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Kenny sacks Bruton

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,397 ✭✭✭yahoo_moe


    My 2 local td's have came out in support of Bruton.
    My local FG TD seems to be supporting Bruton also... though I am in Dublin North Central :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,080 ✭✭✭hallelujajordan


    Scuba Ste wrote: »
    I was thinking that myself. Maybe he knew what he was doing all along.

    Its bad timing by Bruton all right, but when would be the right time. If the polls keep going down for Kenny it's only a matter of time before someone challenges. Like someone said it gives Bruton 18 months to get ready for the next election, had to be now or never.

    Stupid move sacking Bruton too, Kenny's gone from having a very promising front bench to possibly a poor inexperienced one.

    I keep hearing this 'bad timing' accusation . . Why is it so ? In my view, the only thing bad about it is that he didn't do it earlier . . Now, assuming Bruton is successful he has some time to rebuild and to mount a challenge for the next election . .

    BTW, I'm also amazed that Kenny is so arrogant as to take this to a parliamentary party vote tomorrow. . He clearly has lost the confidence of all of the key people that he had chosen to play senior roles in the next government.. Is it really his contention that he could replace all of those people in a short space of time ? And still compete with Labour ? A clear case of Enda putting himself before the party and another good reason why he absolutely has to go.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    johngalway wrote: »
    I bet the phones are hopping today.

    As for the child of four thing. I don't agree, it takes someone with the ability to organise to do the job correctly, not everyone has that ability.
    Somebody would have been the honest broker if it wasn't Enda.
    The party wouldn't have died.
    Ironically it might actually have just done a little bit better in '07 without Enda's smirk at the helm..
    Enough better to cross the line.

    I don't buy all this palava that it wouldn't have been good that FG and Lab were in power in '08 when the earth shattered.
    You'd still have banking reports and an FF legacy to blame and credit for picking up the pieces etc etc.

    However we are where we are.Lets look forward to real opposition when Kenny goes.
    I'll bet FF aren't.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 566 ✭✭✭SB-08


    Realistically how can people in FG seriously think voting for Enda is the best option? A vote for Enda not only means an divided party that will most likely continue slipping in polls, but also that the vast majority of FG's best front benchers will no longer serve - they will be without their most impressive media performers and the man who gives them much needed credibility on the economy - Richard Bruton. The team of Kenny and Bruton will no longer exist. Whereas a vote for Bruton means all the main players will remain, they will almost certainly rise in the polls and get a majority in the next election (as oppose to having to go in with Labour under Kenny) AND Enda Kenny is likely to be on the front bench and probably a future Minister Of Forieign Affairs. It's surely a no brainer? Kenny has had 8 years as the leader and at a time where the Govt simply could not get any more unpopular is at an all time low in personal rating - when he sould be twice if not three times as popular. Enda accused Cowen of putting himself ahead of the country but surely Enda is putting himself ahead of the party? How can he seriously suggest he will give those frontbechers who have expressed no confidence in him their jobs back? Does he think if he wins the vote by a couple of votes mainly due to loyalty, that these same people will all of a sudden on Friday have confidence in his leadership? The whole thing is just highlighting his incompetence and if he remains it will effect the party hugely. If he had any sence he would step down before the vote tomorrow to protect his own personal reputation and more importantly the party's.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 67 ✭✭dillodaffs


    The acting Finance spokesman for Fine Gael appointed by Enda Kenny less than 48 hours ago is thought to be on the brink of announcing that he supports Richard Bruton.
    Kieran O’Donnell is one of 14 TDs and Senators who have so far refused to declare where their loyalties lie and who will decide whether Enda Kenny survives as Fine Gael leader tomorrow.


    http://www.newstalk.ie/news/news-headlines/both-fine-gael-camps-claim-close-to-victory/


    not looking good for kenny now...my money is on him resigning before the vote...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    Ouch a fatal blow to Kenny there, not to mention the embarrassment. Tick tock tick tock....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,279 ✭✭✭ongarite


    The guys in the know on politics.ie are saying Kenny has gone, to be announced this evening.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,693 ✭✭✭Laminations


    ongarite wrote: »
    The guys in the know on politics.ie are saying Kenny has gone, to be announced this evening.

    link please?

    They usually are on the money on these things

    ah found one
    http://www.politics.ie/fine-gael/131746-kenny-step-down-evening.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,279 ✭✭✭ongarite




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭Byron85




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    I can't see Enda having a front bench after Flanagan and O'Donnell have announced against him. Especially the latter, a fatal blow like has been said.

    Nothing against Enda personally, but with the make up of the party when Bruton went against him he was pushed onto a slippery slope then and there given Brutons value to the party. I do hope he resigns before the vote and I also hope he will accept a prominent role within the party which reflect his talents.

    It can be clean or it can be messy, it's up to one man now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭stumpypeeps


    My guess is we will see someone else emerge as leader of FG.

    If the split is pretty even then that makes Kenny's leadership untenable but does it not also make Brutons. If FG want to push forward as a party, elect Veradkor, Bruton remains as Finance minister and Kenny is kept from public view, limit his ability to alienate the public.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    My guess is we will see someone else emerge as leader of FG.

    If the split is pretty even then that makes Kenny's leadership untenable but does it not also make Brutons. If FG want to push forward as a party, elect Veradkor, Bruton remains as Finance minister and Kenny is kept from public view, limit his ability to alienate the public.

    So the schoolboy Bruton and the right-wing twit Leo Varadkar won't alienate the public. :pac::pac::pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭stumpypeeps


    So the schoolboy Bruton and the right-wing twit Leo Varadkar won't alienate the public. :pac::pac::pac:

    I've no allegiance to FG whatsoever but they might catch my vote should they allow some fresh blood lead a party as opposed to the same tired old faces.

    I've been impressed with Veradkor.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    I would hardly call Bruton a fresh face as he has been a TD for 28 years and as for fresh thinking.............................:rolleyes:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    I would hardly call Bruton a fresh face as he has been a TD for 28 years and as for fresh thinking.............................:rolleyes:

    Which FG TDs would not alienate you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭stumpypeeps


    I would hardly call Bruton a fresh face as he has been a TD for 28 years and as for fresh thinking.............................:rolleyes:


    I'm not suggesting a Bruton led FG would catch my vote. I'm saying a Veradkor or perhaps Coveney might. Fresh faces both.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 806 ✭✭✭eoinbn


    I'm not suggesting a Bruton led FG would catch my vote. I'm saying a Veradkor or perhaps Coveney might. Fresh faces both.

    Both are a bit green in my opinion, as is Brian Hayes. They would need another ~5 years.

    Right now it looks like Kenny probably has enough to avoid defeat but he can't win this. I know people that have voted for FG all their lives that won't go out and vote for the party if he is still the leader come the next election.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    I have absolute faith in Enda Kenny to do the wrong thing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    johngalway wrote: »
    Which FG TDs would not alienate you?

    Well John I am apolitical - a former Green voter who has sworn never to vote for them again after the current performance. I have no particular love for FG or indeed any other party but if you were to push me I would say Dr.James Reilly, Alan Shatter and Jimmy Deenihan and that's it. Jim "The Drunk Driver" McDaid, O'Dowd, Bruton and the rest of the disloyal gang make my stomach turn and as for Kieran O'Donnell.....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭bijapos


    Well John I am apolitical - a former Green voter who has sworn never to vote for them again after the current performance. I have no particular love for FG or indeed any other party but if you were to push me I would say Dr.James Reilly, Alan Shatter and Jimmy Deenihan and that's it. Jim "The Drunk Driver" McDaid, O'Dowd, Bruton and the rest of the disloyal gang make my stomach turn and as for Kieran O'Donnell.....

    McDaid is FF ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    bijapos wrote: »
    McDaid is FF ;)

    Good point but is there a difference between FF and FG? :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    Good point but is there a difference between FF and FG? :D

    Yes - Drink driving :D

    (Our lot just smoke where they're not supposed to - but that one belongs in FF anyway).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,700 ✭✭✭irishh_bob


    So the schoolboy Bruton and the right-wing twit Leo Varadkar won't alienate the public. :pac::pac::pac:

    why do people assume that its only right wingers who alienate the public , labour ( under gilmore ) have moved sharply to the left yet have surged in the polls , thier is no reason why fine gael ( under a conservative like leo ) would not see the same benefits , thier is bound to be a significant constituency out there who would relish a proper right wing leader considering how long its been since they had the choice of voting for one , the term right wing is not a dirty word to everyone despite what our media would have us believe


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    Why exactly is Veradker considered right wing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 971 ✭✭✭CoalBucket


    RonMexico wrote: »
    Why exactly is Veradker considered right wing.

    Because he has no left foot and can't play in midfield :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    RonMexico wrote: »
    Why exactly is Veradker considered right wing.

    Well I would have thought that his views on emigration/repatriation would qualify him.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7599298.stm


    Foreign jobless 'paid to go' call


    Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar raised the possibility of paid repatriation
    A Fine Gael TD has been criticised for raising the possibility of funding the repatriation of unemployed foreign nationals.
    Leo Varadkar, spokesman on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, made the call at a sitting of the Oireachtas enterprise committee in Dublin on Thursday.
    On Wednesday unemployment figures for the Republic reached a 10-year high.
    Mr Varadkar suggested it might make sense to pay unemployed migrants to leave the country.
    "Would there be a case at this stage for giving an offer to foreign nationals the opportunity to receive say three or four or six months of benefits, if they then agreed to repatriate to their country of origin and then forego benefits beyond that?" he said.
    While Mr Varadkar stressed that such a move would be voluntary and was not a proposal, the idea was described as "a new low" by Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne.
    "Politics in this country has reached a new low when Fine Gael are suggesting a voluntary repatriation scheme," said Mr Byrne.
    "I think Deputy Varadkar should withdraw his proposal because it is in the dishonourable tradition of the British National Party."
    It was also criticised by training agency FAS.
    Its Director General Rody Molloy said that the system would be difficult to police and that EU nationals should enjoy the same rights Irish people elsewhere in Europe.
    Similar moves are already being introduced this month by the Spanish government, which is planning to offer unemployed immigrants lump-sum benefit payments - typically worth around 18,000 euros (£14,200) - if they volunteer to go back to their home countries and not return to Spain for three years.

    Incidentally, I would be to the right of Genghis Khan myself - on some issues - but I am not looking to be leader of FG so won't be alienating people which was the point I was making about the bold Leo. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,268 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    TBH, the article makes it clear that it was some "outside the box" thinking at a brainstorming session rather than a "foridners out" proposal...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,916 ✭✭✭RonMexico


    I don't see a problem with that proposal. If only we could pay a few of our own to leave too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 784 ✭✭✭Anonymous1987


    ongarite wrote: »
    The guys in the know on politics.ie are saying Kenny has gone, to be announced this evening.
    I'd be very sceptical, according to the Irish times website which was updated last at 17:45 there were 34 Kenny, 28 Bruton and 8 undecided meaning Bruton needs to get 7 of these to beat Kenny which suggest Kenny is significantly ahead. I presume this works as a simple majority wins? Don't know what happens if its split down the middle, anyone know?

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0616/breaking6.html


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    Don't know what happens if its split down the middle, anyone know?

    Pádraig McCormack votes again :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,080 ✭✭✭hallelujajordan


    I'd be very sceptical, according to the Irish times website which was updated last at 17:45 there were 34 Kenny, 28 Bruton and 8 undecided meaning Bruton needs to get 7 of these to beat Kenny which suggest Kenny is significantly ahead. I presume this works as a simple majority wins? Don't know what happens if its split down the middle, anyone know?

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0616/breaking6.html

    This isn't a leadership battle. . yet . . at the moment its a vote of confidence in Kenny as leader of FG . . and its not about just winning a majority. How can he continue to lead the party when he has lost the confidence of more than half of the most senior people (that he selected!!) I am amazed that he is allowing this to go to a vote and I will be equally amazed if he scrapes through the vote and continues to try to lead FG. .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,958 ✭✭✭✭nacho libre


    yes, his postion seems to be untenable, he can't exactly attack FF on the basis they have no mandate, when he has no mandate from a lot of his own side and when only 20 per cent of people would like to see him as leader.
    So Enda Kenny, i'm afraid, is a lame duck regardless of the outcome of the vote tomorrow, due to the fact most of his frontbench have lost confidence in him.

    When he goes hopefully the main focus of the media goes back to the banking reports.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 412 ✭✭Wide Road


    This isn't a leadership battle. . yet . . at the moment its a vote of confidence in Kenny as leader of FG . . and its not about just winning a majority. How can he continue to lead the party when he has lost the confidence of more than half of the most senior people (that he selected!!) I am amazed that he is allowing this to go to a vote and I will be equally amazed if he scrapes through the vote and continues to try to lead FG. .

    I am surprised by your amazement. Are you amazed by the timing of the confidence motion. Do you think R Bruton was correct in trying to bring down a govt during his confidence motion while Enda was trying to save his own skin. How low can one go?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭sesna


    Whatever happens, fair play to Kenny for fighting this to the end. The fair-haired boy from Clongowes Wood expected an easy bloodless coup to be over and done with by Tuesday and underestimated Kenny's excellent tactics. It wont be long before the media start attacking him too, as they do with every Fine Gael leader. I see a piece in the Irish Times already today to this effect http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0616/1224272613247.html which hones in on Brutons lack of interpersonal skills and how he giggles like a schoolgirl when nervous (happened several times on VB on Tuesday night). There never was a good FG leader until they gained office, or a poor FF leader until they left power.

    Bruton has also damaged himself further by stating he will not serve under Kenny, regardless of the outcome of todays result. For throwing his toys out of the pram in this manner, we can add impetulence and disloyalty to his list of great leadership qualities.

    RB's support from EK's front bench looked pathetic standing outside Dail Eireann on Tuesday, with Leo Varadkar hiding by no accident alongside Simon Coveney at the back. (Leo had afterall expressed confidence in EK on Friday while Coveney cynically called for party unity in a vague party statement released on Saturday). Then we read of the sneaks meeting in secret in the Green Isle hotel on Tuesday morning before dispersing in panic when a journalist was spotted. This on the back of Leo the night before on Primetime almost crying when speaking of how good a taoiseach Enda Kenny would have been, and looking down avoiding eye contact with M'OC on any difficult questions of him feeling any guilt.

    I have become extremely disillusioned by how FG has imploded over the past week, thanks to baby Brutes awful timing and horrible political judgement, in a week when FF were on the ropes and Biffo facing a no-confidence motion. I am actually starting to see the merits in FF, who at least show loyalty to each other . FG under baby Brute or amateur nobody's Simon Coveney/Brian Hayes certainly has lost my vote.

    And lastly, what worries me most is how much peoples opinions are echoed and influenced by what they read in the media/Sindo. Where were the media during the past decade only fawning over corrupt Bertie and his daughters, enjoying huge income from property supplements and then the coming of Biffo, "the annointed one" and extremely intelligent master of his brief. It wasn't long before we realised the emperor had no clothes. And as for the medias intepretation of what charisma is.... :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭Scuba Ste


    I'd disagree with pretty much everything above. There is a simple reason for Bruton's no confidence vote and it has nothing to do with Kenny's abilities, personality or leadership. Voters simply don't want him, Bertie brought in huge numbers of voters, Kenny alienates swing voters. FG should have won in 2007, they didn't. If Kenny is leader in 2012, while FG will probably win, they could win a lot more seats with a different leader.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,840 ✭✭✭Panrich


    I think Kenny realises the game is up for him personally at this stage. He is fighting to ensure that he brings Bruton down with him. The party will be divided after this vote so a compromise candidate will have to emerge.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,603 ✭✭✭Scuba Ste


    Panrich wrote: »
    I think Kenny realises the game is up for him personally at this stage. He is fighting to ensure that he brings Bruton down with him. The party will be divided after this vote so a compromise candidate will have to emerge.

    So the man who brought the party back together is now intent on tearing it apart. Don't buy that, he thinks he has the support imo. He really should step aside though if he has the party interest at heart.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Who cares about the Irish Times Poll - it's what the FG parliamentary party decide and they know that Enda Kenny will guide them safely into power whereas Brutal is an incompetent fool.

    God it's good to back the right horse from time to time! :D


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  • Registered Users Posts: 456 ✭✭dusty207


    Well, Fine Gael is rightly crippled now. It'll be interesting to see how many of the "rebels" return to the front bench and what credibility they'll have. None, imho. If any do then it'll prove that FG has no backbone and that this whole episode was handbags at 20 paces. Personally, if Kenny lasts another 6 months I'd be amazed. This is one of the few times recently that hardened FF'ers will be feeling chuffed and fair play to them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Yeah, fair play to FF - the party that wrecked the country.


  • Registered Users Posts: 456 ✭✭dusty207


    Yeah, fair play to FF - the party that wrecked the country.
    Sorry if you misunderstood my meaning, I have no truck with FF since I've been out of work for over a year due to their "economic strategy" along with all the other people in my ex-company.
    What I meant was that their main opposition was busy shooting themselves in the head, foot, body and anywhere else they can think of at a time when any sensible opposition would be consolidating their position.
    Hence, if I was a FF'er I would be in a position of not believing my luck, and fair play to them for that. They'd be right.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭stumpypeeps


    Yeah, fair play to FF - the party that wrecked the country.


    At least they can do it in an unified manner. Unfortunately.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭rugbyman


    Well I would have thought that his views on emigration/repatriation would qualify him.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7599298.stm


    Foreign jobless 'paid to go' call


    Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar raised the possibility of paid repatriation
    A Fine Gael TD has been criticised for raising the possibility of funding the repatriation of unemployed foreign nationals.
    Leo Varadkar, spokesman on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, made the call at a sitting of the Oireachtas enterprise committee in Dublin on Thursday.
    On Wednesday unemployment figures for the Republic reached a 10-year high.
    Mr Varadkar suggested it might make sense to pay unemployed migrants to leave the country.
    "Would there be a case at this stage for giving an offer to foreign nationals the opportunity to receive say three or four or six months of benefits, if they then agreed to repatriate to their country of origin and then forego benefits beyond that?" he said.
    While Mr Varadkar stressed that such a move would be voluntary and was not a proposal, the idea was described as "a new low" by Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne.
    "Politics in this country has reached a new low when Fine Gael are suggesting a voluntary repatriation scheme," said Mr Byrne.
    "I think Deputy Varadkar should withdraw his proposal because it is in the dishonourable tradition of the British National Party."
    It was also criticised by training agency FAS.
    Its Director General Rody Molloy said that the system would be difficult to police and that EU nationals should enjoy the same rights Irish people elsewhere in Europe.
    Similar moves are already being introduced this month by the Spanish government, which is planning to offer unemployed immigrants lump-sum benefit payments - typically worth around 18,000 euros (£14,200) - if they volunteer to go back to their home countries and not return to Spain for three years.

    Incidentally, I would be to the right of Genghis Khan myself - on some issues - but I am not looking to be leader of FG so won't be alienating people which was the point I was making about the bold Leo. :D

    Reading your footnote,i inhabit those same parts as yourself! i find it hard to think anyone would disagre wiyh Mr.Varadkar on this. Giving anyone who is a drain on our resources a chance to leave with a pay off is a good idea, and cheaper in the long run. oh ,as i am writing ,I had to re read yours, to see if you were simply against immigrants leaving with money rather than just leaving.
    Leo had that right and would not lose a vote on that issue.

    On another note, any TD saying he would not accept a front position because he did not have confidence in the giver out of the positions, and before his party deciced ,democratically,on the collective confidence of said leader, would not impress rational voters at all.

    regards,rugbyman


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭rugbyman


    I quote from Sesna in an excellent post

    "Bruton has also damaged himself further by stating he will not serve under Kenny, regardless of the outcome of todays result. For throwing his toys out of the pram in this manner, we can add impetulence and disloyalty to his list of great leadership qualities."

    this just about sums up the badly organised coup, and to steal a phrase from another poster today,"an inability to count".
    you know i dont know what truths will emerge from the last few weeks, but I suspect that Richard Bruton was well down in the list of chief plotters.

    regards,Rugbyman


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,608 ✭✭✭✭sceptre


    Try this one - at this point there's little need for multiple threads as you're all discussing he same thing.


This discussion has been closed.
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