Things fall apart: can the centre hold?

The coalition can win back lost ground, but there is no more room for political own goals

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is confronted by anti-water charges protesters outside the Mansion House in Dublin last week Picture: Sam Boal/Photocall

The situation is becoming acute for the government.

Any further disasters, scandals, self-inflicted omnishambles, or just a continuing of the steady erosion in its political support will subject its leaders to the sort of political pressure that very few can endure. The coalition needs a period of steadiness, to allow the political effects of economic ...