Jennifer Horgan: We have a lot more to worry about than Ryan Tubridy’s bank balance
Yes, it’s disappointing if our national broadcaster isn’t doing what it should be doing. At most, it is unethical and unjust and should be remedied. If Tubridy knew what was happening, his persona is shattered. Grand, let’s move on. If he didn’t know, well then, he can carry on as before and pay more attention to his finances.
An investigation is underway. That should be the end of it.
I like to imagine a world in which a story catching our national attention is deserving of that attention.
To give one example, a Saturday morning where every paper leads with the regular announcement that our privileged little country chooses to spend the least money on education in the OECD, resulting in our most vulnerable children being ignored in the system.
I would then like the public-backed media to demand a full investigation into our State finances. How is it that a rich country with high taxes can’t afford to build the schools we need? How is it that children are being let down so badly, especially children with intellectual and additional needs?
And why is it that as a country we react so viciously to corruption, generally speaking, and yet have the reaction of a corpse to gross and ongoing ineptitude, deeply felt social injustices, and neglect?
Why do we never have the sustained interest, the investigations, and the coordinated follow-up that GOTCHA moments receive?