Dáil could lose its way without politicians of vision and principle

The bottom line is that we need, and will need, a parliament that works, writes Fergus Finlay

No matter what happens, the next Dáil will be a strange looking place. You can never predict the outcome of an election with certainty, but some things are already clear. For example, some of the best and most effective parliamentarians we’ve ever had will be missing, and there are serious question marks over the future of others.

You can accuse me of bias if you wish, but I strongly believe the Dáil will be considerably the poorer for the absence of three senior Labour figures – Eamon Gilmore, Ruairi Quinn, and Pat Rabbitte. Each of them, in his own way, has made a very particular mark on Irish politics, in addition to being a party leader.