Comments on: Family Values http://www.irishelection.com/2007/05/family-values/ Coverage of Irish Politics, News and Current Affairs Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:51:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: CJ http://www.irishelection.com/2007/05/family-values/comment-page-1/#comment-51142 CJ Sat, 26 May 2007 22:57:18 +0000 http://www.irishelection.com/05/family-values/#comment-51142 I think I'll do some research when the final 166 are in and see just how many of them are related to each other or had family in politics previously. Just off the top of my head I can think of: The Kitt trio The Lenihans and O'Rourke The Aherns McHugh and Enright (married) Aylward, Kenny, Collins, Andrews, Blaney, Hanafin, Enright, Flinn, Haughey- all sitting on seats Daddy or some relative held before them. All this dynasty stuff is seriously unhealthy. The consensus these days seems to be that we're past civil war politics and people voting the way their parents do, but there's still a large element of voting along historical lines. Bit sad really. I mean, who votes for a candidate just because they're so-and-so's son or daughter? Really it's another symptom of how politics, particularly between FF/FG, has no particular ideological content. Not exactly a stunning advertisment for Irish democracy though. I think I’ll do some research when the final 166 are in and see just how many of them are related to each other or had family in politics previously. Just off the top of my head I can think of:

The Kitt trio
The Lenihans and O’Rourke
The Aherns
McHugh and Enright (married)
Aylward, Kenny, Collins, Andrews, Blaney, Hanafin, Enright, Flinn, Haughey- all sitting on seats Daddy or some relative held before them.

All this dynasty stuff is seriously unhealthy. The consensus these days seems to be that we’re past civil war politics and people voting the way their parents do, but there’s still a large element of voting along historical lines. Bit sad really. I mean, who votes for a candidate just because they’re so-and-so’s son or daughter? Really it’s another symptom of how politics, particularly between FF/FG, has no particular ideological content. Not exactly a stunning advertisment for Irish democracy though.

]]> By: Christine http://www.irishelection.com/2007/05/family-values/comment-page-1/#comment-51006 Christine Sat, 26 May 2007 02:57:05 +0000 http://www.irishelection.com/05/family-values/#comment-51006 Plus there's Mary O'Rourke and her two nephews, Brian Lenihan and Conor Lenihan. And of course Bertie and Noel Ahern. Plus there’s Mary O’Rourke and her two nephews, Brian Lenihan and Conor Lenihan. And of course Bertie and Noel Ahern.

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