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INDEPENDENT AGAIN TD Stephen Donnelly has said that he hasn’t yet taken any calls from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to join them.
The Wicklow and East Carlow representative left the Social Democrats this week and there have been suggestions that he could be co-opted to support the minority government.
Speaking this morning on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show, Donnelly said that he hasn’t had any phonecalls from other party representatives about joining up but that he has “taken soundings around Leinster House.”
Donnelly did not say that he wanted to enter government but stated clearly that he felt politicians can achieve more when they’re around the cabinet table.
“For me, and I think for most politicians I know, if they want to be in Cabinet it’s because it’s a more effective mechanism of getting things done than not being in Cabinet and that certainly is the case for me,” he said.
Donnelly cited the work of Independent Ministers Shane Ross and Katherine Zappone who “pushed very hard” to get the government to commit to closing the tax loophole that allowed vulture funds claim charitable status.
Donnelly said he estimated that without such a measure the Irish exchequer could lose “10 to 20 billion euro” and that it Ross and Zappone should be “congratulated for that”.
On the government side, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney said that he’s heard of no interactions between Fine Gael and Donnelly:
He’s made his own decisions and I’m not going to comment on the political decisions he’s made but I’m not aware of any subsequent interaction with Fine Gael and Stephen Donnelly. I don’t think that’s happened at all to be honest because if it happened I’d know about it.
Jesus, you can see it coming a mile off can’t you.
They’re about as subtle as teenagers flirting.
*wandere over to the Fine Gael benches*
Hey Enda, my mate Steven is wondering if you would shift him?
Power grabber. Very disappointed. Thought better of him.
Power over principles.
What about constituent’s principles Donnelly?
And I used to sing his praises.
The parliamentary democratic system is largely controlled by capitalist class interests. It’s designed to force those who accept it’s rules and limitations into compromise. And that compromise means doing deals with the capitalist establishment and ultimately being absorbed into that class infrastructure. This is what has happened to the Irish Labour party and generations of Independents.
Anybody who props up a government led by the capitalist tag team of FF or FG will ultimately be forced to betray the majority of people who voted for them.
Absolutely spot on Billy. FG/FF/Labour choose to challenge Europe(Apple tax ruling) when it comes to protecting their masters, the 1%. Why didn’t they challenge the bailout(or have a referendum), why didn’t they challenge austerity, the firesale of Nama properties(only after waiting for these properties to hit rock bottom so as to maximise profit when they’re flipped), where were the challenges to water charges, or the hollowing out of the HSE so private insurance companies can prosper. People need to finally realise the reality, FG/FF/Labour work for the business ruling class, all they need from Joe soap is his vote, once they back in power status quo is resumed.
I’m very surprised by Donnellys’ naivety, has he not looked at history & seen what happens to junior parties, Greens/Labour, Lib.Dems in UK etc etc. While he’s correct in that you’ve more impact in government, politics is a long game & he should focus on building a strong, credible & principled opposition party, instead he’s gonna destroy the SD if he goes in as junior partner to FF/FG.
He’s very very wrong if he thinks he’ll make a whit of difference. My opinion of this guy is slipping quickly.
Do I smell a whiff of something not right.. few days ago he leaves the social democrats. Few days later the report on Waterford comes out that most likely will force the resignation of halligan and lo and behold. Donnelly waiting in the wings….
Halligan isn’t gone and Donnelly hasn’t joined anyone yet.
Done deal weeks ago I’d say, you don’t think the news is actually the news in this country, the stuff they drip feed , Brian Dobson tells you at 6pm, please!! Looks like the oldest trick in the book, back to the industrial revolution , promote the pain in the hole , buy him off , everyone has a price …twill b so disappointing if Donnelly turns out to be just another mercenary .
Looks like people prefer tinfoil hats and speculation to the facts
Where’s the tinfoil aspect?
It’s true Donnelly left social democrats a few days ago.
It’s true the report on Waterford came out.
It’s true that the talk is halligan probably will resign.
It’s true that Donnelly is in the wings and even in this piece he says , he has taken soundings around Leinster House.”
Now where is the conspiracy?
Saying things are happening when they haven’t happened it a tad tin foil hatty
Hang on saying things are happening when they are not is tin foil hatty.
What’s is above has not happened? Is that what your saying. Really
Halligan has gone nowhere and donelly is not a minister.
It’s true there were puffs of smoke as the twin towers collapsed
It’s true extra bomb sniffing dogs were removed days before
It’s true the cover of an anti terrorism report before 9/11 showed the WTC in cross hairs.
Therefore explosives took down the towers planned by PNAC.
What he’s saying is youre tying those facts to a conclusion you’ve no evidence for, those facts alone are not evidence for your conclusion (even if he joins later). You have a theory that’s all.
Yeah ,all of the laws of physics were suspended for that day.
Any theory Ryan as to how no trace of a plane was found at the pentagon, due to it ” vaporising” on impact , yet pilots identified by DNA which didn’t …. Made of stern stuff these terrorists ..
He wants to achieve more and fast but what principles and goal will he give up to achieve this?
None. He gave up principles when he joined the left wing social democrats.
What ones? Or are you just here to troll?
Donnelly will be more comfortable in centre-left circles like Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Social Democrats are evidently too left wing for him. All the “right on” crowd foolishly convinced themselves Donnelly was some sort of messiah for a resurgent left.
FG and FF centre-left?
Can I have some of what you’e smoking?
Right so Patrick I’m still waiting on you to name a single principle…
He was never left wing. he’s too smart for that nonsense
A sea of trolls yet an absence of logic.
Well you can argue they’ve some centre left policies. FF introduced the minimum wage, most labour laws, all anti discrimination laws, free secondary education, vastly expanded the medical card system, did huge redevelopment of areas like Ballymun.
FG are easily further right but even they’re up for things like universal healthcare.
It all depends what you’re comparing them to, mainstream European social democrats or the hard left, just because they don’t want to nationalise Dell and do central economic planning doesn’t mean they don’t have progressive policies in some areas.
You’ll find most of the Irish public not only don’t want hard left ULA style policies but are terrified at the mere thought. They vote for Daily and RBB not because they endorse all their ideas but because they fill a gap in the debate, they ll never be in govt so it’s safe
@patrick. Absolutely correct.
By American standards FF are socialists and FG are leftist. There’s no “right” in Irish politics. Only tax and spend welfare statists.
Wow in one comment you have the hard left and right yelling that the politicos that they’re not ideological enough.
Ideology should be a guide/set of principles not a cage you lock yourself in. They should ask “is this in line with my principles and will it work?” Not “is this policy truly socialist/libertarian?” The reason the ULA didn’t get anywhere is they squabbled over ideological questions rather than practical ones
They enacted more tax cuts than they ever did wage rises. They have left policies but far more right wing policies
Free secondary education will you get a grip. No such thing
I doubt that FG or FF would give Donnelly the air to breath……..
There are to many ego’s at stake to bring Donnelly into the cabinet.
A few honest men are better than numbers….
Sounds like a blatant lie. I don’t think he’d have left the soc dems without a plan which would have formed from contact from FF or FG. If he wanted to go it as an independent he’d rule out these possibilities.
Why does everything have to be s sinister plot? Politicians are humans too, isn’t it possible he couldn’t stay with them (because a three person leadership is inherently unworkable) and really just doesn’t know what to do yet?
Contrary to the blind irrational protest politics on here most people who go into politics wanna get something DONE not just hear the sound of their own voice a accomplishing nothing. Maybe he wants to do that but isn’t sure if this govts the right time to do that? Do you actually want people you elect to get their ideas implemented or just shout about them? How does them spewing hot air help you?
I dont think FG have the room or a clue how to plot.
Listening to Róisín Shortall all day would drive anyone to dispair……
Donnelly ran as a SocDem having previously being elected as an independent. He should stay independent and then if he chooses to do so, once an election is announced join whichever party he wants and run under their banner.
Rosin shortall ran as labour in 2011 and then changed to independent. Stephen. Can do as he pleases.
Of course he can do what he wants, the question is what he SHOULD do with respect to the people who voted him back into the Dail.
CHA CHING!!! Amazing how greed starts to corrupt, the more they get the more they want! Sickening bunch of…
It’s All About The Gravy And The Taste Of It.
I think it’s more likely that he’ll join Shane Ross’ Independent Alliance or whatever they call it. It would be some smack in the face for his constituents who clearly voted for change and voted against the return of the last government of he joined either FF or FG.
Stephen Donnelly spent the summer deciding if he wanted to stay with the social democrats. Atleast the other two members of the social democrats had enough respect for Stephen to remain in the dail chamber while he spoke unlike the mostly empty seats of both the opposition and the goverment who had better places to be. He was correct about the vulture funds and how selling people’s mortgages would lead to people becoming homeless. The loopholes will never be closed because those who use them can blackmail our incompetent goverment and the dope the leads them. Maybe Stephen is an honest politician who can see what our future holds, but his intelligence and personal drive makes him something of an outsider in Irish politics. Shane Ross and Katherine zappone has achieved very little in goverment. Shane ran from Rio as fast as the IOC directors once curroption was mentioned and he had no medal winners to have photo shoots with. He holidays away as a bus strike cripples our major city. As for Katherine it took her two minutes to sell out her alleged principles for a ministerial pension. It’s the FF/FG coalition that is in power in Ireland these independents are just media cannon fodder while the back rooms deals Still take place on golf courses.people are still happy to vote FF and FG knowing what they are, Stephen Donnelly can’t change the goverment we elect. We are the architects of our own misery, it is our destiny to stay the debt slave of Europe.
You seem to constant in your disparaging remarks for the current government and your portrayal of the independents as not been united enough to make a difference. However I can only wonder at your lenient remarks to Mr. Donnelly that maybe you are from his constituency and is a loyal supporter?
I was wondering whether or not you have the same tenacity for illustrating solutions to the problems as you have for pointing out the problems and laying them squarely at the FG/FF door. I am not blessed as you are to be able to view the world with shite coloured spectacles
How do you propose that the following issues are tackled
1. Apple tax dodge
2. Rent crisis
3. Housing Crisis
4. Health scandals,
5. NAMA scandals,
6. Bus strikes
Regards,
Johnny Bwondering?
Just another …..
….politician who wants the power to do things instead of being a hurler on the ditch?
nothing wrong with wanting to be in government, you can actually get things done not just yell about it from the opposition benches. if you support the social democrats wouldn’t it be better to have someone from that line of thinking at the cabinet table making decisions based on those kind of principles then a different politician who thinks another way. your decisions and policies tend to reflect your principles
Kenny will go nuts with a peanut head at the table
Should be ok if he keeps it zipped up though?
“Donnelly did not say that he wanted to enter government but stated clearly that he felt politicians can achieve more when they’re around the cabinet table.”
Just look at that sentence. That sentence says “please don’t judge me too harshly for the decision I’m about to make.”
Every time I see a picture of Donnelly I can’t help seeing him in an SS uniform.
I know he’s a lovely fella and all that but he just makes the perfect Nazi Generasl with that visage and his focused efficient delivery of everything he says.
management speak babble, he reminds me of every excruciating business seminar I have been forced to sit through.
Guys who talk the talk, highly qualified as regards education, but would run a mile if they actually had to run a business, or do anything innovative.
Its like a teenage disco . Donnelly winking his eye over at Michael Martin waiting him to traverse across the floor to ask him for a slow dance . Within weeks he will be going steady with FF .
Donnelly to replace Dan Akroyd in the remake of the 80s classic “Coneheads”
That would be a huge mistake. We’ve got a bunch of clowns running the country and this gov could fold at any time, i’d say they won’t last much longer.
Splitter
Has he hit his head or something. Very unusual behavior from Stephen. If he believes that joining FF/FG is a better option that the socdems he needs his head examined.
Nah, Donnelly has no staying power, a dilettante.
The feckin’ head on him. He should be a mascot for the IRFU!
Talk about slow learners!
Govt knew Halligan was unhappy. Govt whispered in Donnelly’s ear. Donnelly resigns, Halligan resign, Donnelly steps in. Government continues.
I am so disappointed with him – although the party was small it is one of the only parties with a breath of fresh air by the honest approach they have in telling it like it is, and now he wants to go to some of the most dishonest parties in the Country.
Surely it’s just a matter of time, why get dragged down with the slurry. Why sabotage honest peoples votes for little or no say and become a scapegoat, like Ross, for the keystone brigade.
John Hannigans replacement….. if he had the guts (that goes for both) This so called new politics is a right shambles altogether.
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He used the social democrats to get a seat and will do anything now to get power. Hope his constituents stay reminded of this . What a let down !
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