Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

Wednesday, 14 December.

Twitter provides a useful platform for comment and exchange of views and opinions, but it also gives a license for anger, rudeness and ignorance.

I have just read a tweet from a well known financial journalist who commenting on the growing black economy in Ireland mentioned that the black economy grows when personal taxes are too high and “politicians are even more cretinous than usual”.

She may be right about taxes, but I want to address her description of politicians.

Blanket condemnation of any group of people is simply wrong.

Letting fly at politicians is an easy option. I’m not suggesting for one moment that they should not be open to criticism.

But the power to influence comes with the responsibility to be balanced – perhaps a boring concept in the instant media world of today, where everyone wants to make and break news.

Sadly, however, many politicians will not challenge accusations made against them by journalists because they fear the backlash.

But if we politicians continue to allow ourselves to be abused in this way then we deserve what we get.

So Jill Kerby, I object to your terminology and your name calling. I would not allow my children to use such language in our house, so I will not allow you escape with such loose comment.