Fianna Fáil Leadership Challenge Underway

Sierra Oscar

The rumour doing the rounds at the moment is that a certain faction within FF has captured 18 signatures amongst the PP to launch a leadership challenge, meaning a challenge will be launched during a meeting of the PP tomorrow.

M three

As if thats gonna be enough.
Fianna failure should be booted out and not allowed back into government for at least a decade. with or without idiot brian at the helm.

FreudianSlippers

I seriously think the Greens will withdraw support next week.

Liam Byrne

Too little, far too late.

And given that the hopelessly incompetent "I don't read reports/cheapest bailout ever" Lenihan is reportedly in the running, no solution to anything either.

M three

OisinT wrote: »

I seriously think the Greens will withdraw support next week.

more bs. from the greens / government. the greens or vegetables as mary coughlan called them were supposed to be pulling out a month ago unless they got an election. and guess what, no date set for that.

This is just more stage managed rubbish from the government, saying they're pulling out next week in the hope that they can stumble away from the latest clusterfuk and have more time to continue wrecking the place

DO NOT BELIEVE THIS CRAP FROM THEM. THEY PERFECTED THIS TACTIC WHILE THE PD'S PROPPED THEM UP

RonMexico

They should disband. How anyone can support them is beyond belief. Just like the church.

dfbemt

Twitter is hopping re tweets that the wagons are circling and there could be a no confidence vote in Brian Cowen tomorrow within the FF party themselves. The great tweeter himself, Simon Coveney, has even been at it

Different camps are emerging. The named suspects are already in place - Lenihan, Martin and Hanafin but now the young FF'ers are joining in.

24 hours is an interesting time in politics so lets see what happens by this time tomorrow night.

A selection of tweets, and there are hundreds if not thousands out there

suzybie the heave is on...

ChristineBohan yup cowen may need to go to the park if he can't get numbers. Leni and martin jockeying for position as we speak

simoncoveney Very strong rumours about unrest in FF and a potential motion of no confidence tomorrow - hard to know if it will happen or just speculation

fiachkelly Just left Leinster House. Let's all get a good night's sleep.....we're gonna need it. Looks like game on

Seth Brundle

I can't see where Simon Coveney posted his twittering.

As for the others, its a game, is it?

therecklessone

Deck chairs and Titanic spring to mind.

Sierra Oscar

David Cochrane of Politics.ie is stating that he believes NewsTalk will break the news AM tomorrow.

Fianna Fail efforts to oust Cowen underway, parliamentary party meeting later today

zig

I wish Cowen would stay there, voters actually might consider Fianna Fail now...ugh

hotmail.com

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

David Cochrane of Politics.ie is stating that he believes NewsTalk will break the news AM tomorrow.

Fianna Fail efforts to oust Cowen underway, parliamentary party meeting later today

Seems like a disastrous leak from Newstalk. This has gained speed in the last 30 minutes and with modern technology, I'm sure all the political anoraks are now aware of these rumours. Have the national papers enough time to alter their front pages and spoil Newstalks' apparent exclusive.

Anyway, there's no guarantee that Cowen will automatically step down if there's a leadership challenge, particularly given his sort of his personality (he did nothing wrong, why should he resign mentality).

Nehaxak

Well, they won't disband and even though I like to make fun of their polling myself and assume they'll only get 4% of the vote in the upcoming general election soon - in all honesty, going on past experiences with the Irish electorate, that's not going to happen either. They'll still poll 20% easily unfortunately.
It's just a matter of who will lead their party toward and into the next general election as if they stick with either Brian in any leadership roll, they'll lose a lot of seats. Whereas if they are seen to make changes and spin it as "for the better of the country, a fresh start lalalala" then they might even gain a few voters back that might have otherwise swayed elsewhere.

Could possibly see Mary Hanafin as a strong contender, total change and a woman as Ireland's next possible leader - or how it would be spun anyway.

zig

hotmail.com wrote: »

Seems like a disastrous leak from Newstalk. This has gained speed in the last 30 minutes and with modern technology, I'm sure all the political anoraks are now aware of these rumours. Have the national papers enough time to alter their front pages and spoil Newstalks' apparent exclusive.

Its 1:30 am I dont think Newstalk have much to worry about.

Sierra Oscar

I reckon Cowen will go to the Aras, or his predecessor wont spend long waiting to go to the Aras.

I would even go as far as to say that the Finance Bill is dead in the water.

hotmail.com

zig wrote: »

Its 1:30 am I dont think Newstalk have much to worry about.

If this was RTE, there wouldn't be a word about this exclusive until 7am.

hotmail.com

Can someone please explain what is contained in the finance bill that is so important? I know the social welfare and tax changes have happened already.

Seth Brundle

Apparently there is a "site valuation tax" in it due to hit out pockets next year.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0110/1224287156006.html

There are pension implications
http://www.tab.ie/Budget_2011_Pension_implications/Default.152.html

Aand I'm sure there are loads more goodies to excite us all.

M three

hotmail.com wrote: »

Can someone please explain what is contained in the finance bill that is so important? I know the social welfare and tax changes have happened already.

Finance bill contains confirmation that the country has ZERO finance left and that we are gonna get screwed every which way to get some

M three

dfbemt wrote: »

Twitter is hopping re tweets that the wagons are circling and there could be a no confidence vote in Brian Cowen tomorrow within the FF party themselves. The great tweeter himself, Simon Coveney, has even been at it

Different camps are emerging. The named suspects are already in place - Lenihan, Martin and Hanafin but now the young FF'ers are joining in.

24 hours is an interesting time in politics so lets see what happens by this time tomorrow night.

A selection of tweets, and there are hundreds if not thousands out there

suzybie the heave is on...

ChristineBohan yup cowen may need to go to the park if he can't get numbers. Leni and martin jockeying for position as we speak

simoncoveney Very strong rumours about unrest in FF and a potential motion of no confidence tomorrow - hard to know if it will happen or just speculation

fiachkelly Just left Leinster House. Let's all get a good night's sleep.....we're gonna need it. Looks like game on

twitter is confirmation of nothing. just gossip at this stage.
Have heard it all before, these baxtards will hang on for as long as they possibly can

Sully

I think your man from Politics reports for Newstalk, which might be why they are running with it.

hotmail.com

M three wrote: »

twitter is confirmation of nothing. just gossip at this stage.
Have heard it all before, these baxtards will hang on for as long as they possibly can

I don't know what Simon Coveney is doing tweeting about this. I think it shows a political immaturity - he's supposed to sit back, watch everything and let them crumble.

Not only that, but Coveney was very much part of the attempted coup on Enda Kenny last summer. So why he's getting involved beggers belief.

Holybejaysus

hotmail.com wrote: »

I don't know what Simon Coveney is doing tweeting about this. I think it shows a political immaturity - he's supposed to sit back, watch everything and let them crumble.

Not only that, but Coveney was very much part of the attempted coup on Enda Kenny last summer. So why he's getting involved beggers belief.

Coveney is fast earning a name for himself as a fool of the highest order.

ArtSmart

i just wanna reiterate i bet 11th feb for the election bout 7 weks ago.

that is all

Wide Road

M three wrote: »

As if thats gonna be enough.
Fianna failure should be booted out and not allowed back into government for at least a decade. with or without idiot brian at the helm.

No such party exists. Check your spelling and reply svp.
Do you or your "thank you" friends believe in democracy?

Wide Road

RonMexico wrote: »

They should disband. How anyone can support them is beyond belief. Just like the church.

"Just like the church"
Any chance of you explaining further?

Rubik.

If they did oust Cowen, they would be a new leader of the FF party but Cowen would still be Taoiseach. If he resigns as Taoiseach then there would have to be a vote to elect a new one, but Micheal Lowery has already said he wouldn't voted for a 3rd FF Taoiseach in this term. So what happens if they they can't get their new leader elected Taoiseach? FF have got themselves into one hell of a mess.

Wide Road

Rubik. wrote: »

If they did oust Cowen, they would be a new leader of the FF party but Cowen would still be Taoiseach. If he resigns as Taoiseach then there would have to be a vote to elect a new one, but Micheal Lowery has already said he wouldn't voted for a 3rd FF Taoiseach in this term. So what happens if they they can't get their new leader elected Taoiseach? FF have got themselves into one hell of a mess.

Since you speak of Micheal Lowry, he has stated that John Bruton is his best friend. Has he stated otherwise since, or are they still as close as ever?

Liam Byrne

Rubik. wrote: »

If they did oust Cowen, they would be a new leader of the FF party but Cowen would still be Taoiseach. If he resigns as Taoiseach then there would have to be a vote to elect a new one, but Micheal Lowery has already said he wouldn't voted for a 3rd FF Taoiseach in this term. So what happens if they they can't get their new leader elected Taoiseach? FF have got themselves into one hell of a mess.

I suspect Michael Lowry will say whatever Michael Lowry needs to say at a particular moment in time.

Liam Byrne

Wide Road wrote: »

Since you speak of Micheal Lowry, he has stated that John Bruton is his best friend. Has he stated otherwise since, or are they still as close as ever?

What does that have to do with anything?

I'd also be more worried if it were Bruton saying that Lowry was his best friend, after Lowry was disgraced and evicted and ended up joining forces with FF.

But that reply aside, it's miles off-topic, so probably best to start a new thread if you want to discuss Lowry's former and current friends.

femur61

If Brian C is ousted will not deter any general election?:mad:

johnbobtheslob

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Its about time there was a coup to get rid of that moron, now how will they shift his big fat hole from poition of taoiseach God only knows he may just refuse to, the stubborn unwanted gob$hite. How have the rest of the PP members stood back and let this over-paid, over-weight oaf ruin there names in their respective constituency?

Mattie McGrath for FF leader (joke)

Rubik.

Newstalk didn't say anything other than there could be a heave. Fionnon Sheenan went further and said one was likely but didn't seem to have any inside information. The political party meeting is at midday.

M three

Wide Road wrote: »

No such party exists. Check your spelling and reply svp.
Do you or your "thank you" friends believe in democracy?

Fianna Failure exist alright, they're the reason every irish taxpayer and their ancestors is getting screwed for the foreseeable future.
I do believe in democracy, which is why I'm recommending that no one votes for them for the next ten years.

Sounds like you on the other hand will tacitly support them no matter what crap they get up to.

M three

Wide Road wrote: »

Since you speak of Micheal Lowry, he has stated that John Bruton is his best friend. Has he stated otherwise since, or are they still as close as ever?

Nice off topic diversion there wide road. reminds me of bertie ahern saying he looked up every tree in north dublin to find evidence of corruption by liam lowry.

Suppose you condone that disgraceful carry on by fianna failure too.

Seth Brundle

Wide Road wrote: »

No such party exists. Check your spelling and reply svp.
Do you or your "thank you" friends believe in democracy?

Ha Ha Pot, Kettle Black!
* Donegal SW
* Waterford
* Dublin S

tommy21

Rumour ... Lenihan as leader in the short-term, Martin as leader after the election...

Seth Brundle

That will make an excellent contribution towards rebuilding trust in the party. Not!

johnbobtheslob

tommy21 wrote: »

Rumour ... Lenihan as leader in the short-term, Martin as leader after the election...

Why go into the election with possibly the 2nd most hate man in politics as their leader? Put Martin in the hot seat. He seems at least some bit genuine.

cremeegg

I think out of all the contenders ..hanafin may be the best of a bad bunch...

What do the politically minded think... whats her record like?

Monty Burnz

hotmail.com wrote: »

Anyway, there's no guarantee that Cowen will automatically step down if there's a leadership challenge, particularly given his sort of his personality (he did nothing wrong, why should he resign mentality).

That's not his mentality, it's the general Fianna Failure mentality - when did you last hear of a Fianna Failure minister doing the honourable thing and resigning (rather than having to be driven out after the nth feck-up)?

M three

johnbobtheslob wrote: »

Why go into the election with possibly the 2nd most hate man in politics as their leader? Put Martin in the hot seat. He seems at least some bit genuine.

Mis guided on martin. No better than the rest of them. Indeed this giving of money / aid by ireland to african countries to buy guns is a bigger scandal than some of the well reported goings on by fianna failure
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055956308

Monty Burnz

johnbobtheslob wrote: »

Why go into the election with possibly the 2nd most hate man in politics as their leader? Put Martin in the hot seat. He seems at least some bit genuine.

Hit the nail on the head there. I don't know if he's crooked, which is odd for a FFailure, but he's definitely a spoofer. Hasn't done much for all his years in the Dail, bar the smoking ban (which I approve of). Speaking in deep voice with a serious tone has brought him a long way.

M three

cremeegg wrote: »

I think out of all the contenders ..hanafin may be the best of a bad bunch...

What do the politically minded think... whats her record like?

Thats not saying much. wouldnt recommend a vote of any sort for her. she thought it was ok to allow bankrupt politicians to serve and came out strongly in favour of bev flynn
http://www.politics.ie/fianna-fail/17998-mary-hanafin-calls-bankruptcy-td-law-amended.html

Seth Brundle

cremeegg wrote: »

I think out of all the contenders ..hanafin may be the best of a bad bunch...

What do the politically minded think... whats her record like?

for starters...
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2010_Oct_4/hanafin-mother-trips-publics-expense/ai_n55445391/

http://www.tribune.ie/article/2008/mar/16/hanafin-faces-around-70-court-battles-with-parents/

She has defended the corruption since taking office

ISAW

kbannon wrote: »

Ha Ha Pot, Kettle Black!
* Donegal SW
* Waterford
* Dublin S

Actaully Dublin South was a FG guy who resigned if I recall correctly. So ther was a by election which cost the government a seat and the FG guy who won the seat resigned six months later. Dinegal has had a by election so the only valid example is Waterford. If there was a by election in Waterford now and no existing FF candidate ran it would give the new candidate hyge publicity and probably secure that FF candidate the seat in a general election so it isn't in the opposition's interest to do this.

Seth Brundle

and FF were only too happy for the democratic machine to take place

Het-Field

ISAW wrote: »

Actaully Dublin South was a FG guy who resigned if I recall correctly. So ther was a by election which cost the government a seat and the FG guy who won the seat resigned six months later. Dinegal has had a by election so the only valid example is Waterford. If there was a by election in Waterford now and no existing FF candidate ran it would give the new candidate hyge publicity and probably secure that FF candidate the seat in a general election so it isn't in the opposition's interest to do this.

And you base that on nothing.

Brian O Domhnaill is guaranteed nothing in the General Election, and he got plenty of publicity up in Donegal.

Wateford has been gunning for FF for years now. It was a FF bloodbath in the locals. It is one of the constituencies where FF may return nobody.

dfbemt

ISAW wrote: »

Actaully Dublin South was a FG guy who resigned if I recall correctly. So ther was a by election which cost the government a seat and the FG guy who won the seat resigned six months later. Dinegal has had a by election so the only valid example is Waterford. If there was a by election in Waterford now and no existing FF candidate ran it would give the new candidate hyge publicity and probably secure that FF candidate the seat in a general election so it isn't in the opposition's interest to do this.

I align to no party but your argument is fundamentally flawed.

Dinegal had a by election BECAUSE the government were taken to court to uphold the constitution. Imagine, a government not folllowing their own rules, breaking the law ? FF would not hold the by election and resisted for 18 months and argued against the constitution in Court.

Regarding the Dublin South by election, FF called this after the death of Seamus Brennan (RIP) almost a year earlier. Brennan was a consistent (almost) poll topper and in the previous election had gained 22% of the 1st preferences. It was held on the same day as the Dublin Central by election, the European and the local elections. FF had no choice but to hold the by elections as the other elections were going ahead at that time.

And don't forget, the Greens only announced on 22nd November 2010 that they wanted a General Election, which still hasn't happened by the way. As of 22nd November, Dublin South has a vacant seat since 8th February (9 months) with Waterford under represented since 23rd March 2010 (8 months).

The facts are simple. FF would not win any of the by elections and this would reduce their slim majority. It is all about staying in power for as long as possible.

FF are traitors and I will never ever again mark a box on a ballot paper in their favour, including nth preferences.

ps I look forward to the next GE results in Waterford and I hope the good citizens there annihilate FF.

ISAW

Het-Field wrote: »

And you base that on nothing.

I base it on this:

http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2007&cons=226

23,000 people voted for FF last time out. 47 per cent
Assuming current opinion polls are correct FF would get about a third of that or about 8,000 votes which guarantees a seat.

Brian O Domhnaill is guaranteed nothing in the General Election, and he got plenty of publicity up in Donegal.

Only because the Tániste is running for the same Party. If she wasn't he would effectively be guaranteed a seat based on public profile gained in the by election just as if Kennelly was not running in Waterford whoever got the FF nomination would win a seat.

Wateford has been gunning for FF for years now. It was a FF bloodbath in the locals. It is one of the constituencies where FF may return nobody.

Cullen had PD votes Ill give yu that but I dont think it is realistic for FF to slip from 23,000 votes to 4,000. ( I think 4000 total votes is reasonable cutoff to maybe getting no seat at all). Even taking the locals into account FF only slipped from 10,500 to 8,000 votes.
It is more reasonable to thing FG will gain from FF.
Obligatory: But even if FF got no seats the loss of this one would not have a bearing on the FF leadership.

danbohan

Nehaxak wrote: »

Well, they won't disband and even though I like to make fun of their polling myself and assume they'll only get 4% of the vote in the upcoming general election soon - in all honesty, going on past experiences with the Irish electorate, that's not going to happen either. They'll still poll 20% easily unfortunately.
It's just a matter of who will lead their party toward and into the next general election as if they stick with either Brian in any leadership roll, they'll lose a lot of seats. Whereas if they are seen to make changes and spin it as "for the better of the country, a fresh start lalalala" then they might even gain a few voters back that might have otherwise swayed elsewhere.

Could possibly see Mary Hanafin as a strong contender, total change and a woman as Ireland's next possible leader - or how it would be spun anyway.

could possibly see Mary Hanafin as a strong contender, total change and a woman as Ireland's next possible leader - or how it would be spun anyway.[/QUOTE]

you obviously were not around in the 80s when ms hanafins dear father des was peddling his anti divorce agenda if you think she would be a total change , shes part of a nasty, nasty past hopefully like a lot of her ilk she gets sacked in few weeks , permanently