RTE debate between leaders of the smaller parties

Stargal

The RTÉ debate between the leaders of the 4 smaller parties (Adams, Rabbitte, Sargent and McDowell) has just started.

Intro was good; the leaders are all getting to give an opening statement before the debate starts. It looks a bit like a quiz show as the four leaders are standing at podiums beside each other (Going for Gold? 15 to 1?).

Here's hoping it's a good, lively debate.

Lennoxschips

there should be one big debate between all parties to be honest.

LuckyLloyd

McDowell is getting kicked in the balls by Sargeant

The Black Oil

No real punches being landed so far, I think.

ZorbaTehZ

ROFL "The left, the hard left, and the left-overs"

darkman2

McDowell - 'surrounded here by the hard left, the left and the left overs':D

DMC

Little is not chairing the debate well.

Sargent is really trying get on top of McDowell, arguing at every point. Talking over each other is not an endearing trait.

Dave!

McDowell was having a go at the Greens for a while (sore after his encounter with John Gormley), now he's calling all of the 3 other parties "left, far left, and left over [greens]"

hehe

brianthebard

McDowell really seems to feel his back is against the wall and in fairness there is three people from the left at that table. Sargent seems quite rattled by McDowell already.

daveirl

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daveirl

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nesf

It's like some bizarre reality tv/game show cross over.

LuckyLloyd

daveirl wrote:

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Pointing out inconsistencies and factual errors scores most points with me thanks

ZorbaTehZ

HOLY ****, Sergeant has notes written on his palm.

joolsveer

Has Trevor got prompts written on his hands?

Time Magazine

Dammit, forgot about this. Pat is doing a good job. Thanks for the heads up Laika.

DMC

ZorbaTehZ wrote:

HOLY ****, Sergeant has notes written on his palm.

A lesson to those doing the Junior and Leaving cert. Its ok to cheat in this fashion after the state exams

Stargal

Wow, low blow from McDowell.

Adams was talking about Sinn Féin-ers all draw the average industrial wage and then give the rest to the party and McDowell started asking about holiday home in Donegal and how that was paid for.

Pity Mark Little and Sargent cut him off, would have been interested to see how Adams responded to that.

Ibid wrote:

Dammit, forgot about this. Pat is doing a good job. Thanks for the heads up Laika.

My pleasure Mr. Ibid

brianthebard

Gerry says "I like rights! I like equality!"

brianthebard

Oh burn McDowell takes it to Adams! Jeeeez this is getting dirty.

ZorbaTehZ

According to Adams, I apparently have rights ?!

darkman2

McDowell 1 Adams 0

LuckyLloyd

Adams made a very basisc error there. That subject changer did not fly.

darkman2

Gerry Adams does know what he is talking about tbh. Its obvious he should not be commenting at this debate because he clearly has not a clue about alot of issues in this country.

Stargal

McDowell is really going down fighting.

He just said to Gerry Adams that he knows nothing about the economy of the country: "Gerry, you know no basic figures or basic facts. Every time Mark has asked you a question you've changed the subject to the peace process or the health service, because you just don't know."

Quote of the debate so far from Rabbitte: "The health service is a community service, not a commodity from which to profit".

brianthebard

Trouble wrote:

McDowell is looking very flustered - Menopausal Paris Hilton is right

What a line! I love Pat.

darkman2

Micheal McDowell is winning this debate to be honest. The others would want to up their act quick. Rabbite is trying to avoid confronting him almost.

Trouble

McDowell is looking very flustered - Menopausal Paris Hilton is right

Stargal

I spoke too soon!

Quote of the debate so far -
Rabbitte: Michael, you're like a menopausal Paris Hilton, you're an inveterate attention seeker.

DMC

McDowell is like a "menopausal Paris Hilton" a trademark Rabbitte riposte there...

Mark Little is a lightweight.

Armstrong

"Michael is like a menopausal Paris Hilton"

jesus Pat Rabbitt is a tool

Go on McDowell you show these lefties

Time Magazine

Gerry's out of his depth. McDowell looks like he is about to cry. Menopausal Paris Hilton FTW.

Dave!

lol, can't believe Pat said that

McDowell is throwing punches in every direction, fair play. I suppose he's the only representative for the government there.

uh-oh, McDowell bringing up Gerry in the provos.....

darkman2

McDowell has Adams where he wants him now 'narco terrorist' He is putting him to the sword here:D If only this went on longer.

ZorbaTehZ

I was wondering how long it would be until he brought up the Army Council.

nesf

DMC wrote:

Mark Little is a lightweight.

Mark Little couldn't chair a debate between a bunch of primary school who all agree with each other.

Trevor Sargent is being a muppet. Interrupting constantly just looks childish. He's out of his depth here.

Trouble

McDowell is not winning, he is ducking every issue and his only answer seems to be - some people in Ireland have more money as a result of the celtic tiger, nothing about how he would improve social justice, he is flailing out there. His attack on Adams about FARC is classic McDowell... throw out an unprovable accusation, muddy the waters. Roll on next Friday, can't wait to watch him become an irrelevance.

Dave!

Sargent backing up Gerry Adams on his point about drugs.....

Sajan

Rabitte and Sargent the only ones who haven't been made to look like eejits. Pat Rabitte is a good politician. Great talker. Notice how no one really talks over him.

daveirl

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Trouble

darkman2 wrote:

McDowell has Adams where he wants him now 'narco terrorist' He is putting him to the sword here:D If only this went on longer.

Never seen Gerry either out of his depth or put to the sword before and it certainly ain't happening tonight....

nesf

Trouble wrote:

McDowell is not winning, he is ducking every issue and his only answer seems to be - some people in Ireland have more money as a result of the celtic tiger, nothing about how he would improve social justice, he is flailing out there. His attack on Adams about FARC is classic McDowell... throw out an unprovable accusation, muddy the waters. Roll on next Friday, can't wait to watch him become an irrelevance.

You think he'll be quiet if he's in opposition?

darkman2

Trouble wrote:

Never seen Gerry either out of his depth or put to the sword before and it certainly ain't happening tonight....

Is that a joke. He has not got a clue about this jurisdiction.


Rabbite saying nothing has seen him come across ok but McDowell has won IMO.

Trouble

nesf wrote:

You think he'll be quiet if he's in opposition?

I certainly hope not. It'd be pure bliss to see him shouting from the sidelines for 5 years and not able to do anything about it. Ideally his constituents would give him one of those long breaks Rabbite spoke about a few weeks back, but hey, I won't be greedy.

Dave!

Immigrants have rights too

LuckyLloyd

Well tbh - I thought McDowell going for Adams on that one smacked of a bit of desperation. He was attacked on a weak point for the Goverment and used his own subject changer to avoid it.

swingking

it's getting heated now

brianthebard

Workers rights! that'll sort out the immigrant issue.

Time Magazine

FFS would Gerry Adams shut the f*ck up about rights? There are "legislative workers' rights".

brianthebard

Sargent just offloaded the notes from his hand....

daveirl

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