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SINN FÉIN HAS picked general election candidates in all but five constituencies as the party hopes to have its selection process wrapped up by the end of next month.
Gerry Adams’s party appears to be far more advanced than any of the other main political parties with 35 out of 40 selection conventions held so far and a total of 42 candidates selected.
Party sources believe the election will be called before the end of this year despite the government officially maintaining that it will go its full term to spring 2016.
Sinn Féin has held a total of 37 selection conventions in recent months with two additional conventions in Dublin constituencies to add candidates.
Councillor Catherine Carney Boud was added to the ticket along with sitting TD Dessie Ellis in Dublin North West. Councillor Máire Devine was added in Dublin South Central where the party already has incumbent TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh.
Sixteen of the 42 candidates selected so far are women. At 38 per cent, this means the party is is currently over the requirement that a third of its Dáil hopefuls must be female.
It is party policy that in any constituency where it is running two or more candidates then one of them must be female with the exception of Donegal where two sitting deputies, Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn, are running again.
Sinn Féin would not comment on how many candidates the party will eventually run in the general election and intends keeping this under review until the close of nominations.
“We anticipate most conventions will be completed prior to the end of July,” a spokesperson said.
Conventions are still be held in East Galway, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow-Kilkenny and Cork East.
Moaning Joan B is Sinn Feins secret weapon. Every time that gas bag opens her windy larynx to poison the airwaves a Sinn Fein fairy gets its wings.
iJoan is the Souths Paisley.
Paisley was a pretty successful politician who built his party from nothing to the largest in Northern Ireland.
It flatters Joan to compare her to him.
Yes Chris, he attracted a lot of bigots but equally he drove many into the ranks of the IRA, it was said he was the IRA’s biggest recruiter….why do you think the IRA decided to leave him ranting unfettered.
Well there was the gentle mans agreement that seen a protected species for certain leaderships.
I’m no Shinner but Gerry would be a leader with balls and that is just what we need.
To do what Glenard?
To be a proper leader and do what is right for the people instead of being a sniffling yes man James.
Here here Glanard. He’ll get my vote, time to change this shit governance by Europe and Angelas lapdog Kenny and his cronies.
Sure Gerry and Martin are the two biggest YES men ever,just ask M I 5…
He couldn’t stand up to his abusive brother, let alone anyone else…
Ok Glenard name me one generally unpopular thing they are proposing to pay for all their nice promises??
How about abolishing water charges
http://www.thejournal.ie/sinn-fein-in-government-2035288-Apr2015/
In fairness, James, where were Fine Gael’s generally unpopular things that they proposed in order to gain power in 2011?
I seem to recall loud noises about “Not One Red Cent”, how Roscommon Hospital would remain open, a Contract for a Better Ireland and a now non-existent Five Point Plan.
To clarify: I don’t necessarily support Sinn Fein; I’ve voted for them a local, councilor level but never for a General Election. I’d be more inclined to vote Independent, given that I distrust political parties and their “wink and a nudge, parish pump, politics is local, it’s all about who you know” approach that has been largely detrimental to this country.
Glenard answered your question Vin and thinks he answered mine.
@ James;They weren’t exactly upfront about water charges, though, were they? The only mention of water charges in 2011 came through the medium of Labour’s infamous “Every Little Hurts” posters whereby they condemned the proposal as a “red line issue”.
I don’t recall a single Fine Gael politician mentioning them; they were too preoccupied with promising the moon and the stars. Also, note the taxes that have been introduced since FG came to power. did they mention the Household Charge and the Property Tax in their manifesto? They didn’t mention VAT increases either. They preferred to focus on nice soundbites like “Not One Red Cent”. Soon after, they signed the odious bank debt into sovereign debt. Let’s face it; they lied. A lot. Having water charges buried in their manifesto won’t save them from that reality.
@ Glenard; That last post doesn’t make sense. He asked how did SF propose to pay for all that they promise…
They were Vin it was clearly in their election manifesto exactly as they imolemented it. You will find it with a google search.
Based on how they “looked after” Maria Cahill and the other abuse victims, they may be ready for us but I doubt if we are ready for them.
Something has always bothered me, if I had any influence with the IRA and my brother was doing the things that LA was convicted of, I would certainly have suggested some of them call around and “ask him (or any others) to stop” or else!!
I suspect many people in NI got a visit, to put them back on the straight and narrow!!!!
You`re having a laugh Adams with balls ? never gonna happen. First shot fired he grabs a kid for protection.
I’d say Sinn Fein will do very well in the next election.
I hope so also, but I hope they stay in the opposition seats, and keep the squeeze on FG, if they were to win it would take them years to dismantle the wink wink ethos that is in there at the moment. At the moment SF and the Independents seem to be causing the mainstream parties to unravel themselves. I didnt bother to mention Lab, FG have already thrown them under the bus.
It’s just as well that Adams stepped aside, allowing the party to become more electable. I agree with you, they could get burned if they jump in the hot seat too soon. Let the hare sit. Although it will all depend on the numbers.
it would take quite a short period to work out that they have killed growth and hence tax take and hence the very policies they promised to put in place, it would then take a very long period for the masses to start squabbling on how they get the country back on the right trajectory
you can’t tax your way out of a recession. france tried. whoops.
It’s about what you do with the citizen’s tax money. Spend it on services, or line someone’s pocket.
SF Want to stay in opposition.look at the socialist in Greece and Spain.the bollox they talk doesn’t work in reality.
They know well that they will be shown up if they fit to power.
I’m not a blue shirt,I’m an ex SF voter.
Just before I’m accused of being a FG troll
And you should learn basic english..just saying
Sorry jenni,
Auto correct and whiskey don’t work well together
You’re forgiven Ciaran. Hope its a nice whiskey..enjoy now I’m jealous
SF will be getting my number one come the election. They’ve the most developed structure of the left leaning parties and their councilors have been doing excellent work in my area.
They have very good local councilors.
I have to say the SF councilors have been doing great work in my area too. I am still hoping the proposal for a new center-left party comes to fruition (maybe Hugh disagrees) but i am lucky to have a strong independent to give my number 1 to. SF would prob get my number 2 based on the community work you mention.
Their councillors might be doing great work but this is a national election electing a national government so local politics shouldn’t matter…
Of course it matters Ryan. I believe it is far more pertinent to vote for who works hard to improve the lives of their constituents then for the banner below their face come election time.
Maybe you see that as naive or ignorant but that is how people vote.
“…..so local politics shouldn’t matter…”
All politics is local. Thats why the local politicians faces and names are on the posters come election time. Given that fact, I’d rather vote for the people slogging for the community rather than shaking hands at funerals.
Charlie it’s that attitude that keeps getting Lowry and Healy Rae elected. They held previous governments to ransom and got a stack of money for local projects. But are they what we want our parliamentarians to be? I agree local politics are important but that’s what local elections are for. We need good strategic policy makers in government who are capable of making tough decisions and people who make a difference to the way the country is run, not just whether the local road is resurfaced. Catherine Murphy is a great example of a politician affecting change for the good of the whole country.
Jane i have tried to reply to you twice now but for some reason…..it will not submit.
But it submits that. Classic.
In short. I agree that it is not ideal how the vast majority votes put people tend to vote for the fix the road representatives.
I think Murphy is great but needs a party for relevance.
I don’t think we an independent state in control of our affairs regardless of who we elect.
Yeah it’s hard to know what way a load of independents will work out. That new party really sounds like something positive.
Good luck Team Sinn Fein- the sooner the election comes the better- Sinn Fein is ready- but is anyone else-
Bunch of scrotes
Are scrotes balls Tom, so your complimenting the party i gather from your comment.
Agreed..cant see sarkozy patting him like a poodle!..while i cant see them getting an averall majority ..i expect they,ll be a major player in the next dail..as enda said about dennis o brien” whats in the past is in the past..”expect him to extend the same to sf..or is it only applicable to fg benefactors?
Nah, Gerry will have his Syriza heroes patting him on the head.
How is Greece this weather?
What’s with the ……. Oh yeah it’s Hugh :)
Yep, silly headline. SF are already in government, albeit in the 6 counties And considering how this government signed our fiscal soverignty away to the germans, and the FF government before them mismanaged our economy off a cliff, how exactly do you define ‘ready for government’?
It took a great team effort, during the last five years of 20th century and first five of 21st to mess up the finances of our great nation for generations to come, not just Governments.
Let’s spread the blame fairly and squarely, shall we?
Higher echelon Regulators, Civil Servants, Bankers, Auditors, Lawyers, Media moguls, Opposition Political parties….all played significant roles creating the disaster. All or any could have called a halt to the madness; none did.
Time to move on and progress in a climate of realism.
Our established parties were so busy stuffing their pockets at our expense…..they left the door open for a normally hard party to swallow.
FG, FF and Labour have only themselves to blame.
Not that long to go, stocking up on popcorn and Pringles already………..
When I see an article regarding SF written by a government hack I simply ignore it as having any validity.
Is that why you clicked on to the story and scrolled down to the comments section?
Because that’s not exactly “ignoring” it…
I am not anti or pro SF but the thoughts of Gerry Adams as Taoiseach gives me creepy shivers.
Won’t happen but still….Eugh.
Cxnnot happen, not running enough candidates to achieve an overall majority.
Don’t need an overall majority to be Taoiseach, Kevin. You can rely on a little help from your friends. That right Enda?
Yeah but SF don’t do so well in the friends department.
Aye, that’s why Labour, the Greens and some Indos backed them for Mayor of Dublin for Easter 1916. Anyway, what’s more important is the friends you don’t have. The fat cats bleeding the rest of us dry, for example.
Big difference backing them in a city council for a mayoral term and going into government with them for a 5 year stretch.
Politicians are mostly power-hungry. Deals will be done, depending on numbers. It’s the nature of the beast.
I agree with you there Jamie. I think there’ll be a fear of alienating a huge portion of a parties support by going into coalition with SF though. They have the marmite affect. People tend to be either big supporters or wouldn’t touch them with a barge poll. Transfers have shown this in the past.
I wouldn’t touch fine Gael with the spire
Jane, they’ll deny having any intention of governing alongside SF right up ’til polling day, but after the ballots have been counted they’ll be prepared to play a game of switcheroo to attain power. If the cards fall a certain way.
Easter 2016 even. Don’t think the Greens were around then.
You are right of course Jamie, I was thinking of all the policy promises being made by SF, and the statement made by GA that what will be implemented will depend on getting an overall majority, statement made on his visit to the Journal some months ago.
So SF are making promises they know they will not have to keep.
The governments strategy like the Tories in England will be fear and high viz vests . Will people buy into it same shit different day if they do if not we might get a bank deal that was never asked for by experience high level negotiator’s and a government who will deal with the banks only last week the establishment parties voted against Pearse Dohertys mortgage interest rate reduction bill. Lisbon treaty SF advocated a no vote conned by our own and abroad Fiscal treaty the same with the same outcome. SF also argued to abolish the banks veto again rubbished by the establishment . So how many major boo boos must the establishment parties make .
Sinn Fein will be getting my vote’s, also all my family members are voting for them. So that’s 27 people in my family voting aunties, uncles, cousins, sister, brother’s. Time for a new leader.
Sticking up on ink cartridges for election printing Id say at this stage…
I suppose FG will be ringing all their friends in Kenya hoping to get them back to vote.
Ink Cartridges they’ll need plenty more when we eventually stop pooing in our nappies and change back to the punt.
Yip! Think FG know some one with good contacts with a communication company!!
roll on the Autumn please God if our great leader has the ball’s
Ready for the election? Yes.
For government? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha.
One word. Syriza
Anybody who votes for Sinn Fein needs their heads examined!
Anyone that has ever voted Fianna Gowl needs their balance examined!
They didn’t have to wonder how they’d do the gender balance thing as they’ve always had equality , the other parties haven’t even begun to address the issue
People are beyond stupid to think that the Shinners are any different to the current shower. Just wait for the jobs for the boys Gerry has to offer fellow veterans of the struggle. Cronyism is the currency of party politics.
Sinn fein is the future of ireland i hope day win day will make ireland a better place to live my hole Family will be voteing for them
They are good in opposition but are they ready to lead? If they’ve any real chance they need to produce a full agenda as to what exactly they’d do and more importantly WHERE they’d get the money.
they won’t be short of money anyway .if only the dye would wash out.
Nothing compared to the money FG dipped from our pockets to give back to their speculating buddies.
There in lays the problem. My aunt Aggies cat could stand in the next elections and be expected to do well as long as people like you and the rest of your family are prepared to ignore its downfalls and or past history of protecting pedophiles in preference to the child etc etc etc. “They can`t rob us any more than the last bunch so we should go with them” is hardly a good formula for stabilizing the best of a bad situation. They are now FF in the North, just with less transparency.
Only 42 candidates? I don’t think SF will breach 30 seats if they only run 42 candidates.
I’d vote for SF if they got rid of Adams. I don’t want someone from NI/UK leading our country
until SF remove their anti science policies I can’t vote for them unfortunately no matter what good they do at local level. Espousing silly vaccination and fluoridation conspiracy theories are bad enough but their supporting the torture of autistic kids with MMS snake oil is beyond the pale
At least Janice Boylan will not be running. They have some dire councillors and he is one. would not like to see who they elect as a td if councillors are anything to go by.
Public Representation has gone down the drain in the last years years
Doherty is top class
The SF/IRA trolls must have their red thumbs and many Twitter accounts worn out on this article.
Because an article exposing British State collusion in countless slayings of innocent Irish civilians serves who?
Does the slayings of innocent people by SF /IRA not count?
Every other looser pretensious promise braker banker supporter brown envelope taker angela merkle arse kisser family wecker home wrecker employment wrecker has had a go at leader of ireland what more could go wrong if gerry was to be elected
We’ve had FF,FG,LAB in power for the last 80 years or so, and look what we have to show for it ; generations of debt, half our young people gone, and corruption rife in all walks of life. What would we have to lose ? I’m prepared to give SF a chance. They cannot be worse!
@ryan validity is the operative word not ignoring.
All manifestoes are based on the premise of getting an over all majority. That is the get out when a coalition is negotiated. Give us manifestoes based on what might be implemented in the context of coalition making. Otherwise the promises are worthless because they have no context.
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