on election posters. In the cold light of day in newspaper copy, it will get a more sober appraisal.
Some key things jump out.
Spending E11bn on a new infrastructure plan. Where are we going to get THAT 11 billion? On energy, broadband and water? Didn’t we just spend millions and not improve the water at all? 1.1billion in fact.
Reading it, I was reminded of the American Republican party with their talk of cutting costs and the size of government in order to improve efficiency. There’s value in that. But, can we trust politicians to sack themselves? To govern themselves? Or, do we need grandfather legislation?
His points on vested interests were strong and something close to my heart. Kenny mentions transparent, accountable and vouched expenses for Fine Gaelers. Again, no sign of these on the website. Hm.
He mentioned their forthcoming ‘New Politics’ agenda – that title needs work. I look forward to reading it.
The cornerstone of the policy is the abolition of the Seanad and it seems a rash step to me. To shush the valient voices of Norris, Bacik, Ross, Quinn et all and remove the important second-reading privildges of the Seanad seems rash. Plus, they are agenda setters and often, minority views do get heard. It’ll save 150million over 5 years, so 3 million a year. When we’re looking at a deficit of billions, this seems a frivolous cut. And, dare I say, a populist one.
That’s a word that strikes me when it comes to FG – Populist.
Kenny concludes with the words: “I will be honoured to lead by example”. Enda, show us some evidence of please. Some action. Something.
