I never said they have no effect.
I said in this case they didn’t sway or influence Varadkars thinking.
How do you know who or what swayed Varadker's thinking?
Do you think it unlikely his fellow Government TDs would have had any influence on him?
Do you also think it unlikely local political party members around the country would have any influence on Government TDs, or that such party members would have been influenced by friends, neighbours, acquaintances that they'd see taking to the streets in protest?