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Greater access to clinical trials for teens and young adults as cancer incidence rises in Ireland

Around 180-190 people between 16 and 25 years are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland every year.

TEENAGERS AND YOUNG adults in Ireland are to get greater access to clinical cancer trials under a new HSE framework for patients aged 16-25.

Cancer is the leading cause of natural death in this population, with approximately 30% due to haematological malignancies such as leukaemia.

The incidence rate of some cancers such as germ cell tumours, sarcomas, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is higher in this age group than in both adults and children and the incidence rate of cancer overall is rising.

Today the HSE has launched a new framework for the care and support of adolescents and young adults with cancer in Ireland. Around 200 children are diagnosed every year with cancer up to the age of 16, with 180-190 people between 16 and 25 years diagnosed every year.

The HSE said studies over the past three decades have shown that while paediatric and older adult cancers have seen a large increase in survival rates, the same cannot be said for some specific adolescent and young adult cancers. This has become an increased area of focus in the oncology community in the recent past.

As part of the new framework targeted at adolescents and young adults, increasing access to clinical trials will be a key focus.

Speaking to The Journal, Professor Owen Smith, HSE National Clinical Lead NCCP Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer said patients who participate in clinical trials do better but many trials have excluded this cohort.

“If we look at clinical trials for children, 65% of children in CHI Crumlin are entered into a trial. Across all eight cancer centres less than 5% of this age group of 16 to 25s are entered into a clinical trial. That’s a huge difference. 

“Some trials up until now have excluded them, many would only allow participants up to the age of 18 while others start at 25, so we need to start designing trials around age and not the pharmaceutical industry.”

He said Children’s Hospital Ireland has entered a relationship with the Health Research Board and secured funding to recruit participants up to the age of 25. A new clinical trial will open later this summer which will include patients in Ireland aged 1-45 years who have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Professor Smith said under the new framework, four centres – at CHI, St James’ Hospital, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway – will ensure greater discussion on the inclusion of patients aged 16-25 takes place during the development of clinical trials.

“This group is developing unique types of tumours and the incidence of these is increasing all the time so we need to address that,” he said.

Patients live longer on clinical trials, they also get specimens taken like biopsies and they go to research, genomics, genetics. We want to know what the drivers are for the kinds of cancers seen in this age group and also what drives toxicity in some patients [due to treatments] as not all get toxicities. We believe we’ll be able to pull them out -the bad actors – and adjust the dosage or modify treatments so we can reduce toxicities.

Professor Smith said the needs of this cohort of young people is “completely different” to adults and younger children when it comes to treatment.

“They have unique needs like fertility preservation and survivorship transition from adolescents into adults as well as their psycho-social care,” he said.

“The way we treat them is totally inappropriate, up until now a 16 or 17-year-old has been treated in an adult section sitting beside 60 to 70-year-olds and a 14 or 15-year-old is treated beside two or three-year-olds.”

He said it is important for this age cohort to have contact with their peers.

The HSE has said the new framework will see care delivered locally where possible but centralised when necessary by providing separate facilities and specialist care teams in the new Children’s Hospital and three of the eight adult designated cancer centres around the country.

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3 Comments
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:51 AM

    I can understand the rise in support for Sinn Fein but I really don’t understand the rise in support for FF.

    People can be so daft!

    They walked us into a recession people!
    Have you forgotten about that?
    10years people 10years. People lost their houses but the wealth did not. Some people found it that hard they decided to check out!

    Vote Sin Fein give them the chance they deserve!

    1214
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    Mute Kenneth Sheehy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:57 AM

    @Pád: People have short memories, for sure. There are many good parties and Independents to choose from also. So even if people dont want to go to SF, which many dont given their past to be honest, they should still go out and remind FF that not everyone has the memory of a goldfish

    470
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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:10 AM

    @Pád: look what SF done for the NORTH all these years in government give them a chance Of course we will.

    217
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    Mute Louise Tracey
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:31 AM

    People want a strong stable party. They don’t want a multi party government

    32
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    Mute One Direction
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:35 AM

    @Pád: Did FF cause the world recession?

    95
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    Mute Ed
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:36 AM

    @Bobby wilson: There is more than Sinn Féin involved in that. People go on like they have absolute power up there.

    111
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:42 AM

    @One Direction: no but they sure did their best to put ireland in the deepest part of it

    126
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    Mute finbarr quirke
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:48 AM

    @One Direction: I dont know a lot about politics but I’m pretty sure they did cause the world recession. Probably got something to do with the coronovirus as well

    47
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:49 AM

    @One Direction:
    No but they sure caused the banking crisis and housing crisis in Ireland!
    Another FF dope! Well done!

    199
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:10 AM

    @Pád: Dont forget FF abstained to sacking Harris and Murphy. Cowards.

    161
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    Mute Patman
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:11 AM

    @One Direction: no, but they introduced benchmarking which inflated the cost of the public service. This was on the back of a property bubble that was unsustainable. People forget that only approx one quarter of our debts are due to the banking crash, the rest is because we couldn’t balance our books

    90
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    Mute james dimaggio
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:23 AM

    @One Direction: Have you forgotten about the bank guarantee?? Do you not remember Brian lenihan calling it the cheapest bank guarantee in the world? That my friend was the craziest decision ever made by a political party in this country. FF should have been immediately disbanded and deemed an illegal organisation after the economic disaster that political masterstroke. Nowhere else would they be forgiven.

    154
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    Mute munsterman1
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:31 AM

    @Pád: you dont understand the rise for FF? Theres alot of middle class people who would never vote for Sinn Fein for various reasons. Not rocket science

    46
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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:36 AM

    @One Direction: FF done feck all to mitigate the effects of the global recession in Ireland. They ignored the warning signs and the economists and sure didn’t Bertie tell these naysayers to commit suicide.

    99
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:42 AM

    @Louise Tracey: No party is running enough candidates for an outright majority which is 80. FF are running 81. S F 40. Don’t know how many FG are running.

    So it’s a coalition of many regardless of who wins the most seats.

    44
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    Mute Louise Tracey
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:57 AM

    @Teresa Ryan: good to know, thank you

    13
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    Mute richard fennessy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:58 AM

    @One Direction: no just the Irish one

    13
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    Mute Staghead45678
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:07 AM

    @Bobby wilson: good sir I have to disagree Sinn fein come across as a party of protest unfortunately. It takes skill to actually govern I strad of protest and I believe Fine Gael have the capability to lead the country forward #wayforward

    27
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:16 AM

    @Louise Tracey: Yes, but FF/G doesn’t = stable, unless you fee more of the same is stable, or if you are a banker/landlord you might feel they are stable.

    the other thing this third poll has confirmed is that the FG losses seem to be moving to SF mainly. That might debunk the claim that the Irish people are basically a right of centre thinking people. Are we starting to see the opening cracks in that theory?

    25
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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:17 AM

    @Peter Govan: What a load of entitled self serving garbage.

    37
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    Mute Dom Layzell
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:17 AM

    @Staghead45678: yes, the old memory box does have a short lift that’s for sure!
    Do you remember SF, backing up the RA, that they killed more Catholics than all of the Crown forces put together, and do they remember where the bodies of the disappeared are?
    Sit back and wait for the nasty reaction!

    24
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:19 AM

    @munsterman1: So what you are saying is “Let’s vote the Political Party FF that brought the country to its knees back into power”

    Well done! Memory like a goldfish!

    Do you not remember the amount of people that lost there jobs, houses and in some cases loved ones?

    You muppet! It’s people like you that also have the country in the state it’s in!

    52
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:21 AM

    @Peter Govan: So lets bring back the party that brought the country to its knees!

    You donkey!

    44
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:22 AM

    @Peter O’Muiri: you need some sleep Peter, did your bosses keep you up all night at the FG/FF press office telling you stories and giving you nightmares about the past?

    For most people – the real nightmare will be another 5 years of those two parties – confidence and supply in reverse!

    41
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:26 AM

    @Peter O’Muiri:

    Is there any proof of your claims against Mary Lou??

    Pure speculation! Was she charged and convicted?

    FF are the criminals here mate! Was anyone held accountable for the crash? No!

    We need a change, let FG/FF know their time is up!

    And as for SF knee capping people I think you will find this is also another fabrication on your behalf!

    49
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:29 AM

    @Dom Layzell: Is that why you leader was afraid to debate all those claims on TV last week with the sf leader Dom Lazy.

    is that really the best you can come up with at this point. No one listening DOM, SF were still up 8% in latest poll. Go on away out for yourself and drown you sorrows!

    31
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    Mute Keith Mac Suibhne
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:33 AM

    @Peter O’Muiri: fake news mupoet

    18
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:47 AM

    @Louise Tracey: Guess what thats never going to happen. Coalitions are the way of the PR system

    3
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    Mute munsterman1
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:48 AM

    @Pád: your clearly stupid. I never said let’s vote FF. Your scratching your head wondering why people are voting for FF, I just wanted to let you know middle class voters are unlikely to vote for sinn fein.

    15
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:49 AM

    @Staghead45678: Like they have led us to a health and housing crisis and a whole load of other major problems

    14
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    Mute James Gorman #FBPE
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:50 AM

    @Pád: A recession? Bankruptcy you mean which added 150 billion to our national debt and effectively mortgaged future generations.

    20
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    Mute Dom Layzell
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:19 AM

    @Angela McCarthy: I don’t have any Leader!
    I do admire the politics of The Donald, or even Nigel. Have a good un Angie babe, I’ll definitely be back to you in a couple of weeks?

    1
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    Mute john reynolds
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:09 PM

    @One Direction: no but both didn’t pay attention to what was happening regulations weren’t enforced fg in 2007 were offering same as ff in general election so thier exactly the same bring on multi party we get talent and debate

    4
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:24 PM

    @Louise Tracey: A multi party Government down here with good policies would be better than a majority party with bad policies!

    14
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:26 PM

    @Ed: Plus it’s a completely different type of Government which depends on finance from UK!

    7
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:41 PM

    @munsterman1:

    So you have to resort to name calling! Just goes to show your lack of intelligence! Munsterman! Lol

    8
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    Mute munsterman1
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:45 PM

    @Pád: you call me a muppet first pad, wake up lad

    1
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:50 PM

    @munsterman1: Thats not name calling that’s a fact!

    6
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    Mute joe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:51 PM

    @Pád: I think you’ll find all of the above is true. SF are the IRA without their balaclavas!
    Keep the big two in and keep the economy booming, simple as that!
    As for your abusives comments typical of the uneducated Shinner!

    11
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    Mute joe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:53 PM

    @Pád: says the man who called people muppets and donkeys above. Really showing your intelligence there!

    8
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    Mute Chantelle
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:54 PM

    @Pád: Fianna Fáil and Micheál Martin support animal abuse https://twitter.com/chantel77427953/status/1221252016464367617?s=21

    8
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:55 PM

    @Staghead45678: It is one of the cornerstones of Democracy that Opposition parties in the Dail hold the Government to account for failures in tackling extremely important issues affecting both society and the economy….that’s what all Opposition parties do!
    It is also a fact that SF has brought very important Bills to the Dail to help offer solutions tackle the ongoing National emergencies in homelessness,housing& health,tackling high insurance costs,& all parties supported Slaintecare.
    It is a fact that FG Government from 2011 didn’t ask for a debt deal like they pledged to do(as Prof Mody said that FG Government ‘blew the opportunity to get debt deal’& also reneaging on pledge re paying bondholders!So banking debt permanently converted to sovereign debt spread over decades! Ireland is the 3rd most independent country per capita in the world.
    We have see crisis in homelessness , housing and health escalate into National emergencies despite warnings:
    : Homeless families with children has increased by shocking 605% since 2011.
    : Homeless children in family units has increased by shocking 677.7% since 2011.& despite expert Reports highlighting devastating effects of homelessness especially on children’s development, physical and mental health there’s no urgent adequate response!
    Rents have soared above boom years costs& UN Report last year stated that housing in Ireland was unaffordable!
    There were 1m people on combined hospital waiting lists last year and 118367 people on trolleys last year.Overcrowding in hospitals is leading to higher mortality rates in hospitals.
    Consistent poverty levels and material poverty levels are much higher than 2008.etc
    Have a read of article in ITs 4days ago: Seamus Coffey decides against second term as independent chair of fiscal council’.He was an excellent chair & is very well respected economist!

    17
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    Mute Eoin Hurley
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:09 PM

    @Pád: SF walked NI into a recession. 1-1

    5
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:15 PM

    @Peter Govan: SF are rising in the polls because they have good fully coated policies but judging by your comment you haven’t read their policies and alot of the support is from voters who wouldn’t have voted for SF in the past.
    We live in a democracy and I respect the democratic right for people to vote for who they want to.Decent people vote for all parties.

    12
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    Mute Bobby Daly
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:35 PM

    @One Direction: im sf but i have to agree. We were heading for recession anyway. Its the bank garauntee that destroyed the country. If the banks had been let fail, other banks would have come in over night.

    3
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:40 PM

    @joe: You really are delusional, obviously a FF or FG supporter blind to say the least.

    Can ya not see what they done to the country?

    Health system is in tatters, over 10,500 on the streets!

    A hospital is being built in the city centre with no proper infrastructure. Backhanders going on there.

    Nobody brought to justice for nearly bankrupting the country.

    Look and their history of corrupt leaders Charle haughty, Eamon Lawlor, Brian Lenihan, Bertie Ahern and the worst of all The Long Fella!

    Hung Collins out to dry!

    I’ve more Degrees than you btw!

    10
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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:52 PM

    @Eoin Hurley: They were in government with DUP you have the majority so you are incorrect with you statement?

    7
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    Mute Mary King
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Nuala Mc Namara:
    Fully coated policies, explain please

    3
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    Mute Eileen Roche
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:19 PM

    @Peter Govan: then how come they are the 3rd largest pàrty ? Hopefully the second largest, and in time The Largest Party. Get up, Get out, and Vote SF.

    6
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    Mute Redhandtim
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:24 PM

    @Peter Govan: Your making things up fella. Sinn fein have the books covered.

    2
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    Mute ObsidianShine
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:27 PM

    @Mary King: Sinn Féin has all of their alternative budget proposals and policies costed by the Department of Finance,rather than just pulling figures out of the air.

    6
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:52 PM

    @Mary King: Meant to say ‘COSTED’!
    All their policies in eg Alternative Budget 2020 are fully costed by Department of Finance as are Political parties’ manifestos policies!

    4
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    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
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    Jan 26th 2020, 3:04 PM

    @Bobby wilson: you do know Westminster controls the purse strings of the 6 counties! FF & FG along with Labour, greens, PD’s independents Etc have been in government in this state for nearly 100 years and look at the crime, health, housing, traffic congestion, Pension age, unemployment Etc.
    I’m voting Sinn Fein and suggest anyone who wants REAL chance to do the same.
    Funny how FF FG have all the answers now but didn’t have them while in government together

    9
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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:12 PM

    @Peter Govan: ah the usual bullshyte about Sinn Fein. All of Sinn Fein’s finance Bill’s are costed by the department of finance. Same as every other party. How do like them apples? It was Pierce Dohery that found the 2 billion euro hole in Michael Noonans budget too. Bit dont let your shill unfounded nonsense stand in your way of a good lie and rant.

    9
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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:47 PM

    @Peter Govan: you believe that everyone who is unemployed votes Sinn Féin but no one else does? That means that you think that our unemployment rate is about 20-25%. How out of touch are you?

    4
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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:58 PM

    @Dom Layzell: crazy alert… dont poke with a stick, he might cry.

    1
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    Mute Julie G Graham
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:46 PM

    @Staghead45678: why didn’t they lead it forward on health, education, housing, childcare, rural Ireland, farming gor the padt 11 years? They lied to tbe voters.

    3
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    Mute Julie G Graham
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:46 PM

    @Staghead45678: why didn’t they lead it forward on health, education, housing, childcare, rural Ireland, farming for the past 11 years? They lied to tbe voters.

    2
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    Mute joe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:02 PM

    @Pád: lie no.1 the health system is in tatters. No it’s not, it needs to be improved but it’s not in tatters.
    Lie 2 there are not 10,000 people on the streets. They may be “homeless” but they’re not on the streets
    Lie no.3 the children’s hospital is on the LUAS line and liked by LUAS to Huston and Connolly as wall as being close to the M50. Also the land was already there so who was giving the backhanders.

    Finally you don’t know me. But I’d say I’m a lot more educated than you.

    2
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    Mute Gamasello Nohto
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    Jan 27th 2020, 8:54 AM

    @Pád: FF wasnt alone when the country went into the chaos. Green party were with them. People dont eant to remember this fact .. SF promises are not realistic either… Im still note sure whom to vote for

    1
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    Mute KJmadra.
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:14 AM

    People seem to refer back to Sinn Fein past as a reason not to vote for them but have forgotten Fianna Fails past Charlie Haughley, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, Liam Lawlor, Ray Burke, Pee Wee Flynn, of course Mary Harney was also one of theirs. That’s just their front line and of course Micheal Martin who was there through most of these. That’s reason enough for me not to vote FF.

    593
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:19 AM

    @KJmadra.: here’s a few more,Dempsey, Cullen, mccreevey o,donoghue ,and throw the Healy raes into the mix they are only indos in disguise

    269
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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:53 AM

    @KJmadra.: if you’ve been in power then you will never have made mistakes in power.

    14
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    Mute KJmadra.
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:59 AM

    @GrumpyAulFella: you really are a Grumpy Aul Fella then, not just a name.

    18
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    Mute Ben Hayes
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:31 AM

    @KJmadra.: I think it is very unfair to put Brian Cowen in this bracket. He has paid a heavy price personally for what happened in this country. Let him be judged on that. That is a personal attack on him and his family.

    5
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    Mute Ben Hayes
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:32 AM

    @KJmadra.: I think it is very unfair to put Brian Cowen in this bracket. He has paid a heavy price personally for what happened in this country. Let him be judged on that. Your comment is a personal attack on him and his family.

    2
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    Mute Séadna O'Grádaigh
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:57 AM

    @KJmadra.: If anyone wants to find out who Fianna Fáil have at their best interests, just look at how many people were held accountable for the recession.

    NOT ONE PERSON! Out of the many that should have gone to prison, not one person was held accountable. People are really going to vote that shower back in? It’s actually disgusting, would make you physically sick

    37
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    Mute rumug
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:04 AM

    @Ben Hayes: What price did he pay?

    22
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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:07 PM

    @KJmadra.: What about the 2 Mary’s one who brought in the legislation to up the retirement age to 67/68 while retiring at 51 with a TD pension Minister and teachers pension.
    Then Calamity Coughlin her and biffo p*ss heads she also started to receive her pension at 50.

    25
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    Mute KJmadra.
    Favourite KJmadra.
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:08 PM

    @Ben Hayes: Cop on, the only ones who paid a price is the person on the street.

    20
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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
    Favourite The only INFP in Ireland
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:13 AM

    Fianna Fáil? Who in their right mind would still want to vote for them?

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    Mute Pád
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:53 AM

    @The only INFP in Ireland:

    That’s the problem, they (FF) may just come out of this on top because the Irish and I include myself in that are naive and will vote for them again and again and again!

    It’s like a roundabout we just cannot or will not get off!

    96
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    Mute Still-Not-News
    Favourite Still-Not-News
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:37 AM

    @The only INFP in Ireland: Grant hungry FARMERS,never affected by the bank crash

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    Mute Jane
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:14 AM

    @Still-Not-News: I thought FG was the farmers party?
    I don’t think you can blame any one section of society for their success. They seem to appeal to some across the board

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    Mute john reynolds
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:23 PM

    @Pád: just vote someone else for Christ’s sake

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    Mute Willy Mc Entire
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:26 AM

    Change is now. Vote SF.

    301
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    Mute Dave Connolly
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @Willy Mc Entire: vote for a party that thinks it can tax people to the hilt that went to college, bought a house, pay tax AND continue to pay for the mistakes of FF. All to give it to the arseholes who think they should be handed everything. It’s populist BS. They would destroy this country.

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    Mute Eoghan Hogan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:33 PM

    @Dave Connolly: Tax those who can afford it as opposed to tax those who can’t afford it. Yea, I can see how implementing equal tax bands on everyone, making them pay their share, would destroy the country

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:47 PM

    @Dave Connolly: SF in their Alternative Budget 2020 said the would 1):introduce a 5% high income levy on INDIVIDUAL incomes above €140,000.
    Revenue data showed that 15,368 individuals earned between €150,000-€200,000.
    They said they would introduce a wealth tax for the wealthiest 0.25% in the State.
    2) Introduce a 5 year programme of childcare reform.
    3)Tackle high insurance costs by reducing all no life insurance premiums by 5% through abolishing 2 Government levies on them’& by introducing Pearse Doherty’s Insurance Consumer Contract Bill.
    4) Phasing out LPT
    5)Retain mortgage interest relief
    6) Affordable public housing & affordable rents measures.
    7) Numerous measures re health, including beds and extra staff, public transport,etc.
    These are just some of the policies that will benefit all of society while offering solutions for ongoing National emergencies in housing and health,etc.Housing Emergency has been described as a serious threat to the economy and competitiveness& insurance costs affecting businesses and investment & many businesses forced to close including creches at risk.

    13
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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
    Favourite Anne Marie Devlin
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:55 AM

    FF canvassers at my door yesterday told me that the preferred option was a coalition with labour. It’s not a small / niche party. It’s not a party that is starting up. It’s a party that the people of Ireland are actively rejecting. Why should they be in government?

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    Mute Kev Kev
    Favourite Kev Kev
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:29 AM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: the FF guy at my door proceed to tell me the local SF candidate I am planning to vote for is, and I quote, “just a housewife with no life experience” and also told me how uneducated she was with her lack of university education. Great talk from a canvaser

    127
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    Mute Sten Bsell
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:57 PM

    @Kev Kev: Most of us think we know that every decent job require an education. But there is a major exception. To become part of the formal rulers of a western country one must be a politician. To become a politician one requires ZERO formal education. That politician was likely throwing stones from inside a glass house.

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    Mute Conor Hickey
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:53 AM

    Time for change.

    248
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    Mute Hector Son
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:17 AM

    @Conor Hickey: why? More people at work in Ireland than ever before

    45
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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:38 AM

    @Hector Son:

    Not being smart, just genuine curiosity. Are you happy with how Ireland is being and has been governed the past decade?

    Do you believe change is not positive and everything should go on as it is?

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:33 AM

    @Hector Son: https://www.thejournal.ie/workers-in-ireland-on-low-pay-4764896-Aug2019/
    Yeah with 23% of employees unable to afford everyday basics. 3rd highest rate in Western ‘ developed’ world.

    42
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
    Favourite Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:36 AM

    @Hector Son: you cant feed a job to your children if your wages doesn’t match the cost of living and cant pay bills. Wake up FG/FF’ers , step back from your propaganda and election slogans for one moment and look at what you have done!

    46
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    Mute john reynolds
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:18 PM

    @Hector becaise the people of ireland created the employment while ff and fg loaded us with the banks debts and high interest rates the banks doubled the interest rate on my buissness thats how the goverment helped me in the recession
    the goverment didnt create a single job they just retired civil servants and hired some of them back .

    19
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    Mute Unitedpeople
    Favourite Unitedpeople
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:19 AM

    Labour down another 2%. Heading in the right direction.

    259
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
    Favourite Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:44 AM

    @Unitedpeople: Labour decrease makes even harder for FF to form coalition of choice. If Micky M. cant make that or resists the FG confidence and supply in reverse, the SF option then might start kicking in to reality – Or Micky might find his own P45 in his hand from the rest of FF.

    There might also be another reason why FF might not want a confidence and supply deal with FG – because that would ultimately lead to SF becoming the true and real opposition party, even more than the last time, and it will really be the end of FF after the next election and all the polls are already pointing to that!

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:40 PM

    @Angela McCarthy: Never underestimate the Independents ability to sell themselves out at the first sniff of power, there’ll be enough of them to make up the numbers with Greens and Labour.

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    Mute Margaret Kane
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:36 PM

    @Rochelle: independents propped up Leo and his morons last time hope people don’t forget that

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    Mute Keith Grant
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:51 AM

    That’s leo gone so

    199
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:47 AM

    @Keith Grant: And he’s not three years a Taoiseach, so he doesn’t qualify for a Taoiseach he’s pension.

    46
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    Mute Martin Scaldbag
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:53 AM

    @Teresa Ryan: F.F./S.F. Government! Does anybody know when the next boat leaves the North Wall.

    39
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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:10 PM

    @Martin Scaldbag: The last boat to leave the north wall was way back in the 80s

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    Mute Martin Scaldbag
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:20 PM

    @Dave Byrne: know all

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    Mute nicknack
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:06 AM

    FFG and RTE rolling out snarlene foster next Friday on the late late show.obvousily the establishment is frightened of sinn Fein rise and now trying their best to bring them down a few pegs.pathetic

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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:11 AM

    @nicknack: they can roll out all they like any party that’s against rising the pension age reducing the usc and fighting insurance fraud by the insurance companies have 5 votes in this house

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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:15 AM

    @Derek Richardson: and reigning the biggest criminal institution of the lot the banks

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:35 AM

    @nicknack: That will be another own goal for rte.

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    Mute The Equalizer
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:58 AM

    @nicknack: snarlene haha he is one ugly duxe

    35
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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:32 AM

    @Derek Richardson: wish I could give you 9 thumbs up for our family who are all making a change. Even my parents who would have been lifelong ff voters are now switching, here’s hoping that promises made are kept if elected but the votes will be removed if it’s another false empty one.

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @Derek Richardson: yea five daft uninformed votes

    4
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:16 AM

    @Shazam37: when we are uniformed we do not know we are been robbed but ,but I am informed about the other gangster parties who are robbing the ordinary people blind and have been this years with out reservation

    34
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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:19 AM

    @Derek Richardson: nonsense Derek.

    The pension system is going to go bust if changes aren’t made. And where will
    All the pensioners be then?

    The USC brings in too much desperately needed
    Money to be just thrown away. We’re barely running a budget surplus.

    And while there’s a big problem
    With insurance costs it’s not easily fixed.

    So any party that tells you it’ll do all that is lying to you. Hence – you’re completely uninformed.

    7
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:18 AM

    @Shazam37: all caused by the civil war parties that had their hand on the till and did not give two ffs about the citizens of this country pray tell me who squandered the pension reserve fund,and now the temporary tax usc to be shouldered by the working man to pay for their incompetence and do not get started about the home tax,all inflicted on the populace by self-serving gangsters

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    Mute Laughable
    Favourite Laughable
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:22 PM

    @Shazam37: attacking someone without any content just shows how weak you really are. You’re a sheep.

    13
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 1:48 PM

    @nicknack: For balance, they should have John Finucane of SF on, unlike Arlene, whose father survived his attack, he too witnessed his father shot dead by the crown forces proxy Protestant murder gang. A murder gang Arlene’s party are still close too.

    Where does RTE think it’s going here? Are they insinuating that the attempted murder of Arlene’s father is far greater crime than the actual murder of John’s father?

    Both were heinous crimes in a time of terrible conflict. Both crimes were an awful thing for children to witness.

    Since the foundation of the state, Irish political parties have tied themselves up in knots by avoiding acknowledging their SF/IRA past and how this state was actually founded.

    Eventually they will render themselves utterly impotent.

    8
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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:21 PM

    @Derek Richardson: most countries in the world have a property tax Derek – it’s what grown up sensible nations do. Likewise water charges.

    The incompetents in governance were elected by us – the people. We have ourselves to blame.

    1
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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:23 PM

    @Laughable: yea yea yea – grow up Laughable. That guys views are juvenile.

    1
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    Mute Derek Richardson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:21 PM

    @Shazam37: property tax and a home tax are completely different taxs come back to me when you get your facts right because the proper title for it is home tax not property tax

    3
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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:37 AM

    RTÉ need to add Sinn Fein to the leaders debate. It’s outrageous.

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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:51 AM

    RTE has been an absolute election biased disgrace so far – and there’s still two weeks to go.

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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:52 AM

    @Unitedpeople: Time RTE were disbanded. Montrose sold off and the children’s hospital build there.

    Another disgraceful interference from RTE in an election.

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    Mute Redhandtim
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:36 AM

    Tubridy will no doubt have the Kleenex ready for anti Irish, anti good Friday Agreement bigot Arlene Foster next Friday night, as she tells us about sinn fein and the IRA and how the Irish public should not vote for them! This state was founded by Irish Republicans RTE and that’s what makes us proud to be Irish!

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    Mute John
    Favourite John
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    Jan 26th 2020, 7:54 AM

    Up the ra

    82
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    Mute lambda sensor
    Favourite lambda sensor
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:00 AM

    FF may return with 60 seats. Up 15 from where they are now but shy of a majority (79 needed). FG may Chinese back with 42 (down 3). SF come back with 25 (up 3). A very realistic govt is therefore between FF and SF. (60 + 25). It will be tough to get a govt together needing 19 independent’s and small parties (labour, green, SD, etc).So we either have a minority govt like today or FF/SF. Tough decisions ahead for MM I think.

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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
    Favourite Gerry Ryan deG
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:26 AM

    @lambda sensor: they’ll be in a tough place and hopefully that’ll come about

    35
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    Mute Derek Lyster
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:00 AM

    @lambda sensor: don’t rule out a FF FG coalition, if that happens we are all rightly ph-uked.

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    Mute MrMagoo
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:24 AM

    @lambda sensor: They wont be in a tough place at all. It will be same as last time except it will be FG propping up FF. Vote SF for real change.

    53
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    Mute Shazam37
    Favourite Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:05 AM

    @Derek Lyster: Long term that would be fantastic. Within two elections they’d just be one party and we’d have proper opposition. It would completely upend politics in this country. I’d happily take the two of them United as one one party for one bad term in office – the long term benefits would be enormous

    12
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    Mute Rory Mac Daibhéid
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:55 PM

    @lambda sensor: your seat numbers are a bit high for FF and FG. Your idea of FF+SF is not realistic though.
    FG have said they will do confidence and supply. With both FF and FG on well over 80 seats FF can form a government with a few independents and what ever other party greens labour etc and SF will not be considered.

    1
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    Mute Tom o brien
    Favourite Tom o brien
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:32 AM

    Well Done Sinn fein despite the taxpayer and licence fee funded quango RTE s negative campaign against them .and also the tax payer bailed out anti Irish independent news papers whose debt was wrote down to facilitate the dubios purchase by fianna gael sponsor Denis o brien , the vested interests and establishment not happy wait for a Sinn fein scandal to appear like the carefully orchestrated sentencing of slab murphy for tax evasion multiple years after charges on ireland last general election day wth ful documentary on rte for that day,and also the planting of innocent garda maurice cabes framer paul Williams (via independent news papers ) in the late late show audience a few days before last election to say only criminals vote for Sinn fein by rte bosses

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    Mute Dav Nagle
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:55 AM

    FF ruined this country and FG improved employment, but that’s where it ends. SF couldn’t possibly do a worse job then either party so that’s where my vote will go. Each party should be given a chance to show what they can do and if all SF did was improve the hospital waiting times and improved housing the country would be in a much much better place, and RTE not letting them debate is illegal in my view, a television station abusing its power.

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    Mute sean
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:26 PM

    @Dav Nagle: Boycott the licence

    20
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    Mute Cathal
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:12 AM

    Sinn féin – Green coalition for next government?

    49
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    Mute Fred the Muss
    Favourite Fred the Muss
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:18 AM

    @Cathal: What ? SF are running for 40 seats. They would need the Greens to win another 40 seats to form a government.

    28
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    Mute Hector Son
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:19 AM

    @Cathal: what a disaster that would be for the country!

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    Mute Laughable
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:28 PM

    @Fred the Muss: SF, Labour, Green, PBP, SD coalition with a few independents? They’re all a bit left.

    3
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:00 AM

    Tim’s to boycott RTE and stop paying the licence fee.

    54
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    Mute Sim0n
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:15 AM

    @Teresa Ryan: What did they do to poor Tim now?

    9
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Sim0n: LOL,bloody auto correct

    1
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    Mute John Quill
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:50 AM

    I don’t know why people are so happy to see the demise of Labour. The country badly needs a strong center left counter balance to FG/FF.

    40
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:57 AM

    @John Quill: Going over old ground again.. . Labour totally betrayed the people last time. Brought in measures that even members of thd Troika admit were unnecessary and pointless. Labour sold the sick, workers, students, elderly and more out with right wing policies.

    People are not forgetting. If people want left, they staying clear of a party that aided and abetted a further right wing one.

    148
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    Mute Derek Lyster
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:02 AM

    @John Quill: labour stabbed all their voters in the back once they got into gov. They then spent years emptying our pockets.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:12 AM

    @Derek Lyster: John please respond to United people and Derek luster, that’s if you can.

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    Mute For Goodness Sake
    Favourite For Goodness Sake
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:25 AM

    @Unitedpeople: What absolute rubbish. Labour were in government during the deepest part of the recession and did have to take very difficult decisions. They were also the party that set the path to get the country back to economic health. We are now benefiting from the decisions they made. I expect them to do well in this election.

    15
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    Mute John Quill
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:51 AM

    @Unitedpeople: so you’re telling me that if I want to vote for a left wing social Democratic Party I’m out of luck unless I vote Sinn Fein? Because thats the only options in my constituency.

    4
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    Mute Teresa Ryan
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:56 AM

    @John Quill: When were Labour ever a balance. They had a golden opportunity to clean out the system from 2011 and failed. All we got was severe austerity and everything stayed the same.

    Hope Labour disappear into a black hole taking their buddies FFG with them.

    40
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    Mute Shazam37
    Favourite Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:07 AM

    @John Quill: I’m delighted. They’re nothing more than an establishment trade union party – interested in protecting their own pay packets and the public sector and nothing more.

    Totally worthless

    20
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:36 AM

    @For Goodness Sake: very difficult decisions that were unnecessary and pointless. Even the Troika have admitted this. Google it.
    .
    While going this stupidity and also bringing in an illegal law-breaking, pressgang operation called Jobpath, that’s also cost the state €240+ million with a failure rate of 93%, Labour was and still is, filling its own pockets massively.
    .
    They reap from what they sow.

    27
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:45 AM

    @John Quill: if only labour had stuck to their Center left base in previous governments!!!!

    10
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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:56 AM

    @John Quill: you mean the party that joined the other two and said it wouldn’t go in with SF? left of centre my arse!

    16
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    Mute Derek Lyster
    Favourite Derek Lyster
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:59 AM

    @For Goodness Sake: they were nothing more than lapdogs for FF. Sold everyone of their voters down the river and tried to hide behind the recession instead of standing up for what they believe in and if that meant bringing down the gov then so be it, at least people would respect them today.

    18
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    Mute john reynolds
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:23 PM

    @John Quill: these are the people that cut social welfare and then fg told us pay the property tax and we will give that money to improve services another lie services got worse

    13
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
    Favourite Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: FF had done 2/3rds of adjustment required by Troika by time FG got into Government in 2011!
    Despite all their pre GE pledges they didn’t even ask for debt deal and paid all bondholders.If they had got debt deal that Prof Mody said they could have done then there would have been no need for a substantial amount of austerity imposed on ordinary people,communities and services ,huge debt servicing costs reduced, Ireland has the 3rd highest level of debt per capita in the world.
    We’ve seen crisis after crisis escalate into ongoing National emergencies with no urgent response &no effective policies to tackle these.
    We’ve see increase in consistent poverty and material poverty.
    We’ve seen homeless families with children increase by 605% since 2011& homeless children in family units increase by 677.7% since 2011!
    We ‘ve seen rents soar to unaffordable levels by many ,lack of affordable housing.etc etc
    These are facts so why the spin?

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:07 PM

    @John Quill: when in power with FG, instead of being a steadying influence on a Right party, they sold out every one of the values they held. They absolutely turned on every policy they waffled on about to get elected, and supported draconian measures. They are finished as a credible left option.

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    Mute Brían Ó Cionnaith
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:20 PM

    Great comments from those reminding us of the bad apples of FF & FG – both parties been running our independent state for 98 years some will say 101 years (1919 first Dáil) – TIME FOR CHANGE VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO ISN’T FF OR FG

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    Mute Siobhan Rosemary
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:50 AM

    Anyone else concerned the whole voting process will end up being fixed?? If either FF FG get in to power then I will very suspicious

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    Mute Sim0n
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:05 AM

    @Siobhan Rosemary: No, not at all. Are you getting your excuses in early?

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:09 AM

    @Siobhan Rosemary: No not remotely. The very suggestion is absurd tin foil hat wearing bilge.

    Let’s be grown ups please. This is important.

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    Mute Rory Mac Daibhéid
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:58 PM

    @Siobhan Rosemary: absolutely no chance.
    Our voting is the most transparent and hoenst in the world.
    If you don’t believe it go to a count centre and see how it’s done by hundreds of normal people with a lot of oversight.
    Please don’t ever think such conspiracies.

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jan 26th 2020, 5:08 PM

    @Siobhan Rosemary: the only fix is FF and FG pretending to be separate partys.

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    Mute Luke13
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:11 PM

    Remember when voting. China can build a hospital in 10 days. Leo probably would not know how to set up a tent , if you gave him a year

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:10 AM

    I cant stand FF/FG are liar and I m support SF

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    Mute Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:00 AM

    These Polls are a nonsense. and the analyses across the media are not much better.
    In the ipsos poll last week. FF were on 25%, FG on 23%, SF on 21%.
    That means that FF are up 1, FG the same and SF down 2.

    All of these polls are removing the “Don’t Knows”, which makes the poll meaningless. the ipsos poll last week had 20% don’t knows. This weeks Red C poll likely has similar, but it is not published yet.

    Its worth taking a look at the 2016 Election polls and comparing them to the actual election first pref % to see how inaccurate the polls really are:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2016_Irish_general_election

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    Mute Joe Neville
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:09 AM

    @Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: As per the link you provided the polls in the final days of the 2016 campaign were remarkably accurate ( taken in to account the standard MOE). The Irish Times MRBI/IPSO being remarkably prescient. Although one notable feature appears to be that the FF vote is underestimated, and the SF vote overestimated.

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    Mute Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:22 AM

    @Joe Neville:
    The last 2 polls are the exit polls, they are of course going to be more accurate.

    The last opinion poll had FG on 30% and FF on 20% and SF on 15%.
    As a percentage of their actual % first preferences: FG was 17.7% lower FF was 17.7% higher and SF was 8% lower. That’s pretty inaccurate.

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    Mute Ger O'Reilly
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:56 AM

    Fine Gael are slipping for a number of reasons mainly to with Leo’s arrogance and political naivety. Pissing off the grey vote on pensions is number one, wanting to commentate the RIC/ Black &Tans would be a close second and not doing enough to make housing affordable to first time buyer’s.

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    Mute jay bernard
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:50 AM

    Why any one in their right mind would vote SF is beyond me…they would destory this country. They have no ecomonic policies and take an “anti everything’ stance. The goverment in the north collasped due to many reasons including the irish language, which 99% of the northern people cant even speak…makes no sense. Vote for the person, not the party, who you believe will serve you best i say.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:26 PM

    @jay bernard: try reading a little before posting makey uppy statements, we get enough of them from FFG. It is almost 11% who use Irish or 180,000 people attempting to undo the years of British policy to destroy our language.
    Only a pro British stance would object to or ridicule that effort.

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    Mute jay bernard
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:00 PM

    @M Bowe: lol…if i walked down a street in my local town, i could almost gaurantee that less than 5% could hold a proper conversation as gealige (which is a pity i may add) ..i hardly think thats higher in NI.

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    Mute Staghead45678
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    Jan 26th 2020, 6:26 PM

    @M Bowe: try getting facts about sinn fein right I mean sinn fein cannot make decisions without checking with the ard comhairle. This anti british thing you speak off is living in the past. People want a progressive modern Ireland for the future whe Fine Gael are not perfect they dont have as many skeletons in the closet. As a Fine Gael supporter I will be passing my 3 and 4 to Labour who are a respectable Left wing party. Sinn fein are too extreme currently for the majority of people with respect.

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    Mute Kevin Lonergan
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    Jan 27th 2020, 9:26 AM

    @jay bernard: Try reading the party manifesto before you make uneducated and ignorant statements like this. You are only showing yourself up. In spite of the RTE/FF/FG efforts to discredit them, SF have published alternative budgets that have been fully costed by the Department of Finance and are rated as sound by eminently qualified economists. Check your facts!!

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    Mute Staghead45678
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:38 AM

    General election 2020 is like this Fine Gael is the safest pair of hands. Fianna Fail broke our bank and Sinn Fein are living in politics of the past. Simple vote Fine Gael #wayforward

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:46 AM

    @Staghead45678: pfft – Maria Bailey ripping off the insurance companies and Murphy ripping off the tax payer. No way.

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:02 AM

    @Staghead45678: FG the safest pair of hands? For who – the people or the real people-bankers/landlords?

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    Mute garry murphy
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:09 AM

    @Staghead45678: under FG nothing changed for the working person, High mortgages, high rents, high insurance, Crap health service, they have done nothing to help the homeless, workers get half their wages after the goverment steals the other half to line their own pockets and give excuses mainly Brexit. So I for one am changing my vote, it seems most people are cant do any worse.

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    Mute Staghead45678
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:05 AM

    L ewe ts get real here and look at facts. Fine Gael have got this cou try out of recession and acknowledge they need to do more as they listen. Fianna fail broke the country and Sinn Feinn let the North rot while they play tribal politics. I trust Fine Gael because they have delivered us from a very serious recession and do not believe the Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail toxic propaganda.

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    Mute Gar Oreilly
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    Jan 26th 2020, 11:17 AM

    @Staghead45678: what are you talking about. ? Leo marked his own homework Durning debate and admitted he was not up to it. Ireland is rotting with Fg government !

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 26th 2020, 2:27 PM

    @Staghead45678: FF had done 2/3rds adjustment required by Troika leaving FG with 1/3 adjustment to do.They didn’t even ask for debt deal and paid all bondholders,if they had ,the severe austerity inflicted on ordinary people and services could have been minimised.They also failed to factor in devastating effects of austerity measures and crisis developing into full blown National emergencies despite repeated warnings from experts!Experts said that housing crisis is a threat to the economy and competitiveness.
    It was a fact that many citizens in the North denied many basic rights ( not tribal politics!)of modern societies including down here and it was important that GFA honoured& both Irish & UK Governments should be behind honouring GFA too.

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    Mute Chantelle
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:43 PM

    Fianna Fáil and Micheál Martin support animal abuse https://twitter.com/chantel77427953/status/1221252016464367617?s=21

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    Mute Peter Cuthbert
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    Jan 26th 2020, 9:18 AM

    If FF takes on the mantle of Government, will they put in place proper funding streams for Biodiversity and Sustainability or will they take the easy option which FG did and ignore Biodiversity and continue to pay Millions in Carbon fines

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    Mute Deirdre Gosson
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:37 PM

    FF are people mad , very short memories . Both FF and FG had their chance as far as I’m concerned.

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    Mute Úna O Connor Barrett
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    Jan 26th 2020, 3:31 PM

    SF great collation for a goverment.The gravy train has to STOP.

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    Mute Margaret Kane
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    Jan 26th 2020, 4:31 PM

    Anyone who votes FGFF deserves what they get surely people are not blind to the state they have the country in

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane
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    Jan 26th 2020, 10:30 AM

    Vote solidarity pbp to keep them left check the tds votinv records!

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    Mute The next small thing
    Favourite The next small thing
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    Jan 26th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Still undecided as to how I’ll vote, looking like independent at the moment. What I would like to see is the following:
    Reform of the legal profession (IMF insisted on this and there has been no word of it since Alan Shatter began work in this area but then he was silenced)
    No increases in either Public sector pay or social welfare rates (inflation is negligable so no need for it)
    More focus on law and order (increase in prison places, increase in mandatory sentencing, more use of technology, e,g. curfews with gps trackers on offenders, for non voilent criminals.
    Complete reform of public and civil service (use savings made by not increasing PS pay and SW rates to pay for reforms and redundancies)
    Each pay is trying to outdo each other with giveaways and the electorate is lapping it up but it going to cost us in the long run.

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    Mute Gar Oreilly
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    Jan 26th 2020, 3:52 PM

    33 TDs for SF in 33 government. Anti SF vote dry your eyes.

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    Mute Staghead45678
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    Jan 26th 2020, 6:19 PM

    These are the options Fianna fail broke the country, Sinn Fein are a bunch of protesters who have wrecked the north and ate not capable of governing, Fianna Gael while they are not perfect have kept the economy going well and have planned to address housing and health. Have a reality check and see the #wayforward.

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    Mute Ciaran Burke
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    Jan 27th 2020, 1:06 AM

    Fianna fail? They destroyed the country and were well known for bribery they shouldn’t even have 5%. If that party is returned to power it will be business as usual brown envelopes and who you know not what you know. If they get in irish people deserve all they get.

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    Mute Neuville-Kepler62F
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    Jan 29th 2020, 6:50 AM

    All Political Parties are just “private clubs” who pass laws under the “Party Whip” in their interest and certainly not in your interest – the citizen, the voter. Wake up voters!

    38,000 signed this Petition ….
    https://www.change.org/p/unfair-irish-car-carbon-tax-law

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    Mute John Caplis
    Favourite John Caplis
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    Jan 26th 2020, 8:32 PM

    People shouldn’t be conned by the reliability of these ‘polls’. One was recently conducted in Munster with almost have of the 250 respondents from Cork, who of course would like to see a Cork Taoiseach returned. Surprise,surprise FF topped the poll. Please people don’t believe these agenda driven polls. FF will railroad us all into loads of debt again. In the short term they will spend loads and everybody will be happy including the public sector, social welfare etc. Then bang, a recession will come again and they will force loads of cuts on people again.
    If you look back through Irish political history they have always left economic carnage behind them. Not that FG is perfect, far from it, but at a national level they do seem to be managing the economy ok apart from the housing situation.

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    Mute Gamasello Nohto
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    Jan 27th 2020, 8:57 AM

    @John Caplis: apart from housing? You forgot to mention health, transport, overspending on broadband and NCH

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    Mute Calo J Callaghan
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    Jan 29th 2020, 5:45 PM

    Sinn fein are the way to go everyone of the other party’s are trying to black list them from pass faults but fg/ff have faulted this country for 20 years plus along with labour greens. Sinn fein has never been give the opportunity. If coalition is needed sinn fein pbp Sd and independents all join forces. Mary lou, has compassion thinking she be a brilliant leader along with eoin as housing minister,and Pearse Doherty minister for finance. Very strong team the there. Sf has all ways been for Ireland and not frightened to open there gob to the EU and to the bankers, insurance,vultures funds, cuckoo funds nama ect remember they got a proven track record for speaking up on theses issues. Fg/ff shot them down all the time. Fg/ff don’t care about the poor how many times do we get fooled by theses you never see them fg/ff until election time door is shut like they stand by let the black and tans take house from people Charlie Flanagan wanted diversity and to take away freedom of speech simon harris joke it don’t need a genius to see that and Murphy housing minister WHAT! THE GUY IS A WASTE OF OXYGEN 10,500 people without homes because of this muppet. If you live in the real world vote sinn fein if you want change. Because you vote fg/ff well don’t say you were not warned.

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    Mute Anna69
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    Jan 26th 2020, 3:37 PM

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