Gogarty outburst a long time coming

The news that Green Party TD Paul Gogarty has used "unparliamentary" language in the Dáil today in response to constant heckling from the opposition comes as no surprise to me whatsoever.

In fact, an outburst like this, I feel, is long overdue. Never mind how unprofessional and rash Gogarty's outburst was, this incident highlights a much bigger problem within the Dáil chamber.

Watching the live coverage of the Budget on RTÉ the other day, I was once again dismayed at the disrespect the opposition showed to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan as he read out the details of the Budget. (Let me lay down for the record I have no outstanding Green or Fianna Fáil leanings). There was the constant, albeit slightly understandable, background din of disconcerted opposition TDs, and I fail to see any advantages of this tactic.

Last year, we saw then-Ceann Chomhairle John O'Donoghue suspend the Budget hearing at least 3 times because of a very vocal Sinn Féin TD. This did nothing whatsoever except soil that TD's reputation and delay the reading of the Budget by a mere half an hour.

This constant protest while the Budget is being read out, and indeed any other time when a member of government is speaking in the house, beggars belief. It's almost like a watered down, laughable version of Parnell's infamous "obstruction" technique which his party used in the House Of Commons. But do the opposition really think it'll get them anywhere? Raising their voice to a considerable decible level is NOT going to persuade the government to listen to them in any way, shape of form.

Even as Gogarty was reading his apology earlier on, there was a chorus of voices screaming their outrage at his use of language. But do they ever stop to think that their constant, needless racket is also a disgrace? It's almost as if these TDs are pursuing celebrity status, hoping to shout loud enough to be seen on RTE news, so their constituents will hail them as a hero and a dedicated fighter for them.

This citizen is not impressed. The Dáil chamber is a place for constructive debate, not a forum for every loudmouth TD to vent their opinions in any way they want. No matter how badly the government may be handling the economy at the minute, shouting will not solve anything.

So fair play to Paul Gogarty TD. He may have to face the considerably frightening music for his outburst, but his "F*** you" has highlighted how government TDs cannot speak anymore without being bullied by an ever less civilized opposition. Let's hope this is a product of the economis troubles, and that when we do find our feet again on the economic front, our politicians will discuss matters instead of shouting incoherently.