Politics

Abuse of politicians could lead to ‘wrong type of people’ seeking office, says Donohoe

Minister fears ‘deeper trouble and dark days’ if narrative on abuse diminishes people’s interest in becoming politicians

Paschal Donohoe said the media had a role in setting the tone of political debate. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Jack White
Mon Mar 25 2024 - 06:51

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has warned the “wrong type of people” could enter politics if the abuse of politicians continues.

Mr Donohoe admitted he receives a “large amount” of abuse, the majority of which is online. “Most of it is on social media. Occasionally, and only very occasionally, it’s to my face,” he said.

He was speaking as a guest at a live recording of British political podcast For the Many at the Laughter Lounge in Dublin on Sunday night.

“The moment we begin to talk about politics in such a way that diminishes the interest in becoming politicians, we have even deeper trouble ahead and dark days.

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“If the narrative becomes completely focused on the abuse by a minority, they’ll win and they’ll really win when the number of people who want to become politicians begins to dwindle or even worse, the wrong kind of people want to become politicians,” he said.

Mr Donohoe stressed the majority of people across the country are respectful of the work that politicians do.

He said there are also broader questions concerning the media’s role in the tone surrounding politics and politicians that are “worthy of debate.”

“I have a lot of respect for journalists who do their work and interrogate me and hold me to account, but I do think we need to take a step back and just think about the tone around politics and the role that others play in it as opposed to just politicians,” he said.

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“Irish people have a very high level of interest in politics and current affairs, and there is definitely an aptitude for a more discursive, little less confrontational tone regarding how we talk about politics,” he said.

Mr Donohoe, who reiterated his intention to run in the next general election, said the abuse faced by politicians was not a factor in the uncontested leadership bid for Fine Gael.

Although it was something he “tested and interrogated” throughout the week, the Minister said he has never wanted to become taoiseach, adding he hopes the election of Simon Harris as leader will reverse the decline in public support for the party.

Following Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s announcement that he would step down, Mr Donohoe said he could retrospectively see “some signs” adding he has seen the impact the position takes on the holder.

“I knew a moment like this was going to come, but I did not see it coming on Wednesday morning,” he said.

Having worked under three separate taoisigh, Mr Donohoe said he has seen the “toll” the position can take on someone.

“For lots of different reasons, public life and political life is getting more and more demanding,” he said adding that the role of taoiseach is at the “apex” of it.

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