Even with the best of intentions, is change really possible?

As soon as it became apparent that Ireland had been reduced to mere scrap metal through a strict regime of neglect and abuse, Fine Gael have sworn blind that they, and only they, could get this machine going again. Enda and his helpers would have this baby humming in no time - the Jeremy Clarkson of the political world. At first, no-one passed the slightest bit of notice of Enda and Co but, like a little boy itching to get at something… anything… mechanical, he just would not give up. Eventually, convinced that this engine was beyond repair anyhow and that no further damage was even possible, we let the man from Mayo loose with a brand new set of spanners. And he got off to a flying start. He jetted off for his first meeting with his European counterparts who were simply delighted to see him. But it got even better for Fine Gael. Barack Obama called him on his mobile with oodles of congrats, best wishes, hugs and kisses. But then it got even better. Apparently, Obama is coming for tea and biscuits. Now, it makes absolutely no difference that Japan has been shaken to bits, been engulfed by half the Pacific Ocean and is being threatened by a nuclear disaster. Nor, seemingly, does it matter that a lunatic in the Middle East is determined to slaughter as many of his own people as is humanly possible and that America and its allies is engaged in military action to stop this madness. Obama plans to visit Ireland. I must say I was beginning to believe that maybe we had voted in a new era in Irish politics when I read that Fine Gael was planning on reversing the ban on stag hunting. Could this be true? Was a political party actually going to follow through on one of its promises? In Ireland? Really? We had hit the jackpot - this new government was actually going to kick ass and get rid of the old, bureaucratic, stifling way of not doing business. Very soon, the Ward Union Hunt would be back in business - a tiny detail, some might say in view of our larger problems, but perhaps a test for how the bigger issues may be handled. With the best of intentions, Meath TD and new Junior Minister Shane McEntee indicated that this reversal would be forthcoming - common sense at last. And who could blame Shane for making this assertion? After all, had this not been a quid pro quo that Fianna Fail promised the Greens for their support in the establishment of Nama? To digress for a moment - can you imagine the mindset of a party that would actually hold up the establishment of a body that was designed to handle our economic mortal sins in order to stop one stag being chased, briefly, and then returned, unharmed, to the rest of the herd? Furthermore, Labour voted against this ban last June along with Fine Gael. But now it appears that this reversal may not be as straightforward as one would have hoped. The nasty monster of Irish politics was only grabbing 40 winks and is now raising its ugly head once more - the monster of red tape. 'Can't be done' and 'it's just not that easy'. Seemingly, Labour is now saying that they have no idea where McEntee got the idea that there was agreement between the two love-birds and that this ban 'has been passed and shouldn't be reversed'. Dear God, was not this the whole point of electing a new government? So, Mr McEntee, how many valium will that be for you today? You see, there must be some gene that we Irish have inherited from one particularly negative-thinking, yet virile visitor who set foot on this island a few hundred years ago and set about procreation. This may be the only explanation for the multitude of impossible scenarios we have created for ourselves. Another example of this finger-gnawing, sheer stupidity is the situation anyone driving a commercial vehicle finds themselves in. You may only tax this vehicle after you get some form or another, bring it to a Garda station, waste some garda's time filling this out, pinky swear to use this vehicle for work purposes, and only work purposes, so help you God. Then you traipse back to the tax office and beg them to please, please take your money and let you go home - it's been three days since you embarked on this epic journey. This is one hell of an incentive for new enterprises. Ah well, it could be worse. Just image, if you will, that Ireland has been hit by a tsunami. No loss of life, just all the buildings flattened. Now imagine applying for planning permission to rebuild the country...