Drapier: As Joe O'Malley has reported, 40 pieces of criminal legislation have emanated from the Department of Justice in the past 30 years. These 40 laws have incrementally eaten away at the civil liberties of law-abiding citizens while serious criminals sneer. Every time there is an outcry we are promised more legislation. Law and Order is the issue of the day, but law on its own is no good - where is the order?
A root-and-branch reform of the Garda is required, and resources should then match needs; the judiciary should be made accountable for the general manner in which they discharge their responsibilities. As Fine Gael has raised the issue of benchmarking, would it be too much to expect judges to, for example, consider their sitting hours in return for their benchmark pay increases? It would be no harm if TDs followed suit.
Drapier has a sneaking regard for Michael McDowell's willingness to take on the prison officers. However, if he could be less arrogant and as hard on the causes of crime, and on his costly friends in the legal profession, Drapier's sneaking regard could turn to outright admiration. Drapier will not be holding his breath.
The Minister for Justice does not have a monopoly on arrogance and has much competition within the Cabinet. Some ministers seem to think that they have a God-given right to sit at Cabinet and then behave like Independent backbenchers in their constituencies. They are all at the Bertiespeak now, speaking out of both sides of their mouths at once. If they can't take the heat on the smoking ban, the Hanly Report and the Luas, what will happen when the going really gets tough?
The current administration is certainly in the running for the title of Worst Government of all Time. But replacing it with a government made up of Fine Gael and Labour will not on its own change anything. Of the three largest parties only Fianna Fáil has been in government more than Labour in the last 20 years.
Barnardos have calculated that 29.5 per cent of Irish children live in "consistent poverty" or "relative income poverty", and no "Left" TD went to prison protesting. Also, Labour must take its share of the blame for injustice in society. Fine Gael and Labour together must show they are not simply interested in a change of personnel. A fair, policy-driven alternative must be presented.
Last year the idea of a Fine Gael-led government would have brought a wry smile to the faces of some commentators. That is no longer the case, and when the local and European elections are out of the way we will be nearing the second half of the current Government's term.
Drapier recently identified backbenchers who might well be promoted if Ned O'Keefe's call for a reshuffle ever takes place, and promised to suggest a possible alternative government from opposition members.
Here goes: Enda Kenny, Taoiseach, Pat Rabbitte, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice. Labour has never had a minister for justice and could be hard on crime and harder on the causes of crime. Labour has had finance and foreign affairs; it needs to prove itself in Departments which deliver reform. Would Enda do a Liam Cosgrave and put the unassuming Gay Mitchell in finance and the wiry Richard Bruton in foreign affairs?
To these could be added the likeable John Deasy, the crafty Phil Hogan, the determined Denis Naughten, the experienced Bernard Allen, the youthful Simon Coveney, the considered Billy Timmins, the talented duo of Olwyn Enright and Olivia Mitchell, with one of these becoming chief whip.
The ladylike Liz Mc Manus in health, accompanied by the stalwart Emmet Stagg and the able Brendan Howlin, would add ballast. Based on a three-party government, Trevor Sargent as minister for the environment could be accompanied by a super junior at Cabinet, perhaps John Gormley, if he can demonstrate a capacity to take responsibility. Dan Boyle could become a minister of state and other ministers of state could include Michael Ring, Jimmy Deenihan, Dinny McGinley, Dan Neville, Bernard Durkan, and future TDs Paul Bradford, Brian Hayes, Charlie Flanagan and Deirdre Clune. For the second row, Labour has a good bank of credible performers in Joe Costello, Mary Upton, Joan Burton, Jan O'Sullivan, Seán Ryan and Jack Wall.
John Bruton's decision not to run for Europe has come as a bit of a surprise. Could it be that he has some other appointment in mind? The positions of EU Commissioner, member of the Court of Auditors and Ceann Comhairle could, in no particular order, fall to him, Michael D. Higgins and Michael Noonan. Such prospects might whet the appetite and revive a hunger for government.
Drapier cannot see an enterprising and fair society come about unless there is a change of government, even if it takes the attractions of office to ignite the flame. So opposition TDs should stop being complacent, raise their ambitions and co-operate to bring about a series of coups de main on issues that really count instead of reacting to events.
Some of those whom Drapier suggests could be ministers of state could be in Cabinet and vice versa, but the above illustrates that, leaving aside any other new blood which might come in at general election time, there is the makings of an interesting alternative government. In any event Drapier has long since held the view that it is not the personnel, but rather the policy agenda of a government which tests its mettle.
Backbenchers will be insulated from next year's local elections as the dual mandate disappears. If recumbent backbenchers had to face the electorate now they would understand how strong the anti-Government view is among the public. They could then take corrective action. Because they have insulated themselves it is all the more likely that obloquy will lead to obliteration. Such is the way of politics.
If the current state of the Government's unpopularity is not enough, social welfare cuts, the housing development charges, increased business rates, increased local charges and other stealth taxes which will be used, in the main, to pay for benchmarking, will be the coup de grace. When the real effect of the just-published Estimates is felt, Cabinet indiscipline will be nothing compared to the panic on the back benches. And the last businessman to leave the country will have to pay €75 for a passport!