Ireland is a One-Party-Dominant-System (along with Angola, Chad and Zimbabwe)

[Question R24U]

Following a link from One party States in wiki is this little extract.
Dominant-party system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fianna Fáil have been the dominant government party since 1987, except for a 30-month period in 1994-1997. The next election is scheduled for 2012, by which time the party will have held power for 23 of 25 years. Fianna Fáil have taken the largest number of seats in all Dáil Éireann elections since 1932. However they have not always formed a government, with coalition governments of other parties common throughout Irish history.

All of the above is accurate, but it does not really reflect the fact that FF have only had 5 periods in opposition since its foundation (48, 54, 73, 82, 94). It has appointed most of the judges in the State. Ditto the current holders of quangoes, state boards and regulators (including SIPO).

It continues:

The reasons why a dominant-party system may form in such a country are often debated: Supporters of the dominant party tend to argue that their party is simply doing a good job in government and the opposition continuously proposes unrealistic or unpopular changes, while supporters of the opposition tend to argue that the electoral system disfavors them (for example because it is based on the principle of first past the post), or that the dominant party receives a disproportionate amount of funding from various sources and is therefore able to mount more persuasive campaigns.

The issues:
1. Are there any lessons to be learnt so that we do not simply replace Fianna Fail with Fine Gael (as per the revolution after the 1929 crash)?
2. Would FF (and FG) ever tolerate a full ban on corporate donations?
3. Ditto disclosure of gifts, personal donations for political purposes, abuse of allowances/expenses?
4. Why has Labour (Dublin's largest party by a stretch) been unable to pick up support outside of the cities (Willie Penrose as the exception)?
5. What can be done with Laois-Offaly, Galway East, the West Corks and the Donegals where non-FF/FG representation (or a variant on a theme) is nearly unthinkable for any sustainable period?
6. Would a list system lead to improvement and should the Greens insist in it as a condition of staying in government?

[Howard Devotee]

All of the above is accurate, but it does not really reflect the fact that FF have only had 5 periods in opposition since its foundation (48, 54, 73, 82, 94).

Slight correction: it was 6, including from after the June 1981 election to after the one in February 1982.

[Mr.De-Regulation]

I support the list system. And would imagine FG would support a ban on corporate donations. They get most their funding from supporters anyway. But Labour would have to cut themselves form the unions.

[Question R24U]

Slight correction: it was 6, including from after the June 1981 election to after the one in February 1982.

Thanks for that, that whole pre-GUBU period is a bit hazy in my mind.

[SoldierofDestiny]

Also, Germany and Sweden have had more or less one party rule.

Stable government works best.

[Munion]

Would you ever feck off with your Angola, Chad & Zimbabwe comparisons.

Yes FF have been a dominant party but they've been the dominant party in a democratic system. None of the three countries you mentioned can realistically be called democratic.

Similar situations exist in Sweden, Canada & Germany. Pity the OP couldn't mention those three countries as comparisons instead.