It's political party think-in season, but what's the point of it all?

Fianna Fail party think-in last year in Cork. Alamy Stock Photo AnalysisThinking Big Party think-ins have the bang of a family wedding off them. THINK-IN SEASON HAS rolled in again. That time of year when political parties gather their TDs and senators before school starts and whisk them off for a night away somewhere. So, what are they all meant to be thinking about? Well, the idea is the party has a good old chinwag and a ‘think’ before the new Dáil term starts about their political priorities for the year ahead. It also provides a good opportunity for backbenchers to air their budget wants to their respective party leaders with budget day just around the corner. How does it work? Politicians travel to an away day, with think-ins generally held over two days. There are generally press co