Here is today's piece in the NY times about the Irish general election. It's always interesting to read how others see us. It's a predictable enough report but the writer is incorrect in asserting that the inclusion of photos on the ballot papers is further proof of the focus on personality in Irish politics. Actually they were included after many years of lobbying by Ernie Sweeney, in order that the small percentage of illiterate people in society could exercise their democratic rights without embarassment.