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Leah Farrell

Leo says it wasn't 'a bad day at the office after all', but swing-gate and co-living did real damage to FG

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said there was not one issue that did the damage.

FINE GAEL SET a target for itself to be the largest party in the local councils after the election. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar set an initial target to win an extra 50 seats in the local elections – a tad optimistic. 

However, once candidates and campaigners hit the doorsteps it was clear that two issues were coming up time and time again – co-living and swing-gate.

With the writing on the wall, the target was revised downwards to between 20 and 30 seats. The final results show that Fine Gael won 255 seats around the country – up 20 seats, and just over 25% of the vote.

Earlier in the week, Varadkar admitted the party did “less than what we hoped for quite frankly” but as the dust settles, he appears more optimistic.

But what went wrong? That is the question that left Fine Gaelers scratching their heads earlier this week.

Most knew of course, and it became pretty clear on Monday morning what one of the issues was, when Dun Laoghaire TD Maria Bailey took to the airwaves to defend her insurance claim case after falling off a swing in a hotel a number of years ago. 

It was all the talk at the RDS count centre, among counters, journalists, and her own party colleagues.  The Taoiseach said the case had done “reputational damage” to the party, while Health Minister Simon Harris said the interview was “unfortunate”.

As the results came in for his party, Harris acknowledged that the swing-gate scandal was coming up on the doorsteps ahead of voting day, and it had done some damage. 

A number of TDs have said the Bailey case in particular had an impact in their view, with one TD even alleging that it could have lost about 100 votes or more per candidate, which they said could have affected candidates on the edge of getting elected. 

If TDs thought the case had damaged the party before the election, they certainly believed Bailey’s radio interview with RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke this week had an impact. 

Speaking to reporters at the RDS after Bailey’s appearance on the airwaves, Health Minister Simon Harris said it would have been appropriate for Bailey to meet with the Taoiseach before taking to the airwaves:

I think that is regrettable that it didn’t happen in advance of the interview…

“My understanding is that it is a decision she made of her own volition, as is her right. I think it would have been better if she had the meeting with the Taoiseach first.

“I think it was an unfortunate interview. I think when you withdraw a claim I think it is in and of itself an acknowledgement of the fact that perhaps that claim shouldn’t have proceeded, yet the interview seems to be very much in the space of blaming lots of other people,” he said.

Disbelief

Some Fine Gael members said they were in disbelief as to why Bailey thought it would be a good move to go on the radio programme. One Fine Gael source even said: “It’s possibly the worst political interview I’ve ever heard.”

They added that it was a complete “solo run” by the TD, describing it as a “car crash” interview. Another Fine Gael TD said the interview showed a serious lack of judgement on the part of Bailey.

They said they have a lot of empathy for her, “probably more than anyone else in the party”, but that going on the radio programme was a “rookie mistake” that an experienced politician wouldn’t make.

“My heart goes out to her… I feel very upset about it… I don’t think she did it intentionally, but she has caused huge damage to the party,” they added.

It was later announced that an internal party review is due to be carried out on ‘swing-gate’ – so this controversy is set to continue to be a headache for Fine Gael. 

Co-living

But when you drill down into the party’s performance, it wasn’t just swing-gate that could have affected things. There was another reason – Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy’s comments on co-living and how exciting it should be for young people.

There was a running commentary up to vote day on the co-living proposals, which later materialised in the count centre in Dublin, when a protest broke out around Murphy

One FG TD said while the timing of swing-gate was “horrific”, so were Murphy’s comments, and that blame for the party’s performance is being put on Bailey – when  Murphy and his co-living comments were just as damaging in the last week, “if not more so”.

Another TD said the co-living comments made people question putting a number one next to a Fine Gael candidate, with some of them ‘most likely switching to the Green vote’ in the last week.

Both of the above issues no doubt stuck in the minds of voters when they went to the ballot box. And it wasn’t one issue that did the damage, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said after the voting concluded.

I don’t think it is fair to say you can pick any one particular issue… I don’t think any one issue has damaged any one political party… we would be very naive to think that any one issue had stopped us from being the largest party [in local government].

Varadkar said he is particularly concerned about the party’s Dublin performance, calling it disappointing – particularly as it was polling well in the area.

Fine Gael’s campaign seemed very much about a battle for rural Ireland seats, but the party took the eye off the ball when it came to Dublin. As the exit poll was announced, it became apparent the party was going to lose votes to the Green Party. 

Varadkar said this was something Fine Gael was going to have to “analyse” in the coming weeks.

Doherty described results day in the locals last time around as the “awful day we had four years ago”.

This week, Varadkar’s attitude to the 2019 results appears to be ‘we’ll take it’, with him tweeting afterwards: “Not a bad day at the office after all.”

The big question now is how will the local results translate into a general election. That will be Varadkar’s main focus in the weeks ahead. 

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    Mute Toffeemac
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:41 AM

    Also don’t forget Josepha Madigans law firm took up the Bailey case. If that was the UK they’d all be gone

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    Mute rosetheone
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    Jun 1st 2019, 11:20 AM

    @Toffeemac: swing date and co-living that did the damage??
    I’d say it was lying to the public about abortion legislation….cervical smear scandal and how they tried to cover it up… women’s rights (when it suits them)… the international embarrassment that is the children’s hospital… their TD partaking in fraudulent insurance claims… but what really did it for me: treating the nurses and midwives like a piece of dirt on his shoes….

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Jun 1st 2019, 1:10 PM

    “Swing gate” is obviously a PR disaster for her and FFG but in the grand scheme of things is pretty minor compared to the real scandals that have embraced this government. It clearly illustrates the pomposity of those chosen to represent us in governance but that pomposity has been on view since they took up office and can be illustrated by their inaction over the homelessness crisis, their failed attempt (thankfully) at introducing water charges, scandal and corruption in the Department of Justice, cervical smear test scandal, hospital waiting lists and overcrowding and handing out private contracts with colossal budget overruns. Maria Bailey is just a microcosm of whats wrong with everything in our current government.

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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:14 AM

    Maria Baileys interview wasn’t just a car crash, it was a motorway pile up with a train wreck thrown in for good measure.
    Leo worries only because the best interests of the FG party (particularly the individual beneficiaries of the parties interests) will ALWAYS come before the best interests of the people who elected them. Which is why Bailey will be told to keep the head down for now until the storm passes. Easy peasy when your dealing with the dumbo Irish electorate.

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    Mute John Macken
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    Jun 1st 2019, 5:59 AM

    @Milk The Drones: and she just about survived that pile up but Leo keeps grabbing her and throwing her under ever passing bus

    57
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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:08 AM

    @John Macken: Not another Claim !

    56
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    Mute Bhiniáimin Ó Beith
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:21 AM

    FF pushed us off the cliff and FG smash us at the bottom… and still the electorate vote for them it’s exactly like game of thrones the wheel goes round and round nothing ever changes…

    271
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    Mute Brian McHale-Boyle
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    Jun 1st 2019, 2:40 AM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: Charles Haughey and Garret Fitzgerald were best friends. I don’t need to say any more.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:08 AM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: there is a whole pile to choose from. The shinners are a disaster and the left are looney’s

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    Mute James Gorman #FBPE
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    Jun 1st 2019, 10:16 AM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: and yet you couldn’t suggest a credible alternative which answers your own point.

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    Mute Chin Feeyin
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    Jun 1st 2019, 10:45 AM

    @Brian McHale-Boyle: they certainly were not!

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jun 1st 2019, 11:52 AM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: Agree 100% . Where were all the people who screamed never again. F.F. while in power brought this country to it’s knees, now keep in power the party F.G that just added to the mess. The electorate voted them in again.. A nation of fools is an understatement.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:39 PM

    @Chin Feeyin: The one thing they had in common was they both had bank depths written off by the banks. Politically Charlie was a Republican when it suited him…. Fitzgerald was an a apologist for anything that upset the Brits.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jun 1st 2019, 7:56 PM

    @Patrick O Connell: In case it has escaped your attention it was not Sinn Fein or the Looney left as you put it , It was the two parties that the fools of this country just re elected that brought this country to it’s knees. The greens while in government also have a lot to answer for. If you are happy with a crumbling health service, housing crisis, homelessness, scandal after scandal take it you voted to re elect these paracites.

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    Mute high ho silver
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:14 AM

    Housing transport hospitals stealth taxes I could go on fair play Leo your doing a great job thanks

    135
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    Mute Brian McHale-Boyle
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    May 31st 2019, 10:38 PM

    He really is a big feckin eejit. Can his PR not tell him to stop throwing those gormless faces?

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    Mute Happy Out
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:36 AM

    @Brian McHale-Boyle: Leo Varadker had a nice old sing song about Maria Bailey and Swing-gate. Press don’t seam to be covering it though:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI9aLAD5N9U

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    Mute Brian McHale-Boyle
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:40 AM

    @Happy Out: This is my favorite so far:

    https://imgur.com/JTA5Qj5

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    Mute Eric Gaffney
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    Jun 1st 2019, 1:33 AM

    @Brian McHale-Boyle: Made me laugh.

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    Mute Robert Phelan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 2:34 AM

    Jesus only 48% went out to vote if even that.nobody gives a fook about politics it’s dying like the church and only for the divorce referendum more people would of stayed at home.sure let ffg think their doing a good job..

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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:10 AM

    @Happy Out: Very Funny . Well done and showing that mob up for what they are .

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    Mute Paul White
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:13 AM

    Wait till the General Election.

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 1:05 AM

    Spare me this late early on Sat 1st June but to assume Leo hasn’t a clue – your are a chancer a spin merchant and an Taoiseach on borrowed time

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    Mute Gerry Dempsey
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    Jun 1st 2019, 1:30 AM

    Fine gale stirring up a storm. New Swingers club opening in Leinster House soon. Free Baileys every night. Come and have a fall sorry ball and swing the night away. Doctor on call.

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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Jun 1st 2019, 7:31 AM

    If the people of Dun Laoghaire re-elect Maria Bailey whenever the next General Election is, I will lose all faith in humanity.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:14 AM

    @Michael Kelly: Loads of money was re-elected in Monaghan so nothing will surprise me anymore.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:17 AM

    @Michael Kelly: Louth re-elected a convicted terrorised for the last few elections, Kerry re-elected a gun runners for the last few elections

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 10:31 AM

    @Michael Kelly: she will never be let forget about her stupidity and greed and rightly so! Swing low Maria, swing low….

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:39 PM

    @Michael Kelly: Lowery , is a prime example… Swings and roundabouts… Jesus what a nation of fools we are.

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    Mute Padraig Salah
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    Jun 1st 2019, 2:33 AM

    Not much has changed since Bertie’s days. Those with contacts and in the loop can receive a lot of taxpayers et als money for what is basically legalized fraud. Madigans and Bailey are no better than berties mafia.

    However I put much blame on the voters who we see repeatedly re electing these crooks while struggling themselves to make ends meet.

    And the crooks know this and abuse people’s vulnerability over and over.

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    Mute Charles McGuire
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:44 AM

    Makes Brian’s Cowen hung over hot mess of an interview sound like an inspiring and uplifting piece of radio in comparison.

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    Mute iComment
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    Jun 1st 2019, 5:25 AM

    The big story of the election is the collapse of the SF vote..Which was very unexpected….Have not seen any media stories or analysis on this….

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:07 AM

    @iComment:Fact: Of the 105 seats FG lost in 2014 local elections ,FG just won back 20 seats in 2019 local elections!(They had 340 seats before 2014 local elections but lost 105 seats in 2014)
    Fact:FF increased seats by 12 in 2019(They had 218 seats before 2014& gained 49 seats then &12 in 2019)
    Fact:Green Party increased their seats by 37.(They had just 12 in 2014)
    Fact:New party SD won 19 seats.
    Fact:SF won 105 seats in 2014(They had 54 seats before that)&FG had lost 105 seats in 2014.They lost 78 seats in 2019 however still have 22 more seats than before 2014 local elections.
    Fact:PBP/S lost 17 seats in 2019(combined they had just 9 seats before 2014& now have 11 seats.
    The turnout for the 2019 local elections @49% was the lowest in history and voters see more choices than the main parties eg: Green Party &SDs.
    So another big story of the 2019 is that FG just won 20seats back from the 105 seats they list in 2014&FF just won 12 seats.Greens won 37seats & Labour win 6seats while New party SDs win 19 seats.
    Fact:Labour increased their seats by 6 to 57(they had 81 seats before 2014 local elections)

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:15 AM

    @Nuala Mc Namara: fact: the shinners has a disaster of an election, lost over 50% of their seats in the locals, lost 2 seats in the euros, mind you the ape that won above in north west is running for the Dail so he won’t see out his term and they also fit smashed in the presidential last year. Roll on the GE with Mary lose mac at the wheel

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:06 PM

    @Patrick O Connell: Fact:FG only regained 20.9% of the seats they lost in 2014 Local elections!!Any comment about that?
    Roll on GE all right as not good legacy having ongoing National emergencies in homelessness, housing and health,etc!

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    Mute Padraig Salah
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:19 PM

    @iComment: without Gerry and Martin in Sinn Fein is like Liverpool without van dijk and salah, a different proposition

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    Mute Mary Dunphy
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    Jun 1st 2019, 2:23 AM

    Well isn’t it nice to have a fall guy and gal when reality bites. The population have been well disillusioned with FFG for many a long day and were awaiting an opportunity to display their wrath at the ballot box. Our country and culture has been changed beyond all belief during this Government’s tenure and then the upset caused to the faithful pensioners by fobbing them off with 20% of the back money they were due having been conned out of their correct pensions was a self inflicted blow. Bring on the General Election.

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    Mute Brian McHale-Boyle
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    Jun 1st 2019, 2:33 AM

    @Mary Dunphy: It’s okay, Mary, Leo is singing this right now.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DxqdIA75sc

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:54 AM

    @Mary Dunphy: Sadly, I think you’re deluded, Mary. No-one woke up at least not enough; they INCREASED their vote. Still too many eejits voting the way their grandparents did or suffering from amnesia.

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    Mute Patrick Nolan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:39 PM

    @Martin Meyler:
    Or don’t like socialism.

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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Jun 1st 2019, 4:28 AM

    Swings and Roundabouts Leo .

    Baileys doesn’t Mix with the Swings .

    And , Leo your Exit is certainly on the Roundabout .

    Phoney Show Pony .

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    Mute Toffeemac
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:34 AM

    Parish pump politics is why most of these incompetent represantives get re-elected. It will always be like that unfortunately because nobody here is held to account properly! If we were a true Republic not just by name these people wouldn’t even be on the election card

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:10 AM

    @Toffeemac: who do you suggest would be best in government????

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    Mute Shane Murphy
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:09 AM

    Ah varadkar. The biggest anti climax since me in the bedroom!

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 1st 2019, 6:40 AM

    This is what Leo spins in public. He’s happy, the Greens will throw their weight around now they are on a roll, impractical and expensive demands on the public, nothing to say about the lungs of the city being torn out. Instead they’ll bring in bans and taxes at local authority level.
    There’s a good positive about these results. It will show people that unless you get off your behind and vote and vote wisely, the status quo will remain.

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    Mute Willy
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    Jun 1st 2019, 5:08 AM

    Those who are of the I’m alright Jack and Feck the rest brigade make up the majority of the FFG vote …

    55
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    Mute Patrick Nolan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:40 PM

    @Willy:
    They make up the majority of the voters.

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    Mute Brian McHale-Boyle
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:11 AM

    Ooh, have Fine Gael’s solicitors taken a look now?

    You’re meant to be journalists – Print and be damned!

    LOL at the next Cease and Desist sent to me by trustworthy Fine Gael solicitors

    52
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:00 AM

    I’d say the FG analysis will be some fun. “Its all marias fault”. And they’ll probably get in a FG focus group to tell them they’re all doing a fantastic job.

    28
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Jun 1st 2019, 6:05 AM

    Jeez Leo .. whose office were you in?

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 8:33 AM

    When are Maria and Simon going to be thrown out of FG? Anywhere else they would be gone by now.

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    Mute Daithi O'Raimór
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    Jun 1st 2019, 12:25 AM

    The worst political interview? Terence Flanagan,AKA stuttery Tiny Tears wins that accolade by a mile.

    28
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    Mute TonyM
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    Jun 1st 2019, 7:01 AM

    Big winners were decent Irish people with the demise of Sinn Fein.

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    Mute Liam Ward
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    Jun 1st 2019, 6:59 AM

    F/g was never gonna accept their bad days @ the office anyway just like they have lost their way in governing the country and the people who they represent the people have spoken Leo I know you wont accept it f/g are finished with there governance of this country enda Kenny was by far the better leader ye had and ye should a kept him

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    Mute Mark McGrath
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    Jun 1st 2019, 8:28 AM

    I may be wrong, but the cynic in me thinks that Maria Bailey is being thrown under the bus to make way for the EU fanboy Richmond to run in the Dun Laoghaire area. They can’t just drop her to make room for him or they will be accused of discrimination against a woman. There are a lot of bigger issues annoying the electorate, not just Bailey’s ridiculous claim.

    27
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:36 AM

    Out of two main parties, they’ve got around 25% support. You could say up to 50% of the electorate are looking for somebody to vote for. If they performed better, they’d get more votes but the bottom line is that they’re just not doing a very good job.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:50 AM

    And no amount of photo opps and spin will make them any better. They pay themselves the big bucks but all they can produce is the fake news, the spin and the photo opps.

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    Mute Toon Army
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    Jun 1st 2019, 8:10 AM

    It’s been under reported but the SDs bringing hope 19 and some good showings in Europe has to be a good day for them. A lot were writing them off after the last election but I always said they would be slow risers. A bold statement but I could see them become the largest party in 10 to 15 years.

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    Mute Patrick Nolan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 3:42 PM

    @Toon Army:
    God loves an optimist!

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    Mute Darragh Lewis
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    Jun 1st 2019, 8:20 AM

    Something I haven’t heard anyone mention is the effect of their opposition to the Nurses pay increase. This had to have resulted in more votes for FF. If I was in the public sector I’d vote FF all day…… FREE MONEY YEAAAH!!

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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:36 AM

    Johnny Cash Version .

    Obviously Maria Bailey substitutes “ Sweet Insurance Claim “ for “ Sweet Chariot “ !

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Y_GLT4_9I&frags=pl%2Cwn

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    Mute Richard Keenan
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    Jun 1st 2019, 1:50 PM

    The only reason so many people still vote for FG is identity politics. Most of the social justice warriors don’t care what Varadkar does as long as he continues to be open about sleeping with men.

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    Mute Pl O'neill
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:16 AM

    Fine Gael’s New theme music .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8frEt6w4G8

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    Mute Lobert Rester
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:23 AM

    Only two issues at the doors eh, was that in Fine Gael land or what because there are quite a number of issues at the doors, you clown.

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    Mute Darren Carroll
    Favourite Darren Carroll
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    Jun 1st 2019, 7:45 PM

    Ff and fg…two cheeks of the same arse

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    Mute Wild Goose
    Favourite Wild Goose
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    Jun 1st 2019, 9:32 PM

    I’ve muted all comments from people with double barrel names. Wussies.

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    Mute Gerald Gallagher
    Favourite Gerald Gallagher
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    Jun 1st 2019, 7:42 PM

    Leo has lost 1 of new councilors as Frank Mc Brearty resigned from FG claiming he was hounded out by other elected FG members

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    Mute Leo Lalor
    Favourite Leo Lalor
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    Jun 1st 2019, 4:59 AM

    This person is living in cloud cuckoo land. He has a brass neck. FG have no credibility. Irish people truely deserve stupid paddy label putting up with these useless clown politicians

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