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Everyone’s talking about…
Fianna Fáil’s differing views on supporting Fine Gael.
A coalition government consisting of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would be a groundbreaking moment in Irish politics.
After decades of opposition, the two civil war parties could come to the conclusion that they’re not so different after all.
Some have warned that it could represent a dangerous lurch towards a polarised political system consisting of left and right in Ireland, something that has been largely avoided for some time.
Right now, this coalition doesn’t seem to be a prospect, but it is starting to appear as though Fianna Fáil don’t quite know what they want.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie yesterday, the party’s social protection spokesperson told us “anything is possible”, and that he would be willing to consider supporting Fine Gael on a vote-by-vote basis.
He said he would support a government “of whatever persuasion” that would maintain the economic recovery, but do so in a way that it “touches every section of society”.
The party’s new director of elections Billy Kelleher was singing from a different hymn sheet. The Irish Times reports that he has ruled out any support for Fine Gael, while also noting that the party is unlikely to form part of the next government at all.
And Niall Collins, justice spokesperson? He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that he supports the view of Billy Kelleher and party leader Micheál Martin, but that it is ultimately up to the party’s members to decide on whether to work with Fine Gael, something he believes there is staunch opposition to.
With the election campaign rumbling into action, a concrete approach may be needed fast.
The agenda
Inside Leinster House
TDs and senators are likely to be a little bit more careful today of what they’re saying close to a live microphone.
What the others are saying
In case you missed it
Good day for…
Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit party. Off the back of good poll results at the weekend, they’re now setting their sights on being better recognised by polling companies as a viable party.
Bad day for…
Banking inquiry chairman Ciaran Lynch. The last thing he needs in getting the inquiry over the line is opposition from members to the committee’s progress, as reported by the Irish Independent.
On the Twitter machine
You know? You know.
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“After decades of opposition, the two civil war parties could come to the conclusion that they’re not so different after all”
Yep for all the wrong reasons.
Well, the same old reason actually….ker-ching
I think the technical term for this is, Hedging your bet.
I wonder who’s be mammy and who’d be daddy?..,
FF would consider hitler,stalin or pol pot it it was an option to get back on the mercs & perks so going in with a village idiot shouldn’t fluster them too much, imo.
In the photo, take away the eyes, nose and lips, you have two cheeks of the same a.r.s.e
Fine Fáil/Fianna Gael are a match made in political heaven. This party supports water charges, water metering and the Property/Bondholder Tax
2 cheeks, same arse
and between those cheeks sits labour.
“Some have warned that it could represent a DANGEROUS lurch towards a polarised political system consisting of left and right in Ireland”
Heaven forbid the Irish people get an actual CHOICE on how they want to be governed. That’s not how democracy is supposed to work.
A FG/FF coalition described as ‘groundbreaking’ . Maybe so, but there are many more accurate and appropriate words to describe it. ‘Disastrous’ and ‘Catastrophic’ spring to mind.
The clenching of the cheeks.
Fine Gael proudly doing their best to honour the tradition of never..never..not even once being re elected..
If Dane gets a separate polling card for all his personalities,must be a dozen votes…
” Bruce Jenner Caitlin Jenner” “Caitlin Jenner Bruce Jenner” who knows same thing though.
To save FF the anguish of having to make this hard decision just don’t vote for them (or FG).
Minority governments never last long. Look at Portugal for a recent classic example. Oh, the old reliable “no viable alternative” response from Powerabbey. The line used by desperate failed politicians to scare the sheep. The people will decide if there is an alternative. NO VIABLE ALTERNATIVE or TINA… Why is it that whenever I read those lines I see weak feeble sheep being happily lead to the slaughterhouse. It’s that thinking that got Ireland successive governments of corrupt, incompetent, self serving, good for nothing, jobs for the boys cronyism leadership that has destroyed the country. Such blind fear of change you would sooner live on your knees than stand on your feet and demand change. FG and FF need a few years in political wilderness together to see the Irish people don’t need either. It will be a humbling experience for both parties
Both these criminal parties would get into bed with the Devil just to get re-elected and get their hands on nice fat pensions when they are eventually turfed out.Since the beginning of the state these crooks have kept the Irish people in their grasp, what have either of these two orgsnisations ever done foe the country anyway?
Well Conor,if you rule out the one that drove us off a financial cliff,and the invisible one who likes getting petted like a poodle..it does narrow it down a bit..
I’d vote for hitlers nazi party before I would ever vote ff.
You should vote for Fine Gael folks to avoid uncertainty and instability. Fine Gael have done a tremendous job in government, 135,000 new jobs, fastest growing economy in Europe. Leading and securing the recovery.
i wholeheartedly agree. FG all the way :)
All the way to the Reinstag. Goosey goosey step step.
Yes Fine Gael have done a great job looking after their friend DOB and the likes, not looking after the homeless, doing nothing about the HSE, the list is endless, lying to get elected and as for Pinocchio Kenny need I say more
Where do you get your tablets from Dane? I want some. I want some.
Had this debate yesterday; you can have the fastest growing economy in Europe statistically, when that percentage growth is based on a much smaller initial sum, than where we were at before. When will the silent majority look beyond the cosmetics. In reality we are doing well a massive hole. Those jobs, are cosmetic too, based on the 2 billion spent each year on IDA and Enterprise Ireland, plus the tax breaks and grants. And when that’s done with they’d be off, so where’s the long-term security. Pumping up FG as some sort of savior is also brainless given that it still sponsors, dodgy deals, cronyism and nepotism of the highest order.
I would be inclined to agree that FG should be returned. They could be supported by any other party or groupings excluding, of course, IRA/SF.
Actually it’s Reichstag if you are referring to the old German parliament in Hitler’s time.
Good man tap, you never fail to disappoint, You can always be counted on to rock up with your SF/IRA rants on any topic imaginable, I reckon you are going to go into a spectacular meltdown come April 2016, when the majority of people will be talking about the “rising”.
You`ll probably poo your Union Jack Jocks.
Thomas we will see by February if you have the same view by then… When the country is ok it is the government but when it does badly it is the markets??? O yes…
Not that I like mr Adams, but it would be worth seeing him as T just to see Mehole and Dougal squirm
What a lovely couple…. Of school teachers… Makes me sick…
Good god …
If the choice for taoiseach is between Gerry Adams Micheal Martin and Enda Kenny it’s not much of a choice
have your say