Morning Ireland

by Cathal Mac Coille

If you were watching our studio webcam just after Aine ended this morning’s eve-of-poll discussion between Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews and Brian Hayes of Fine Gael, you’ll have seen a friendly handshake between the pair. It was probably more an expression of fellow-feeling between politicians as they face their masters (the voters) more than anything else. It underlined also an end-of-term feeling many people sense as this long campaign comes to an end.

The politeness of their discussion underlined something else. We know all too well how listeners hate it when politicians constantly interrupt and talk over each other. Not to mention the occasionally over-interrupting presenter (me, for example, as I'm reminded from time to time. Sorry.)

The result is a pain in the ear and a feeling of deep irritation. Some listeners tell us that they can’t stand it and just turn the radio off.

That frustration is all the greater at a time when the country’s situation is so serious.

Most of us, apart from some politicians on some occasions, realise that we need serious, calm and, yes, polite discussion of our problems. Not dull, but polite. That way, our politicians show how we can all disagree without being disagreeable.

Later in today’s programme, I spoke to Eamon Ryan of the Greens and Alex White of Labour in our final, final pre-election chat. The same atmosphere prevailed, with both men allowing us hear what the other was saying, even when they disagreed sharply.

So well done to Eamon, Alex, Brian and Barry, and to all the other politicians who took part in Morning Ireland election debates that were lively but courteous. Let's not talk about the others, thankfully few.

And good luck tomorrow, all 566 of you.