Stroke Politics – a Peculiarly Irish Phenomenon

When the Irish Minister of Health included two facilities within his own constituency in a list of proposed new primary care centres he was accused of “stroke politics”. This is the practice of “stroking” or currying favour with constituents in order to improve a politician’s chances of re-election. He was similarly accused when it was revealed that his constituency had received an extraordinary amount in grants from the national lottery.

Of course it is an important part of the function of a public representative at what ever level, from Parish Council to European Parliament to act as an advocate for his/her area. He or she would be failing in his or her duty if he or she did not put forward as vigorously as possible the case for new or improved facilities – or against the closure of existing facilities – in his/her area. But every good representative will also be aware that, however hard he or she battles for a cause sometimes someone else’s case will prove to be stronger when measured against realistic criteria. His or her constituents may be disappointed but, provided the criteria are clearly stated, the representative ought to be able to explain why, on this occasion, they lost out. That, too, is part of the job.

Fear or Favour

What if the representative also happens to be in a position where he or she is responsible for making the decision? Surely it is – or ought to be – a condition of holding such an office that he or she makes his or her decisions “without fear or favour”. Failure to do so ought to lead to his or her dismissal or resignation. Interestingly in Ireland it was the minister’s deputy who resigned over the primary care decision which she could not stomach.

But Irish people take for granted, even expect, that when a representative from their area is promoted to a position of influence he or she will use that influence to their benefit. It is even taken for granted that ministerial appointments are made in such a way as to ensure a fair geographical distribution regardless of competence.

All of this is, you might say, understandable when the source of the funds being distributed in this way is general taxation. But should the same degree of arbitrariness apply to lottery funding? Remember that, whereas taxation is more or less progressive with high earners contributing more than those on low pay, in the case of the lottery people on low pay contribute a far greater proportion of their income than do high earners. So the distribution of funds to good causes ought to favour projects of benefit to such individuals.

Lottery Funds Should be Free From Ministerial Influence

That result can only be achieved if the organisations distributing funds on behalf of the National Lottery are not subjected to ministerial influence and the criteria used to approve projects for funding are clearly understood by those making applications.

The time is right now to make that happen as the Bill to establish a new National Lottery passes through the Oireachtas. The Bill can be amended if enough people write to their TDs. Tell them you don’t like the system that enables a minister to use lottery money to stroke his constituents.