THIS weekend the electorate will have their say on just who will form the next government of Ireland and there is little doubt that the outcome will change the political landscape of modern Ireland.

The last time an election was held on a Saturday, it was in 1918 and that election marked a significant rise from Sinn Féin as the history books reflect. Back in 1918, a greatly enlarged electorate voted, many thousands for the first time - including many young people and many women were granted voting rights for the first time - and historians often hail the 1918 election as something of a watershed election.

There is an appetite for change in the country according to the opinion polls and it seems likely that the non-government parties of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil may well take a hit at the ballot box.

Whichever party or parties find themselves in the driving seat after the votes have been counted, let’s hope that the huge contribution to Ireland’s economy that the combined might of the equine and agri-food sectors make to every county in the country is recognised and supported to the hilt by the new government.

However, before you cast your vote today, just remember that no party or candidate can be half in or out of democracy as they see fit, no person or authority can be half-supportive of equality for all, be it in the political landscape, the workplace, the courts or inter-personal relationships.

We are all in for a very interesting week.