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FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has sought to build on his party’s successful campaign to retain the Seanad by telling members in Dublin tonight that today’s vote represented a “good day for Irish democracy.”
Addressing a Cairde Fáil dinner in the city this evening Martin said that the ‘Yes’ side engaged in a “cynical campaign to push through the largest ever amendment to our constitution”:
They thought that no one would take the time to look beyond their slogans and attacks. Today they have been proven wrong. The Irish people said No to the power grab, they said they want real political reform not just empty spin about reform. They also said that they expect their leaders to be willing to debate.
Two and a half years away from an election they are in crisis not because of the deeply unfair budgets they delivered or the broken promises on education, health and welfare they enacted – but because they think they might lose lots of seats.
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All Senators who voted for the Seanad to go should now resign immediately.They now have no right to sit in the Seanad.
Couldn’t agree more Tom
Correct Tommy. They will just be money grabbing if they don’t. But this is Ireland so don’t hold thy breath
Think some protesting is in order if they don’t. Wonder if democracy matters will take such a position.
They now do not have a mandate to stay there they lost it the minute they voted to abolish.
By that rationale, only FF senators should be allowed to take the place of those who have to resign.
can’t see the Seinn Fein 3 agreeing to that
Deluded if He thinks this was support for FF No stance. This NO vote was the Irish backlash against Kenny & Gilmore nothing more, don’t get ideas above your station Mehole.
Where does he state that the No vote represented support for FF? he’s not the only one deluded by the looks of it.
I was just about to say that funnily! Why does he thing he convinced the Irish people to vote no? We voted no off our own minds and we arent sheep Michael you prat. The vote was to stop you and any others who go into power thinking you can just pull the sheets over Irish eyes.
You would swear he won something smug Bleep.
Think meant to be sorry lol
The NO wasn’t because of a backlash for Kenny and Gilmore it was because the people who voted NO believe it’s the right thing to do !! Just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t make it wrong !!!
And just because you didn’t vote no because FF told you to doesn’t mean it’s not a great day for FF
Very true the people kicked FF out but they have the right to put them back if they want when the time comes.
Ah now calm down a bit.Say what you want he went against fg,lab,sf and even the polls and he stuck to his guns that takes guts when everyone else is going in the opposite direction.
Hard not to laugh at all your moral indignation at Fianna Fails victory lap. They framed the whole narrative: 1). Vote no to stop Enda grabbing power 2). It’s not €20m in savings and 3). Vote no because Enda wouldn’t debate it. And ye followed like mindless drones. No wonder he’s smug. FF lemmings still dancing to their tune.
Yeah, those are all the reasons I voted no. Your psychic abilities are very impressive.
I’d no more do what Micheál Martin told me to do than I would do what Enda told me to so.
Fianna failed cannot take credit for this.it was a referendum not an election and most people i know voted with their own minds not because a failed party persauded them
Whatever motivation people ascribe to their no vote, it is undeniable that one of the consequences of the result was always going to be political gain by FF.
That may not be how people want it to be, but that is the reality. FF look like winners today.
And yet you just did, Stephanie.
Most people commenting here seem to think they look like delusional fools for trying to claim credit.
I voted no because I was not prepared to allow FG butcher the Consititution, it was nothing got to do with FF.
Fianna Fáil don’t want the Seanad retained, they just wanted FG to lose a referendum. The fact that I voted the way Martin wanted is incidental. Te fact is that I voted the way I wanted, not according to anyone else’s desires. And it’s very insulting of you to suggest that no voters are stupid enough to be fooled into dancing to a party’s tune.
The comments section on here is unrepresentative of the electorate at large, Stephanie. Martin & Co. will be looking on this as a big step on the road to rehabilitating the FF brand in advance of the Euro and local elections next year and the general election the year after.
It’s naive to think that today wasn’t a great day for FF
Touchy get over yourself ,people told FG to FO sign of things to come.
So you’re no longer just implying I’m stupid. Lovely. Of course it couldn’t possibly occur to you that I was against Seanad abolition when both FF and FG proposed it in the 2011 election.
And of course it’s impossible that FG were trying to manipulate people too. God touchy, you totally danced to Enda’s tune you mindless easily manipulated silly person!
Ah but Stephanie, I didn’t cost vulnerable elements of society €20m today to keep open the FF retirement home. You did.
Touchy its great to see the electorate turn on ye pr**ks.;-)
Touchy you are one condescending douche bag. Read up your constitutional law and the theory of separation of powers. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Seanad needs to be reformed not abolished. Don’t come on here and abuse people for using their intelligence to come to an informed decision, be it to vote yes or vote no. Give the people if Ireland credit. Your abuse is ironic because its clear you’d follow Enda over the edge of a cliff you absolute lemming you.
The referendum itself was expensive and it didn’t change anything @touchy!!
Touchy, I and about a half a million other people made this decision. And an FG TD said mots ago that the 20m would be put back into the Dáil, but yeah, I’m the gullible one. And the government could easily spend 20m more in vulnerable people if they took a pay cut and cut pensions and expenses and actually stuck to the rule of a 100,000 salary cap, but that would make way too much sense and involve far too much personal sacrifice.
I take offense at that – I have never voted FF and can’t see myself doing so in the future. I voted no for my own personal beliefs and for the protection of my daughters future. Don’t you dare call me a lemming, I will make up my own mind about what I believe.
Truth Patrol- thank you for regurgitating a few scenes from the West Wing there…. Separation of powers in enshrined in the US constitution. How’s that working out for them?
I think I will Debbie
You’re actually brainless Touchy. Separation of powers was a doctrine developed in Ancient Greece and subsequently used by modern day democracies to underly their democratic structures. Again with the condescension and lashing out inferring people are stupid. The only Lemming here is you. Truth out.
Truth- I asked you a question: How’s it working out in the States?
Looking at the picture the three of them are asleep Lol
And congratulations to all you political visionaries who handed the Architects of our Economic Oblivion, Fianna Fáil this victory today. Well done.
No fan of Martins but at least he had the b*lls to debate the issue unlike that Gobsh*te who’s idea it was in the first place.
Yes but does he think he will be the next leader, time people woke up and realised who is really leading this country, and for the worse in my view.
Very easy to pretend your brave and promise everything when your in opposition
Basking I think is the proper word ;)
How is this an ff victory. I was asked if I supported the removal of one of the few mechanisms of checks and balances on government in this country. I said no. If Martin chooses to ride on the coat tails of a farcical loss by a headless coalition , to my mind it only weakens his position.
Martin only got involved in a no campaign for air time. He still remains a member of a party that sold this country out form under us.
So in essence a fraud is claiming victory over an empty suit.
I’ll still gladly accept your congratulations.
Theyre waiting for the advisors to come,
Eh eh victory for democracy… Eh oh not a government campaign…and … Eh handed a economic disaster…um eh up mayo.
It’s the only thing Mayo will win this year!
In fairness, he doesn’t really have much left to loose by doing so!!
Well said @DavidWilson . My ‘No’ vote was a’No’ vote, it wasn’t a vote for Fianna Fáil. In fact if I was asked to vote on abolishing Fianna Fáil I would have voted ‘YES’!
Did the mayo minors not win the all Ireland??
Not that I disagree with you Louis, but that might be unfair to sharks.
Looks like 3 cats that got the cream.
So true Richard. Cowardice is the road taken by those whose first priority is themselves, while those who are truly brave, take the road less travelled, when that path only benefits their companions first and themselves second.
its not really about enda kenny the clever irish fool, but the fact that fine gael never looked into the future to see how their cheap political grab for power might look. It would be beneficial for sinn fein which is why it was the only referendum they have ever supported. Fine gael were thick and stupid for not looking into the long term to see how this might play. The senate was put there as a protection against extremism by wiser heads than enda kenny by people that grew up in extremist regimes.
*you’re
I can tell you that day you will never see!
Just like Kenny did? I’d say he still can t believe his luck, he was leader of FG for 9 years spouting all sorts of sh**e, the only consolation I had was this guy would never be Taoiseach, unfortunately when the collapse happened in 2008, he saw his chance was around the corner, all he had to do was wait and he would be Taoiseach by default. Let’s face it, in most cases, people didn’t vote FG in, they voted FF out. Kenny has nothing but a good PR team behind him, Gilmore, we’ll, just look at him…
People didn’t really give Bertie and the boys a second thought when the so called Celtic tiger was in full swing, it was only when their little part of the party might be taken away when the economy went down to plug hole did people go against them. ….
Ah blast, I just had to change a nappy, and lost my train of thought, I’ll post anyway:)
Well said david
I voted No because I read all I could find about ALL the implications and then decided for myself. I do not, have never and will never support any particular political party because in my opinion they are only interested in their own agenda and not the good of the country or anyone who lives here – voter or not. For any party to claim my choice as a vote for their party is an insult and pure arrogance on their behalf – which is why I am NOT surprised by their attitude.
Plus one
Agree Anne. I do not think Micheál Martin can call it a victory for FF. It is a victory for common sense and thankfully enough right minded people came out to vote.
I want to personally thank you all those who stood with courage and vote NO to defeat this government on this referendum. For those who also voted YES as their connection or affiliation to any political party or base on their own opinion, well done as you have your voices are respected. In regard to those who don’t think it is victory that it is on my personal view which I hope you will respect it. It is not a victory for any political party even tough I praise the courage of FF and all those who stood against this referendum and for their particular position in this Referendum. Otherwise it is the Irish people victory for rejecting the power grab and specially the lost of their rights of being consulted in EU and major decisions in the future if they had voted YES. I am referring to the article 27 of the current constitution which the Irish government has an obligation to consult its people in major decisions before making decisions. All that never been explained well in the campaign and that particular Article 27 and the Irish rights of being consulted would have been a big lost and it will be left only to the government to decide on their behalf. So well done to everyone who had their expression in referendum.
Was hoping for yes vote but the people have spoken – however, FF are having a laugh if they try to claim this one by the back door!
Haven’t they a hard neck claiming the no as anything to do with FF
It cleary does have something to do with it. Just not as big a part as FF make out.
Power corrupts. Clearly lack of power deludes.
Can any sane person take this guy seriously, our severe budgets are on account of you and your party Michael, please don’t forget that as you seek to delight in the referendum outcome. It’s not on account of Fianna Fail that people voted in the way they did. Your naught but a shallow populist.
I wish FF would stop trying to hijack this result as being a major victory for them. They had nothing to do with influencing my vote anyway and its getting tiring listening to them sounding like they’ve achieved something. They haven’t…people have a deep mistrust of Kenny and indeed Martin…dont mis read what isn’t there.
Just two years ago Mehole and his FF bandits were strongly behind the abolition of the Seanad then changed their position when they realised public support for this was lukewarm so they jumped onto the “No” bandwagon and are now trying to claim political gain. Their collective arrogance hasn’t changed one iota so don’t be fooled again, leopards don’t change their spots.
Sounds like the lab and fg supporters are out now one thing is for sure Enda won’t be commenting or debating as he is CHICKEN
I am actually a Sinn Fein supporter Tommy and i agree with Niall.
Lol yeah like they didnt flip flop on it.Their party leader wanted a no vote.yet they followed Enda and eamonns lead well done shinners you got it wrong again.
Again you seem to think this vote had something to do with the parties stance on it.I voted with my own mind.If Sinn fein jumped off a bridge i wouldn’t jump to. I think for myself and dont follow blindly SF as you do FF. Gullible you are. I voted NO knowing it was the right thing to do to protect my kids and my fellow country people. I am not a sheep.
p.s since you keep calling SF supporters Shinners,should i call you a fail?
Sinn fein wouldn’t jump off a bridge but the might try to convience you to, all in the name of Irish Freedom.
Dont be daft!
I’ll still be saying no to Fianna Fáil at the next election- muppets!
Just how stupid does Martin think we are? Every ridiculous populist platitude he comes out with is an insult to the electorates intelligence.
You were in power for fourteen years, you left just three years ago Micheál and the country hasn’t suffered a head injury and subsequent collective amnesia.
Ah, I think you’ll find that only some of the people said no, they rest couldn’t be bothered to turn up and that’s thanks to your lot as well so get down of your high horse!
At least the people who went out and voted care about what happens to our country and FF can feck off if they think I voted because they encouraged me !!!
Ah now they did Sinead, ive seen your bebo stunnah photos in Fianna Fail pyjamas ;)
Feck off Meehole. Voted against Kenny&co, not yes to your shower. Settle,boy!
Only party to back the winning side in this referendum. Others ran for cover (Labour) or were desperate to back a winner (SF). Well done Fianna Fáil for sticking to your guns.
Should change your second name to clueless lol
Are you serious? Short memory haven’t you??
In 2011 they were for Seanad abolition if they changed a few rules in the oireachtas, all of which gave more power to the Dáil. To my knowledge they didn’t make any of these proposals during the debate over the last few weeks. You can see the manifesto here. http://fail.3cdn.net/9bab6b928c527f3728_60am6gzlc.pdf
?????…The Socialist party and the Greens also backed a no vote!
The socialist party backed a yes vote. They had posters all over Dublin banging on about elitism and misrepresenting the electorate figures.
And I have no idea what the Green Party said, certainly didn’t see any signs anywhere.
Eh no socialist party backed a Yes vote.
The greens who are they ? Was that tumble weed blowing by? Green bahahahaha Arent they the bunch of FF lap dogs who got shafted by FF and they went on with out them?
Greens are no one and should go away and hide in shame.
Fianna Fail member then James
APOLOGIES…I meant the SP and Greens backed the YES vote…(mortified!!)
Triona greens backed no. SP backed yes.
Think I better get me coat!! :-(
What do you mean by sticking to their guns, it wasn’t so long ago they wanted to close it as we’ll ya bleedin muppet
FF jumping on bandwagon! They think they’ve won something! A long way off anything like victory
I hope the Dial gets the message! It’s NO and it will stay NO!
Idiot . The irish people voted no because of a creepy mistrust of the democratic process . A mistrust created by the failures , lies , and incompetences of at least two governments that combover twit was part of . How thick does he think we are ?
If you have ever seen the South Park episode “Smug Alert”,what these 3 are actually doing in the above picture is smelling their own farts!!!
Absolutely spot on, I can smell them from here!
Totally tripping balls right now!!
It goes to show how deluded FF are that they actually believe people voted NO because they were in favour of it. The no vote was carried because people are fed up of government spin and lies. FG destroyed the Yes vote with their lies about how much could be saved and also Edna hadn’t the balls to debate his argument for.
I voted no but if FF think they have influenced me they are mistaken.
I can’t forget the destroyed this country.
FF,FG,Greens and Labour ruined this country.
It makes no odds, the daft electorate will put FF back ip there again and the nurses can’t wait, bring back the Xmas bonus too.
Dear Meehole,
The “No” win today had very little to do with supporting Fianna Failure.
The fact that FF were the ones advocating a ‘No’ vote was almost enough to make me abstain. Martin and his herd of parasitic, cynical, delusional thugs have gone and crossed the line from the desperate to the pathetic. Piggybacking on a protest vote is not a victory. It’s a last gasp. I may not trust Fine Gael, and Labour may be the most incompetent grouping of political hobbyists in the Western Hemisphere, but the thought of having the toxic paws of these criminal lackeys anywhere near the reform of the Seanad makes me nauseous. I campaigned for a ‘No’ vote because this Government didn’t do enough to convince me that they had done enough homework on the implications and necessities of moving from a bicameral to a unicameral parliament. FF making political noises in the background was at best an annoyance. I am disgusted at the thought that my vote could ever be considered an endorsement of them.
Those smug looking FF ********, and Mehole trying to make out it was all his doing. I am encouraged to see so many people take it for what it is, sheer opportunism by the most corrupt political party the state has known.
That’s right Michael Martin we want political reform …….. I’ll be the first to show you the door.
Today was a huge victory for Fianna Fáil. There can be no serious doubt about that.
Yes, there can. It’s only a victory for FF in that it’s a loss for FG and Labour.
It’s as much a victory as Thierry Henry’s handball … #HollowedOut #Meaningless
Wrong on both counts to you both> The victory here was for Irish people.
Another bleedin muppet, where did ye all come from?
Power grab my arse. As if the Seanad had any kind of real power to begin with. 50 years and only two referrals to the Supreme Court? Where were they as a check against the government during the crippling austerity budgets (some of which was fianna fail introduced just to make the irony complete)?
There will be no reform, all we,be done is maintain an elitist institution. Any reform will require another referendum as the Seanad is so enshrined in the constitution and that ain’t happening! Plus the Quinn/zappone reform proposal is just a maintenance of the same elitist electoral ideology that dictates current Seanad elections.. Nope, we’ve gone and bitten our noses off to spite out faces!
Agree with you there, it’s a vote no to stick it to Enda where it could have been vote yes stick it to all our politicians. We had a chance to kick sixty really useless politicians off the gravy train and we did not take it
Andrew problem was a full reform package was never presented. Only part. That coupled with Enda going to ground and a 20 million figure that they couldn’t substantiate. Second time they lost a referendum because their selling was poor. Heads need to roll. Especially Endas overpaid advisors
As far as I can see reform of this only became a reality for the no side when their jobs were threatened. For eighty odd years they have sat there without accountability, delayed the odd thing and collected the pay cheque , allowances , mileage , expenses and pensions. We saw with Callory the respect he gave the people of Ireland.
In the last forty years I have heard the constant complaints , of too many politicians , overpaid, lazy, gravy train etc. yesterday we had a chance to make redundancies in Leinster House and we did not take that chance. I firmly believe the politicians are so dislocated from the decisions they make that effect other people’s lives that only the reality of sixty redundancies would bring home the anger and pain there decisions create
Gerbreen, it wasn’t just Fine Gael and labour advocating a Yes vote so the idea that its a valid point to vote Bo because no principled Yes argument was put forth doesn’t hold water. The only parties that advocated a No vote were Fianna Fáil as a complete populist move ( a party that two years ago pushed for abolition as well) and direct democracy. And then there’s the Seanad backed Democracy Matters and all their arguments boiled down to was “sure ye can’t trust the government!”
There were plenty of good argument in favour of abolition and even more against how reform isn’t a realistic goal outside of Kennys rhetoric. People obviously weren’t looking.
It’s not a time for gloating. This is a victory for the Irish peoples democracy. it was the right thing to do.
In fairness the final vote was so close that without FF support the result would probably have been a ‘Yes’. But it’s a bit early for them to get too cocky. I can’t see any situation that I’d ever consider voting for them in the future. People haven’t forgotten what they did to this country.
First time an article made me wanna spit :-(
Arrogant pompous slimeball. This is in no way a FF victory. We were asked a question and we gave an answer, it had nothing to do with FF or with SF. How they can stand there and claim this as a victory for them personally is disrespectful to those who voted using their own knowledge and beliefs. Also I can’t believe they are still spouting this populist power grab nonsense. The seanad was not to be abolished until after the next election so it’s not like FG will ever benefit from it’s abolition.
I hate politics and I especially hate being used as a pawn by these spineless alleycats in their game of self promotion.
Funny, I thought I read an article in 2013 were a member of F Fail was expounding the righteous views of the soldiers of destiny which referenced the Irish people doing THEIR bidding.
This has to be the most wonderful case of plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
Nothing like a good ex-pounding for old times sake!!
FF showed true leadership , there mobilisation of the voices of reason protected our democracy. They have got rid of the Gombeen men and are now fit to serve this nation if called. The good servants of the state know more pay and more welfare, the economy would have been fine only for the world crisis and Leamans going bust. Arise the soldiers of destiny you country needs you guidance
I can only assume you’re being sarcastic.
No Andrew it had more to do with Enda having no balls.
so every FF member who was in gov in 2008 are gone?dont think so.
Hopefully yes. But they are coming up in the poles their constant mantra is been repeated, The bad boys are gone, the bubble was Lehmans fault and as always the leader of the opposition is a idiot. There is not one leader of FF who has his reputation intact since J Lynch yet the leader of the opposition is always a idiot.
Míchael, if you think this is a victory for FF, then you’re even more deluded than I thought you were. The electorate aren’t sheep, we can make our own minds up without being told to tow a party line. The fact that you’re trying to play this out as an endorsement of FF policy is quite frankly pitiful. Clutching at straws Mr Nevertobetaoiseach.
Ah! Great to see Martin still deluded as ever, as Bertie’s yes man he destroyed the country for the foreseeable future. But if he holds tight the Irish people will welcome him back with the attitude “arah sure wasn’t he great to get away with it” or “who wouldn’t have done the same”. If FF rise to power again we’ll get what we deserve!
Langer!
Look at the foto asleep standing up hands on ba//s
Hon Fianna Fáil! :)
Suppose this is the closest to an election victory that the Fianna Failures will get in the next 20 years so best enjoy it Oliver.
WTF, FF WIN
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