Referenda are, and have been, fantastic tools of democracy in this country. They give society the chance to have their say in how the rules of living are changed. We have been blessed with the opportunities to shape how ordinary decent people go about their business.

In the past, the divorce and abortion referenda have provoked debate around the country. People discussed what it meant to be human beings; what it meant to be parents, spouses, sons and daughters, indeed what it meant to be a family.

Whenever neighbouring countries make changes to law that affects the 'fundamental rights', it's always time to sit up and take notice. Not necessarily to copy or follow suit, but at least to recognise the fact.

It is therefore disturbing when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern decides that gay marriage, a current and popular issue worldwide, is not worthy of debate in the context of a referendum. He feels that it would not be passed, therefore it should not be held. Bertie, above all people, should know that Irish people love to talk and debate. Not holding this referendum, regardless of the outcome, only serves to stifle the long-held tradition of forming our values through debate and discussion.

The fact that this debate involves gay marriage is only a sideshow in the context of the sentiment of this post. This issue, along with the mockery made of our neutrality, is the latest example of a decay that seems to have taken hold of our democracy.

Published by Colm.