The rise and fall of new politics: the Coalition’s fall from grace

With Taoiseach Enda Kenny under increasing pressure to radically shake up the Fine Gael frontbench and Labour looking for a new leader, Conor Ryan charts the fall of the Coalition from the dizzy heights of its election success three years ago.

A DISCONNECTED arrogance is probably the most polite way to account for the Coalition’s collapse before the court of public opinion.

Fine Gael and the Labour Party were elected after the country had been put into administration by the troika. People knew what was in store and that cuts would have to be made.