No ordinary Joe
He’s one of the last great orators in Irish politics. But there’s more to Joe Higgins TD than firebrand socialism. In this candid interview, the man once described as a ‘nitwit’ by an enraged Bertie Ahern talks about his childhood, the role of the church in his life and explains why the Celtic Tiger has let Ireland down
Olaf Tyaransen, 12 Oct 2006
But would they not soon become just as corrupt as the present leaders?
The society that we want to see would be one where the major levers of the economy, the major financial institutions and industry is in public ownership, but under the democratic control and management of working people. And similarly political institutions. It isn’t a question of, like now, electing people to the Dail and five years later they’re back again. It’s a question of putting in place structures whereby people are answerable to those who elect them, live on the same wage, and so on. And where power, if you like, is devolved into society rather than concentrated in the hands of small minorities of powerful companies and individuals and their political voices.
Do you think the Gardaí are corrupt?
Well, obviously the reports and the investigations and what has come out in recent years has shown huge corruption among some elements and certain sections of the Gardai Siochana. A huge shake-up is needed. To our view, at community level, the Gardai should be under the democratic control of the local community.
Do you think the proposed Garda reserve is a good idea?
I think it’s policing on the cheap. A cynical manoeuver by Mr. McDowell and the government to pretend to honour election promises they made for extra Guards, etc.
Do you hold out much hope for the future of Ireland?
I’m extremely optimistic for the future, but that’s on the basis of a changing society, of a democratic socialist society. I think that the present position, particularly the huge dependence on construction, is not sustainable. Capitalism never goes on a straight line like that. The laws of the system itself will unfortunately inevitably mean that there will be a cycle of recession. And the people who will get hurt and burned are ordinary working people and young people. The people who have made the absolute fortunes and the speculators will walk away, of course, at that stage – leaving ordinary people to pick up the pieces.
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