Sir, The end of the year "Drapier" column (December 30th) unintentionally revealed the gap in perceptions that politicians hold of each other and the way in which they are viewed by the general public. The tone of this article was smug and self congratulatory, conveying the impression of the Houses of the Oireachtas as being nothing less than a glorified debating club, where personality holds greater sway than policy consistency and achievement.
Nowhere is this perception gap as great as in political presentation of economic success, as opposed to the documented public feeling that such economic improvement is not visible, and is unlikely to impact on them in the foreseeable future.
Drapier also seems take a narrow view of the political process that ignores the twin impact which the European Union, on one hand, and local government on the other increasingly have on many of the decisions that effect people's daily lives. It also ignores the reality of many people who more and more are ignoring established political parties and structures, by seeking to change their lives and the life of the society they live within, by involvement in community and campaigning groups.
This is where democracy is taking root in this country. The political Establishment, of which Drapier is such a contented member, would ignore these developments at its peril. Yours, etc.,
Green Party,
Cork South Central
Constituency,
69 Douglas Street, Cork.