Simmering dissatisfaction arising from the banking collapse, a fall in living standards and reductions in public services provided the backdrop for RTÉ's televised question-and-answer session involving seven party leaders in Limerick on Monday. The audience, representing the demographics of the Mid-West, leaned towards the smaller parties as more closely reflecting their concerns. This pattern of support for 'Independents and Others' – which increased dramatically two years ago – is likely to influence, if not shape, the next government.
A sizable chunk of the electorate has not engaged with the issue of what parties should form a government and it supports candidates on the basis of their quality and local performance. That may change in the final week of the campaign but, given the long drawn out nature of the contest, it seems unlikely. A striking aspect of the Limerick exercise was how Fine Gael and the Labour Party remained on the defensive because of measures taken to correct the finances, while failing to benefit from economic growth.
The bursting bubble of the Tiger economy brought poverty, emigration and reduced expectations for many. Public anger saw Fianna Fáil ejected from office. But measures demanded by the Troika and implemented by Fine Gael and Labour saw anger persist. Inadequate public services and a failure to burn bondholders were invoked by Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams as he described party leaders involved as "the three amigos" and blamed Enda Kenny and Joan Burton for perpetuating damage caused by Fianna Fáil.
Issues involving the economy, health, homelessness, crime and government-formation were addressed. It may be a simplistic indicator but on the basis of spontaneous applause, Mr Adams did best, followed by Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit/Austerity Alliance, Lucinda Creighton of Renua, Stephen Donnelly of the Social Democrats, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil and, finally, Tánaiste Joan Burton. Caution, rather than full-blooded assault, was the tactic of the main parties while the minor ones took the opportunity to display alternative approaches. Seeking a return of the existing Government, Mr Kenny ruled out a deal with Fianna Fáil after the election. Mr Martin did the same for Sinn Féin.
With just a week remaining in which to press home their central message involving the need to protect hard-won economic gains, the government parties have lost ground. Some of that support has drifted to Sinn Féin, to Independents and to the smaller parties, but Fianna Fáil has failed to benefit. That dislocation has arisen because excessive promises have once again been made involving tax cuts, additional services and spending. You cannot, with any credibility, advise caution while flirting with fiscal profligacy.