New Fianna Fáil (Martin's Fianna Fáil)

JP Liz V1

Source

Mary Hanafin has been named as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil.
Deputy Hanafin, who will also hold the portfolio of Environment and Local Government, was among a 21-member front bench announced by party leader Micheál Martin on the plinth at Leinster House a short time ago.
"I am very pleased that Mary Hanafin has agreed to serve as deputy leader," Mr Martin said.
"We share a vision of our party campaigning with energy on the basis of a renewed programme and reaching out to people in all parts of the country."
Brian Lenihan retains the Finance portfolio, as expected, while Limerick TD Willie O'Dea returns to the front bench with the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources portfolio.
"Pleased to be appointed to FF Front Bench," Deputy O'Dea tweeted following the announcement, saying the portfolio represented a vital sector in Ireland's economy.
Current govt chief whip John Curran gets the Justice and Law reform job from the retiring Dermot Ahern, while Eamon Ó Cuiv takes the Social Protection portfolio.
Mayo's Dara Calleary steps up to the front bench with the Enterprise, Employment and Innovation portfolio, while another FF 'young gun', Cork's Billy Kelleher, gets Transport.
Fourteen of the 21 appointees have not previously served in Cabinet, while the list is notable for the inclusion of a number of appointees not currently elected to the Dáil.
These include Senator Marc McSharry (Tourism & Arts), Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick (Housing & Urban Development) and Averil Power (Political Reform).
"In bringing together this front bench I have decided to draw on the party’s full base of TDs, Senators, councillors and candidates," Mr Martin said.
"We have hundreds of representatives in all parts of the country and I am determined that we find ways of harnessing all of their energy and experience.
"While the majority have not held Cabinet positions, all have shown a commitment to the development of innovative policies and a practical agenda to move our country forward."
Spokesperson on Environment & Local Gov and Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin TD
Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD
Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform John Curran TD
Spokesperson on Health & Children Barry Andrews TD
Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD
Spokesperson on Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv TD
Spokesperson on Enterprise, Employment & Innovation Dara Calleary TD
Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Brendan Smith TD
Spokesperson on Tourism & Arts Senator Marc McSharry
Spokesperson on Defence Niall Collins TD
Spokesperson on Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD
Spokesperson on Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Willie O'Dea TD
Spokesperson on Transport Billy Kelleher TD
Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Trade Peter Power TD
Spokesperson on Political Reform Averil Power
Spokesperson on Financial Sector Reform Michael McGrath TD
Spokesperson on Public Sector Reform Sean Fleming TD
Spokesperson on Sport Darragh O'Brien TD
Spokesperson on Small Business John McGuinness TD
Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick
Legal Adviser to the Frontbench and Spokesman on Constitutional Reform Cllr Jim O'Callaghan Senior Counsel

Willie O' Dea back :eek:

The Highwayman

I was just about to post re. O'Dea being back!!!

What the hell has changed in Fina Failure if we are back to putting people who lie to the courts on the front bench???

flutered

and the eu dunce is shadow minister for zilch finance.

Sir Oxman

It's party first people, don't forget that.

wealthyman

Very dissapointed with Martin. Mary Coughlan and Willie O'dea WTF???? Plus Mary Hanafin is not guaranteed her sear back nor is Andrews, how embarrassing for FF if the deputy leader lost her seat.

johngalway

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

"While the majority have not held Cabinet positions, all have shown a commitment to the development of innovative policies and a practical agenda to move our country forward."

Spokesperson on Environment & Local Gov and Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin TD
Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD
Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform John Curran TD
Spokesperson on Health & Children Barry Andrews TD
Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD
Spokesperson on Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv TD
Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Brendan Smith TD
Spokesperson on Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD
Spokesperson on Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Willie O'Dea TD
Spokesperson on Small Business John McGuinness TD

What a load of horse manure.

Of course he had to appoint a lot of new people to the front bench, most of the last lot resigned like a creaking Soviet era Politburo "on health grounds" !!

Most above have been intimately involved in running this country into the ground, including their new "Dear Leader".

More of the same from Fianna Failure.

bmaxi

It's indicative of the talent that exists in FF.

mike65

21 post? has the world gone mad?

Spokesperson on Environment & Local Gov and Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin TD
Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD
Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform John Curran TD
Spokesperson on Health & Children Barry Andrews TD
Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD :eek: Still there! :mad:
Spokesperson on Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv TD
Spokesperson on Enterprise, Employment & Innovation Dara Calleary TD
Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Brendan Smith TD
Spokesperson on Tourism & Arts Senator Marc McSharry
Spokesperson on Defence Niall Collins TD
Spokesperson on Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD
Spokesperson on Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Willie O'Dea TD
Spokesperson on Transport Billy Kelleher TD
Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Trade Peter Power TD
Spokesperson on Political Reform Averil Power
Spokesperson on Financial Sector Reform Michael McGrath TD
Spokesperson on Public Sector Reform Sean Fleming TD
Spokesperson on Sport Darragh O'Brien TD
Spokesperson on Small Business John McGuinness TD
Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick
Legal Adviser to the Frontbench and Spokesman on Constitutional Reform Cllr Jim O'Callaghan Senior Counsel

Reform portfolios do not need to exist within a cabinet, just set aside a room with some
independent boffins in it. Sport should be thrown in with Arts and Tourism. Small business can go with Enterprise, Employment and Innovation.

hotmail.com

Cowen left off the frontbench.

Mr.Micro

bmaxi wrote: »

It's indicative of the talent that exists in FF.

ie NONE.

Martin had a job to try to cobble together a frontbench, very impressive for dummies.

mikemac

Northern Ireland does not exist in this portfolio.

Whom is the spokesperson as it isn't on that list?

Bucklesman

mike65 wrote: »

Reform portfolios do not need to exist within a cabinet, just set aside a room with some
independent boffins in it. Sport should be thrown in with Arts and Tourism. Small business can go with Enterprise, Employment and Innovation.

As far as I'm concerned they can have as many spokespeople as they like on the opposition benches.

hotmail.com

feelingstressed wrote: »

Northern Ireland does not exist in this portfolio.

Whom is the spokesperson as it isn't on that list?

Foreign Affairs deals with Northern Ireland issues.

mikemac

Fair enough, I only asked as FG have a dedicated person for Northern Ireland.
If the other parties want to include it under Foreign Affairs, that's fine though it's not very clear

jimmycrackcorm

hotmail.com wrote: »

Cowen left off the frontbench.

That's the interesting bit....

hotmail.com

feelingstressed wrote: »

Fair enough, I only asked as FG have a dedicated person for Northern Ireland.
If the other parties want to include it under Foreign Affairs, that's fine though it's not very clear

I suppose it's irrelevant what other opposition parties have in relation to Northern Ireland, because there's no cabinet position dedicated to Northern Ireland, unlike the London government.

A junior ministry may have specific duties related to Northern Ireland, but I'm not sure.

wealthyman

wealthyman wrote: »

Very dissapointed with Martin.

What do you expect from a man who was in cabinet - at the heart of all the bad decision making that has ruined the country
Same **** different day applies to this


Really did you expect some sort of change? For Fianna Fail to change they would need the entire party membership to quit

the groutch

several of these won't even be re-elected tho

flutered

Deleted User wrote: »

What do you expect from a man who was in cabinet - at the heart of all the bad decision making that has ruined the country
Same **** different day applies to this


Really did you expect some sort of change? For Fianna Fail to change they would need the entire party membership to quit

really, leapords do not change their spots,

mikemac

Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick

When you give a councillor a portfolio you know times are hard. And it's going be a right dirty scrap for Mary Fitzpatrick to get elected. And her worst enemy is probably Cyrian Brady from her own party!

But isn't that always the way. Stand as a candidate and your worst enemy's are those in your own party

tails_naf

Listening to Martin giving an interview on Matt Cooper last week - in fairness he can speak well - but he was promising big political reform and this and that.
However, when asked to comment on how it looked for Bertie to say his only regret was not getting the Bertie bowl, Martin dodged the question. He wouldn't answer that simple question, but instead ducked and dived.

If he can't answer a simple question like that - and get off the fence and say outright that Bertie acted and is acting inappropriately (at the very least), then there goes any credibility that he really wants to bring about political reform.

He speaks well, and that will no doubt help the FFers, but it's just a facade. And brining Willie back into the front bench is further proof.

Mr.Micro

I will bet the other parties are quaking in their boots with this new FF line up O'Dea, Calamity, indecisive Hanifin, Lenny sounds like, looks like a troupe of circus clowns.:D:D:D:D Martin should have given O'Dea the Justice and reform brief. I am sure FF supporters will now be very disappointed to see this pathetic line up and the banana skin O'Dea will be a target for the other parties, I think I deserve another laugh.:D:D:D:D

mikemac

tails_naf wrote: »

However, when asked to comment on how it looked for Bertie to say his only regret was not getting the Bertie bowl, Martin dodged the question.

That's for Bertie Ahern to answer. He is now a backbencher. The party leadership don't have to comment on everything a backbencher goes to the media with.

skelliser

new finna fail mehole!!!

Willie O dea!

politics

skelliser wrote: »

new finna fail mehole!!!

Willie O dea!

Does it really matter what FF are doing they wont be in govt again for a long time!

Atlantic Dawn

Is European Affairs gone? Is Richard Roche stepping down too?

CabanasBoy

It really does show the mindset in FF when the likes of Silly O Wee is brought back in, MM said in an interview today "Willy is one of the most talented people in Leinster House" at what????

When all the "independents" are looking for your vote? make sure you remember what party (if any) they were in before becoming independent.
All the slimy rats who deserted the FF ship will be trying to stay on the political gravy train by going indy.
They need to be taught a lesson on an individual level, not just on a party level.

CabanasBoy

politics wrote: »

Does it really matter what FF are doing they wont be in govt again for a long time!

Don't be so sure! they'll be out for one term I reckon and the evil slime bags will get back in.

steelcityblues

Keeping the deadwood like Lenihan (finance no less) and Coughlan (education no less), while trying to reform someone like O'Dea with his appointment to communications.

The man is asking for his party to take a severe hammering come election day.

drBill

O'Dea!? Well there's his first two fingers to the nation. Might as well bring back Bertie and Callelly while he's at it.

juuge

tails_naf wrote: »

Listening to Martin giving an interview on Matt Cooper last week - in fairness he can speak well -

Just listen carefully the next time Martin gives an interview. He recites several chosen passages that he has learned off by heart and joins them all together. This may give the impression that he is clever and thinking on his feet, but no, it's the same old rhetoric and gobbledegook. He is a waffler through and through and rattles it off like a parrot. He will answer a question, any question by saying...' may I first make the point', and off he goes. Waffle, waffle, waffle.

politics

CabanasBoy wrote: »

Don't be so sure! they'll be out for one term I reckon and the evil slime bags will get back in.

Our whole politicial system needs reform. All the parties just pass the blame around and its just an vicous circle, one party goes in, gets greedy and goes out, and on and on... We need some young politicians, entrepanours and people like that in our govt so we can get our country back to 'The land of saints and scholors' not 'The land of scum and slimbags' like it is now!

Liam Byrne

Just saw on the news that he's brought Mr Libel (lie and pray there's no recording) back in from the cold.

So much for a new start for FF! :rolleyes:

whoopdedoo

wealthyman wrote: »

Very dissapointed with Martin. Mary Coughlan and Willie O'dea WTF???? Plus Mary Hanafin is not guaranteed her sear back nor is Andrews, how embarrassing for FF if the deputy leader lost her seat.

none of them are guaranteed their seats in a short few weeks imo

skelliser

juuge wrote: »

Just listen carefully the next time Martin gives an interview. He recites several chosen passages that he has learned off by heart and joins them all together. This may give the impression that he is clever and thinking on his feet, but no, it's the same old rhetoric and gobbledegook. He is a waffler through and through and rattles it off like a parrot. He will answer a question, any question by saying...' may I first make the point', and off he goes. Waffle, waffle, waffle.

+1

Martin has made a career outta waffle, listen to him talking and you will soon realise that he is talking about nothing! absolutely nothing!

Hes the best waffler FF have ever produced, add to that some charm like Bertie had and you have a monster of epic proportions!

And guess what, the gob****es in this country will lap it up!

Breezer

drBill wrote: »

O'Dea!? Well there's his first two fingers to the nation. Might as well bring back Bertie and Callelly while he's at it.

My thoughts exactly.

So it took Martin an entire 5 days to revert to type. Of course, anyone that cares was never going to vote FF anyway.

Mr.Micro

Breezer wrote: »

My thoughts exactly.

So it took Martin an entire 6 days to revert to type. Of course, anyone that cares was never going to vote FF anyway.

There is nothing to Martin that is the truth. He has not spent all these years in the cabinet undistinguished to be suddenly a beacon of light.

maynooth_rules

The fact that Martin has brought back Willie O'Dee from he cold, kept the joke that is Mary Coughlan in a prominent position in FF and gave the second most powerful position to Mary Hanafin, who nearly broke in half last week as she spent so much time on the fence. Same old Fianna Fail and I hope people will wake up and see that this man is going to carry on the same old ****e for Fianna Fail and is engrained in everything that has been wrong in FF over the past 15 years.

Son Of A Vidic

One word defines his recent actions for me - tokenism.

DublinWriter

Oh look, they just re-arranged the seats on the titanic.

Meanwhile...

Shea O'Meara

This is a great line up. It will be more difficult for them to spout, 'New FFail', 'We've cleaned house' etc.
It'll be more obvious now that nothing has changed. I for one am glad, if it in anyway keeps them out in the brush a little longer.

Limerick TD Willie O'Dea returns to the front bench with the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources portfolio.

And this is priceless:D The proven liar in communications!! You couldn't make it up. It's like Yes Minister meets Father Ted.

breadandjam

__________________

politics wrote: »

Does it really matter what FF are doing they wont be in govt again for a long time!

We'll see. This "New" Fianna Fail may allow people to rationalize that they are not voting for "Old Fianna Fail" but for change when in reality nothing in the party ethos has changed

Breezer

breadandjam wrote: »

__________________


We'll see. This "New" Fianna Fail may allow people to rationalize that they are not voting for "Old Fianna Fail" but for change when in reality nothing in the party ethos has changed

You'd think that would've been his intention, yet he's kept Coughlan, Lenihan, Hanafin, brought back O'Dea...Of course people will believe what they want to believe.

Monty Burnz

hotmail.com wrote: »

Cowen left off the frontbench.

I'd say he could do a cracking job for Fianna Failure as Finance spokesman. 'Do as I say, not as I did'...

bob50

wealthyman wrote: »

Very dissapointed with Martin. Mary Coughlan and Willie O'dea WTF???? Plus Mary Hanafin is not guaranteed her sear back nor is Andrews, how embarrassing for FF if the deputy leader lost her seat.

Yeah it would be a great result hopefully

Dannyboy83

Don't understand why people are surprised at Willie being brought back, the man is still extremely popular around Limerick, apparently he has one of the safest seats in the country

I understand people have moral objections to Willie being brought back, but that's politics!
That is the result of our political system/prstv etc.

MM's objective is to survive this election.
Your codding yourself if you think any other political party wouldn't do the same in similar circumstances.
I'm not defending it, just explaining it.

The biggest disappointments for me were:
Coughlan, Kelleher and especially Hanafin.

IMO, Michael Mcgrath should be deputy - by far one of the most talented people in the party imo - but FF need Hanafin as they're so weak in Dublin.

Sir Oxman

Well you see, I can see why he did it but it doesn't square and won't wash with this 'new broom' image he's trying to project.
It can't.
Anyone that accepts this as the 'new FF' is quite frankly, a sandwich short of a picnic.

Liam Byrne

Dannyboy83 wrote: »

Don't understand why people are surprised at Willie being brought back, the man is still extremely popular around Limerick, apparently he has one of the safest seats in the country

Please don't blame us all, though. We're not all gullible idiots who support illegal slander, lies and attempted cover-ups.

Dannyboy83

gambiaman wrote: »

Well you see, I can see why he did it but it doesn't square and won't wash with this 'new broom' image he's trying to project.
It can't.
Anyone that accepts this as the 'new FF' is quite frankly, a sandwich short of a picnic.

I can't disagree with you on that.
It does look like he has probably chosen the best options for political survival tho.

I don't know, he is going to have to shuffle in a years time or something.
The thought of Coughlan in there is enough to tarnish the attempts at reform as is, before you ever get to O'Dea.

CorkMan

Mary Hanafin has been named as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil.
Deputy Hanafin, who will also hold the portfolio of Environment and Local Government, was among a 21-member front bench announced by party leader Micheál Martin on the plinth at Leinster House a short time ago.
"I am very pleased that Mary Hanafin has agreed to serve as deputy leader," Mr Martin said.
"We share a vision of our party campaigning with energy on the basis of a renewed programme and reaching out to people in all parts of the country."
Brian Lenihan retains the Finance portfolio, as expected, while Limerick TD Willie O'Dea returns to the front bench with the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources portfolio.
"Pleased to be appointed to FF Front Bench," Deputy O'Dea tweeted following the announcement, saying the portfolio represented a vital sector in Ireland's economy.
Current govt chief whip John Curran gets the Justice and Law reform job from the retiring Dermot Ahern, while Eamon Ó Cuiv takes the Social Protection portfolio.
Mayo's Dara Calleary steps up to the front bench with the Enterprise, Employment and Innovation portfolio, while another FF 'young gun', Cork's Billy Kelleher, gets Transport.
Fourteen of the 21 appointees have not previously served in Cabinet, while the list is notable for the inclusion of a number of appointees not currently elected to the Dáil.
These include Senator Marc McSharry (Tourism & Arts), Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick (Housing & Urban Development) and Averil Power (Political Reform).
"In bringing together this front bench I have decided to draw on the party’s full base of TDs, Senators, councillors and candidates," Mr Martin said.
"We have hundreds of representatives in all parts of the country and I am determined that we find ways of harnessing all of their energy and experience.
"While the majority have not held Cabinet positions, all have shown a commitment to the development of innovative policies and a practical agenda to move our country forward."
Spokesperson on Environment & Local Gov and Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin TD
Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD
Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform John Curran TD
Spokesperson on Health & Children Barry Andrews TD
Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD
Spokesperson on Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv TD
Spokesperson on Enterprise, Employment & Innovation Dara Calleary TD
Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Brendan Smith TD
Spokesperson on Tourism & Arts Senator Marc McSharry
Spokesperson on Defence Niall Collins TD
Spokesperson on Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD
Spokesperson on Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Willie O'Dea TD
Spokesperson on Transport Billy Kelleher TD
Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Trade Peter Power TD
Spokesperson on Political Reform Averil Power
Spokesperson on Financial Sector Reform Michael McGrath TD
Spokesperson on Public Sector Reform Sean Fleming TD
Spokesperson on Sport Darragh O'Brien TD
Spokesperson on Small Business John McGuinness TD
Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick
Legal Adviser to the Frontbench and Spokesman on Constitutional Reform Cllr Jim O'Callaghan Senior Counsel

It's like the wild wild west.

tails_naf

Dannyboy83 wrote: »

Don't understand why people are surprised at Willie being brought back, the man is still extremely popular around Limerick, apparently he has one of the safest seats in the country
.

It's not surprise, it's disgust.

I wonder if we are the only country where such an move would not end a part leaders career flat out. Having the gall to bring Willie back because he is 'popular', and not doing 'whats moral' really is a 2 finger salute to us all.

I hope the electorate give him one back!