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BERTIE AHERN HAS said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s relationship could go “one way or another” by the end of this term in government.
The former Taoiseach also said there are “too many parties” and that some should amalgamate before the next general election.
He was speaking in Trinity College Dublin as he received the Law Society’s Praeses Elit Award for his contribution to discourse in public life.
Asked how he thinks the relationship between the two government parties will play out, Ahern said it’s unclear.
“If you take it that this government will hold its term to the end of the decade, it’s then almost 15 years of confidence and supply … that then goes one way or another.
They could break up, murder each other, or they could continue on to make love to each other.
“I’m not sure which way that’ll go.”
He referenced how in Germany two major parties, CDU and SPD, were in coalition for decades and were “working very well” under Angela Merkel despite some “ups and down”.
“Now it’s kind of broken up and they’re going back into their silos again.”
In Ireland, he says, “it’ll become a really interesting question in 2028/29″.
“My own view is that there’s too many parties, to be honest. They should all amalgamate into each other and then life would be far simpler … whether that will happen, I don’t know.”
He added that by the time the next general election comes around, what the public considers a centre-left or centre-right party could change.
Ahern also spoke of his career regrets. He said his goverment built “too many houses” and should’ve slowed down contruction.
“What I was accused of in the last few years [in government] was building too many houses.
“A lot of that was public pressure, public opinion – all the experts and all the economists who know everything about everything.
[They said] it’ll take 50 years to fill all the houses, and what bullshit that was. In reality, it took three.
“But we probably should’ve slowed it down a bit earlier. We were still giving incentives … now people are saying they should be giving incentives, but we should’ve probably stopped earlier.
“If I had my way again, we would have probably got that 90,000 houses somewhere down to about 50,000. If we had have done that, we would’ve stabilised it at 50,000. But what happened was, the year before I [left government] it was 87,000 houses and about two years later we built 8,000 homes.”
He said that he has since told his successors that they made a “fatal mistake” in getting rid of the housing programme that had been in place.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy have since admitted their regret that they didn’t make housing the top priority soon enough.
Murphy claimed senior government figures had blocked his attempts to create radical change in housing.
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This fellow is all over media lately…push for the aras is probably on
If so
Please please please people of Ireland don’t do it. Don’t say it don’t think it.
@David Cotter: is going for president of Ireland my guess. All forgiven bertie lol
@David Cotter: Super politician hate him or love him
@Tim Brennan: super at lying so yea super politician..
@David Cotter: I’d vote for him to be president of the Gulf of America .
@Tim Brennan: What about his super wheelbarrow pension
for doing the same as he is doing right now talking out of his
@martin finnegan: hopefully, he is one of the few that could repair the damage to Ireland’s intentional reputation caused by Higgins.
@David Cotter: the GFA architects are all filthy except John Hume
What’s shocking is he’s getting an award.
this clown, back again! (not you jp)
A politician visited a village and asked villagers what their needs were.
“We have two basic needs honorable Sir”, replied the villager leader.
“Firstly, we have a hospital but no doctor.”
On hearing this, the politician brought out his phone, after speaking for a while he told them not worry, a doctor will be there tomorrow, and he asked for the second problem.
“…secondly Sir, there is no cellphone reception anywhere in this village.”
He’s right. FF/FG’s relationship is crossing the line from Shakespearean treachery into Monty Pyhton-esq farce.
For the good of the country they need to make an honest party of one another… or go their separate ways.
@Louis Jacob: they love the minster perks and fancy jobs for their family and friends ….
Separate ways won’t happen…
@Harry Paisley: “King Arthur: I am your king. Woman: Well, I didn’t vote for you. King Arthur: You don’t vote for kings. Woman: Well how’d you become king then?”
@Louis Jacob: don’t engage him lou
Cronyism and nepotism are what unites them.. How else do you explain the leader of our country stating “We must rehabilitate the idea of civic virtue and the idea of the duty and nobility of public service” in relation to the “profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking” ML and and yet sit down and negotiate a programme of government and support with the convicted criminal. Only FFG. Birds of feather flock together..They will never change.
Hopefully he’ll run for the Áras. Then the investigative journalists will get the truth out that he’s been hiding for so long.
@stephen deegan: what truth is this ?
@stephen deegan: mahon etc
It’s everybody’s fault except his ……same old mantra.
Another stroke politician trying to edge his way back— forget it Bertie— you and the likes of Burke and co wrecked and robbed the Country. Lowry and O’Brien are another pair of corrupt people. Away with you!
F off Ahern.
@Andrew Kenny: Couldn’t have put it better myself!
@Lulu: Only those 3 words are needed Lulu!
The sticky fingers team only gets voted in everytime because their policies, actions and benefits only help a specific crowd of followers. The same ones that aim to become part of the 1% of super wealthy. Nothing to do with SF, just greed is your answer. Just like the property owners who rent out, greed beats fellow Irish lives, a British lesson learned indeed.
Signed away our territory claim to the occupied 6 ,unforgivable! and Fianna fail gave away our natural gas for free Ray Burke style
Na after getting 2 foot taller with all the brown envelopes in his back pocket
On a lighter note
Any what about the “nay sayers”
Why platform this chancer?
Gerry Adams for president
@Jb Walshe: meanwhile if the McConvilles come forward they can “expect a backlash”
If Ahern is to run for President I’m sure he’ll be good for a few Bob from Paddy the Plasterer to fund his campaign.
Everytime I see that rats face it makes me want to puke.
@reg morrisey: And that’s the truth Reg!
Gas man, we built to many houses, no the problem was no counil houses built, all private developers, and their buddies gettin the banks to give out 100% mortgages so house prices skyrocketed and when he was warned by economic observers he saod they should go kill themselves
Dis man is a total embarrassment. And and and and and dats all I’ve got to say . Awful stuff.
Go jump in a lake Bertie
they could murder each other.. says the man who let murderers out of prison
have your say