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SHANE ROSS HAS not approached potential so-called celebrity candidates such as Fintan O’Toole or David McWilliams to become part of his nascent ‘independent alliance’, but he would welcome talks with them.
The Dublin South TD was previously part of the ‘Democracy Now’ movement which included journalist and economist McWilliams, Irish Times commentator O’Toole, and Eamon Dunphy.
But plans to contest the 2011 general election nationwide were aborted, reportedly due to time constraints, with Ross ending up running – and winning a Dáil seat – as an independent.
Of those events in 2011, Ross told TheJournal.ie recently: “My guess is they were a bit wounded last time and they decided in the end not to run at the very last minute.
“I would be very, very pleased to talk any of them again. The problem last time was the timing was too late. We went too late and we weren’t prepared and I jumped and the rest of them decided to pull back.”
But Ross added that there are difficulties with ‘celebrity’ candidates:
Brexit hasn’t gone away
@Diarmuid: The Brexit consequences are our 3rd priority now. After coronavirus – and then sorting out how to pay for the billions it costs!
@Ale Ceaser: and you can’t pay back the billions without sorting brexit, there needs to be solid trade deals so we know roughly where we stand in relation to import/export/ employment.any big changes will cause even more tax and unemployment burden
@Garreth mc mahon: We’ll have written an awful lot of cheques before Brexit is sorted!
Brexit, Smcexit, That is all so yesterday. It’s a one world struggle now guys. For now, forget climate change, arms limitations, economy downturns, it’s all about beating a tiny little virus. This pandemic should be a wake up call to us all. We will live in a changed world after this is finished.
@John C: Sadly that changed world, for Ireland, will include billions more borrowings. Not so much yesterday – but next summer….
@Ale Ceaser: Two saying spring to mind……. Money follows money……. and…….. Never waste a good crisis.
At the end of the day the usual suspects will be winners yet again.
@John C: one that hopefully doesn’t rely on China anymore.
Easy negotiating here!. UK we have no money.EU we have no money. Wanna trade? Ok where do we sign. Done in a few weeks.
have your say