Well, I think you've given one here yourself. The lack of legislation requiring developers to absorb costs for energy reduction... as well as the lack of legislation protecting tenants. Then there's the lack of legislation requiring developers to build social and affordable housing and to provide for facilities such as creches in new developments; the lack of legislation to ensure that public services such as schools and transport are available to meet the needs of residents in new developments; the lack of legislation allowing for CPOs of derelict properties; the lack of legislation to protect workers from unscrupulous employees; the lack of legislation giving statutory rights to people with disabilities and special needs; and don't even get me started about the lack of legislation around the Church's activities ....
> > Well, you could probably say the same about most of the smaller
> > parties, couldn't you?
>
> You could and I do. I'm am against proportional representation for that reason. Tiny groupsicles like the Progressive Democrats or the Greens whinging their way into government.
Yikes. I certainly have reservations (to say the least) about the PDs
wielding so much power after receiving only 4% in the last election,
but I think it's utter madness to suggest that the alternative is
eliminating PR. You think small parties and independents are
irrelevant here, just look at countries like the US where the FPTP
system prevents them ever even getting elected.
>
> You don't think Higgins will keep hi seat? I thought the Socialist party had broken the habit of a lifetime and actually got themselves a base.
Yes, I just don't think he'll be "effectively an independent" in the next Dáil i.e. I think Clare Daly will join him.
> Nevertheless, I don't think that an independent can ever do as much as even a smallish party. The Workers' and Unemployed Action Group didn't seem to go anywhere either.
Arguably Tony Gregory has done more than the Workers' Party over the past couple decades.