Having a good opposition is as important as having a good government

eoinoleary

If we are to believe the media, the most likely outcome of the 2011 election will be a FG/Lab government...for arguments sake lets take that as a given...now whos the opposition??...do we have FF..a party who now, for many ,no matter what they oppose rightly or wrongly they wont be taken on their word or...according to the polls the next closest or equal running party SF...without a strong opposition the new government will have free regin to implement what polices they like..some may be right others may be wrong???please note im tied to no party its just somthing that i was thinkin of...sensible replies relevent to the question please!!weve all read the party bashing before!!

Oasis_Dublin

Party politics means that a strong opposition is about as useful as a fork with a bowl of soup. Parties engage in the theatre of the Dáil but the questions and answers have already been prepared. Far more questions are answered privately than on the floor of the house.

The media has played a far more prevalent role in damaging politicians than any opposition party has in Ireland for a long time. Think of Cowen, Ahern, Haughey and many more.

eoinoleary

Oasis_Dublin wrote: »

Party politics means that a strong opposition is about as useful as a fork with a bowl of soup. Parties engage in the theatre of the Dáil but the questions and answers have already been prepared. Far more questions are answered privately than on the floor of the house.

The media has played a far more prevalent role in damaging politicians than any opposition party has in Ireland for a long time. Think of Cowen, Ahern, Haughey and many more.

fair point i suppose..especially when the likes of j h rae are the ones that really call the shots in a way...they hold the whole lot to ransom with there 'vital' vote...independant my arse...

The media has played a far more prevalent role in damaging politicians than any opposition party has in Ireland for a long time. Think of Cowen, Ahern, Haughey and many more.[/QUOTE}

they have but is damaging the "other side" the sole purpose of the opposition??id like to think they at least have some honest debates on legislation???

eddison

What use was opposition to FF? What use was opposition to Cowen. He had to be forced out with a crow bar. Even his own party knew the ignorant **** was screwing up the country. FF would have backed him all the way to complete catastrophe if he wasn't loosing them votes.

He would have brought down Europe. Now we got another smarmy 'i'm a non smoker' righteous FF leader, on a day when RTE announce multiple job losses. We don't even see the lost jobs any more, as its normal.
If FF had any conscience, they would all resign, and hand themselves in to the Gardai for what they have done to peoples lives. People have been mugged by FF.

eoinoleary

eddison wrote: »

What use was opposition to FF? What use was opposition to Cowen. He had to be forced out with a crow bar. Even his own party knew the ignorant **** was screwing up the country. FF would have backed him all the way to complete catastrophe if he wasn't loosing them votes.

He would have brought down Europe. Now we got another smarmy 'i'm a non smoker' righteous FF leader, on a day when RTE announce multiple job losses. We don't even see the lost jobs any more, as its normal.
If FF had any conscience, they would all resign, and hand themselves in to the Gardai for what they have done to peoples lives. People have been mugged by FF.

agreed ...if they believed in "the good of the country " as they say they should have admitted their f up, stepped aside and given the people the election they wanted...not denied it to the very end just to retain FF party power...

aftermn

In a proper democracy this would be true. But here, well just look at the last five years of our Dail. It's not just the opposition that is irrelevant, the whole shagging thing is irrelevent. Decisions are made at cabinet, rubber stamped in the Dail and that's it. Not only should we abolish the Seanad, we should also abolish the Dail. Just vote for Cabinet members and save ourselves a fortune.

Nijmegen

Strong opposition is a cornerstone of functional democracy. The current opposition parties, FG and Labour in particular, have been crying foul of lack of government accountability to the Oireachtas. Frankly, I think once they're in power they'll forget about that quickly. Turkeys voting for Christmas and all that.

I think the danger in Irish politics is Sinn Fein becoming the credible opposition - in that, they actually oppose what the government is doing and can't be said to have been the ones to proginate the policies the current government is largely adhering to - and election after next they become the Labour of Irish politics - a natural second party in coalition by size.

And don't believe any of the waffle today from politicans about not doing business with SF. If they got the votes that'd put you into the ministerial merc...

Oasis_Dublin

Accountability is crucial though. FF brought in Freedom of Information acts and then gradually went back on them. It's a disgrace. No one expects politicians to be infallible, but we do expect... no, demand them to be honest.