Labour is on the ropes, but not down yet

The reality of coalition government is well known to Labour. It has bounced back from the brink before, says Gary Murphy.

THERE have been 12 coalitions in Ireland since the first inter-party government came to office in 1948, offering much in the way of policy but little in the way of cohesion beyond the fact that they were not Fianna Fáil. Ever since that essentially anti-Fianna Fáil coalition, which collapsed after just over three years in office, all smaller parties in government have faced the same dilemma: How to remain distinctive in office while defending the overall record of the coalition?

Many have also faced discontent from their own members while in office, as the current administration can attest, having lost a number of deputies to the Independent benches and, most spectacularly, Colm Keaveney to Fianna Fáil.