Elaine Byrne: Ministers should be picked for their abilities – not their postcode
The problem is not a regional imbalance at the cabinet table, but a democratic deficit at local level
Ireland is a ragbag of contradictions. On the one hand, we object to the parochial localism of politics and instead demand conscientious ministers who govern in the national interest, especially during these times of an unprecedented global health pandemic.
On the other, we believe that having a minister in the constituency will see a trickling-down of the fruits of power into local towns and villages.
The lack of ministerial appointments for the western half of...
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