There’s more personal abuse in Irish politics. Could this discourage new candidates? If so, are there solutions?The world of Irish politics has changed. There’s more personal abuse and stress on public representatives – both inside and outside Leinster House.
One young politician described being physically sick at “the level of nastiness” directed at her. It’s feared this could damage Irish democracy by discouraging new candidates. If that is the case, what are the possible solutions?
The Summer of 2024 has seen the steady stream of abuse of Irish politicians, peak in death threats directed at Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald and Taoiseach, Simon Harris. For that reason, in July, in an anonymous survey, RTÉ Documentary On One asked TDs and Senators about their mental well-being and the stress of the job.
This documentary reveals the results of that survey as well as speaking with those working in Leinster House, as politicians and political support staff.
In one question in the survey, for example, Oireachtas members were asked about their worries given “the increasing toxicity, coarseness and sometimes dangerous discourse around politics and politicians”. Six replied that they felt it presented a “danger to their lives”.
The politicians’ other major concerns were around new technology and how it has made the job of a public representative more stressful. In the survey of Senators and TDs, the most consistent result, was that they thought that their staff are negatively-impacted by the change in the nature of communication around Irish politics.
Featuring Sean Sherlock TD, Senator Mary Seery Kearney and Sean O’Fearghail, RTÉ Documentary On One – Nastiness, is broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday, September 14th at 2pm.