Dr. Eoin O'Malley:

It would also have a major impact on politics within political parties because for the first time there would be a person who has quite a significant mandate but is independent of them. In the UK, for example, some senior politicians are choosing not to remain in the House of Commons and are choosing to run their local cities. It will give an opportunity for new political leaders to emerge from various different places and for political leaders to exercise their power in places other than just the Dáil, the Seanad and in government.