Continuity and Change in the Irish Political Elite: A Comment on the 1973 Elections

In a recent article in this Journal several conclusions concerning career patterns in the Irish political elite were drawn A.S. Cohan, ‘Career Patterns in the Irish Political Elite’, II (1972), 213–28. First, the revolutionary generation was shown to have effectively passed from the political scene. This was bound to happen with the passage of so many years since the war for independence. Second, the local orientation of the members of the Dail was shown to be very important even if TDs were members of the political elite, i.e., the Government. Third, with regard to a point discussed elsewhere but relevant to the above, the family connections of members of the elite were shown to be particularly important to their careers. The results of the parliamentary election of 28 February 1973 and of the presidential election of 31 May 1973 have in no way altered these conclusions.