independants

Pete_Cavan

What effect can independent TDs have? Independents are generally (although not exclusively) single issue candidates or gombeens. It is very unlikely that independents will form part of a government, and even if they do, they will be such a small part of that government that they will have little or no influence. There are a lot of independents running in this election and there is quite a lot of support for independents in general with a good chance a record number will be elected. There seems to be a strong chance the next government will be made up of a FG/Lab coalition. This coalition would be very strong and would not need any independents. It is quite likely we will have as many as 20 independents, many (if not all) of whom may not even be able to speak in the Dail.

In order to gain full speaking rights, a group of independents and/or small party(s) have to join together and form a Technical Group*. Without full speaking rights, what is the point in them being there? It would be interesting to see how many people who plan to vote for independents are aware that the person they elect to represent them may not even have the oppertunity to speak in the Dail. And how many people would vote for an independent if they knew this fact?

Should independent candidates be forced formed such a Technical Group before being allowed to run for election in order to ensure that the people who elected them at least have a voice in the Dail? Is it not a bit dishonest to run for election based on the promise of bringing about change and offering something different when you may have zero influence at all?

That was a bit long-winded but in a nutshell, my question if two fold;

1. What effect can independents have on their own and is it worth having them
2. Would independents be more effective if they were forced to from a Technical Group before they are even allowed to put themselves up for election

*The Technical Group would be different from a party because the members of that group would not necessarily be bound by a party whip.

Ken.

If a canidate was a member of a party and is now running as an independant and they get in and then decide to rejoin their party(or any party) should there be a by-election called for that seat and let the 'independant' re-fight for the seat as a party member

Senna

The independent would just vote with the party but not declare.