Online abuse is a deterrent to politicians and potential candidates from making positive contributions to society, the Finance Minister Michael McGrath has claimed.
It follows an announcement made by Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon yesterday that he would not be contesting the next General Election, citing a “toxicity in politics”.
The Galway East TD, first elected to the Dáil in 2011, also asked the public to treat politicians with “civility and respect” in his resignation letter.
Abuse
Minister McGrath told Newstalk today that the abuse politicians face can stop good people from entering the field.
“It could act as a deterrent to good people wanting to make a contribution to public life and a deterrent to people staying in public life,” he said.
“I think we do have to reflect on what is a very serious issue.
“Everyone in public life gets abuse, we are open to scrutiny and we are open to criticism – I have no issue with that.
“But what’s happening on social media does cross the line, it is consistent, deeply personal, very abusive, and doesn’t focus on the issues at hand.”
'It's personal, very abusive, and doesn't focus on the issues at hand'.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath says online abuse of politicians has gone too far. pic.twitter.com/6zWh5CxnUH
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 20, 2024
Minister McGrath said it has a “chilling effect” on people who otherwise would “like to make a contribution to public policy".
He also said it is important that people take an interest in politics.
“We should recognise the value of having a democracy where we have a right to vote, a right to vote people in and out,” he said.
“We have freedom of speech, freedom of expression and human rights enshrined in law. We should never take those things for granted.
“I think it is fair to say discourse around politics has changed, particularly online where there is now a coarseness and a level of abuse that I didn’t see when I first entered national politics 17 years ago.”
Ciarán Cannon is one of ten current Fine Gael TDs not contesting the next General Election.
Main image: Michael McGrath. Photograph: Sam Boal / © RollingNews.ie
