Prof David Farrell, Professor of Politics an International Relations, University College Dublin, addressed our gathering on Wednesday, 17h April, 2024, at the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin 4.
He outlined in detail the changing face of Irish politics and how the previous view in Europe that there was no left right divide in Ireland was altering. There was now a real Left Right divide in Irish politics, he said. He also pointed to the growth of the Far Right, which was placing Ireland in common terrain with other EU countries.
He outlined how Ireland has more Independent TDs than the combined total of all EU countries combined.
He also pointed to the stalling in Sinn Fein support in the last 12 months.
Professor Farrell is a specialist in the study of representation, elections, parties, and deliberative mini-publics. His most recent books include: The Oxford Handbook of Irish Politics; Reimagining Democracy: Lessons in Deliberative Democracy from the Irish Front Line. In addition he has published 20 other books (authored/edited) including the award winning Political Parties and Democratic Linkage: How Parties Organize Democracy, published by Oxford University Press in 2011.To date he has advised and/or researched six government-led deliberative mini-public processes in Ireland, the UK and Belgium.
