Les, I don't think the potential power of the instruments a problem in itself. Most if not all comes down to the skill and sensitivity of the player.

It is true to suggest that some instruments can be more dominant than others and an instrument in the wrong hands can be awful. The misuse of the bodhran is the classic one in sessions. It can have a huge impact on the rythym and be loud. That in skilled hands can be a bonus but as most of us have found, in the hands of someone who has not twigged it is a musical instrument or that there is a need to know the tunes or understand the music but instead think "I can bash one of those and join in a session", it can ruin the enjoyment of the music for everyone else.