Guest - I doubt that anyone studying the results would suggest, and I certainly don't, that "SF gains in the Republic don't really matter." When a party quintuples its bloc in the Dail and likewise multiplies its popular vote, it most definitely matters --- especially when there's been a scare-campaign against such party. And I agree with what you said about the next election---if that trend does continue, as well it may.

I just wish SF supporters would celebrate their very real, and significant, gains without proclaiming or implying that 5 seats and a 6.5% vote is already a massive national mandate. It's a good performance and it matters. Only one seat targeted as winnable (Dublin Central) was lost, and that barely. Just don't spoil the credibility with exaggeration, that's all. You're on the One Road, it *isn't* the Wrong Road; but it takes a while to get there.