Irish Examiner view: Protests will benefit SF, as governments always get the blame

Opposition parties are among the beneficiaries when measures such as the changes to the nitrates derogation antagonise and mobilise a group

IFA president Tim Cullnan and IFA members protesting outside the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party think-in at Horse and Jockey in Tipperary. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Rolling News

The Fianna Fáil think-in underway in Tipperary is the kind of team-building exercise beloved of all political parties as a way to energise members and restate achievements.

However, events in Horse and Jockey this week illustrate some of the challenges facing the traditional political parties ahead of the next general election.