Some political evasion for the New Year

Timely that the Taoiseach is put (a bit) on the spot as regards previous pronouncements. And the thought strikes that he’s been getting away with quite a lot in that respect in recent weeks and months as a media that seems utterly dazzled by his supposed political acumen falls before the narrative of an inevitable FG victory etcetera, etcetera.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to repeat the pledge he made before the 2011 general election that he will bring an end to the trolley crisis in Irish hospitals if re-elected.
This winter many hospitals struggled to transfer patients from their emergency departments to wards due to overcrowding.

What is particularly telling is how he seeks refuge in the now well-worn election narrative.

Asked if he would repeat the promise he made five years ago, he said: “Well what I will repeat is this: now we have a record of five years of a substantial achievement in terms of rectifying the public finances of the country and jobs creation.
“I will say that my intention is to continue with that forward development and that economic progress so that we can continue to create more jobs that pay. . . therefore less tax for people to pay and a bigger engine to invest in those very services.

Is that beginning to sound a little too well-worn? Probably not for FG supporters, but for others, possibly.

Entertaining too the following, in a bleak sort of a way, as he positions responsibility for health on certain shoulders.

Asked if he would ever be in a position to tell people that he could actually end the trolley crisis, he said what he will be in a position to do “is to tell them the progress that we are making, that we have made, and that that’s our intention . . . to continue to invest, to reform, to manage it competently”.
Asked what his own biggest regret was during the Government’s term of office, he said: “Well, I don’t like to have distressing stories in regard to health issues that arise occasionally.
“I find that difficult, I have to say.
“That’s why Minister Varadkar is tackling this in a really vigorous way now and I hope we can continue the progress that will lead us to having a universal healthcare system that will provide service for a population that is aging.”