Former Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney to join Fianna Fáil

Loafing Oaf · 09-12-2013 7:31pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

If he wants to remain a TD, the only options open to him were:

1) Join Fianna Fail
2) Start a new party

I would love if he chose option 2 instead of 1.

But with option 2 he has even less chance of retaining his seat than if he was running as an independent or with Labour. I don't think people are being fair to the situation guys like Keaveney and Donnelly find themselves in re career, income, family etc. It's easy for someone with a secure job to say "go on Colm, stand by your principles, start a new left party, and if you lose shur at least you've fought the good fight."

For Reals · 09-12-2013 7:34pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

....

I think this could be the truth of it. Maybe he just isnt that bright. There are people calling him opportunistic on here. And I dont agree because it just seems such a bad move for him. Perhaps, he just isnt that clever.

If he wants to remain a TD, the only options open to him were:

1) Join Fianna Fail
2) Start a new party

I would love if he chose option 2 instead of 1.

Bundling all the Independents to one group, one view point is kind of silly. He could easily have gone that route without affiliating himself to those he had previously commented on.

Fianna Fail are and will be a much bigger player than Labour. They will return to power at some point in the not so distant future. They have a core of mindless traditional supporters who will vote for them. Keaveney knows this. That's why he's opportunistic, but foolish because I don't think the wave of support for Fianna Fail will be enough to carry him too and nobody has any respect for him, which isn't a prerequisite for being a Fianna Fail candidate by any means.

For Reals · 09-12-2013 7:39pm

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

But with option 2 he has even less chance of retaining his seat than if he was running as an independent or with Labour. I don't think people are being fair to the situation guys like Keaveney and Donnelly find themselves in re career, income, family etc. It's easy for someone with a secure job to say "go on Colm, stand by your principles, start a new left party, and if you lose shur at least you've fought the good fight."

If he's only in it for money and a career he should apologise to everybody who ever voted for him and retire from public life....or join Fianna Fail...oh wait..

TCDStudent1 · 09-12-2013 7:47pm

For Reals wrote: »

Bundling all the Independents to one group, one view point is kind of silly. He could easily have gone that route without affiliating himself to those he had previously commented on.

Fianna Fail are and will be a much bigger player than Labour. They will return to power at some point in the not so distant future. They have a core of mindless traditional supporters who will vote for them. Keaveney knows this. That's why he's opportunistic, but foolish because I don't think the wave of support for Fianna Fail will be enough to carry him too and nobody has any respect for him, which isn't a prerequisite for being a Fianna Fail candidate by any means.

No, he couldnt! That is the point. He made a very detailed explanation in the run-up to the last election that being an independent is a waste of time and that they cannot achieve anything. Anybody who followed his election campaign last time around knows this - so imagine the flack he would have to take from opponents in the run up to the next election. He didnt mention specific independents. His opinion was that independents simply do not work. If he stayed as an independent, he was staying in a position where he has previously stated is a position where he cannot make any meaningful change. There is just way that would have been feasible for Keaveney.

Nobody knows when FF will get back in. I suspect they wont get back in during the next election (Surely Ireland's memory isnt that short?!) and then you are looking well into the future from here.

For Reals · 09-12-2013 8:26pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

No, he couldnt! That is the point. He made a very detailed explanation in the run-up to the last election that being an independent is a waste of time and that they cannot achieve anything. Anybody who followed his election campaign last time around knows this - so imagine the flack he would have to take from opponents in the run up to the next election. He didnt mention specific independents. His opinion was that independents simply do not work. If he stayed as an independent, he was staying in a position where he has previously stated is a position where he cannot make any meaningful change. There is just way that would have been feasible for Keaveney.

Nobody knows when FF will get back in. I suspect they wont get back in during the next election (Surely Ireland's memory isnt that short?!) and then you are looking well into the future from here.

I would suggest becoming an Independent would have been way less ridiculous than joining Fianna Fail. Politicians and parties, especially Labour, have used the 'better in than out' excuse to sell out their principles and supporters for a time in the spotlight. All it ever does is alienate their support base and feather their nests.
Fianna Fail always only need a nudge in public support as X amount of the public would vote for them tomorrow and always will.

zimmermania · 10-12-2013 12:27am

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Ok so that means Higgins wont be ahead of Keaveney.

But it is still a HUGE ask for him to win the 2nd FF seat. If I remember correctly, Kitt was one of the highest Fianna Fail pollers in the country at the last election and he seems determined to run again in the next election.

I do remember Higgins did quite well in Galway East in the last election, particularly around Athenry area which should be a focus with the new constituency maps.

People on here seem to be saying Keaveney went to FF because it GUARANTEES him a seat in the next election. That is far from the case.

I agree with you,i have no idea how Keaveney will do as an FF candidate.Higgins did ok in the last election,but only ok.Every candidate that lab ran did well.It will be different next time round and i think you will get long odds against lab winning the seat.It will be interesting to see how Higgins does in the European election.She has no chance whatsoever of a seat and the party would appear to be using that election as a launch pad for the general.

zimmermania · 10-12-2013 12:55am

For Reals wrote: »

Bundling all the Independents to one group, one view point is kind of silly. He could easily have gone that route without affiliating himself to those he had previously commented on.

Fianna Fail are and will be a much bigger player than Labour. They will return to power at some point in the not so distant future. They have a core of mindless traditional supporters who will vote for them. Keaveney knows this. That's why he's opportunistic, but foolish because I don't think the wave of support for Fianna Fail will be enough to carry him too and nobody has any respect for him, which isn't a prerequisite for being a Fianna Fail candidate by any means.

You may well be correct,however there is perhaps another reason he joined FF.He showed during the abortion debate that he holds many of the conservative views that we associate with with FF in rural ireland.Maybe Keaveney( who was driven out of the lab party)was getting back into some kind of comfort zone,perhaps he was going home.

Spanish Johnny · 10-12-2013 3:24am

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

But there isn't a guaranteed seat. That is the point!

There will be one FF seat in Galway East. But it is a long way from guaranteed that Keaveney will get that seat.....

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=571080802963177&set=a.534747629929828.1073741828.171572416247353&type=1&theater

Think this says it all about Colm and his motives....

Sole FF candidate in deal - not an opportunistic, self serving move at all:rolleyes:

Loafing Oaf · 10-12-2013 10:38am

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Toibin is the one that intrigues me, does anyone know if there is any substance to that. Would certainly be a big blow to the Shinners if one of their rising stars jumped ship for FF.

Looks like the jump is on
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/sf-td-hints-at-party-exit-as-anger-with-adams-grows-29823286.html
"I don't believe it's ever correct to say that two police officers were murdered because of their own actions. These men's deaths were not determined by their own actions but the actions of the IRA. The IRA is responsible for the murder of these two men, not the officers themselves,"
Looking very much like the jump is on. "
I can't ever remember an SF TD differing from the party line like this, note particularly the use of the M word in connection with an IRA operation.

Doubt this is primarily motivated by careerist concerns, I'd imagine the 'left' seat in the constituency is in SF's keeping for the foreseeable future. Suspect it may be motivated by pique over his abortion sin-binning but it will be very interesting to see what rationale he offers if indeed he does defect.

TCDStudent1 · 10-12-2013 11:28am

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=571080802963177&set=a.534747629929828.1073741828.171572416247353&type=1&theater

Think this says it all about Colm and his motives....

Sole FF candidate in deal - not an opportunistic, self serving move at all:rolleyes:

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ffs-kitt-to-confront-martin-over-secret-signing-of-keaveney-29817816.html

An extract from the above link:

And he rejected a report in a local newspaper which claimed that Mr Keaveney had been told he would be sole Fianna Fail candidate in the Galway East constituency.
"That's not true at all," he said, adding that he intends to defend his seat at the next general election.

It simply does not make ANY sense for Fianna Fail to run Keaveney as a sole candidate. That would actually put their 'guaranteed' seat at risk in Galway East.

Sierra Oscar · 10-12-2013 11:38am

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

It simply does not make ANY sense for Fianna Fail to run Keaveney as a sole candidate. That would actually put their 'guaranteed' seat at risk in Galway East.

He will have to win convention if he wants to be on a FF ticket, the papers seem to forget that.

Any member that wants to contest convention can do so, and if they have the support of the local organization then they will be selected. You can be sure that the members will have a good understanding of the political landscape closer to the election.

raymon · 10-12-2013 12:00pm

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Looks like the jump is on
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/sf-td-hints-at-party-exit-as-anger-with-adams-grows-29823286.html
"I don't believe it's ever correct to say that two police officers were murdered because of their own actions. These men's deaths were not determined by their own actions but the actions of the IRA. The IRA is responsible for the murder of these two men, not the officers themselves,"
Looking very much like the jump is on. "
I can't ever remember an SF TD differing from the party line like this, note particularly the use of the M word in connection with an IRA operation.

Doubt this is primarily motivated by careerist concerns, I'd imagine the 'left' seat in the constituency is in SF's keeping for the foreseeable future. Suspect it may be motivated by pique over his abortion sin-binning but it will be very interesting to see what rationale he offers if indeed he does defect.

This is a makey uppey story in the FF independent newsletter.

Nothing in it is true. All Fianna Fail propaganda.

I am no fan of SF but this rubbish is ridiculous.

FTA69 · 10-12-2013 1:44pm

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ff-hits-back-at-rabbitte-on-keaveney-hezbollah-jibe-29821111.html

Apparently Pat Rabbite said he'd "join Hezbollah" if it boosted his career. I imagine they'd react less favourably to political disloyalty though.

IrishProd · 10-12-2013 2:09pm

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Looks like the jump is on
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/sf-td-hints-at-party-exit-as-anger-with-adams-grows-29823286.html
"I don't believe it's ever correct to say that two police officers were murdered because of their own actions. These men's deaths were not determined by their own actions but the actions of the IRA. The IRA is responsible for the murder of these two men, not the officers themselves,"
Looking very much like the jump is on. "
I can't ever remember an SF TD differing from the party line like this, note particularly the use of the M word in connection with an IRA operation.

Doubt this is primarily motivated by careerist concerns, I'd imagine the 'left' seat in the constituency is in SF's keeping for the foreseeable future. Suspect it may be motivated by pique over his abortion sin-binning but it will be very interesting to see what rationale he offers if indeed he does defect.

You are quoting the Independent, a Fianna Fáil rag that is dedicated to writing lies and slandering Sinn Féín? lol

Peadar Tóibín: Fianna Fáil approached me, but I want to rejoin Sinn Féin

.....But despite being at odds with the Sinn Féin position on abortion, the Meath West deputy said this morning that reports that he was preparing to quit the party altogether are “inaccurate” and “frustrating and tiresome”.
In a statement released yesterday, he said: “During the last 17 years I have invested my time and energies wholeheartedly into the Sinn Féin project and I hope that the necessary space is created to allow myself and others do so again.”

Spanish Johnny · 10-12-2013 2:13pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ffs-kitt-to-confront-martin-over-secret-signing-of-keaveney-29817816.html

An extract from the above link:

It simply does not make ANY sense for Fianna Fail to run Keaveney as a sole candidate. That would actually put their 'guaranteed' seat at risk in Galway East.

There Kitt's words not Keaveney's or Martin's?? What does that quote prove?? Kitt wasn't privy to this deal/meeting at all? He doesn't know what was agreed. He didn't even know it was happening until the night before for God's sake!

Secondly regarding convention - FF have selected candidates from head office in Dublin before - not unlikely to happen again.

Thirdly - as there will likely be a grass root revolt if Kitt was denied the opportunity in the future it would not change the fact we are arguing:

Keaveney moved to further his own ambitions and is obviously of the understanding that he will be the sole candidate. Could FF go back on that?? - 'FF go back on promise shocker!!' I wonder will he up sticks again then??

Your opinions, and they may be valid, that a one ticket FF isnt practical (although it will be a 3 seater) doesnt change what we are saying - Keaveney moved in a cynical, opportunist power grab for his own self serving reasons. That now more than ever is clear.

Sierra Oscar · 10-12-2013 3:27pm

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Secondly regarding convention - FF have selected candidates from head office in Dublin before - not unlikely to happen again.

And rules and procedures have been put in place to ensure that does not happen again.

If Keaveney wants to be on the Fianna Fáil ticket and there is a contest, then he will have to go before convention.

Sure he could try and get added to a ticket as a running mate if he lost convention, but no one can appoint him to a ticket as a sole candidate and block others in the process.

Mr.Micro · 10-12-2013 3:47pm

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

There Kitt's words not Keaveney's or Martin's?? What does that quote prove?? Kitt wasn't privy to this deal/meeting at all? He doesn't know what was agreed. He didn't even know it was happening until the night before for God's sake!

Secondly regarding convention - FF have selected candidates from head office in Dublin before - not unlikely to happen again.

Thirdly - as there will likely be a grass root revolt if Kitt was denied the opportunity in the future it would not change the fact we are arguing:

Keaveney moved to further his own ambitions and is obviously of the understanding that he will be the sole candidate. Could FF go back on that?? - 'FF go back on promise shocker!!' I wonder will he up sticks again then??

Your opinions, and they may be valid, that a one ticket FF isnt practical (although it will be a 3 seater) doesnt change what we are saying - Keaveney moved in a cynical, opportunist power grab for his own self serving reasons. That now more than ever is clear.

Keaveney is now swimming with his own kind. Enough said

For Reals · 10-12-2013 3:58pm

zimmermania wrote: »

You may well be correct,however there is perhaps another reason he joined FF.He showed during the abortion debate that he holds many of the conservative views that we associate with with FF in rural ireland.Maybe Keaveney( who was driven out of the lab party)was getting back into some kind of comfort zone,perhaps he was going home.

He's a grown adult who should know his own beliefs and values, who worked his way over the years deep inside the Labour party only to find Fianna Fail was were he should be?

I think it unlikely he was driven out. He got a slap on the wrist and then sold his self respect down the river, (and Granny if needed) for a prolonged shot at the limelight.
He is indeed going home

TCDStudent1 · 10-12-2013 6:59pm

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

There Kitt's words not Keaveney's or Martin's?? What does that quote prove?? Kitt wasn't privy to this deal/meeting at all? He doesn't know what was agreed. He didn't even know it was happening until the night before for God's sake!

Secondly regarding convention - FF have selected candidates from head office in Dublin before - not unlikely to happen again.

Thirdly - as there will likely be a grass root revolt if Kitt was denied the opportunity in the future it would not change the fact we are arguing:

Keaveney moved to further his own ambitions and is obviously of the understanding that he will be the sole candidate. Could FF go back on that?? - 'FF go back on promise shocker!!' I wonder will he up sticks again then??

Your opinions, and they may be valid, that a one ticket FF isnt practical (although it will be a 3 seater) doesnt change what we are saying - Keaveney moved in a cynical, opportunist power grab for his own self serving reasons. That now more than ever is clear.

It proves that Keaveney will not be the sole candidate in FF. Its just not going to happen. FF will not turn their back on a candidate like Kitt who polled so highly last time around.

Ok, lets say this is the case. Why would he move to FF? Sierra Oscar has already explained he cannot be guaranteed to be the sole candidate. Surely Keaveney would also be aware of this?
And it is a hell of a stretch to claim that FF are guaranteed a 2nd seat in that constituency. They simply are not - Fine Gael are most likely to get it (Cannon & Connaughton are both strong candidates).

I am not a Keaveney fan. But it simply makes no sense to claim that he joined FF to guarantee a seat in the next election.

Spanish Johnny · 10-12-2013 7:33pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

It proves that Keaveney will not be the sole candidate in FF. Its just not going to happen. FF will not turn their back on a candidate like Kitt who polled so highly last time around.

Ok, lets say this is the case. Why would he move to FF? Sierra Oscar has already explained he cannot be guaranteed to be the sole candidate. Surely Keaveney would also be aware of this?
And it is a hell of a stretch to claim that FF are guaranteed a 2nd seat in that constituency. They simply are not - Fine Gael are most likely to get it (Cannon & Connaughton are both strong candidates).

I am not a Keaveney fan. But it simply makes no sense to claim that he joined FF to guarantee a seat in the next election.

Well this is getting less and less believable all the time when you consistently pursue the 'guaranteed' line of argument and misquoting others.

As been pointed out plenty of times - I are not saying he is guaranteeing himself a seat, we are outlining that he is giving himself the very best chance of preserving his political career. In doing so he has sacrificed any principal or credibility he has. That's the crux of the argument. Deflecting attention from this by analysing FF strategy, etc is fooling no one.

Secondly and most definitively Colm Keaveney himself in the link I gave you says the deal he struck with Martin ensures he'l be the sole FF candidate in Galway East. This is his understanding of things. These are the circumstances in which he agreed the deal. This indicates that he is quite clearly giving himself a great chance in his mind owing to what he is being told.

Now do I believe this will go unopposed? No, I don't. But again that's me speculating. You can reply now and tell us we are flawed in our thinking because that they won't abandon Kitt, etc, etc. Again that's a completely separate issue. We were criticising Keaveney for his motives and this information and his understanding of this deal completely supports the majority consensus here that it is self serving, self preserving and opportunistic politician.

TCDStudent1 · 10-12-2013 9:30pm

Last post on this as going around in circles.

Well this is getting less and less believable all the time when you consistently pursue the 'guaranteed' line of argument and misquoting others.

An earlier post from you:

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Haha ya it's very unfair - poor Colm:rolleyes:

There is a guaranteed FF seat in Galway East. Absolute stonewall seat. Good chance Kitt does not stand again anyway. Keaveny as a sitting TD will be FF's main man.

What a disgrace. Both him and his new party.

How is that misquoting you?

tell us we are flawed in our thinking because that they won't abandon Kitt, etc, etc. Again that's a completely separate issue.

They are not separate issues. There is 1 safe FF seat in Galway East. Therefore, it is very much related to this issue. If Kitt runs (and he said he will), then the likelihood is that Keaveney will not win a seat.

You can say that Keaveney was told he would be the sole candidate. But that cannot happen (as Sierra Oscar pointed out). I cannot believe that Keaveney would be unaware of this situation.

Spanish Johnny · 10-12-2013 10:28pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Last post on this as going around in circles.

An earlier post from you:

How is that misquoting you?

They are not separate issues. There is 1 safe FF seat in Galway East. Therefore, it is very much related to this issue. If Kitt runs (and he said he will), then the likelihood is that Keaveney will not win a seat.

You can say that Keaveney was told he would be the sole candidate. But that cannot happen (as Sierra Oscar pointed out). I cannot believe that Keaveney would be unaware of this situation.

1) You are again clearly misquoting me as I had consistently maintained that Keaveney was not guaranteed a seat in Galway East but had given himself the best chance of retaining one.

There is a guaranteed FF seat in Galway East - no arguments there I maintain that. What you are misquoting is the fact we were saying Keaveney was guaranteed one before the info about his deal with Martin came to light

2) If Kitt runs is irrelevant to the fact of Keaveney's motivation in doing so. As for only one candidate running cant happen? It certainly can. If the convention decides that.

Keaveney is quoted less than a week ago as saying that Martin ensures him he is the only candidate that will be running. Now are you dismissing that as happening? Despite Keaveney quoted as saying this?

I know he is showing to be a man that retreats on his words, etc but do you believe a) he didn't say it or b) he didn't mean it??

Kitt's words are completely irrelevant to Keaveney's motivations as they came after he joined and Keaveney has been given assurances he will be the sole contender. That obviously influenced his decision making and one we are now more justified in calling it what it is.

I do not disagree with some of your points regarding Kitt, conventions, likely scenarios etc. I will debate them fine. I am saying your defence of Keaveney's motivations and reasoning don't stand up given the information Keaveney himself revealed as part of the deal.

Who knows what he has been told? Kitt is in the new Roscommon constituency - he won't run there. Maybe Kitt is retiring? Maybe Kitt p***ed them off by taking the Leas Ceann Comhairle job against the party wishes by doing a deal with Kenny and Gilmore and it's payback time. Maybe it's due to the fact that 'grassroots' are not happy with Kitt as referenced in the same article regarding him 'coasting' in the job?

I don't know and you don't know but Keaveney has been assured of that and we will see how it develops. Bottom line this influenced his decision and will go a long way to ensuring he remains politically alive which he sacrificed any principals he had.

Loafing Oaf · 10-12-2013 10:50pm

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Kitt is in the new Roscommon constituency - he won't run there.

Do we know this for a fact? Seems like it might be the key to a resolution that satisfies all parties, sort of.

TCDStudent1 · 10-12-2013 11:34pm

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Do we know this for a fact? Seems like it might be the key to a resolution that satisfies all parties, sort of.

It wouldnt suit Kitt as he would be leaving behind a good chunk of his votes in the Galway East constituency. And then have to gain new votes in the Roscommon constituency.

zimmermania · 10-12-2013 11:59pm

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

It wouldnt suit Kitt as he would be leaving behind a good chunk of his votes in the Galway East constituency. And then have to gain new votes in the Roscommon constituency.

One thing we should not forget.Kitt will be 66 at the time the next election is held,he will get the large lump sum "walking away" money,a pension boosted by serving as a junior minister and as leas ceann comhairle if he retires and that is what he is going to do.

Spanish Johnny · 11-12-2013 1:17am

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

It wouldnt suit Kitt as he would be leaving behind a good chunk of his votes in the Galway East constituency. And then have to gain new votes in the Roscommon constituency.

True. But if FF go with one candidate only in some 3 seaters like the promise to Keaveney in Galway East then it would become very appealing given that there is no sitting FF TD in the new constituency.

Spanish Johnny · 11-12-2013 1:19am

zimmermania wrote: »

One thing we should not forget.Kitt will be 66 at the time the next election is held,he will get the large lump sum "walking away" money,a pension boosted by serving as a junior minister and as leas ceann comhairle if he retires and that is what he is going to do.

And it's believed that this was the likely scenario within FF too as regards their moves for Keaveney, Higgins, etc. Seems their handling at the top has irked Kitt and some of the 'grassroots' though.

Loafing Oaf · 11-12-2013 1:29am

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

True. But if FF go with one candidate only in some 3 seaters like the promise to Keaveney in Galway East then it would become very appealing given that there is no sitting FF TD in the new constituency.

Well if Kitt wants to 'hand on the torch' to one of his family this might be the right moment. Mightn't make much odds to them whether they establish themselves in Galway East or Roscommon/Galway, given that the family turf is seemingly split between the two...

Who knows, he might bring his celeb nephew down to take over: his musical career isn't exactly thriving, and he'd surely blow the local yokels, esp the cailins, away with his slick hipsterdom:

raymon · 11-12-2013 4:54am

The Kitts should stand to one side and let Keaveney start tracking down the " rampant corruption of many of Fianna Fáil’s members and public representatives" that he described last year.

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 12:25pm

Stephen Donnelly now on the record saying that he is considering a move to Fianna Fáil.

Donnelly says he's considering move to Fianna Fail

golfball37 · 13-12-2013 12:29pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Stephen Donnelly now on the record saying that he is considering a move to Fianna Fáil.

Donnelly says he's considering move to Fianna Fail

I don't see anything in that article that one could stand over to justify the headline. A bit like the Toibin scoop the same paper had the other day methinks- IE a non story.

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 12:30pm

golfball37 wrote: »

I don't see anything in that article that one could stand over to justify the headline. A bit like the Toibin scoop the same paper had the other day methinks- IE a non story.

Significant in that he has actually confirmed for the first time that he is open to the idea of joining Fianna Fáil.

No meetings have been held yet, but this is all about signalling. You can be sure that a meeting will be held over Christmas to explore the possibility after his comments. Nothing may come of it, but interesting nonetheless.

cormacjones · 13-12-2013 12:34pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Stephen Donnelly now on the record saying that he is considering a move to Fianna Fáil.

Donnelly says he's considering move to Fianna Fail

That would be an absolute disaster. He is one of the few politicians I respected and seemed to have some morals about him.

That he would even think of joining FF is really, really disappointing.

raymon · 13-12-2013 12:41pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Stephen Donnelly now on the record saying that he is considering a move to Fianna Fáil.

Donnelly says he's considering move to Fianna Fail

Now wouldn't that be depressing...........

raymon · 13-12-2013 12:52pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Significant in that he has actually confirmed for the first time that he is open to the idea of joining Fianna Fáil.

No meetings have been held yet, but this is all about signalling. You can be sure that a meeting will be held over Christmas to explore the possibility after his comments. Nothing may come of it, but interesting nonetheless.

Looks like another made up story . Surely your FF propaganda office could have rang the Independent newspaper FF propaganda office to see if it was true or made up.

The journal says that it is not happening

http://www.thejournal.ie/stephen-donnelly-fianna-fail-independent-td-eamon-gilmore-1219708-Dec2013/

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 1:09pm

raymon wrote: »

Looks like another made up story . Surely your FF propaganda office could have rang the Independent newspaper FF propaganda office to see if it was true or made up.

The journal says that it is not happening

http://www.thejournal.ie/stephen-donnelly-fianna-fail-independent-td-eamon-gilmore-1219708-Dec2013/

All very cloak and daggers! We already know that no discussions have taken place, wont be any real news until after any discussions take place regardless. That's if they even take place.

raymon · 13-12-2013 1:35pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

All very cloak and daggers! We already know that no discussions have taken place, wont be any real news until after any discussions take place regardless. That's if they even take place.

Surely you mean " smoke and daggers", this being Bertie's Team

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 1:37pm

raymon wrote: »

Surely you mean " smoke and daggers", this being Bertie's Team

Do you always need to be so combative? You make it a pain to read this forum with your poorly formulated cliches.

We should all be capable of intelligent discussion without stupid comments.

raymon · 13-12-2013 2:01pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Do you always need to be so combative? You make it a pain to read this forum with your poorly formulated cliches.

We should all be capable of intelligent discussion without stupid comments.

Sorry didn't mean to touch a nerve with mentioning Bertie.

You said cloak and daggers , Bertie used to say smoke and daggers.
Probably wasn't funny after all , ah well.

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 2:16pm

raymon wrote: »

You said cloak and daggers , Bertie used to say smoke and daggers.
Probably wasn't funny after all , ah well.

Ah I see, I didn't pick up the connection.

Still don't see how it is very relevant though!!

Going Forward · 13-12-2013 2:24pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Do you always need to be so combative? You make it a pain to read this forum with your poorly formulated cliches.

We should all be capable of intelligent discussion without stupid comments.

It's a joke.
Surely you can recall Bertie's "upsetting the apple tart"?

Sierra Oscar · 13-12-2013 2:30pm

Going Forward wrote: »

It's a joke.
Surely you can recall Bertie's "upsetting the apple tart"?

I am not familiar with Bertie Ahern and his various silly comments really.

cormacjones · 13-12-2013 2:43pm

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

I am not familiar with Bertie Ahern and his various silly comments really.

You should be. It might make you reconsider your political allegiances.

michael999999 · 13-12-2013 8:20pm

cormacjones wrote: »

You should be. It might make you reconsider your political allegiances.

Its called fianna fail amnesia.

Former Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney to join Fianna Fáil

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