Predictions for 2014 EU Elections

Xenophile

Ireland South (4)

Brian Crowley FF
Sean Kelly FG
Simon Harris FG
Any other predictions..............who will get the fourth seat?

Anyone know if the Labour Party has selected it's candidate for Ireland South?

I understand it will be Clonmel based current incumbent Phil Prendergast.

Sir Arthur Daley

Xenophile wrote: »

who will get the fourth seat?

The fourth person.

Xenophile

WikiHow wrote: »

The fourth person.

Now we can see how you managed to post 2385 posts, posts like this should qualify for a minus grade !

spank_inferno

Harris?

Not a chance.

How is a freshman TD from Wicklow going to take a seat in a constituency 80% Munster?

Hell, the guy has zero presence in almost all of Co Wicklow.

He is an east coast 2nd preference catcher to help the 2 FG candidates in the core of the constituency.

Boulevardier

For Dublin, I would expect:

1 Nessa
2 Hayes
3 Costello or the SF woman.

Jolly Red Giant

Boulevardier wrote: »

For Dublin, I would expect:

1 Nessa
2 Hayes
3 Costello or the SF woman.

Costello is a dead duck - and Childers is a limping one. Childers left the LP because it was a pro-austerity neo-liberal party yet states that if she were to win she would join the pro-austerity neo-liberal group that the LP is a member of.

The likelihood is that Hayes will be elected (although there are no guarantees). I also expect SF to be there or there abouts (particularly if the recent poll rise is maintained) and I expect Paul Murphy MEP, Socialist Party to be competing with FF for the last seat (and FF are toxic to transfers).

Loafing Oaf

spank_inferno wrote: »

Harris?

Not a chance.

How is a freshman TD from Wicklow going to take a seat in a constituency 80% Munster?

Hell, the guy has zero presence in almost all of Co Wicklow.

He is an east coast 2nd preference catcher to help the 2 FG candidates in the core of the constituency.

Correct. Deirdre Clune will likely take a second seat for FG though, with the other two seats in South going to FF and SF.

North should be FG, FF, SF and Harkin. Higgins might push Harkin for the last seat, depending on how well FG split vote.

In Dublin there will be a seat for Hayes and at least one left-wing candidate, after that it's anybody's guess. Right now I'd plump for FG, GP, SF.

Boulevardier

Giant, I do not agree. Nessa wil get a huge vote from disillusioned Labourites.

The SF candidate is a non-entity. She will need a huge marketing job done on her if she is to get a seat.

Murphy will have a hard struggle to get back, and to do so he will need to be carried every inch of the way by Higgins. Brid Smith is certain to split the left vote very badly.

Jolly Red Giant

Boulevardier wrote: »

Giant, I do not agree. Nessa wil get a huge vote from disillusioned Labourites.

There are not that many 'Labourites' - much of the LP vote in the last election was an anti-establishment vote and Childers is not anti-establishment. I expect the media will attempt to push her in order to undermine the genuine anti-austerity campaigns but she will be exposed on many issues over the campaign.

Boulevardier wrote: »

The SF candidate is a non-entity. She will need a huge marketing job done on her if she is to get a seat.

Most SF candidates are non-entities - the vote is there and will prove to be substantial.

Boulevardier wrote: »

Murphy will have a hard struggle to get back, and to do so he will need to be carried every inch of the way by Higgins. Brid Smith is certain to split the left vote very badly.

There is no doubt that the campaign to get Paul Murphy re-elected will be a major effort - and the sectarian antics of the SWP have not helped - but there is a major anti-establishment / anti-austerity mood at the moment (an example is the hammering dished out to the pro-government reps on VB's debate last Wed). The Socialist Party is confident that Paul Murphy will be there or thereabouts when the votes are counted at the end of May.

jonnny68

People before profit will do very well I think, many people have had enough of the liars and parasites in the main political partys with their drivel and empty promises, I'll personally never again vote for any of them except people before profit or Independent.

For Forks Sake

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

There is no doubt that the campaign to get Paul Murphy re-elected will be a major effort

Ahem.

Paul Murphy has never been elected to anything. Not the seat that he got handed by Joe Higgins, not to any position in student politics. Nothing.

If he takes the traditional 'left' seat in Dublin, it will be a hell of an achievement.

Jolly Red Giant

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Paul Murphy has never been elected to anything. Not the seat that he got handed by Joe Higgins, not to any position in student politics. Nothing.

Paul Murphy is a current sitting MEP - if he gets elected in May then he will be re-elected to the position he currently holds. The Socialist Party did not make up the rules about the replacement panel - does not agree with it - and would change it if possible to allow for by-elections (and the right of the electorate to recall their sitting representative).

For Forks Sake wrote: »

If he takes the traditional 'left' seat in Dublin, it will be a hell of an achievement.

There is no such thing as a 'traditional left seat'. What exists now is a situation where the is a left MEP representing the working class people of Dublin in the European Parliament. The objective is to retain this left seat rather than allow it fall into the hands of the pro-austerity parties.

And yes - it would be a major achievement to succeed - the Socialist Party (and the wider Anti-Austerity Alliance) are well aware of the task at hand - but the objective is to retain the seat and I believe many will be surprised at how well Paul Murphy performs in May.

Godge

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

Paul Murphy is a current sitting MEP - if he gets elected in May then he will be re-elected to the position he currently holds. The Socialist Party did not make up the rules about the replacement panel - does not agree with it - and would change it if possible to allow for by-elections (and the right of the electorate to recall their sitting representative).


There is no such thing as a 'traditional left seat'. What exists now is a situation where the is a left MEP representing the working class people of Dublin in the European Parliament. The objective is to retain this left seat rather than allow it fall into the hands of the pro-austerity parties.

And yes - it would be a major achievement to succeed - the Socialist Party (and the wider Anti-Austerity Alliance) are well aware of the task at hand - but the objective is to retain the seat and I believe many will be surprised at how well Paul Murphy performs in May.

Paul who?

Is Eamon Ryan running for the Greens? If so, he might get in the running.

I cannot see past Hayes for one seat, there is enough of a South Dublin leafy vote to get him 20%, which with transfers is enough. Nessa Childers is an interesting one. Are there Labour voters who won't vote for nepotism in Emer Costello yet can't give their vote to FF, SF or the looney left? That could be enough to allow Nessa to pick up transfers to get her elected.

The third seat, FF or SF? Mary Fitzpatrick is the ultimate anti-Bertie, which gives her a chance but I don't know. Lynn who is the SF candidate. If you ask me the likely outcome is

Hayes
Ryan
Childers
Fitzpatrick
Murphy
Boylan


I could be wrong, while I think the first two will take a seat, the last four could be in any order.

Blue Magic

Xenophile wrote: »

Ireland South (4)

Brian Crowley FF
Sean Kelly FG
Simon Harris FG
Any other predictions..............who will get the fourth seat?

Anyone know if the Labour Party has selected it's candidate for Ireland South?

I understand it will be Clonmel based current incumbent Phil Prendergast.

Do you have list of who is running in Ireland South? SF candidate?

Blue Magic

Blue Magic wrote: »

Do you have list of who is running in Ireland South? SF candidate?

Looked it up myself there.

FG
Sean Kelly
Deirdre Clune
Simon Harris

FF
Brian Crowley
Kieran Hartley

Labour
Phil Prendergast

SF
Liadh Ní Riada

GP
Grace O'Sullivan

Independent
Diarmuid O'Flynn

Personally, I think Crowley and Kelly are nailed-ons. Harris will probaly get the third seat. Haven't a clue on fourth. Diarmuid O'Flynn would be a good outside bet!

IrishWelshCelt

The last opinion poll have a regional breakdown for dublin of:

FG 26% SF 20% FF 14% LB 11% Others/DKs 29%

FG/SF a shoe in for a seat and the others left to fight it out.

touts

Blue Magic wrote: »

Looked it up myself there.

FG
Sean Kelly
Deirdre Clune
Simon Harris

FF
Brian Crowley
Kieran Hartley

Labour
Phil Prendergast

SF
Liadh Ní Riada

GP
Grace O'Sullivan

Independent
Diarmuid O'Flynn

Personally, I think Crowley and Kelly are nailed-ons. Harris will probaly get the third seat. Haven't a clue on fourth. Diarmuid O'Flynn would be a good outside bet!

It's actually a very very poor line up to choose from. I'm stunned there are only 9 candidates for 4 exceptionally well paid cushy jobs.

I'd say Kelly is nailed on to top the poll this time. He has been very active and has maintained a high profile across the media. His strong GAA roots will also stand to him.

Crowley will take the second seat but not without a bloody nose. I'm hearing a lot of people saying they aren't happy that he has basically not been seen for 5 years. There is a story going around that he has been very ill but as someone said if he wasn't fit to do the job for the last 5 years why should we believe he will be fit to do the job for the next 5. He'll get the seat but more because of a lack of alternatives than a ringing endorsement of him.

I'd expect a seat from the east of the constituency. That'll be Simon Harris. He has the profile and at the moment is really the only serious candidate from that part of the constituency. I'm really surprised Fianna Fail or Labour or Sinn Fein couldn't find a candidate from Carlow/Wicklow/Wexford/Kilkenny. There are a lot of votes there and they have basically left it open for Harris to say Vote for me as the only Leinster representative in the field.

So now we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for the 4th seat.

Phil Prendergast seems like a nice lady but she is unknown (even though she is a sitting MEP having been parachuted in to replace Alan Kelly) and Labour are in for an almighty hammering across the board in these elections. The problem is who will take the seat off her....

Deirdre Clune is the best known name left in the field. BUT FG are not going to win three seats in the constituency. If she was the only FG candidate in the Cork/Kerry area then maybe she would take a seat but Kelly is going to suck up a lot of Cork votes. Cork GAA people may not like Kerry people but they like GAA people and Kelly is GAA to the core. Harris will sweep up the east of the constituency leaving Clune with no where to go. She wasn't liked enough to retain her seat in 2011 when it was harder for a FG candidate not to get elected than to get elected. Was she the only FG sitting TD to lose her seat then?

Diarmuid O'Flynn is an interesting one. A sports journalist turned anti-austerity campaigner. "Ballyhea Says No" but most of the country says "Ballyhea??? Where's that". BUT if there is a strong anti-Europe feeling (and there will be both for those who follow local Irish politics and the UK news channels will be featuring UKIP and other anti EU candidates quite a lot as they seem to have some momentum over there). It will depend on his campaign. If he is organised and at least someway professional then I have a funny feeling O'Flynn could be another Dana or Synnott.

Kieran Hartley is another single issue local candidate. Fianna Fail have selected him with the next general election in mind as Pylons will probably still be an big issue in Waterford. Fianna Fail is still a toxic brand and will rely on candidates with local profiles to overcome that in the next election. This time he hasn't a prayer but one to watch in a couple of years.

Sinn Fein have selected the wrong Riada. Seán O’ Riada has a better chance of winning a seat than his daughter and he has been dead for 40 years. She is unknown and representing a party that is probably at it's weakest in the south of the country. OK she worked for RTE but as a producer not a presenter. How many people could name a current producer in RTE? She is also up against candidates with much stronger name recognition in Cork/Kerry so will really struggle to make an impact.

Grace O'Sullivan is playing a lot on the fact that she spent 10 years on Greenpeace ships around the world. Most of the voters will go "so what did you do for us". She is also unlucky in that the protest vote in Waterford will probably go to Kieran Hartley as people care more about Pylons on the Comeraghs than Whales in Antartica. She'll be lucky not to go in the first count.


So my bet is
1 Kelly
2 Crowley
3 Harris

And a pitched battle between Prendergast and O'Flynn for the last seat possibly with a bunch of Cork Transfers from Clune to O'Flynn seeing him home in the last count.

But god what a pityful selection of candidates......

Blue Magic

touts wrote: »

It's actually a very very poor line up to choose from. I'm stunned there are only 9 candidates for 4 exceptionally well paid cushy jobs.

I'd say Kelly is nailed on to top the poll this time. He has been very active and has maintained a high profile across the media. His strong GAA roots will also stand to him.

Crowley will take the second seat but not without a bloody nose. I'm hearing a lot of people saying they aren't happy that he has basically not been seen for 5 years. There is a story going around that he has been very ill but as someone said if he wasn't fit to do the job for the last 5 years why should we believe he will be fit to do the job for the next 5. He'll get the seat but more because of a lack of alternatives than a ringing endorsement of him.

I'd expect a seat from the east of the constituency. That'll be Simon Harris. He has the profile and at the moment is really the only serious candidate from that part of the constituency. I'm really surprised Fianna Fail or Labour or Sinn Fein couldn't find a candidate from Carlow/Wicklow/Wexford/Kilkenny. There are a lot of votes there and they have basically left it open for Harris to say Vote for me as the only Leinster representative in the field.

So now we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for the 4th seat.

Phil Prendergast seems like a nice lady but she is unknown (even though she is a sitting MEP having been parachuted in to replace Alan Kelly) and Labour are in for an almighty hammering across the board in these elections. The problem is who will take the seat off her....

Deirdre Clune is the best known name left in the field. BUT FG are not going to win three seats in the constituency. If she was the only FG candidate in the Cork/Kerry area then maybe she would take a seat but Kelly is going to suck up a lot of Cork votes. Cork GAA people may not like Kerry people but they like GAA people and Kelly is GAA to the core. Harris will sweep up the east of the constituency leaving Clune with no where to go. She wasn't liked enough to retain her seat in 2011 when it was harder for a FG candidate not to get elected than to get elected. Was she the only FG sitting TD to lose her seat then?

Diarmuid O'Flynn is an interesting one. A sports journalist turned anti-austerity campaigner. "Ballyhea Says No" but most of the country says "Ballyhea??? Where's that". BUT if there is a strong anti-Europe feeling (and there will be both for those who follow local Irish politics and the UK news channels will be featuring UKIP and other anti EU candidates quite a lot as they seem to have some momentum over there). It will depend on his campaign. If he is organised and at least someway professional then I have a funny feeling O'Flynn could be another Dana or Synnott.

Kieran Hartley is another single issue local candidate. Fianna Fail have selected him with the next general election in mind as Pylons will probably still be an big issue in Waterford. Fianna Fail is still a toxic brand and will rely on candidates with local profiles to overcome that in the next election. This time he hasn't a prayer but one to watch in a couple of years.

Sinn Fein have selected the wrong Riada. Seán O’ Riada has a better chance of winning a seat than his daughter and he has been dead for 40 years. She is unknown and representing a party that is probably at it's weakest in the south of the country. OK she worked for RTE but as a producer not a presenter. How many people could name a current producer in RTE? She is also up against candidates with much stronger name recognition in Cork/Kerry so will really struggle to make an impact.

Grace O'Sullivan is playing a lot on the fact that she spent 10 years on Greenpeace ships around the world. Most of the voters will go "so what did you do for us". She is also unlucky in that the protest vote in Waterford will probably go to Kieran Hartley as people care more about Pylons on the Comeraghs than Whales in Antartica. She'll be lucky not to go in the first count.


So my bet is
1 Kelly
2 Crowley
3 Harris

And a pitched battle between Prendergast and O'Flynn for the last seat possibly with a bunch of Cork Transfers from Clune to O'Flynn seeing him home in the last count.

But god what a pityful selection of candidates......

Ya. It's a pitiful line-up for sure.

O'Flynn might rattle a few cages in Europe Parliament at least so I'd be looking to get him in ahead of Prendergast/Clueless (or better known as Clune - the likes of people living off their father's rep from 30 years ago are a weight on an already languid political class in Ireland). The likes of Prendergast and Hartley may be nice people but with FF getting one seat via Crowley and, they're unlikely to be getting a second unless they have a super time altogether. Labour with be lucky to have any European seat after these elections.

1) Kelly
2) Crowley
3) Harris
4) O'Flynn

Blue Magic

An interesting little illustration



Ireland's youth vote ratio not so bad at 56% when compared with the UK - horrendous at 38% - and even ahead of Germany - 53%. Interesting how countries with huge political unrest like Greece (66%) and France (64%) have quite high turnouts.

Only 29% of U25 voters turned out in the last Europeans in 2009. Not see nas anyway significant by youth.

Blue Magic

By the looks of the polls today, Ireland South could go in following order:
1) Crowley (FF)
2) Harris (FG)
3) Kelly (FG) [or vice versa for 2) & 3)]
4) Ni Riada (SF)

The shinners polling very well particularly in Dublin

comongethappy

Blue Magic wrote: »

By the looks of the polls today, Ireland South could go in following order:
1) Crowley (FF)
2) Harris (FG)
3) Kelly (FG) [or vice versa for 2) & 3)]
4) Ni Riada (SF)

The shinners polling very well particularly in Dublin

Its an interesting poll alright.

I would never have thought Harris stood a chance. Just an eastern vote catcher for the 2 heavyweight FG'rs.

SF are polling well.

Its remarkable that out of 28 nations, SF could return over 10% of the parliaments communist block.

touts

Blue Magic wrote: »

By the looks of the polls today, Ireland South could go in following order:
1) Crowley (FF)
2) Harris (FG)
3) Kelly (FG) [or vice versa for 2) & 3)]
4) Ni Riada (SF)

The shinners polling very well particularly in Dublin

Baffling. Do absolutely nothing for 5 years and you still get over 30% in the polls. Imagine what sort of a vote he would get if he actually turned up for more than 20% of the votes in the European Parliament. We truly are a nation who got what was coming to them in recent years.

expectationlost

touts wrote: »

Baffling. Do absolutely nothing for 5 years and you still get over 30% in the polls. Imagine what sort of a vote he would get if he actually turned up for more than 20% of the votes in the European Parliament. We truly are a nation who got what was coming to them in recent years.

he has reasons not to turn up but his appeal is beyond me

road_high

touts wrote: »

Baffling. Do absolutely nothing for 5 years and you still get over 30% in the polls. Imagine what sort of a vote he would get if he actually turned up for more than 20% of the votes in the European Parliament. We truly are a nation who got what was coming to them in recent years.

Don't get it either...if he was really so "sick" and couldn't attend then why the hell is coming along now looking to run again? He somehow has recovered and has new energy? Just as the election looms... This is a shocking waste of resources and people have elected somebody to not represent them. And no, I don't care if I'm being heartless and un-caring. The EU Parliament is damn well paid and as such candidates need to be there to represent their voters, especially as over 60% of legislation is now EU driven. I have no time for this sympathy rubbish that seems to go down so well with many Irish voters. It's a job.

road_high

Can see Harris doing well. No one else from south Leinster going. People from Kilkenny, Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford have no affinity for all these Munster based candidates. This has a population of over 400k, which leaves him a very open field. Heard Clune on the radio preaching there about how over 30% of the popn live in Cork and how they must have an MEP. An instant turn-off for me and not very appealing for us up this side.

delthedriver

At the end of the day we will get what the electorate decide which is often quite baffling!

Dob74

Blue Magic wrote: »

Looked it up myself there.

FG
Sean Kelly
Deirdre Clune
Simon Harris

FF
Brian Crowley
Kieran Hartley

Labour
Phil Prendergast

SF
Liadh Ní Riada

GP
Grace O'Sullivan

Independent
Diarmuid O'Flynn

Personally, I think Crowley and Kelly are nailed-ons. Harris will probaly get the third seat. Haven't a clue on fourth. Diarmuid O'Flynn would be a good outside bet!

ww.independent.ie/irish-news/hayes-faces-defeat-in-european-elections-poll-shows-30221043.html



South
Crowley
1SF
1FG


Hopefully O'Flynn will take the the forth seat. He's great to listen too, knows his stuff on the bail out. Better him then some empty FG suit. Has 7% with no party behind him and a first time canditate. Will have my number one.

Labour hasn't a chance

feargale

In the South Crowley will top the poll. Surprising that FF are not insisting he off-load some support to their no. 2. Re. yesterday's Indo poll, I'm mildly surprised that Ni Riada is doing so well, but then protest votes are accentuated in Euro elections. Labour had 4 of 15 when their Dail representation was half what it is now. Greens had 2 when their Dail representation was miniscule. She will definitely be elected. I'm not surprised to see Kelly struggling. His GAA support is over-rated. Not every GAA person will vote for him. He wrote of Rule 42 as if he alone abolished it. The GAA is more democratic than most sports organisations and doesn't work like that. And in his book he tended to rub the noses of the vanquished in it. That is not the GAA way. Furthermore his bid for the presidency was ill advised, coming when he had barely warmed his seat in Strasbourg. And while he has had plenty of exposure, much of it is about inconsequential things like Louth's right to a replay of the Leinster final a few years ago. I wouldn't be putting money on him. Labour are dead in the water. O'Flynn will do well, and will improve as he gets more exposure, but winning a seat is a big ask. I agree that Harris will do better than most are saying, but Clune is as likely to take the FG seat, and I don't see 2 for FG. So, 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 SF, and too early to call the last.

Gasket44

Would love to see Diarmuid O Flynn getting through - played hurling against him in my younger days and he was tough as nails - just what we need representing us - no point having yes men/women! If Ming gets the nod in the NorthWest they would make a formidable pair.

comongethappy

Gasket44 wrote: »

Would love to see Diarmuid O Flynn getting through - played hurling against him in my younger days and he was tough as nails - just what we need representing us

Good to see that we know what is needed to be an effective member of the European Parliament!

Hurling competency.

Jesus wept.

golfball37

comongethappy wrote: »

Good to see that we know what is needed to be an effective member of the European Parliament!

Hurling competency.

Jesus wept.

Its as good a qualification as the current MEP of the year Sean Kelly who also has a hurling background depsite being from Kerry. At least DoF is a free thinker.

I'll be voting for Diarmuid in Ireland South also. I cannot fathom how people are so quick to get Crowley back on the gravy train.

comongethappy

golfball37 wrote: »

Its as good a qualification as the current MEP of the year Sean Kelly who also has a hurling background depsite being from Kerry.

Well, I don't know Sean Kelly, but being the head of an organisation as big as the GAA I'm sure has been of some advantage in the committee rooms of Strasbourg & Brussels when he & his EPP colleagues are discussing a bill.
Who knows.

I'm at a loss though how the memory of someone being good at hurling in his youth makes one an ideal candidate for the European parliament?

Same as: Stephen Gerard takes a mean free kick.
Therefore the people of Merseyside should elect him to Westminster asap!

Gasket44

Apologies for not giving a full bio on Diarmuid O' Flynn - I referred to his toughness and determination not his ability with a hurley. I'm sure the career bio is available elsewhere.

We have been represented by too many party hacks who regard the job in Europe as a reward for a career of toeing the party line and saying "Great idea, boss."

A bit of new blood would be welcome - unless, that is, you enjoy the thought of spending the rest of your life paying off the Anglo/Irish Nationwide debts.

When O Flynn and some of the Ballyhea/Charleville group went to Europe to meet with EU Parliament people they asked why our debt could not be reduced - they were told "Nobody asked!"

As you said already - Jesus Wept!

comongethappy

Gasket44 wrote: »

Apologies for not giving a full bio on Diarmuid O' Flynn - I referred to his toughness and determination not his ability with a hurley. I'm sure the career bio is available elsewhere.

We have been represented by too many party hacks who regard the job in Europe as a reward for a career of toeing the party line and saying "Great idea, boss."

A bit of new blood would be welcome - unless, that is, you enjoy the thought of spending the rest of your life paying off the Anglo/Irish Nationwide debts.

When O Flynn and some of the Ballyhea/Charleville group went to Europe to meet with EU Parliament people they asked why our debt could not be reduced - they were told "Nobody asked!"

As you said already - Jesus Wept!

Still can't see why physical determination makes one a good candidate for parliament?
No one does laps of the parliament building to get a bill through.

I can respect the new blood angle, though I'm wondering what an independent MEP can do (one of just 30) in a parliament of 750 members?

But, as you said, he was mighty on the pitch, so that's good enough.

Godge

Gasket44 wrote: »

Apologies for not giving a full bio on Diarmuid O' Flynn - I referred to his toughness and determination not his ability with a hurley. I'm sure the career bio is available elsewhere.

We have been represented by too many party hacks who regard the job in Europe as a reward for a career of toeing the party line and saying "Great idea, boss."

A bit of new blood would be welcome - unless, that is, you enjoy the thought of spending the rest of your life paying off the Anglo/Irish Nationwide debts.

When O Flynn and some of the Ballyhea/Charleville group went to Europe to meet with EU Parliament people they asked why our debt could not be reduced - they were told "Nobody asked!"

As you said already - Jesus Wept!

Why would anyone ask the EU Parliament to reduce our debt when the EU Parliament has absolutely no power to reduce our debt? I mean, seriously, like going into a furniture shop and asking for a beer!

If that is the platform O'Flynn is running on, he is a complete eejit and a fool who knows nothing about the EU but people have elected many eejits and fools before.

Phoebas

Gasket44 wrote: »

Apologies for not giving a full bio on Diarmuid O' Flynn - I referred to his toughness and determination not his ability with a hurley. I'm sure the career bio is available elsewhere.

We have been represented by too many party hacks who regard the job in Europe as a reward for a career of toeing the party line and saying "Great idea, boss."

A bit of new blood would be welcome - unless, that is, you enjoy the thought of spending the rest of your life paying off the Anglo/Irish Nationwide debts.

When O Flynn and some of the Ballyhea/Charleville group went to Europe to meet with EU Parliament people they asked why our debt could not be reduced - they were told "Nobody asked!"

As you said already - Jesus Wept!

So, if Diarmuid O' Flynn gets in, we won't have to pay back the Anglo debts?

golfball37

Godge wrote: »

Why would anyone ask the EU Parliament to reduce our debt when the EU Parliament has absolutely no power to reduce our debt? I mean, seriously, like going into a furniture shop and asking for a beer!

If that is the platform O'Flynn is running on, he is a complete eejit and a fool who knows nothing about the EU but people have elected many eejits and fools before.

Phoebas wrote: »

So, if Diarmuid O' Flynn gets in, we won't have to pay back the Anglo debts?

All whataboutery and irrelevant. Are you saying the other politicans asked the correct people in Europe so? Cos they didn't ask anyone, the parlimanet might have been a good start.

The anglo debt is a fait accompli. I'd rather elect someone who has a problem with private developer debt being foistered on me than someone who pays lip service to it.

Godge

golfball37 wrote: »

All whataboutery and irrelevant. Are you saying the other politicans asked the correct people in Europe so? Cos they didn't ask anyone, the parlimanet might have been a good start.

The anglo debt is a fait accompli. I'd rather elect someone who has a problem with private developer debt being foistered on me than someone who pays lip service to it.

Not so, Gasket gave us a reason to vote for Flynn that:

"When O Flynn and some of the Ballyhea/Charleville group went to Europe to meet with EU Parliament people they asked why our debt could not be reduced - they were told "Nobody asked!""

That shows the naivety and ignorance of O'Flynn, going to the wrong place to ask the wrong question. If you are happy that naivety and ignorance are good reasons to vote for a man, go ahead.

In reality the statement by Gasket is a good soundbite and an attempt once again by a politician to fool the electorate that he can change something that is out of his hands.

Dob74

Phoebas wrote: »

So, if Diarmuid O' Flynn gets in, we won't have to pay back the Anglo debts?

Voting for Fine Gael or Fianna Fail is a vote of approval, for lying down and paying back debts that don't belong to the taxpayer.
The debts won't go away but if we can act a bit tougher we won't have to pay 100% of debts of our drunken, horse gambling elites.
O'Flynn number ONE

touts

Dob74 wrote: »

Voting for Fine Gael or Fianna Fail is a vote of approval, for lying down and paying back debts that don't belong to the taxpayer.
The debts won't go away but if we can act a bit tougher we won't have to pay 100% of debts of our drunken, horse gambling elites.
O'Flynn number ONE

The same rubbish was spouted about every independent from Dana to Kathy Synnot to Ming the Merciless to Shane Ross. Vote for me to change what is wrong. Then nothing changes. Europe will only listen when a new party is set up that has the clout to come to power. Any independent candidate in the Euros who tell us electing them is somehow going to solve all the economic woes of the country is either a fool or a chancer. It's even worse in the local elections.

Phoebas

Dob74 wrote: »

Voting for Fine Gael or Fianna Fail is a vote of approval, for lying down and paying back debts that don't belong to the taxpayer.
The debts won't go away but if we can act a bit tougher we won't have to pay 100% of debts of our drunken, horse gambling elites.
O'Flynn number ONE

I'm confused.
Are you saying that if O'Flynn is elected it will lead to some debt forgiveness that he will seek to negotiate? As a MEP, what mechanism is he going to use to achieve this?

We don't get to send very many MEPs to Europe, so I want the ones that do get in to be able to work on a whole range of EU issues; I wouldn't want to waste a valuable slot on a token anger/protest candidate.

Dob74

Phoebas wrote: »

I'm confused.
Are you saying that if O'Flynn is elected it will lead to some debt forgiveness that he will seek to negotiate? As a MEP, what mechanism is he going to use to achieve this?

We don't get to send very many MEPs to Europe, so I want the ones that do get in to be able to work on a whole range of EU issues; I wouldn't want to waste a valuable slot on a token anger/protest candidate.

Your right you are confused.

What will a ff or fg do in the Europe? Vote with the neo liberals who destroyed our economy.
lets pay 500k for a 3 bed house, is that the kind of stupidity you endorse.

lets put someone in who will look out for the interest of the taxpayer not a bunch of yes man,

comongethappy

Dob74 wrote: »

Your right you are confused.

What will a ff or fg do in the Europe? Vote with the neo liberals who destroyed our economy.
lets pay 500k for a 3 bed house, is that the kind of stupidity you endorse.

lets put someone in who will look out for the interest of the taxpayer not a bunch of yes man,

Has there been an EU parliament vote to force Irish people to by 3-beds for 500k?

Still wondering how this guy will make Ireland's national debt burden reduce?

Phoebas

Dob74 wrote: »

Your right you are confused.

What will a ff or fg do in the Europe? Vote with the neo liberals who destroyed our economy.
lets pay 500k for a 3 bed house, is that the kind of stupidity you endorse.

lets put someone in who will look out for the interest of the taxpayer not a bunch of yes man,

It appears that the only thing going for O'Flynn is that he isn't someone else.
I doubt that going to get him elected.

Blue Magic

comongethappy wrote: »

Has there been an EU parliament vote to force Irish people to by 3-beds for 500k?

Still wondering how this guy will make Ireland's national debt burden reduce?

That's a fair point. However, I'd look at it like this, if O'Flynn gets in then the likes of Clune/Harris might not and that can only be a good thing. He will be his own man and there'll be a strong voice for the left in Europe (which is important - I'm by no means a leftie by the way).