John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Bipartisanship, the political process by which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise, has, as we all know, been dying a slow death in the US to the point where it does not exist anymore except, remarkably, on St. Patrick's Day. Republican and Democrat Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen vie with each other to participate in the events relating to what is a unique political day and to make themselves available to Irish politicians of every political hue, North and South. Does the Taoiseach agree with my assessment? Does he agree that this unique opportunity to wear the green jersey for Ireland is more vital this year than ever before and that failure to take it would demonstrate an abject failure of leadership and of understanding of the significance of the event and the value it holds for our country, our economic well-being, our strategic national interests and more?

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