Fionnan Sheahan: Micheal Martin flushed away his public trust with the Jim Gavin debacle, and regaining it seems implausible

"The Coalition is now characterised by paranoia, populist policy twists and a pair of lame-duck leaders"

"Never mind the humming and hawing of the Fianna Fáil backbenchers, the voting public have well and truly revolted against Micheál Martin. The Taoiseach is getting a metaphorical motion of no confidence put down on him by the punters over the Jim Gavin debacle."

Coalition government is characterised by paranoia, populist policy twists and a pair of lame-duck leaders. Fianna Fáil backbenchers show hesitation while the voting public have revolted against Micheál Martin. The Taoiseach faces a metaphorical motion of no confidence from voters over the Jim Gavin debacle. Political credibility of the coalition is weakened as leaders appear unable to control party dynamics or public sentiment. Reactive populist policy adjustments further erode coherent governance. Internal unease and external voter backlash combine to leave the government appearing unstable and on the defensive.

Read at Independent