Why Michael Lowry?

michaelm

Can anyone explain why there is such an emphasis on Michael Lowry possibly being the "King maker" in the next Dail? Is the entire result not completely up in the air and if independents are required are there not many more around the country who could be in the mix?

mickdw

michaelm wrote: »

Can anyone explain why there is such an emphasis on Michael Lowry possibly being the "King maker" in the next Dail? Is the entire result not completely up in the air and if independents are required are there not many more around the country who could be in the mix?

Because he is fg through and through and is only an independent to keep the party separated from his dirty dealings.

rubberdiddies

Because EK when asked several times wouldn't rule out having lowry forming part of a coalition if he was needed.

That's why it's newsworthy.

Also despite him being accused and found to be corrupt by a tribunal, the phenomenon that is lowry will keep getting elected. Seems there's nothing off limits to some voters

johnnyskeleton

Of the independents, the left wing people wouldnt join FG because they have opposed policies, FG wouldnt have renua or the centre left/right groupings because they would have ideological platforms to put forward. So selecting a few me feiner TDs is the easy option - you get a few vital extra bums on seats who are unlikely to oppose any major policy decisions and if that means a few extra goodies in their constituency, thats a small price to pay rather than having to compromise on national issues or risk a revolt at critical junctures.

If you live in a constituency with a "he built the roads" type of independent, its a smart move locally to elect them.

Hence Lowry and Healy Raes massive appeal in Tipp and Kerry.

Their voters often feel a disconnect to the rest of the nation as well, so feel morally justified in voting for someone who is only concerned about local issues. Sure everything else is just Dublin/the Pale/the guys who get the goodies anyway.

gandalf

Actually you are right until the election is over he isn't a kingmaker. I suppose what a lot of people are interested in is whether FG would do business with a tainted individual like Michael Lowry. The answer is yes of course they would, If FF were in that position they would as well. Unfortunately until we decouple ourselves from the parish pump mentality of politics that permeates national politics in Ireland we will continue to have this problem.

Sleepy

Why he wasn't dragged out back and "dealt with" after the tribunal I can't fathom. I know, I know, "civilised society" and all that... but I genuinely believe that capital punishment is the best solution to government corruption and the moronic electorates of Tipperary North and Kerry South.

Godge

Sleepy wrote: »

Why he wasn't dragged out back and "dealt with" after the tribunal I can't fathom. I know, I know, "civilised society" and all that... but I genuinely believe that capital punishment is the best solution to government corruption and the moronic electorates of Tipperary North and Kerry South.

You would execute somebody for taking a bribe?

What about a pedophile like Liam Adams?
Or a Garda-killer like Pearse McAuley?
Or a mass murderer like Shlab Murphy?
Or a leader of a terrorist organisation like Gerry Adams?

Do they deserve a lesser punishment?

What Lowry did was wrong, but does he deserve to die?

flutered

Godge wrote: »

You would execute somebody for taking a bribe?

What about a pedophile like Liam Adams?
Or a Garda-killer like Pearse McAuley?
Or a mass murderer like Shlab Murphy?
Or a leader of a terrorist organisation like Gerry Adams?

Do they deserve a lesser punishment?

What Lowry did was wrong, but does he deserve to die?

it did not take long for the anti shinner deflection to arrive

Sleepy

Godge wrote: »

You would execute somebody for taking a bribe?

If they're an elected representative yes.

Call me naieve if you like but I'm aware such a system will never be implemented. I believe our public representatives should be the very best of us. They should be above reproach in all aspects of their lives. Our tolerance for the cute hoorism of the Healey Raes, Aherns, Lowrys et all is part of the reason we get such poor performance from our governments imo.

Godge

michaelm wrote: »

Can anyone explain why there is such an emphasis on Michael Lowry possibly being the "King maker" in the next Dail? Is the entire result not completely up in the air and if independents are required are there not many more around the country who could be in the mix?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0205/765543-election-2016-campaign/

"The Taoiseach has ruled out making any deal with TD Michael Lowry in establishing any future government."


Labour have ruled it out too.

What about a minority SF/FF government, would they call on Lowry?

Sleepy

After O' Dea's comments this morning that the only way FF would go into coallition with FG would be to keep SF out, I can't imagine that scenario tbh.

K-9

Sleepy wrote: »

Why he wasn't dragged out back and "dealt with" after the tribunal I can't fathom. I know, I know, "civilised society" and all that... but I genuinely believe that capital punishment is the best solution to government corruption and the moronic electorates of Tipperary North and Kerry South.

Godge wrote: »

You would execute somebody for taking a bribe?

What about a pedophile like Liam Adams?
Or a Garda-killer like Pearse McAuley?
Or a mass murderer like Shlab Murphy?
Or a leader of a terrorist organisation like Gerry Adams?

Do they deserve a lesser punishment?

What Lowry did was wrong, but does he deserve to die?

Mod:

Could we up the standard a bit please?

"moronic electorates" and advocating capital punishment are a bit extreme.

Some proof for allegations would help as well.