Website-Feature Analysis of Irish Parliamentarians' Performance in Web 2.0 Technologies

Abstract

This chapter explores the engagement of Teachta Dála (TDs), members of the Irish lower parliamentary chamber, with Web 2.0 technologies. While conducting the website-feature analysis, the authors looked at three dimensions of each TD's website: information content, interaction tools, and politicians' activities on the web. They found that Irish parliamentarians' usage of the internet is still primarily based on the paradigm of Web 1.0. Perhaps more accurately, Irish politicians' internet usage is in the mode of Web 1.5, in which some interactive and participatory space is generated with the idea that the cyberspace should encourage citizen participation. As conventional variables such as party affiliation and geographic variation still influence TD's website performance, one can conclude that information and communication technologies do not really change the way Irish politics are played. The Irish experience is in line with various other studies, such as in Italy and Finland.