This is achieved through informed debate, rigorous examination and where necessary challenging the government by ultimately calling for members to vote. I have maintained a strong interest in Irish politics and parliamentary debate for many years. However, what has struck me over the past year is the decline in constructive and informed debate. Far too often and almost every week, Dáil proceedings seem to descend into farce, repeated again and again, without any tolerance of genuine and constructive debate. For example, our local school visited the Dáil and witnessed first-hand elected members shouting and barracking each other in the name of democracy.

Source: The Irish Times April 07, 2026 14:02 UTC