ABSTRACT
The chapter describes the argument developed by Peter Mair regarding the link between the 'hollowing of democracy' and institutional reform. It presents the emergence of the agenda of political reforms in Ireland. From the point of view of the political elites, the process of withdrawal has taken the form of a tendency to retreat into governing institutions: parties increasingly rely on public funds and state support; they have acquired a quasi-official status within the state organisation and they increasingly prioritise their role as governing agencies. The main argument developed by Peter Mair in Ruling the Void is that a process of mutual withdrawal from democracy of citizens and the elites is under development. All the major Irish parties made substantial promises regarding institutional reforms during the campaign for the 2011 general election. The attempts to foster greater accountability and oversight have been relatively limited, with timid attempts of parliamentary reforms, while many reforms are stuck in the pipeline.
