Last week we were trying to come to terms with the fact that the leader of the country is remaining tight lipped over his dealings with business men in the 1990s – this week we're trying to come to terms with the fact that a certain government Minister allegedly had problems keeping his mouth shut during an outing to the pub last Saturday night.
It seems that the Minister for Defence is taken his defence portfolio a tad too literally!
Minister Willie O'Dea has consistently denied using foul language to a man and woman in a Limerick pub during a heated discussion over Shannon airport, sin
ce the story broke on Thursday. Now as the story goes apparently Mr O'Dea referred to the man as a "big p***k" and told the woman he did not "give a f**k" about her during the exchange of views in South's pub in Limerick.
Of course I would be perfectly within my remit to impulsively dismiss the alleged actions of one of the senior members of our current government, by haphazardly alluding to the fact that thousands of people get involved in such banter every night of the week across the country - the ramifications of which do not usually warrant a Dail debate. I've heard this defence being used throughout the week and all I can say is are we - the Irish public - that much of an easy target?
Minister O'Dea says he did not use those words and had no need "to resort to language like that". He said he may have told them to "feck off" or "get lost". The Minister also denies asking the man outside for a fight! Well now we're faced with the prospect of one of the highest "vote getters" in the country, having to defend himself over allegations that he takes part in bare knuckle fighting outside pubs in his spare time. Maybe next time he'll be spotted with a kebab before he gets the last taxi home.
What swung it for me is that when questioned about the incident the Minister replied: "I think he was six-foot plus. Now wouldn't it be very foolish to ask a six-foot man out to fight!" Well as a government Minister I'd hoped he might be worried about the example he's setting rather his chances against his six foot opponent.
And what does this say about us? Are we so acclimatised to the consistent spin of our politicians on real issues that we feel perfectly within our right to become more engrossed in this type of hearsay than to rise above the nonsense and take the running of the country into our own hands rather than leave it to the likes of Rocky Balboa O'Dea in Limerick?
When I initially heard about this controversy I was struck immediately with a reference I heard earlier this year about the demise in the power of the Catholic Church in Ireland. You often hear older people refer to the lack of respect our society has towards the Catholic Church and its members compared to 40 years ago. Teenagers forty years ago wouldn't have dared speak to a priest the way they might do now. An exposé of the sordid secrets of the Church have resulted in a breakdown of the 'fear factor' of clergy everywhere.
In my opinion politicians today find themselves in a similar position. The untouchable Fianna Fail was tarnished by the actions of Charles J Haughey; the mystery which had almost immortalised him in the eyes of his people throughout the best years of his life was reduced to nothing more than deceit when the truth came out.
The respect is gone. Two many mistakes have destroyed it. There is no room left anymore for a pretence of superiority and this is why Minister Willie O'Dea now finds himself in this extraordinary scenario.
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