An Irish solution to an Irish problem

Last updated

In Irish political discourse, "an Irish solution to an Irish problem" is any official response to a controversial issue which is timid, half-baked, or expedient, which is an unsatisfactory compromise, or sidesteps the fundamental issue. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Earlier usage

The idea had been commonly held that Ireland's problems should be addressed by solutions developed in Ireland, rather than based on foreign models; this was sometimes expressed using some variant of the anaphora "an Irish solution to an Irish problem". Examples of the rhetorical device include:

The same device has been used in other countries. Sargent Shriver called the Opportunities Industrialization Center "an American solution to an American problem" in 1967; [14] Hillary Clinton described her 1993 health care plan as "an American solution for an American problem by creating an American health care system that works for America." [15] In 1977, Hector Laing of United Biscuits cautioned against applying its work practices at its American subsidiary Keebler Company by calling them "a British solution to a British problem." [16]

Health (Family Planning) Act 1979

Contraception had been prohibited in the Republic of Ireland since 1935. [17] [18] However, the Supreme Court ruled in 1973 that married couples had a constitutional right to privacy which encompassed family planning. [17] [19] In 1974, Minister for Justice Patrick Cooney introduced a bill to accommodate this, [20] but it was defeated on a free vote in which Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave was among those opposing it. [17] [21] Fianna Fáil came to power after the 1977 election, and Charles Haughey became Minister for Health. He introduced a bill — subsequently the Health (Family Planning) Act 1979 [22] — to allow contraceptives to be available, only by medical prescription, "for the purpose, bona fide, of family planning or for adequate medical reasons". Physicians and pharmacists who had moral objections would not be obliged to write or fill such prescriptions.

Introducing the second reading of the bill in Dáil Éireann on 28 February 1979, Haughey concluded:

I hope Deputies will accept that this Bill is the result of careful and earnest consideration of a difficult situation and that it is a sincere attempt to meet that situation in a reasonable and acceptable manner. There is very little support for a situation in which all forms of artificial contraceptives could be ... freely available ... We must, on the other hand, [follow] the Supreme Court decision in the McGee case ... It is not easy to devise legislation which satisfies both these criteria. ...

I recognise that this legislation will not satisfy everybody. There is no legislation which would. There are diametrically opposing views sincerely held on practically every aspect of this issue. ...

This legislation opens no flood-gates, ...

It provides that who find the provisions unacceptable need not involve themselves in any way. This Bill seeks to provide an Irish solution to an Irish problem. I have not regarded it as necessary that we should conform to the position obtaining in any other country.

I commend the Bill to Deputies on the basis that it will be found acceptable by and meet the wishes of the great majority of sensible responsible citizens.

—  [23]

Haughey was using the phrase "an Irish solution to an Irish problem" in the same approbatory sense as before. In the ensuing Dáil debate, Fianna Fáil TDs Kit Ahern [24] and Niall Andrews [25] quoted Haughey's description approvingly in supporting the Bill. However, liberal opponents of the 1979 Act quoted Haughey's words ironically and derisively in subsequent criticism, bringing a permanent change to the meaning of the phrase. [4] [26] Noël Browne said:

The Minister made the remarkable statement that this Bill was an Irish solution to an Irish problem. That was one of the unwisest statements of all made about the Bill. Some Deputies said that the Bill is more concerned with protecting the political interests of Fianna Fáil than it is with protecting women from unwanted pregnancies. ... This is the Catholic Irish republican solution to the Irish problem in the Twenty-six Counties

—  [24]

The Minister said the Bill was guided by certain principles and I suppose that is what he meant when he described it as an Irish solution to an Irish problem; a Roman Catholic solution to an Irish problem.

—  [27]

Barry Desmond said:

Nobody knows more of the fundamental inbuilt hypocrisy in this Bill than the Minister for Health. The fact that we know it means that we dodge it and come back to the Minister with the stock response "An Irish Bill for the Irish situation." Irish women have some unique aspects of sexuality unknown in other European countries. Irish men possess unique aspects of sexuality unknown to other males in Europe. Therefore, we must have a uniquely Irish solution to the problem.

—  [28]

Finally he coined for all time the unique comment that this Bill "seeks to provide an Irish solution to an Irish problem". This stretches too far the extent of my personal credulity.

—  [29]

Jim O'Keeffe said:

The Minister, in introducing the Bill, said he sought an Irish solution to an Irish problem. In my opinion this Bill is tinged with hypocrisy and loaded with double-think and is no credit to this House or the party who produced it. ... Of course, there may be a way out—again, an Irish way out, a typically Irish solution to an Irish problem. If the doctor is prepared to issue a prescription and to go through the pretence that the prescription is for medical purposes and not for family planning purposes, that would be a way round the problem. But, if this is so, why should we have this sham and pretence?

—  [30]

John Kelly said:

If I am contradicted on that and told by the Minister that I am not doing this Bill full justice, that his Irish solution for an Irish problem is meant to be taken more seriously, I am tempted to reply that the peculiarly Irish nature of the solution lies in the fact that many people on the Minister's side will be content with the appearance of the law even though there is no reality. That is Irish enough and appeals to a certain stratum of Irish mentality abundantly represented in the Fianna Fáil Party—go through the motions and whether the reality follows in the wake of the motions we need not care; so long as we have a badge in our buttonholes and can speak a few perfunctory words, we shall be taken to have our hearts in the right place whatever the context refers to. I believe that is what is meant here. There is a certain sense in the Minister talking about an Irish solution to an Irish problem. The Irish solution is to appear to solve the problem. The reality is that it will remain exactly the same in a year's time as it has been for the last couple of years. ... I think the Minister was Minister for Justice when the licensing law was changed in 1960 or thereabouts. Up to that time there had been a traffic in bona fides—that was a cynical term—but it was an Irish solution to an Irish problem in a big way. There was an appearance of there being a law in regard to bona fide travellers. The reality was exactly the opposite and so well recognised was the opposite quality to the reality that the bona fide name was actually cynically, but colloquially and without thinking, bestowed on the very establishments which had the benefit of this Irish solution.

—  [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Haughey</span> 7th Taoiseach from 1970s to 1990s

Charles James Haughey was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who led four governments as Taoiseach: December 1979 to June 1981, March to December 1982, March 1987 to June 1989, and June 1989 to February 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from 1987 to 1992, Leader of the Opposition from 1981 to 1982 and 1982 to 1987, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1979 to 1992, Minister for Social Welfare and for Health from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Finance from 1966 to 1970, Minister for Agriculture from 1964 to 1966, Minister for Justice from 1961 to 1964 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice from 1959 to 1961. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1957 to 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progressive Democrats</span> Irish political party (1985–2009)

The Progressive Democrats, commonly referred to as the PDs, was a conservative liberal political party in Ireland. The party's history spanned 24 years, from its formation in 1985 to its dissolution in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond O'Malley</span> Irish politician (1939–2021)

Desmond Joseph O'Malley was an Irish politician who served as Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1977 to 1981 and 1989 to 1992, Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 1985 to 1993, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism from March 1982 to October 1982, Minister for Justice from 1970 to 1973 and Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence from 1969 to 1970. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick East constituency from 1968 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Lenihan Snr</span> Irish politician (1930–1995)

Brian Patrick Lenihan was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Tánaiste from 1987 to 1990, Minister for Defence from 1989 to 1990, Minister for Agriculture from March 1982 to December 1982, Minister for Fisheries from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1987 to 1989, 1979 to 1981 and January 1973 to March 1973, Minister for Transport and Power from 1969 to 1973, Minister for Education from 1968 to 1969, Minister for Justice from 1964 to 1969, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands from 1961 to 1964. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1961 to 1973 and from 1977 to 1995. He served as a Senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel from 1957 to 1961 and 1973 to 1977. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Oireachtas from 1973 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Andrews (politician)</span> Irish former Fianna Fáil politician (b. 1935)

David Andrews is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1993 and 1997 to 2000, Minister for Defence from 1993 to 1994 and June 1997 to October 1997, Minister for the Marine from 1993 to 1994, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1979 and Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence from 1970 to 1973. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1965 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray MacSharry</span> Irish former politician (born 1938)

Ray MacSharry is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Tánaiste from March 1982 to December 1982, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development from 1989 to 1993, Minister for Finance from March 1982 to December 1982 and 1987 to 1988, Minister for Agriculture from 1979 to 1981, Minister of State at the Department of the Public Service from 1978 to 1979. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency from 1969 to 1988. He also served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Connacht–Ulster constituency.

There were two governments of the 26th Dáil elected at the 1989 general election on 15 June 1989, both being coalition governments of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. The 21st government of Ireland was led by Charles Haughey as Taoiseach and lasted 945 days. The 22nd government of Ireland was led by Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach and lasted 308 days from its appointment until resignation, and continued to carry out its duties for a further 29 days until the appointment of its successor, giving a total of 337 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of the 24th Dáil</span> Government of Ireland from 1982 to 1987

The 19th government of Ireland was the government of Ireland formed after the November 1982 general election to the 24th Dáil. It was a coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach and lasted for 1,548 days.

There were two governments of the 21st Dáil, which was elected at the 1977 general election on 16 June 1977. Both were single-party majority Fianna Fáil governments. The 15th government of Ireland was led by Jack Lynch as Taoiseach and lasted for 890 days. The 16th government of Ireland was led by Charles Haughey and lasted for 568 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the Opposition (Ireland)</span> Unofficial position in Dáil Éireann (Lower house of the Irish parliament)

The Leader of the Opposition in Ireland is a de facto term sometimes used to describe the politician who leads the largest party in the Parliamentary Opposition in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann. In the Dáil, the Leader of the Opposition sits on the right-hand side of the Ceann Comhairle and directly opposite the Taoiseach. The role is not an official one and is not recognised in the Irish constitution, nor in legislation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Gibbons (Irish politician)</span> Irish politician (1924–1997)

James M. Gibbons was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Agriculture from 1970 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979, Minister for Defence from 1969 to 1970 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance from 1965 to 1969. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Carlow–Kilkenny constituency from 1957 to 1981 and February 1982 to November 1982. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1973 to 1977.

John Francis O'Connell was an Irish Labour Party, independent and Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Health from 1992 to 1993 and Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 1981 to 1982. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1965 to 1987 and from 1989 to 1993. He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Dublin constituency from 1979 to 1981. He was a Senator from 1987 to 1989, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.

Patrick Mark Cooney is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a government minister in the cabinets of Liam Cosgrave (1973–1977) and Garret FitzGerald. He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Leinster constituency from 1989 to 1994. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency from 1970 to 1977 and between 1981 and 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 1977 to 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Burke (Irish politician)</span> Irish politician (1932–2016)

Richard Burke was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Administration from 1982 to 1985, European Commissioner for Taxation, Consumer Affairs, Transport and Parliamentary Relations from 1977 to 1981 and Minister for Education from 1973 to 1976. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1969 to 1976 and from 1981 to 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election</span>

The 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in December 1979, when Jack Lynch resigned as party leader and Taoiseach. Lynch had been party leader for thirteen years and Taoiseach for over nine years. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 7 December 1979. After one ballot the election was won by Charles Haughey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election</span>

The 1992 Fianna Fáil leadership election began in January 1992, when Charles Haughey resigned as party leader. Haughey had been party leader for thirteen years and had served as Taoiseach on three occasions. His successor was elected by the members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 6 February 1992. After one ballot the election was won by Albert Reynolds.

John O'Leary was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment from 1978 to 1979. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kerry South constituency from 1966 to 1997.

Contraception was illegal in Ireland from 1935 until 1980, when it was legalised with strong restrictions, later loosened. The ban reflected Catholic teachings on sexual morality.

Martin John Corry was an Irish farmer and long-serving backbench Teachta Dála (TD) for Fianna Fáil. He represented various County Cork constituencies covering his farm near Glounthaune, east of Cork city. He was described by Michael Leahy, his IRA commandant as the Cork No 1 Brigade's 'Chief Executioner' and is believed to have been responsible for at least 27 killings, mostly in the neighbouring parish of Knockraha. He was a founder member of Fianna Fáil in 1926, and among its first TDs after the June 1927 general election. He was returned at every election until he stood down at the 1969 general election.

Fianna Fáil was founded on 23 March 1926 when a group of Dáil deputies led by Éamon de Valera split from the original Sinn Féin. This happened because de Valera's motion calling for elected members be allowed to take their seats in the Dáil, if and when the controversial Oath of Allegiance was removed, failed to pass at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. The new party adopted its name on 2 April of the same year. From the formation of the first Fianna Fáil government on 9 March 1932 until the 2011 general election, the party was in power for 61 of 79 years. Its longest continuous period in office was 15 years and 11 months. Its single longest period out of office, in that time, has been four years and four months. All eight of its party's leaders have served as Taoiseach. It was the largest party in Dáil Éireann at every general election from the 1932 general election until the 2011 general election, when it suffered the worst defeat of a sitting government in the history of the Irish state.

References

  1. ↑ Smyth, Lisa (Autumn 1998). "Narratives of Irishness and the Problem of Abortion: The X Case 1992". Feminist Review. 60 (60, Feminist Ethics and the Politics of Love). Palgrave Macmillan Journals: 62. doi:10.1080/014177898339398. JSTOR   1395547. PMID   12348945. S2CID   24445688. 'An Irish solution to an Irish problem', as the popular phrase described the evasions, euphemisms and hypocrisy characteristic of the state's treatment of issues around sexuality
  2. ↑ Duggan, Dennis (24 February 1992). "Abortion Furor Galvanizes Ireland". Newsday. p. 8. refers to an Irish trait of solving problems by indirection
    cited in Weinstein, Jeffrey A. (1993). "An Irish Solution to an Irish Problem: Ireland's Struggle with Abortion Law". Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law. 10 (1): 165–200. PMID   11656312.
  3. ↑ Graham, B.J. (1994). "Heritage conservation and revisionist nationalism in Ireland". In Gregory John Ashworth; Peter J. Larkham (eds.). Building a new heritage: tourism, culture, and identity in the new Europe. Routledge. p. 147. ISBN   0-415-07931-4. a euphemism for turning a blind eye
  4. 1 2 Ardagh, John (1994). Ireland and the Irish: portrait of a changing society. Hamish Hamilton. p.  182. ISBN   0-241-13275-4. Haughey described it as 'an Irish solution to an Irish problem' — a phrase that has since been applied to many an Irish compromise.
  5. ↑ Byrne, Elaine (30 December 2008). "Haughey's Irish solution to an Irish problem". The Irish Times . Retrieved 29 September 2009. This phrase, indicative of a prevaricate compromise which allows us to temporarily reconcile our consciences
  6. ↑ Inglis, Tom (2015). Are the Irish Different?. Manchester University Press. p. 127. ISBN   9781847799579. denial and doublethink (Irish solution to an Irish problem)
  7. ↑ "Unemployment Relief Bill, 1931—Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 40. 3 December 1931. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  8. ↑ "An Irish solution to an Irish problem?". The Irish Post. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  9. ↑ "The lesson of enforced medical services". The Irish Times . 9 July 1954. p. 1.
  10. ↑ "Voluntary Health Insurance Bill, 1956—Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 160. 8 November 1956. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  11. ↑ "Adjournment (Summer Recess): Motion (Resumed). [Article 44 amendment – NI/EEC]". Dáil Éireann – Volume 248. 29 July 1970. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  12. ↑ "Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. – Membership of EEC". Dáil Éireann – Volume 255. 29 June 1971. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  13. ↑ "Ireland making 'good progress' on recovery". RTÉ News. 15 April 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  14. ↑ Shriver, Sargent (26 January 1967). "Address to the Second Annual Conccation of the Opportunities Industrialization Center" (PDF). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: sargentshriver.org. p. 2. Retrieved 9 February 2010.[ dead link ]
  15. ↑ Clinton, Hillary Rodham (1997). Claire G. Osborne (ed.). The unique voice of Hillary Rodham Clinton: a portrait in her own words. Avon. p.  149. ISBN   0-380-97416-9.
  16. ↑ "A Touch of British Realism". Forbes. 119: 32. 15 April 1977.
  17. 1 2 3 Lee, Joseph (1989). Ireland, 1912–1985: politics and society. Cambridge University Press. p. 479. ISBN   0-521-37741-2.
  18. ↑ Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935, s. 17: Prohibition of sale and importation of contraceptives ( No. 6 of 1935, s. 17 ). Enacted on 28 February 1935. Act of the Oireachtas .Retrieved from Irish Statute Book .
  19. ↑ McGee v. Attorney General [1973] IESC 2 , [1974] I.R. 284, Supreme Court
  20. ↑ "Control of Importation, Sale and Manufacture of Contraceptives Bill, 1974: First Stage". Dáil Éireann – Volume 271. 21 March 1974. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  21. ↑ "Control of Importation, Sale and Manufacture of Contraceptives Bill, 1974: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 274 -. 16 July 1974. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  22. ↑ Health (Family Planning) Act 1979 ( No. 20 of 1979 ). Enacted on 23 July 1979. Act of the Oireachtas .Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 11 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage". Dáil Éireann – Volume 312. 28 February 1979. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  24. 1 2 "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 313. 29 March 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  25. ↑ "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 313. 5 April 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  26. ↑ Drennan, John (30 December 2012). "Extract: How contraception was 'an Irish solution to an Irish problem'". TheJournal.ie . Retrieved 12 January 2016. In a phrase that would haunt him, he claimed that the bill 'seeks to provide an Irish solution to an Irish problem'.
  27. 1 2 "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Committee Stage". Dáil Éireann – Volume 314. 9 May 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  28. ↑ "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 313. 29 March 1979. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  29. ↑ "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 313. 4 April 1979. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  30. ↑ "Health (Family Planning) Bill, 1978: Second Stage (Resumed)". Dáil Éireann – Volume 313. 5 April 1979. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.