The state is the soul writ large, according to Plato. Unfortunately for us it does not bode well. While a certain amount of angst may emerge from some people over the ‘the state’ of the United States of America, things here are similar. A stake is being driven through the heart of democracy in our little island at present.
The two main parties are intent on ensuring that democratic principles are usurped and justice is ignored. The same ‘might is right’ arrogance and bullying that we are witnessing across the Atlantic is being practised before our eyes in our own seat of democracy.
The principles of democracy were short-lived for Micheál Martin and Simon Harris, who between them, have shown breathtaking conceit in their handling of the speaking-time debacle still unfolding. They think it’s acceptable that Regional Independent TDs who support the government should also be afforded speaking time, as though they were Opposition TDs. The row has prevented Dáil committees and the Dáil itself from functioning properly.
After a vote in the Dáil Reform Committee last Wednesday, the Government won by ten........

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