Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Of course, it signified the rise of Clann na Talmhan, Clann na Poblachta as well as the mainstream Labour Party. The Labour Party had been split for some years prior to that between The National Labour Party and the Labour Party. That also added in a sense to the confusing mix facing the electorate.

I thank the Chair for reminding me that my time is almost up because I do not want to take the historical route but those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it. What happened at that time is parallel to the current political environment where, according to opinion polls, a large group of non-aligned groups or individuals, some of whom are aspiring to start up parties of their own and others are aspiring to have particular alliances and all of seem to be joined at the hip by one constant that the existing party structures have somehow failed. I am amazed that this attitude should prevail among the public. There is no acknowledgement among this group that successive political parties in this country contributed enormously to the development of this country from the foundation of the State in 1921. It is as if there is a blank sheet pulled down over all the democratic structures of the State. Let us start again with a clean sheet because all else has failed. To me that is not only a narrow and dangerous view of history but it is totally at odds with the reality. Perhaps it is incumbent on us as politicians to fight the good fight and defend the democratic structures and institutions of this State.

The systems that have served the country well should continue, albeit with change to personnel. That is what democracy is all about but the idea out there that we pull down all the structures and start again with a blank sheet is outrageous.