As the dust settles on last week’s two byelections, perhaps it is time to reflect on their outcome. Claims by some so-called left-wing parties that the results were affected by the policies of Sinn Féin need some critical analysis.

First, we should remember that the voters were not choosing a government or even mapping out the shape of a new government. The low turnout partly reflects, I believe, a realisation by voters that the outcome of the byelections will not make any significant difference to the longevity of the current Government or the policies it adopts. We are three years away from the next general election and a lot could change between now and then.

In a recent conversation with a good friend, I was reminded about how much things have changed since December 1985 when the Progressive Democrats were founded. The 1980s were a period of mass emigration, mass unemployment, high taxation and an almost eastern-European-style State dominance in the economy.

It is hard now to appreciate the suffocating hopelessness that afflicted Irish society at almost every level. Fifteen years into our membership of what was then the European Economic Community, in 1988 the Economist magazine featured Ireland on its front cover under the title “Poorest of the Rich”.

Who is Albert Manifold and why has he been removed as chairman of BP?

Dublin councillor to emigrate to Australia........

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