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LAST NIGHT SAW the final leaders’ debate before the general election.
For the last few weeks, party leaders have taken to the podium in RTÉ and TV3. But did their performances have any impact on how you’re going to vote on Friday?
That’s what we’re asking: Have the election debates changed how you’ll vote?
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Its made my mind up who I WON’T vote for
Is Miriam like the only female news anchor we have in this country? She does everything on RTE..Just saying…
Well she’s paid enough to do the work. I thought she was going to cry when Gerry asked her if she earned over €100k
Claire Byrne is very good. She handled her round of the debates much better
She spent to much time on the past attacking all the leader
There should have being hard question on the future and on their plans
No more lies or broken promises from SF/Labour
All the same with either broken promises or promise yet to be broken based on their track records.
First promise broken by SF before the election has even happened:
“Government must abolish grossly unfair Universal Social Charge” – Doherty
Greg that was five years ago, they are dealing with the current reality now prudently, FG meanwhile are promising tax cuts based on future growth that may never materialise! I thought they were supposed to be the conservative prudent ones?
No,mwhen doesn’t. Claire Byrne chaired the best debate I saw. Best of lot was TG4, not a debate, but it got there!
Sorry, meant to type ‘No she (Miriam) doesn’t.’
Exactly Noel thank you. Labour’s promises were 5 years ago also and they broke theirs, as people always point out here. So what’s your point?
SF were even in government and yet they STILL broke theirs!
*not even
The point is Europe is on the verge of another financial meltdown, our government have brought in regressive flat-rate charges on homes and public water in the last 5 years, so things change and sometimes in ways you don’t want it to particularly when you are not in government, the prudent thing now is not to decimate our progressive tax system in order to buy an election.
Yes Noel and I agree with you that our government have a very progressive tax system in place and they want to make it better. As Pearse Doherty said before USC is a “grossly unfair tax” and I agree with that, but your suggestion about getting rid of water charges and property tax is regressive.
Everywhere in Europe people pay these as part of rates like in the north or stand alone charge. All left leaning and socialist parties implement these as they want good public services. Now granted Irish water as a utility needs reform and is a disaster the way it is now.
The guy with the biggest and most valuable house pays most in property tax so it’s progressive.
Those who can’t pay water get relief and subsidies.
But what’s unfair is a couple on an average €30k each would still end up paying almost €2k in USC together under Sinn Fein, yet get free water (saving €160) and free property tax (saving maybe €100-200). wow thanks for that!!!!!!!
Doesn’t make sense for the low and middle income earners. SF are not going to help us.
Surely we have to stop thinking in the vein of “what does it do for me?” and ask what does it do for all of us and our fellow citizens and the whole country in general. Who knows what might happen in the future – I might get sick for instance and be dependent on OUR health system, so it makes sense to be more considerate and less me fein on these things. I fall into that income bracket you describe at the end and it doesn’t sound to bad to me.
… particularly if we have affordable access to housing, health, education etc.
Five years ago our coffers were empty. And SF advocated abolishing the USC. Now the coffers are recovering and they need to keep it. SF are a protest party and just disagree with with everything safe in the knowledge that they will not have to make tough decisions so they won’t have things blow up in their faces.
Careful. Don’t burst their populist bubble. In a true left wing society everybody pays tax. Even the lower earners pay something. Everybody pays for their utilities and the more you use the more you pay. Same with the property tax. (Even though many people paid whopping stamp duty here so in those instances it’s probably a bit of a pisser)
They can’t say that as a large portion of their support base is either low paid or unemployed and in social housing. (Hence there was no massive protests over the property tax)
Miriam should have had it put to her how ‘worthy’ she is presenting a debate when her own brother is running for FF!!! Could not make it up! Some joke! That alone would lose FF some votes.
I was thinking of just voting Independent and SF. I like Joan Collins. She works hard. But having listened to Stephen Donnelly and some of the other candidates from the Social Democrats. I like their common sense approach. They don’t seem to offer pie in the sky. There approach is. This is what we have to work with. It’s the pragmatist in me likes them.
Miriam was very good and balanced Not it the least intiminated by Gerry
T wat
No. It’s cemented it. Joan’s last words to the wrong camera were too fitting.
Did you notice Joans first words were “May I Just Say”…
definitely not voting fg or lb
She always starts with those words. The women offends me deeply.
Definitely not voting SF/Labour. All the same, either broken promises or promise to be broken based on their track records.
First promise broken before the election has even happened
“Government must abolish grossly unfair Universal Social Charge” – Doherty
Well it was a change from the “Let me just say”……
Don’t think they did much to change minds seemed to just tried to beat each other
I was a Labour voter, until I heard Gerry speak.
Alan, don’t think the debate helped anyone, in fact I think it would have made people think we are fooked, I also think ot was totally wrong not to have independents etc represented, it’s not like there is 40 different parties, also as this is a debate for potentially voting in a leader of our country I think a little more than a hour should have been given, more like a few hours every evening or day over a week which focuses one the main issues, maybe a issues each day over a week or two, at least we could of get detailed understanding of what they are going to do, not just we will pump billions into something, and the leaders could of had support from members of there party that will be implementing and leading this change, for me it’s an absolute joke
I agree Mick. What we saw was the state broadcaster pointing out the chronyism whilst at the same time excluding the other parties and independents from the final debate podium. Chronyism takes many forms.
Whichever way the vote goes we are screwed. None of them are any good.
If you were a teen or student and thinking I’d love to get into politics one day to help people and change this country, last night would have put you right off. All the so called ‘leaders’ of this country should be ashamed of themselves. Is that the best this country has to offer? In the centenary anniversary of 1916 as well?
Personally No. However it would be interesting to hear from the 12% who claim it did change there opinions. I think the do not know is in the region of 15% (according to polls?). The way the 15% don’t knows split could have a big bearing on the outcome of the election, are they pro or anti government? right or left ?ect. it would be interesting to get a feel from those who were influenced by the debate or those who are do not know, but are probably leaning a certain direction.
I turned off the telly as soon as I heard Gerry speak.
Sure isn’t chronyism chronic!
What exactly would you like? Just curious.
me too
Fantastic Comment Mick. I fully agree.
Shinnerbot- is that even his real voice, I heard him on the telly box a few years ago and he sounded so different. Was that private operation he got his mates to pay for to alter his larynx
The Don’t Knows probably don’t vote.
if people still want to vote for liars, who are still even lying on tv debates then go ahead. My votes go the SF, SD, AAA and Indos. Good luck with the same old if ye want. Something new is always worth a try. Just remember your property tax, the bankers who got off and the irish water scam when your going to vote.
I wasn’t going to vote Labour until I heard Gerry speak !
Confirmation of choice for me. Can’t go on with the same auld cronyism and corruption. We have been cheated , taxed , robbed and lied to enough. Time for change for the better for us the people.
You’re going to be taxed more with a left wing party, you are aware of that yes?
No taxed the same or a little less, that’s sounds prudent and honest to me given current global uncertainty. And no more mean spirited regressive flat rate charges like home tax and water
How else will sinn fein pay for all these social policies so? I looked at there manifesto which proposed free 3rd level education and postgraduate education, however they only assigned €1.9bn to education in their budget which includes primary and secondary education also. Unless tax goes through the roof proposals like these are not economically viable if you ask me. I’m just curious as to where some people think the money is going to come from. Thanks
There’s not only left wing alternatives Sean, as an apolitcal individual the only policies out there that makes any sense is Renua. The only problem is they’re to small and the country has written them off with out even bothering to figure out what they’re about.
Would the contributors please be upfront with political membership. It would make comments more valuable.
Thanks for the comment Chris. You’re 100% right that there are more alternatives than simply left wing parties. I was just assuming that the only parties with a realistic chance of being in government are left wing (SF). On another note I won’t be voting for Renua personally because of the proposals for a flat tax, I find this policy grossly unfair on young people who are already on low wages as they are breaking into the workforce.
Have a look again Sean their basic income payment seems to go a long way to effectively canceling out tax on low wages. Seamus, I’m definitely not a member, renua are the only one I can see proposing something radical can actually kick the country in the right direction. I’d like to hear more from the rest of the party though and not just Creighton. Hard to vote for someone you’ve never heard speak.
well we’ve have what 10 years of repetitive strain, i think we can go another 5 years if it is the case with a brand new government, but we’ll never know unless we go. We do now what we have got, so better to take a chance. God knows they certainly did take them and never were accountable till now… Gone! FF/FG/Labour, as SF said, they’ve have 80 years of it. No more feeding, take yer pensions and g.t.f.o and by that they should be cut much further inc those retired. €2million pension pot for Irish Water Tierney? Ain’t that some disgrace, really in all fairness.
Am all in favour of a flat rate tax.. Leaving people with more money means they will spend more, which improves the economy anyway.. I would much prefer thousands a year more than all the other showers proposals.. Sadly there isnt enough Renua candidates running and they are given very little air time etc.. ah well maybe next time.
No.
The leader’s debates have just cemented my view that if returned to power Fine Gael and Labour will destroy the social fabric of this country and privatise all essential services.
And there will never be a 32 county republic because judging by the way they treat Gerry Adams it’s obvious these two parties hate the Republican community in the North and will never reach out to them in time of need.
It’s Blueshirt politics and Tory economics with Fine Gael/Labour.
And that’s why I’ll never vote for either of them.
Because I love my country.
You’re forgetting of course that neither the majority North and south have no interest in unification. We’ve much more pressing matters. Patriotism doesn’t pay the bills…
If you think it’s remotely cost effective or economically sound to have a border with two different currencies on a tiny island like ours then work away trying to pay those bills
Someone else pays for the north so it’s economically sound for us.
Peter, both north and south, the entire island would benefit economically and socially from unity and solidarity, something sadly lacking in the EU at the moment. Personally I would have no problem negotiating closer relations with Britain our main export market and home to our majority emigrants. That would really confuse the unionists also. The north requires subvention from Westminster as it was a failed amputated state from the start. We’re stronger together.
Noel your understanding of the islands economics is indeed limited. Some of us believe we already have a united island. It’s at peace. What do you think would happen if the brits walked out on the North in the morning. I refer you to the reunification of Germany & how much that cost the German taxpayer & the rest of the EU.
Noel, hopefully you’ll find the 11 billion subvention, required annually, to fund the north in the fiscal space.
@O’Reilly Every poll i’ve ever seen shows a majority in the 26 counties supports reunification.
@Peter King Not as economically sound as reunification. http://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/unification-of-ireland-could-bring-in-36-5bn-in-eight-years-1.2435505
@Clifford Brennan
As mentioned in my above post, the only full economic model of Irish reunification to have ever been made found that both sides of the border would benefit, potentially to the tune of €36.5bn in the first eight years.
Aside from all that, you rehash the lazy subvention argument which is about as skewed as it is possible to be.
The fact is, it’s hard to see how the idea of a subvention of “10 billion from the uk” is accurate. In the year 2011-2012, for example, public spending (what came to the six counties from Britain) – was somewhere between £17.7 billion and £18.9 billion. Vague because figures produced in the six counties and those produced by the British Treasury don’t match up. Strangely enough.
Similarly, there’s no accurate statement of revenue available for the north – meaning what goes FROM the six counties to London is vague. But in the same year (2011-2012) it is known that the six counties generated at least £14 billion – which doesn’t include income tax, corporation tax and VAT which is generated here by British and international companies but paid in Britain.
So despite the vague figures and the secrecy of the British treasury, when the figures going out are taken from the figures coming in, it appears that the six counties get something closer to £5 billion annually from Britain, not the £10 billion which is often quoted by free state quasi-unionists like yourself. £5bn isn’t a small amount of money, but it’s just half the amount of money that you/unionism would cod us into believing that we’re getting.
Mind you, that £5bn is made look an awful lot smaller again when we consider the amount of money out of it could be saved by not having two separate systems of health care, of education, of transport, of agriculture, of inward investment on a small island of just 6 million people. Ask any successful business or employer, north or south, if a border with its different fiscal policies and tariffs helps or hinders business development and have a wild guess what they’ll tell you. Similarly, ask a businessman/woman in the border areas whether cross-border credit card transaction fees, wavering northern/southern mobile phone signals leading to undue roaming charges, not to mention two currencies and two tax and pay-roll systems make trade easier or more difficult. Their answer might contain more than a few expletives.
The fact is that partition has failed and will continue to fail both the north and south.
Clifford, that is a completely moronic argument – the current subvention is a clear indication of the structural failure of the state of northern Ireland. It is isolated from the rest of its island due to a border, while just 2 hours down the road is an independent thriving city with its own ability to set corporate tax and encourage investment. It is also isolated from London geographically and politically from Europe, I mean if you started from scratch you couldn’t come up with a more dysfunctional “state”
I should mentioned too that that €5bn is fairly small fish compared to the approximately €100bn debt the previous two governments have foisted upon the people and the behest of the banks.
Tyrone and Noel. Let it go lads. It’s not going to happen. Ye shouldn’t let it consume ye like that!
You might want to elaborate on the statement: “I would have no problem negotiating closer relations with Britain our main export market and home to our majority emigrants.” It’s an interesting statement to make 100 years on from 1916. I too am in favour of well-defined ‘closer relations’ with Great Britain/UK, but you may have noticed that they are looking to leave the EU of which we will remain a member. By ‘closer relations’ I mean developing freedom of movement of goods, services, investment and people within the framework of the EU and certainly not in the framework of a closer political union with Britain on any issue other than working together to ensure peace and prosperity in the North of Ireland. It may sadly come to pass that a majority of English people within the UK vote to leave. That is their sovereign right, they know what they are leaving but are not so clear on where they are headed. Their problem. Scotland would then very probably leave the UK and I would like to see equally good and close relations between Ireland, EU, Scotland and rUK. That’ll do me for now. I hope you agree.
Well Mjhint, I got charged roaming charges the last time I crossed the border, so it didn’t feel unified I have to say, doing cross border (legit) business must be very restrictive
Unfortunately many older people or just people who don’t have internet only have the info on RTE and newspapers are being completely and totally manipulated by vested interests, it’s actually quite frightening. In a fair society there really should be some kind of restriction imposed on egomaniacal people who want to own all sources of media in one country.
Noel. Northern Ireland ran a deficit of @9 billion. Add that to ours it’s not going to work.
Unfortunately many older people or just people who don’t have internet only have the info on RTE and newspapers are being completely and totally manipulated by vested interests, it’s actually quite frightening. In a fair society there really should be some kind of restriction imposed on egomaniacal people who want to own all sources of media in one country.
@Tom
The only full scale, scientific model of reunification suggests that not only would it work, but it would be of significant economic benefit north & south.
Bluepool, it is an interesting assertion to make, but we need imaginative solutions to intractable problems. How about this for size: Scotland gains independence which seems likely, Wales already has its own parliament of sorts, how about a loose confederation of Celtic and English states – with Ireland unified, England gets its own parliament which it doesn’t even have currently, all states get an equal say and 1 vote each in matters of cross border issues, Celtic collaboration would prevent any imperial tendencies by London. Mad stuff??
A lot of social media is based on herd-like groupthink. The people may be younger, regard themselves as enlightened and progressive but Twitter and Facebook are characterised more by a herdlike mentality than by independent thinking. Whatever the medium and whatever the age group, the need is for a robust questioning mentality. The social media generation aren’t necessarily the best example of this.
“A lot of social media is based on herd-like groupthink.”
Hole in one. It’s amusing when people who basically only go to sites, social media and blogs which repeat their own opinion back to them – which is essentially what “the new media” has degenerated into – see themselves as enlightened or more knowledgeable than those who read the establishment papers. What we need to develop as individuals and a society is robust critical and analytical tools for dealing logically with the flurry of information surrounding us, rather than falling pray to confirmation bias.
It also means getting rid of your own personal sacred cows, which is very difficult for anyone.
I will take a 32 county Republic when a clear majority of Northern Irish want it.
We are not imperialists, we will not force our sovereignty on others. If we do that then we are no better than the British when they conquered this country in the first place – and so Irishness would be meaningless anyway.
Established media and media trolls hyping up FF because FG are pathetic everyone knows it, now they are trying to push FF back on us because it’s all the same to DOB, they’re all in his pocket.
Except the people will decide. Unless you think Dinny has bought them too? Ffs…
He hasn’t them bought he just tries to manipulate them through his various media interests. I had a friend on to me this morning telling me how he’s going to vote and why and it was like reading an endo opinion piece. He has 2 radio stations and countless newspapers spouting his propaganda. And he seems to be succeeding looking at the polls.
Whinging Magoo please stop for the sake of the kids
Proctologist..
No of course not, I’ve been wanting to say adios to the three amigos for years!
The Three Mexicans.
Los 3 Bandidos…….plus ca change!
Performance is the right word to use, who reads out statements during a debate. The only bit of truth was on cronyism and that enda Kenny used his position to appoint FG party officials to state boards. Misleading the dail and leaving heather humphreys hanging. It brings the banking enquiry back into focus and how millions were wasted as an electioneering stunt. We see now why people are permoted to ministers positions and why change is impossible while Enda Kenny and FG are in office.
Yeah shocking that the so called leader couldn’t even say a few wall rehearsed line to the camera without constantly looking down. He was a joke and that is why the media are now putting all their weight behind FF. They are just different flavours of the same drink. Nothing will change for all the parasites in their cosy cartels, quangos, tribunals, advisory boards, experts groups, etc. Etc. Etc. All aboard the gravy FF/FG are still in the drivers seat
The first steps to change will be mean testing politicial and top civil servants pensions then removing politicial control from key goverment departments. We need an independent justice that can hold politician to account jus like everyone else. Enough is enough two many Irishmen and women have died waiting from these pigs to finish feeding surviving on the scraps. atleast the media have played its shown its true face.
In the Dáil and on record he said he had not given any instruction to his arts minister, Heather Humphreys, to make Mr McNulty a director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Now, he’s say’s he did give instruction….he lied to the Dáil, this shows his contempt for the Dáil and political accountability.
He’s a liar and cannot be trusted.
Well said Al and all along he tried to hide the lie. The man is a weasel and he will lie about almost anything to try and hold on to power. I find it amazing that some people on here turn a blind eye to his lies and always try to deflect when his lies come up.
It will be a hollow victory for Enda Kenny, to have stolen/bought this election only to make history for himself, as the first FG leader to get returned to power. What history will remember is the party members and coalition partners he shafted to become as corrupt as Bertie. Denis Naughton Roscommon hospital, Roisin Shorthall stroke politics, Willie Penrose housing and mullingar army barrack, Alan shatter Garda whistleblowers, Garda commissioner again to stop whistleblowers. The sooner he is removed from Irish politics the better and FG and FF spend another generation without the power to curropt our nation.
And will we trust Martin Adams or God forbid tax dodging Wallace and his cohorts? While I’m at it how did Wallace get tax clearance to stand for election please advice
A travesty of democracy for the national broadcaster to present these as our only options. There are alternatives
There aren’t really though. Outside of these four there are no other groupings who could mathematically propose a Taoiseach, even with alliances.
It’s not RTE’s fault that, despite having one of the most democratic systems of electing a national parliament in the world, the Irish people consistently elect clowns.
Cronyism Joan forgot Eamon Gilmore wife just landed A job on A board paying 135000 A year. Enda doesn’t have a clue takes his teachers pension on top of the other pensions. Great little Country for Corruptions
FF / FG tweedle dum tweedle dee either way the same old cronyism corruption, ineptitude. They are telling us we have no other choice. This is not democracy.
No mention of Merkel’s mass immigration policy or Brexit in last night’s debate. These two issues will define Ireland’s future in the next five years and not a mention!
To put these issues on the political agenda, I would suggest that voters in Cork North central vote for Peter O Loughlin.
Her mass immigration policy is for germany and supported by a majority of germans. I don’t see how this is a big issue for Ireland when it effects germany. Brexit however I do agree completely that is requires deep discussion.
Well I don’t think last nights debate would swing too many people. I nodded off about half way through, and I’m actually interested in this sort of stuff.
The 7 way debate was the best IMHO. I would imagine that RBB and Stephen Donnelly got a lot of votes and transfers for their respective parties on the back of their contributions
Fc if it was a 7 way debate your party people before profit could talk about their issues, like their support for the striking luas workers
Met with RBB last week at a gig in Dun Laoghaire. Nice man. He wants best what is for the working class people in this country. I really like the fact he wears casual clothes and does not wear suits like most of the pathetic people who run this country. That says a lot about him really.
I have to say Jake that the fact he reuses to dress formally is one of the most annoying things about Richard Boyd Barrett. (Along with Mick Wallace) he is clearly the most brand focused, image dependent members of the Dail. I would much rather everyone would stop focusing on image, dressed in anonymous suits and let their policies speak for themselves.
one inch man i.e. one inch striped suits, never ever trust them.
Enda Kenny needs to be immediately expelled from FG for his admission last night. By accidentally saying what he said, he has admitted to cronyism, corruption, lying to the people of Ireland, and most seriously LYING in the Dail Chamber/lying on the Official State Records…. This is the leader of the country, and his actions prove he has disrespected Irish Democracy, the Irish People and the Office of Taoiseach.
I thought it was a breath of fresh air just to get some honesty from the guy. Unfortunately, he saw his honesty as a major error and back tracked when leaving RTE.
It’s a bit of a theme in this country that we say we want our politicians to be plain speaking and honest, but as soon as they do we slaughter them. Is it any wonder they feel compelled to lie about everything.
Imagine if Gerry Adams decided to admit last night that he was a member of the IRA and he had direct knowledge of various incidents, which he now fully condemns – he should be commended for his honesty and coming clean, but instead it would be used by everyone to condemn him.
Similarly if Micheal Martin came out and said Fianna Fail ballsed up the entire country and were bent as a nine bob note – but have now turned a leaf, he would be ridiculed.
And Enda, the whingers comment, it was actually a rare moment of humanity and frustration shown by a politician in an age where every utterence is stage managed – I would rather we heard more of that. Sure the country is full of whingers, most of them post on here!
The problem is why wasn’t Enda honest before now, only when he was put under pressure did he let it slip
he wouldn’t be expelled, just like Cowen, they’ll hang on and need to be dragged out. That time is coming this weekend. A massive kick they’ll get.
If nothing else it’s reminded people how aloof and I’ll informed Adams is of his own policies and economic concepts. He memorises material then spits it out backwards. Dumb & dangerous. And their vote is collapsing…
Your right time for him to go
Dumb and dangerous is the assumption a party is defined by its leader
Whatever you say about Adams, he’s not as good a speaker as Mary Lou or Pearce but compared to Enda haha they don’t even compare. Don’t go casting your vote based on ability to speak or get things wrong in a debate, he’s done far more public speaking on TV than Kenny would ever have the b***s to do UNSCRIPTED! Try it some time. We have witnessed FG in government, thats all we need to know, where the real work is done and not done.
Also don’t forget the amount of lies they’ve told on TV, Adams was mostly right overall, so I can’t see how he’s that aloof?
Does anyone ever remember Enda Kenny answering a straight question ?
I have now been watching him for five years and it’s so,so, frustrating listening to his ducking, diving, dodging – - and anything but answering the question. I don’t know – - – maybe he has no answers, or he’s just plain dumb…
She allowed all of them to waffle off-topic on every single question. Pathetic moderation.
I can see a lot of people going back to FF.
If so then I fear for the intelligence & memory of the irish people
People think a new party will make changes but it will be the same spin. We can’t do this etc the previous government made those policies etc all crap. New leader same policy.
Ireland has only ever been ran by FG or FF, I’m sorry Donna but that cynical point is invalid as all the new and smaller parties have yet to get into power
They will never get into power. I voted FG last time. I’m voting Ind this time keeping it local. I don’t thing FG have done bad considering the recession but I think Enda is out of touch.
Personally I think you should vote for who you want to have a say in running the entire country, as opposed to looking after your own constituency. No reason why it shouldn’t be independents, that’s not what I’m saying – just that people need to see the bigger picture instead of the local one. In my opinion that’s always been an issue so far on Irish politics and it means you don’t necessarily get the right people having the country as a whole’s best interests in mind.
Farce once again of the highest order. The only one with a pair was Adams, and as much as his past is colorful to say the least, he tackled the others, the three amigos as he so eloquently put it. The other three whilst someones ” debating ” mainly stuck together, as they will most likely go into coalition. Adams as usual portrayed as the big bad wolf. Questions were not answered, just another run through the motions tv appearance.
Before the debate I thought Adams was a bumbling buffoon, after the debate I thought Adams was a bumbling buffoon.
Call the election off lads Leo has made his mind up…
Would love to of seen Mary Lou on them instead
Same could be said about Kenny
yep Adams and Kenny were awful.
Bring on Doherty and Varadkar!
Leo/Diarmuid add “Britain must exit the European Union” and you have your tuv party’s complete 2016 Stormont election manifesto.
very easy to picture Mary Lou or Pearce on there, crippling them with the truth. Add Clare Daly in there and you’ve got a total annhiliation of FF/FG/Labour, a complete wipeout.
Also.
Why is so little being said about Enda Kenny’s admittance that he lied to the Dail over the John McNulty appointment?
The Taoiseach of the country repeatedly lying to the House.
How can the public trust this man if he’s capable of lying in office?
The media should be all over this story this morning.
Cos this is the media and is controlled by their servants. Some joke alright, SF caught him lovely. Pity they didnt catch Miriam on the FF connection.
Last nights pseudo-debate will have no impact on the electorate. We are already wired to perceive our representative and their ideology as the best. The “debate” was basically a four way interview. The best description I heard was when someone described it like Students who had studied for a certain question, only to discover that the test was on a different topic, decided to still give the answer they’d prepared.
Most alarmingly, the Reform needed for a fairer society and a less corrupt politics was lacking in the “debate”. But as I believe: The Reformation will not be Televised
http://trickstersworld.com/2016/02/23/the-reformation-will-not-be-televised/
None of the above. Time for major change
If people keep voting for the same two clapped outparties FF and FG Ireland will never move forward.
Far too much corruption and croynism at the heart of these gangsters. We need CHANGE if we are to go forward. We have to get rid of our old tribal affiliations which have kept us back. Adams is a millstone around SF and they will do far better when he departs, everyone knows that except SF it seems. There are a number of good independents and small parties coming to the fore now please consider a vote for them, at least they have fresh ideas and should be given the opportunity to help smash the present FF/FG cartel.
It’s not just Adams, it’s all the old guard, mcguinness etc
agreed Joe. Its the whole old guard. people like Doherty and others will make the party more palatable to the majority when the old guard go.
I have always been a Labour voter , but never again
Yes. Social Democrats are the only shower worth voting of.
The only chance of a left Renaissance was for everyone to vote SF. Fortunately this vote is diluted by a great media campaign to Shiny new FF, AAA, independents etc.
How is this one going to work if ff/fg go into coalition. Fg are sticking with water charges while ff are against, also ff have said people who paid wont get their money back. Be careful who you vote for because one of them is telling porkies straight away.
they both are, simples really. Vote all the others, except Renua who are gone, theyre FG dressed up.
Id happily vote Renua.. 23% tax, dont have to even rest of their policies.. If they pull that one and leave me and extra 15K+ in my pocket, then thats good enough for me
Waste of time doing them, just like the posters are a waste of space
The greens are not putting up posters, will be interesting to see how they get on
Would all politically active contributors declare their affiliation when posting
You should have the courage of your convictions and stop the cowardly sniping.
Lapsed FF er
No, the last 5 years have changed how I will vote.
Nothing any of them said will convince me to vote for their party candidates. Stephen Donnelly and Richard Boyd Barrett were sorely missed.
At least with FF back in government, we get to party again..
None of the leaders would inspire confidence in anyone, Michael Martin came out tops last night, but we do need change and younger politicians to bring Ireland into the future.
well to be fair he didnt tell as many lies as FG/Labour, but he got a fair bit wrong.
If you’re waiting for “Leaders ‘ debates” to tell you how to vote, should you really have the franchise?
This hasn’t but Sky News has…
http://news.sky.com/story/1647478/election-test-for-irish-austerity-government
“Maeve Curtis, 60, lives in Dundalk, a town 50 miles north of Dublin, and has been protesting about austerity for five years.
“When you hit the poorest and the most vulnerable in society, then there’s something seriously wrong with your government.
“In 2008, we had 16,000 millionaires in Ireland. To date we have 91,000 millionaires so who’s getting the recovery? It’s not the ordinary citizen,” she said. ”
2008 = 16,000 millionaires in Ireland?
2016 = 91.000 millionaires in Ireland?
Vote FG no. 1
As far as gerrymandering Adams is concerned. I don’t want to live in rainbow land and he can’t make me!
How do Politicians propose to get rid of the hse, easy just change the name, just like they did with fas calling it etb.
Sure if it all goes the way the main parties hope it goes, we can revert to denial mode and make some jobs about it…
I would probably vote for Fianna Gael if they didn’t seem like such horrible people. Also the YFG trolls on this website definitely lost them more voters than they gained them.
No I was always an Independent voter. The whip system is the problem. It shuts down debate.
Yes, very slightly. The Social Democrats have jumped up from being about 11th on my intended preferences to 3rd.
Why not do a poll to see how many watched it and who cares. I for one haven’t watched any debates.
It just coperfasted my position that I’ll be voting for none of them. It’s going to be a mess after this election but we desperately need change in direction in Ireland if we’re to truly make this a decent place for everyone to live.
Why not have a new format with Katryn Thomas doing Taoiseach transformation.
I came into this election as a left leaning voter with no obvious party to vote for. Sinn Féin wooed me slightly when it became clear that they aren’t as incompetent as a thought with the fiscal gap.
But then Gerry Adams opened his mouth and I remembered that he hasn’t got a clue. Stephen Donnelly absolutely floored me in the second debate. He said exactly what I feel and so the SDs get my vote. I would have likely gone with an independent first, Sinn Féin second and SD third and now I’m going SD, independent, Sinn Féin with maybe a fourth preference for a different independent.
Hey. You’re coming back to Ireland to vote. Good man. :-)
Sinn Fein and most of the independents want to introduce policies that will discourage oil and mineral exploration in Ireland compared to the current liberal policies. However, Ireland currently produces 0 barrels of oil a day. Think how many geologists, engineers, miners could be employed here in Ireland with our resources if we keep liberal policies in place and if the oil and mineral prices recover one day.
As far as I can see, Sinn Fein seem to only want to give to people who don’t work and the independents just care about their own local hospital so they can secure their own local votes for the following election so they’ll have a cushy job in the Dáil for the rest of their lives.
@Sean J.Troy. You plan to come to Ireland to vote, then?
Oh no, I can’t. That’s what I meant by I would have voted for X, Y, Z. I can’t get back in time. Enda wasn’t exactly considerate when he gave me three weeks notice. I still think it’s important to be engaged and make a decision, even if it doesn’t really count.
Definitely voting Sinn Fein!
Why not let them at one another? Set pieces bound to be boring, and, Lord, they surely were.
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