Danes point the way to boosting regions

There is a degree of despair about the way central and local government is done in Ireland, but

Parliamentary politics is at a low ebb right now. True, a settlement of sorts in relation to Irish Water between the two main parties has been secured, but the centre-ground politicians are struggling to come to terms with the outcome of the 2016 general election. One of the results is legislative stasis. Another is the postponement of difficult decisions. We have a Government in office but not to any huge extent, in power.

There are few signs that this state of affairs will change anytime soon, general election or no general election. The Left, populist parties and local independents have secured an effective mandate from the people to block reforms across a wide area. This situation cannot be changed while the two centre parties of Irish politics hang back from full cooperation.