“Polling numbers presage a possible complete wipe-out of the Green Party and a cull of Fianna Fáil TDs of such magnitude as has never been previously imagined possible.”
http://www.sbpost.ie/newsfeatures/summer-break-couldnt-come-soon-enough-50421.html
An end of term report on the state of Irish politics. Interesting that despite having one of the highest deficits in the EU and massive cuts to salaries, welfare etc, the Irish parliament still has one of the shortest sitting terms in the world. The TDs and Senators are about to head off for 3 months leaving the Executive to its role of planning further cuts. Everyone else in the country has to face lower salaries (15% cut in the state sector) and higher productivity. The coalition can maintain its contract until the general election due in two years time. In order to avoid that eventuality as long as possible, the government has refused three parliamentary by elections, leaving some constituencies with no representation for the last year.
The words of Grattan on the Irish parliament of the 18th century spring to mind when he warned of the excessive powers of the Executive: "And these walls, where once the public weal contended and the patriot strove, will resemble the ruin of some Italian temple, and abound not with senators, but with animals of prey, in the guise of senators, chattering their pert debates, and disgracing those seats which once belonged to the people." (Corruption by Government. February 1st, 1790)
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