It has been a truly remarkable and consequential week in Irish political life.
There’s been ample coverage elsewhere of what took place, from the fuel protests and the blockade at the Whitegate refinery to the political fallout that ensued.
The repercussions and analysis of what happened are, of course, far from over.
One point that is not in dispute in the wake of recent events is the deepening disconnect between those at the heart of government decision-making and ordinary citizens. We can only address this from a pro-life perspective, based on our own dealings with senior members of government and their officials.
Over the past decade, there has been a marked shift – from a time when senior government figures at least felt some obligation to engage with differing perspectives to one where positions have become so entrenched that opposing views are entirely shut out.
Most alarming of all is that throughout this entire period, those at the centre of power have appeared wholly unconcerned by the undermining effect their approach was having on democracy and basic accountability.
By way of example, it represents a serious dereliction of duty and democratic responsibility for the Taoiseach and other government figures to ignore repeated calls to engage on issues such as Ireland’s spiralling abortion numbers, the increase in cases of coercive abortion, and the need to re-examine practices around late-term abortions – at the very least to ensure that clear protocols are in place so that babies who survive such procedures are treated with some respect and provided with appropriate medical care.
When there is not consistent, large-scale focus on the conduct of those in power, it is striking how easily resignation sets in and passivity takes hold.
One positive outcome from the past seven days is that a long-overdue spotlight has finally been cast on how those at the heart of government engage with ordinary citizens – set against the privileged access and attentive hearing afforded to state-funded quangos and close associates of those in power.
The manner in which these issues were brought to light may not be to everyone’s liking – and we all have a responsibility to respect and protect the institutions of the state – but the light shed and the lessons learned over the past week will, we hope, lead over time to a fairer and more responsive system of government, where our leaders once again recognise their duty to listen to and serve all citizens, not just those within their favoured inner circle.