Armed with a wry smile, we explore how all those loved-up politicos, high on the smell of success, did the deals and ended up in the Government bed together. Who winked? Who blinked? And when courting turns to COMHRIALTAS (coalition) what’s the price of power ?
In Ireland we love the hustings and even more so, the counts. Especially with those pesky E-voting machines consigned to history, we hang on until all the seats are filled and see the shape of our new Dáil !
Despite what we might think, is breá linn Coalitions! Since Independence we’ve elected only a handful of single party majority Governments. Most elections have thrown up some shade of coalition or minority single party government.
“When the last seat in the last constituency is filled that’s only the beginning of the process. Because the politicians have to deal with the numbers they’ve been given by us – the voters. Sometimes the message that’s being sent can be quite contradictory. But the politicians have to get on with it. The alternative is of course a second general election, which usually politicians are not that keen on! Particularly ones that have just won their seats.” Dr. David McCullagh, Prime Time RTÉ
“The lead up to the formation of a coalition is a political ballroom of romance – there’s flirting – there’s love bombing – there’s rejection…” Michael O’Regan, The Irish Times
Presenter / Reporter : PADRAIG O’DRISCOLL
Producer/ Director : KEVIN CUMMINS