A single ruling party has held sway for 13 years, whilst the other two have managed half that. Major issues in present-day Ireland include an acute housing deficit, an inefficient healthcare system and soaring living expenses – all rousing significant public outrage. The decision by half of Fine Gael’s TDs not to contend for re-election typically implies the party’s awareness of its pending end.
Given these sordid details, observing the countdown to the termination of the 33rd Dáil, you might deduce the inevitable result of the impending elections. That is, the governing trio of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green party may soon be cleared out, greeted with hearty applause from the citizens. In fact, a gradual separation seems to already be beginning. Polls verify an increased support for Fine Gael and a marked 17-point increase, to 55%, in approval of its relatively new leader, Simon Harris. Fianna Fáil and the Greens maintain a steady position. If Harris’s resilient performance fosters optimism for the Coalition, it is equally influenced by the continuous downfall in popularity for the chief opposition party. Sinn Féin suffers a drop of three points, paralleled by a noticeable decline in support for its leader, Mary Lou McDonald. A key point in this weekend’s primary editorial to note is the public’s desire for change at a tolerable rate.
It remains uncertain whether the public is highly concerned about the timing of the forthcoming elections; however, this speculation is prevalent among politicians, journalists, and avid observers of politics. One fact remains undeniable: Harris is likely to face immense internal strain to repeal his prior statements and initiate the elections before the year-end holidays. Just yesterday, Jack Horgan-Jones announced the government’s decision to abolish its contentious hate speech laws. As highlighted by Jack and Pat Leahy, this move could be interpreted as pre-election tidying up.
Other political narratives deserving attention this weekend include the government’s resolve to up the threshold for tax relief on the pension funds of top earners. Our editorial termed it a backward step. Potent lobbying for these changes has emerged, notably from senior figures within the public sector. As pointed out by Pat Leahy, the reason behind this—which is seldom debated—is that those at the pinnacle of the public service sector enjoy pensions beyond the wildest dreams of most.
In these challenging times, addressing the issue of solitude affecting many men becomes vital: the how-tos of surviving the so-called ‘friendship recession.’ The haunting experiences of a Romani person who escaped the horrors of Nazi acts are shared, revealing a narrative where young lives, including infants and babies, met their end through brutal beatings.
A curious question is asked: can robotic vacuum cleaners and mops priced above €1,000 deliver an immaculate cleaning experience in one’s home? These smart appliances were put through their paces to find out.
David McWilliams shares his opinion on the present state of Ireland, describing it as being ‘dangerously unbalanced.’ He argues that Galway and Limerick hold crucial importance for the nation’s future.
Much has been penned about the ever-controversial Conor McGregor, yet the enigma surrounding his part in rallying his supporters and admirers to take part in Irish politics remains. Despite fleeting moments of success, his shifting worldview leaves many baffled. Conor Gallagher provides a more intimate look at McGregor’s unexpected political influence in his recent profile.
Coming from a well-known family, the budding legal professional Simeon Burke is finding it difficult to find a mentor “Master” at the Law Library which is integral to succeeding in Ireland’s legal industry. According to John McManus’s intriguing opinion column, this anecdote raises questions concerning the inclusivity of the profession, particularly for those whose perspectives vary from the dominant societal norm.
Columnist Mark O’Connell delves into an intriguing comparison between John Hinkley, the man who shot Reagan in 1981, and Ryan Wesley Routh who attempted to attack Trump recently. The motives behind such actions are examined. In a separate column, Jennifer O’Connell contemplates potential reasons instigating resistance against the expansion of the free contraception scheme for women to include 16-year-olds —a proposal seemingly non-controversial.
The never-ending dispute over the efficacy of homework continues. Fresh insights come from a Maynooth University study which deduces that homework positively impacts learning, with the caveat that excessive amounts can be counterproductive. Carl O’Brien provides his viewpoint on the complexities of discovering the perfect homework balance.
Mary C Murphy, originally from Waterford, made family history as the first to venture to Northern Ireland, studying at Queen’s University, Belfast. She is now a well-recognised scholar in Northern Ireland’s international relations, and holds the prestigious title as the head of Boston College’s Irish Institute. While in conversation with Freya McClements, she made the assertion that the Republic’s understanding of Northern Ireland is rather lacking.
Renowned Irish actor, Saoirse Ronan, had an engaging conversation with Donald Clarke about her evolution from her early days in the acting industry to becoming a celebrated adult performer. She also acknowledged the unique bond that exists within Ireland’s acting clan.
In other news, a renowned contemporary Irish author, Sally Rooney, was prominently featured last week in an exclusive interview. Entering her 33rd year, Rooney has become one of the most influential contemporary Irish writers, with each of her three novels selling in the millions. Her latest work, Intermezzo, was launched this week and has received high praise from our critic, Michael Cronin.
Editor, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic