Politicians respecting each other the 'best armour’ for democracy, says minister

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Politicians showing each other more respect is “the best armour” against interference in the democratic process, the Minister for Culture and Media has said.

Catherine Martin was speaking after a man pleaded guilty to assaulting Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman while he was on an election canvass.

The incident happened in Mr O’Gorman’s Dublin West constituency on Saturday.

There have been incidents in recent years that have raised concerns about politicians’ safety and questions on whether light-touch security for senior politicians may need to be ramped up.

Junior minister Thomas Byrne said there “can’t be” the end of canvassing in Ireland because it was important to maintain a connection with the public.

Asked about the level of vitriol against the Greens, its former deputy leader Ms Martin said there was evidence of increased vitriol against all political parties.

She said of the incident with Mr O’Gorman: “I just really felt for him and I think it goes against what we really cherish here in democracy.

 

“I’ve been saying to so many people on the doors in recent months that this is democracy in action, being on the doors, listening.

“That informs us, that informs the manifesto … that wonderful engagement, freedom to do that.

“So, anything that interferes with that, and we have to be really clear to protect against that interference.

“We’ve seen it’s not just the Green Party. We’ve seen all political parties, not just government parties, actually.

“It’s right across the Dail and Seanad, political parties that aren’t in government and independents, so we just all need to work together.

“I always think in the House and the floor of the Dáil … if we treat each other with respect, that’s the greatest way we can tackle it, actually. Because if we have the respect for each other, and that’s what’s being seen, that, to me, is the best armour we have against this.”

Asked about criticism of the Green Party in particular, Ms Martin said: “With the Greens, you got exactly what they said they’d do.

“We are what it says on the tin and the electorate know that.”

Ms Martin made the comments while announcing €173 million in grants for 35 sports projects around Ireland at Dalymount Stadium, alongside Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne.

Mr Byrne said he could not comment on whether the level of Garda protection would be reviewed after the incident with Mr O’Gorman.

“The reality is that the vast majority of people who meet on the campaign are so welcoming, so warm, so interested, so happy that you can do this in Ireland, and we’ve got to protect that,” he said.

“So, anything like that is reported to An Garda Siochana, they will deal with it, I know that they are obviously keeping a very, very clear, very close eye on it.

“I wouldn’t like people to think this is the end of canvassing. It can’t be, because it is so important we have that connection with the public, where you can go to a door and, yes, people can praise you, or yes, people can criticise you or ask you questions. That’s what the democracy is.

“But most people, almost everybody, does that in a way that is very democratic and very, very peaceful.”

Although a general election has yet to be called, the politicians have begun canvassing in their areas, billboard advertisements are showcasing candidates and party leaders have been interviewed on popular podcasts.

Asked about her party’s pension proposals, Ms Martin said their election manifesto would be published after it is called by Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Mr Harris is rumoured to call an election by the end of this week, once the Finance Bill is passed into law.

A polling date will be held in around a month’s time, with Friday, November 29th seen as the most likely date.