Surge of support for Independents more than a protest

It would be a mistake to dismiss the massive swell in support for Independents as a simple protest vote; it is at the heart of a breakdown of trust in mainstream party politics, writes Ray Kinsella.

Voters observed that Fine Gael abandoned its foundational values, based on supporting families and fairness, while Labour ditched the ethos of solidarity with working people

The outcome of the local council and EU Parliament elections demonstrated just how far the Coalition partners had become detached from the day-to-day experiences of families and, also, from their own foundational values.