There may be some new faces, but they’ll be entering the same old Dáil

THE general election campaign to date has created almost as much noise about who isn’t standing as it has about those who are seeking the endorsement of voters.

The extraordinary number of retirements and enforced political hari-kari is remarkable enough in itself — 33 TDs not standing for re-election at the latest count. The number of those attempting to return who will be rejected by the voters is likely to be very high also. There will be very many new faces in the 31st Dáil, which is a good thing even if some useful experience is being lost. But these new names will include some high-profile commentators and others who might have had much to contribute but who have decided against taking the chance.

To those who are leaving first. Some are going before they are shoved, particularly in the ranks of Fianna Fáil. Others are worn out clearly by what they have overseen in recent years, most especially Fianna Fáil ministers. Some just believe they are too old for the hassle and strain, although these are mainly from the ranks of Fine Gael and Labour, and have opted out despite the possibility of receiving position in a newly formed coalition government.