Gerry Adams to announce retirement from President of Sinn Fein

Sierra Oscar

Love him or loathe him, he has had a major impact on the Irish political landscape over the decades. This is a big day for Sinn Féin and Irish politics. An end of an era so to speak, and a start of a new chapter for Sinn Féin.

FCIM

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

snowflaker

Interesting himself and mugabe both announce their intentions to stand down on the same day. 34 years... wow sounds democratic

snowflaker

FCIM wrote: »

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

Sure Jan

snowflaker

FCIM wrote: »

That's a very worn and tired argument especially when you couldn't get an A4 sheet of paper between the policies of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael yet instead of being the one party they can't get over the notions that "Mick said this" and "Dev said that".

FG are far more fiscally conservative than FF
FF more working class, FG more middle class

0ph0rce0

jjmcclure wrote: »

I see Gerry talking nonsense again. It's now a sin to get up and go to the gym and then to a highly paid job with a pension. Clown. I wonder was he thinking about that on his business class flight to the US for private medical treatment.

If I needed medical treatment and needed to go to the US I'd go. As would you.

If I had a ton of air miles I'd go business. So would you.

snowflaker

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

If i needed medical treatment and needed to go to the US i'd go. As would you??

If I had a ton of air miles i'd go business. So would you.

If I was prostlising socialist ideals I’d feel a bit two faced

Jawgap

FCIM wrote: »

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

Eh?

He never held (legitimate) power or office.

Doubtless an historic figure of some significance in the political fabric of the Republic, but he also failed in his ultimate objective.

0ph0rce0

snowflaker wrote: »

If I was prostlising socialist ideals I’d feel a bit two faced

Doubt it. Your health is No.1. I'd find it hard to believe if anyone was sick no matter who are you wouldn't care, You'd be off in a shot

0ph0rce0

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

If I needed medical treatment and needed to go to the US I'd go. As would you.

If I had a ton of air miles I'd go business. So would you.

I would too.

But Im not presenting myself as the champion of the working man / hero of the ordinary people and sticking it to the "elites".

0ph0rce0

Topgear on Dave wrote: »

I would too.

But Im not presenting myself as the champion of the working man / hero of the ordinary people and sticking it to the "elites".

Fair point, Still if you had the chance to go business you would. Working man or not.

Jawgap

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

Fair point, Still if you had the chance to go business you would. Working man or not.

Not an option for most people and definitely not for someone on the average industrial wage - isn't that what GA is supposed to be on as an SF rep?

So when is the leadership election? Will there only be a single candidate?

And then when does Mary Lou take over :pac:

snowflaker

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

Doubt it. Your health is No.1. I'd find it hard to believe if anyone was sick no matter who are you wouldn't care, You'd be off in a shot

I don’t though. So I have no issue appearing two faced

Hitman3000

snowflaker wrote:

Interesting himself and mugabe both announce their intentions to stand down on the same day. 34 years... wow sounds democratic

Mugabe I doubt came to the decision on his own.
As for Gerry maybe the Army council had a word but doubtful.

0ph0rce0

Jawgap wrote: »

Not an option for most people and definitely not for someone on the average industrial wage - isn't that what GA is supposed to be on as an SF rep?

They have representatives who fly coach to america all the time, The miles build up. it costs nothing sure.

Everyone in sinn fein gets the same wage every week sure he's posted his bank statements online

blanch152

FCIM wrote: »

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

Huh? Him and Jackie Healy-Rae are about equal in their positive contribution to Irish political life.

However, he does beat the bould Jackie in terms of having a bigger negative contribution.

I cannot think of a single achievement of Gerry Adams in government, oops, he was never in government, just like Jackie Healy-Rae.

Let me see, he did look after his friends and relatives (remember he found that job for Liam in Louth when nobody in the North would hire him) just like the Healy-Raes look after each other.

He made some colourful fanciful speeches, just like like the bould Jackie and climate change.

Yes, our Gerry is right up there with the greats of Killorglin.

snowflaker

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

They have representatives who fly coach to america all the time, The miles build up. it costs nothing sure.

Everyone in sinn fein gets the same wage every week sure he's posted his bank statements online

Surely they’d print them off???

One_Of_Shanks

FCIM wrote: »

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

Haha, best of luck with that.

Not a political person myself. Passing interest at best. But hes been around so long that the thread title caught my attention.

I can't stomach FG and Leo at all, too Nanny state for me. Not gone on FF either.

So out of the rest it's always been a toss-up for me. Main thing stopping me from voting SF would have been Mr. Adams.
So its good news imo. Probably will help the party swing a good few undecided voters like myself.

An intelligent man for sure but way too heavily linked to the Ra and good riddance imho, the party will be better for it.

As for Irelands greatest ever statesman yer having a laugh right?

0ph0rce0

snowflaker wrote: »

I don’t though. So I have no issue appearing two faced

If your sick and you need to go US. The only flight left is business class. You'll get it whether your broke or not. I'm not saying his was life threatening I couldn't care but if your's was you'd find a way.

Stop taking dirt.

Jawgap

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

They have representatives who fly coach to america all the time, The miles build up. it costs nothing sure.

Everyone in sinn fein gets the same wage every week sure he's posted his bank statements online

Really? I thought Billy Flynn paid for the surgery and Friends of SF paid for the business class ticket?

Nice to have friends like that.

0ph0rce0

snowflaker wrote: »

Surely they’d print them off???

I'm sure just like me and you they do??

0ph0rce0

Jawgap wrote: »

Really? I thought Billy Flynn paid for the surgery and Friends of SF paid for the business class ticket?

Nice to have friends like that.

I'm sure it is, Would you not let me pay for your surgery if you were dying. Again not that I know that he was dying but you would.

Berserker

So he has hinted that he is planning on "retiring" for the nth time. Don't know why but I get the feeling that this has been released to counter the 2%-3% gain the Leo will have taken from that Sun article today. I think we all know that Adams will stop pulling the strings in SF when he dies. Can't afford to retire, health care in the USA is very expensive as are Aer Lingus business class flights to the USA.

tomwaterford

Berserker wrote: »

So he has hinted that he is planning on "retiring" for the nth time. Don't know why but I get the feeling that this has been released to counter the 2%-3% gain the Leo will have taken from that Sun article today. I think we all know that Adams will stop pulling the strings in SF when he dies. Can't afford to retire, health care in the USA is very expensive as are Aer Lingus business class flights to the USA.

He has said he's not running for reelection and is his last Ard deis as president



Are yous just outraged without watching it :D:D

FrancieBrady

Berserker wrote: »

. I think we all know that Adams will stop pulling the strings in SF when he dies.

He hasn't died yet so I would say that's a guess. :rolleyes:

uck51js9zml2yt

FCIM wrote: »

Arguably Ireland's greatest ever politician and statesman.

Very arguable or as many would say, one of the greatest organisers of violence against innocent people.!

maccored

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Mugabe I doubt came to the decision on his own.
As for Gerry maybe the Army council had a word but doubtful.

army council? the fairyland talk around here is just hilarious. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the special ard fheis is announced and the new president is elected. SF might get even more popular, and there'll be many a poster on this thread that'll feel sick about it.

One_Of_Shanks

FrancieBrady wrote: »

He hasn't died yet so I would say that's a guess. :rolleyes:

I'd say he's aware that he hasn't passed on yet. And it's called an assumption.

FCIM

blanch152 wrote: »

Huh? Him and Jackie Healy-Rae are about equal in their positive contribution to Irish political life.

However, he does beat the bould Jackie in terms of having a bigger negative contribution.

I cannot think of a single achievement of Gerry Adams in government, oops, he was never in government, just like Jackie Healy-Rae.

Let me see, he did look after his friends and relatives (remember he found that job for Liam in Louth when nobody in the North would hire him) just like the Healy-Raes look after each other.

He made some colourful fanciful speeches, just like like the bould Jackie and climate change.

Yes, our Gerry is right up there with the greats of Killorglin.

Yeah... Jackie Healy-Rae was absolutely fundamental in bringing about the peace process :rolleyes:.

tomwaterford

maccored wrote: »

army council? the fairyland talk around here is just hilarious. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the special ard fheis is announced and the new president is elected. SF might get even more popular, and there'll be many a poster on this thread that'll feel sick about it.

Hope they pick someone youngish for 10 -15 years leadership

>>maybe needs new thread

maccored

Derek Great Fingernail wrote: »

Very arguable or as many would say, one of the greatest organisers of violence against innocent people.!

aye, sure rewrite history while yer at it.

Berserker

tomwaterford wrote: »

He has said he's not running for reelection and is his last Ard deis as president

Are yous just outraged without watching it :D:D

Believe it when I see it. Would you be surprised if he did a 'u' turn?

maccored

tomwaterford wrote: »

Hope they pick someone youngish for 10 -15 years leadership

>>maybe needs new thread

it's a year away anyway I'd say

Hitman3000

blanch152 wrote:

Huh? Him and Jackie Healy-Rae are about equal in their positive contribution to Irish political life.

I have no truck with SF but seriously cop on, Adams had a pivotal rule in the peace process as much as that may irk you it's a fact. He's no angel but he had a hand in ending the slaughter in the north.

maccored

Berserker wrote: »

Believe it when I see it. Would you be surprised if he did a 'u' turn?

considering he's jsut told a packed crowd he wasnt, I'd be very surprised. How many U turns have you seen adams doing? zero as far as I can see

Berserker

FCIM wrote: »

Yeah... Jackie Healy-Rae was absolutely fundamental in bringing about the peace process :rolleyes:.

Unfair. Healy-Rae got countless roads, schools etc built for the people of Kerry.

tomwaterford

FCIM wrote: »

Yeah... Jackie Healy-Rae was absolutely fundamental in bringing about the peace process :rolleyes:.

Haters gonna hate

There all only sickened after generations of mud slinging at adams etc

Hes retiring on own terms,and still held internationally respected as a statesman....how many other irish/european politians took part in a gaurd of honour for Mandela

Hitman3000

maccored wrote:

army council? the fairyland talk around here is just hilarious. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the special ard fheis is announced and the new president is elected. SF might get even more popular, and there'll be many a poster on this thread that'll feel sick about it.

I have no loyalty to any party. Whether you believe that or not is irrelevant. I have family living in the north and a lot of experience of life up there. Gerry denied membership of the RA and that's fine the Queens intelligence services couldn't find proof to the contrary but there is no way the hard men of the RA listened to a lad outside of the organisation. I do however recognise his contribution to the peace process and hope he enjoys his retirement but he is along with several of friends responsible for others never getting to see a retirement.

Berserker

maccored wrote: »

considering he's jsut told a packed crowd he wasnt, I'd be very surprised. How many U turns have you seen adams doing? zero as far as I can see

I'll start with a very simple one. One of many. I'll leave you be to think of the rest. One of SF personal favourites, water charges.

FrancieBrady

maccored wrote: »

it's a year away anyway I'd say

March-April according to Tommie Gorman at the Are Fheis.

I think Mary Lou is the favourite at this stage.

tomwaterford

Berserker wrote: »

I'll start with a very simple one. One of many. I'll leave you be to think of the rest. One of SF personal favourites, water charges.

Probably because he couldn't be in the Dail woth out being tax complient???


Still yous keep imagining and wishing for a u turn.....yous love him really

maccored

Hitman3000 wrote: »

I have no loyalty to any party. Whether you believe that or not is irrelevant. I have family living in the north and a lot of experience of life up there. Gerry denied membership of the RA and that's fine the Queens intelligence services couldn't find proof to the contrary but there is no way the hard men of the RA listened to a lad outside of the organisation. I do however recognise his contribution to the peace process and hope he enjoys his retirement but he is along with several of friends responsible for others never getting to see a retirement.

i was born there and grew up throughout the 70s/80s and 90s. I can understand and do understand how and why SF developed and Im glad eventually we got to where we are. Its something a lot of southern people just dont get (or havent bothered educating themselves on the subject enough.) My view is quite simple - adams never took any IRA oath or allegiance, but he was very much involved int he republican struggle from a very early stage. Was he involved in IRA plans and organising jobs? I'd say yes. I think his denial of IRA membership is correct, but purely technical. In saying all this - if you were him (and others like him) at that time, living in that environment, what would you do? It takes balls to stand up to something like the british government and their army. I was never tempted to join the ira because I never had the bollocks.

maccored

FrancieBrady wrote: »

March-April according to Tommie Gorman at the Are Fheis.

I think Mary Lou is the favourite at this stage.

no offence to her, but she wouldnt be my first choice

FrancieBrady

Hitman3000 wrote: »

I have no loyalty to any party. Whether you believe that or not is irrelevant. I have family living in the north and a lot of experience of life up there. Gerry denied membership of the RA and that's fine the Queens intelligence services couldn't find proof to the contrary but there is no way the hard men of the RA listened to a lad outside of the organisation. I do however recognise his contribution to the peace process and hope he enjoys his retirement but he is along with several of friends responsible for others never getting to see a retirement.

Isn't that the tragedy of any war/conflict?

It cannot be denied he was pivotal in ending it. There are still some in conflict though because they won't let go of their need to have a veto.

maccored

Berserker wrote: »

I'll start with a very simple one. One of many. I'll leave you be to think of the rest. One of SF personal favourites, water charges.

what about water charges? funny they've always opposed them in the north, yes? General party outlines and personal party member decisions are two different things. SF members CAN decide what THEY want to do you know. Its called democracy

maccored

FrancieBrady wrote: »

Isn't that the tragedy of any war/conflict?

It cannot be denied he was pivotal in ending it. There are still some in conflict though because they won't let go of their need to have a veto.

its another thread, but I cant see the proposed hard border helping to end anything either- it just makes the original theory that the brits werent serious in the GFA agreement more real

FrancieBrady

maccored wrote: »

no offence to her, but she wouldnt be my first choice

Nor mine but a formidable politician.

FrancieBrady

maccored wrote: »

its another thread, but I cant see the proposed hard border helping to end anything either- it just makes the original theory that the brits werent serious in the GFA agreement more real

I think a hard border has the potential to split SF.
Adams spelled it out for Varadkar tonight. Use the veto if he has to.
I can see FG doing a John Bruton simper on it yet tbh.

Hitman3000

maccored wrote:

i was born there and grew up throughout the 70s/80s and 90s. I can understand and do understand how and why SF developed and Im glad eventually we got to where we are. Its something a lot of southern people just dont get (or havent bothered educating themselves on the subject enough.) My view is quite simple - adams never took any IRA oath or allegiance, but he was very much involved int he republican struggle from a very early stage. Was he involved in IRA plans and organising jobs? I'd say yes. I think his denial of IRA membership is correct, but purely technical. In saying all this - if you were him (and others like him) at that time, living in that environment, what would you do? It takes balls to stand up to something like the british government and their army. I was never tempted to join the ira because I never had the bollocks.

I had a family member involved with the RA I also lost a friend to the Crown forces. I can honestly say violence solves nothing. I do remember having to run like the wind when leaving Strabane into Lifford one day after getting abuse off some sqaudies. They had a habit back then of kicking the crap out of 'taigs' for sport.