While pleasuring myself in one of my favourite late night indulgences, Oireachtas Report, a somewhat ironic notion was raised, that of Ireland being bestowed with a dedicated TV station exclusively broadcasting footage from Dáil and Seanad Eireann and also from Dáil Committees.
The issue arose in the context of the time-consuming and useful work of Committees being neglected, the example given was of one on suicide prevention that proffered 33 recommendations, none of which, despite some being free and easy, had been acted upon. So more exposure to such committees would likely lead to them being taken a bit more seriously, the recommendations maybe even eagerly anticipated as we watched them progress with the issue! You would also put pressure on TDs to go into the Dáil, I'd say there was about seven of them in yesterday, and then a further twelve people watching Oireachtas Report, pretty demoralising work for the conscientious TD while his counterpart is having a sleep-in after going a bit heavy on the brandy the night before. It should make politicians more accountable and active such that at election time we would know what our public representatives did and did not do over the course of their term so that we can make a more informed selection on the ballot paper.
One of the best benefits in my view is that one would have more opportunity to simply listen to some of Ireland's great minds (there are some there in the midst of the imbeciles), like last night when Michael D. Higgins spoke vociferously in favour of the notion, oozing passion and sensibility. Additionally, there is the factor of a more participatory democracy, seeing how and why decisions on our well-being are made. It would also help to glorify politics a little, motivating more youngsters to take an interest and spreading its scope beyond the traditionally family-based active interest.
Overall, it seems like a good idea with few drawbacks. It would be very cheap to broadcast so even if very few tuned in it would be worth it. I wonder if many other countries do it? Also, what are the chances of it happening, and why if not, what's the next step after debating it in the Dáil? I think there is generally quite an apathetic attitude to politics in Ireland so we should welcome something like this that would remind people that surprisingly enough a lot of thought-provoking and important work goes into running our country.
