Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party, 2024
Fine Gael, the party of landowners, prosperous farmers and business people are in power since 2011.
Fianna Fail, the country of die hard republicans, general workers and trade unionists are a powerful mix eager for power.
The Green Party, when everyone is 'green' have less than 5% support nationally, notorious for delaying projects.
Both main parties are subject to the malaise of party politics. Should Sinn Fein arrange a meeting, then a rabble of anti-government types attend seeking the dissolution of government. Sinn Fein are known for their protests, when, in fact, they fail to comprehend that being in government is very challenging. FF and FG meetings are finding it difficult to secure a quorum. Alice and the Red Queen, during their chess game, had to run very fast to stay still in 'Alice Through the Looking Glass', a note to al those aspiring politicians.
A swift review of Irish party politics demonstrates Fianna Fail giving the people what they want. In 1977 motor tax was abolished by Fianna Fail and swiftly restored by Fine Gael. A tax on children's shoes by Fine Gael led to major recriminations for this party who misread the electorate. A Fianna Fail leader offered a garda a transfer or demotion leading to the Dowra affair. A Fianna Fail leader was described as trousering cash donations and had to resign. A Fianna Fail leader accepted massive cash donations to maintain his mansion and offshore island, he retired with chagrin.
Politics at the present time consists of a grey haired teenager trying to reverse the decline of Fine Gael, a respected Fianna Fail leader demonstrating his uncanny ability to resolve the international crisis in Palestine with good results so far. The Green Party, the party of protest, remains aloof, in standing still mode.
The future of Irish political parties remains under threat with the rise in independents noteworthy. There is sufficient support for individual politicians, not for those perceived as as not up to the job, housing, justice and health ministries are under pressure.
Source: Sunday Times, Irish Times, Sunday Independent