Taoiseach should address Golden Island debacle

Twice in less than a year a planned relaxed political walkabout in Golden Island Shopping Centre has transformed into an emblematic piece of political theatre. In October last, then Sinn Féin presidential candidate Martin McGuinness was confronted by David Kelly while canvassing in the centre. Kelly branded the Sinn Féin politician a liar and called on him to reveal the names of those who killed his father, Private Paddy Kelly. The dramatic development occurred when Mr Kelly doorstepped Mr McGuinness at Golden Island Shopping Centre and it was described by many as one of the watershed moments of the campaign. This week, another mundane political handshaking exercise took on greater ramifications when Taoiseach Enda Kenny faced the wrath of members of the public and others associated with the local campaign against household charges and water taxes in the same shopping centre. The Taoiseach's conversation with a Bealnamulla man, Peadar Doyle, received national publicity, particularly on RTÉ, as it crystallised the polar views of the current austerity programme being pursued by our Government. However, it was the exchange between Taoiseach Enda Kenny and local campaigner Gordon Hudson which sparked the most controversy. Kenny reacted to a remark from Hudson by telling him: "You could do with a day's work, I'd say". At the time of going to press yesterday (Tuesday), the Taoiseach had declined to issue the apology sought by Hudson who claims he had been self-employed for 29 years before being forced to close his business. And whilst the Taoiseach was met with a hostile and, at times, verbally aggressive response from people in the shopping centre, his disparaging remark to a voter and citizen of the State should be withdrawn. To some people, it will smack of a contempt for the average citizen - and no matter what provocation, a Taoiseach, any Taoiseach, should not demean the office by delivering a personal insult to a voter. In the midst of a crucial campaign on the Fiscal Treaty referendum, the issue may rebound on the Taoiseach if it is seen as reflecting a political arrogance. Voters will punish politicians they deem to have got above themselves - so it may be in the interests of the Taoiseach and the Government to address the issue.