Congratulations Leo Varadkar

Long_Wave

Today is Leo's 1039th day in the office of Taoiseach, which means he has overtaken both Albert Reynolds (1038 days) and Brian Cowen (1036 days).

lawred2

Wonder does Michael Martin really think Ireland wants him to step in? I'm sure he'd like to but I can't see any real desire to see him as Taoiseach.

Long_Wave

lawred2 wrote: »

Wonder does Michael Martin really think Ireland wants him to step in? I'm sure he'd like to but I can't see any real desire to see him as Taoiseach.

If they go ahead with their rotating taoiseach idea, Martin will end up being the shortest serving taoiseach of all time, as most people expect him to retire to the backbenchs after doing his 2 and a bit years as taoiseach.

lawred2

Long_Wave wrote: »

If they go ahead with their rotating taoiseach idea, Martin will end up being the shortest serving taoiseach of all time, as most people expect him to retire to the backbenchs after doing his 2 and a bit years as taoiseach.

What's the point then? Just a vanity exercise...

micks_address

if i was Martin.. i think i'd be leaving Leo in there and come in when things might have improved in 2 years.. i suppose the counterpoint is that you come in now and let Leo be in charge for the second half leading into a election... not sure whats best for either..

retalivity

lawred2 wrote: »

What's the point then? Just a vanity exercise...

Wasn't it ever thus? The whole 'only FF leader never to be taoiseach' malarkey...

lawred2

Long_Wave wrote: »

If they go ahead with their rotating taoiseach idea, Martin will end up being the shortest serving taoiseach of all time, as most people expect him to retire to the backbenchs after doing his 2 and a bit years as taoiseach.

swinging back around - surprised Cowen lasted longer than 2 and a half years. He didn't deserve to.

MarkR

Politicians are entitled to a pension after two years' service - which is based on half their final salary plus a lump sum.

https://www.thesun.ie/money/2642266/irish-tds-and-ministers-will-be-able-to-claim-state-pension-at-65-after-qualifying-age-is-raised-to-68/

Am I being a bit too cynical? (Sorry for the rag link - googled Taoiseach vs Minister pension and this came up...)

blanch152

MarkR wrote: »

https://www.thesun.ie/money/2642266/irish-tds-and-ministers-will-be-able-to-claim-state-pension-at-65-after-qualifying-age-is-raised-to-68/

Am I being a bit too cynical? (Sorry for the rag link - googled Taoiseach vs Minister pension and this came up...)

"Politicians are entitled to a pension after two years' service - which is based on half their final salary plus a lump sum"

That quotation simply isn't true.

They don't get a pension of half their final salary after just two years.

Like all public servants, they do get a pension after two years service, but it is very much smaller than that. While there are slightly different accrual rules for politicians, a public servant who has two years service is entitled to 2/80s i.e. 2.5% of their final salary as a pension. That is a long way short of half the final salary.

MarkR

Big difference all right. That's what I get for quoting red tops!

James Brown

Long_Wave wrote: »

Today is Leo's 1039th day in the office of Taoiseach, which means he has overtaken both Albert Reynolds (1038 days) and Brian Cowen (1036 days).

The global pandemic was a god send alright.

Huntergonzo

Leo has done well so far to be fair to him but people will expect some relief in 2 weeks time otherwise opinions will sway again very quickly.

TragicJohnson

Huntergonzo wrote: »

Leo has done well so far to be fair to him but people will expect some relief in 2 weeks time otherwise opinions will sway again very quickly.

It's not about what people expect, it's about what's the right thing to do.

Huntergonzo

TragicJohnson wrote: »

It's not about what people expect, it's about what's the right thing to do.

Absolutely, but 'doing the right thing' may still make him unpopular, that's why politicians often go with the populist option over the practical option.

James Brown

Follow the advice of medical/virus professionals or don't. It's that simple.
Photo ops aside he seems to be behaving responsibly. He should be commended for not ignoring the medical professionals. What a guy.

Nitrogan

Bowie wrote: »

Follow the advice of medical/virus professionals or don't. It's that simple.
Photo ops aside he seems to be behaving responsibly. He should be commended for not ignoring the medical professionals. What a guy.

Doing his job.


And volunteering.


Only Trump supporters or Brexiters wouldn't see the value in that.


We're lucky.

Huntergonzo

Nitrogan wrote: »

Doing his job.


And volunteering.


Only Trump supporters or Brexiters wouldn't see the value in that.


We're lucky.

Wouldn't pay much heed to Bowie, I think he fancies Mary Lou ;-)

Floppybits

micks_address wrote: »

if i was Martin.. i think i'd be leaving Leo in there and come in when things might have improved in 2 years.. i suppose the counterpoint is that you come in now and let Leo be in charge for the second half leading into a election... not sure whats best for either..

Leo won't be in charge after Meehole, I fully expect him once the government is formed to do 2 years and then call it quits. Either way both will be gone by the mid term of the next government.

The J Stands for Jay

lawred2 wrote: »

What's the point then? Just a vanity exercise...

Big boost to his pension and benefits.

AlekSmart

TragicJohnson wrote: »

It's not about what people expect, it's about what's the right thing to do.

True,and as is often misunderstood in all of this,members of a 'caretaker' government cannot resign.

ARTICLE 28 BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN 28 11 1°

If the Taoiseach at any time resigns from office the other members of the Government shall be deemed also to have resigned from office, but the Taoiseach and the other members of the Government shall continue to carry on their duties until their successors shall have been appointed.

2° The members of the Government in office at the date of a dissolution of Dáil Éireann shall continue to hold office until their successors shall have been appointed.

Our little Republic is,by no means,a paragon of Covid virtue,but when one looks at the state of some of our so-called superpowers,then yes I believe the current Government have performed above the bar.

Risteard81

Long_Wave wrote: »

Today is Leo's 1039th day in the office of Taoiseach

Would that be the office he was evicted from several months ago by voters?

paddythere

Congrats Leo. Over 1000 days as Taoiseach despite leading your party to 3rd place in the only general election you faced as leader. Some democracy we have going on here eh

Amirani

Risteard81 wrote: »

Would that be the office he was evicted from several months ago by voters?

Nope, he's still Taoiseach.

Long_Wave

Risteard81 wrote: »

Would that be the office he was evicted from several months ago by voters?

Yes and the Irish public choose to leave him there because they are scared of a virus that's effected less than 1% of the population.

Risteard81

Amirani wrote: »

Nope, he's still Taoiseach.

An unelected one leading an unelected junta.

Amirani

Risteard81 wrote: »

An unelected one leading an unelected junta.

Nope, he was elected by the Dail.

Risteard81

Amirani wrote: »

Nope, he was elected by the Dail.

The assembly at Leinster House has not elected him any time recently.


In fact Regina Doherty was expelled from Leinster House and yet still pretends to be a "Minister".

splinter65

Risteard81 wrote: »

The assembly at Leinster House has not elected him any time recently.


In fact Regina Doherty was expelled from Leinster House and yet still pretends to be a "Minister".

He was elected by the Dail. “anytime recently” is irrelevant. If you can point to another elected public rep who WAS elected as Taoiseach who Varadkar is preventing from taking up the position then let us know who it is.
If you can’t then you’re just another person who doesn’t grasp/can’t accept the basics of democratically elected government thus rendering your opinion irrelevant, as entitled to hold it as you are.

Amirani

Risteard81 wrote: »

The assembly at Leinster House has not elected him any time recently.

Yeah, the Dail should vote for a new Taoiseach every day so they stay recent enough.

Risteard81

splinter65 wrote: »

He was elected by the Dail. “anytime recently” is irrelevant. If you can point to another elected public rep who WAS elected as Taoiseach who Varadkar is preventing from taking up the position then let us know who it is.
If you can’t then you’re just another person who doesn’t grasp/can’t accept the basics of democratically elected government thus rendering your opinion irrelevant, as entitled to hold it as you are.

Don't pretend that he is elected.


He is a failed doctor, a failed politician and a failed person.

splinter65

Risteard81 wrote: »

Don't pretend that he is elected.


He is a failed doctor, a failed politician and a failed person.

But he was elected Risteard. By his constituents only a few weeks ago.
Before that he was elected by the Dail as Taoiseach.
In this country as in many countries when an election is called the government is dissolved until another government has been formed by newly elected/re elected representatives.
Until then the outgoing government stays in place until the new government in place in order to deal with the day to day running of the country. That would seem sensible. If you have another suggestion I’d love to hear it.
I hope this explains things to you.
He’s a qualified doctor, he hasn’t been struck off so I have no idea what your talking about.
I don’t know what you mean by “failed person” that’s just waffle.

amadangomor

Long_Wave wrote: »

Yes and the Irish public choose to leave him there because they are scared of a virus that's effected less than 1% of the population.

Affected there chief.

Shefwedfan

paddythere wrote: »

Congrats Leo. Over 1000 days as Taoiseach despite leading your party to 3rd place in the only general election you faced as leader. Some democracy we have going on here eh

Same democracy that think getting a vote of 24% is an election win :p:p

IAMAMORON

Unless Sinn Fein can come up with a decent alternative to their current policies The FGFF coalition will only strengthen. If Micheál Martin is cute he will rotate the Taoiseach every 6 months and ensure that the position essentially becomes a partnership for the next 3-4 years. I get the impression Leo might fancy a spell in Brussels, the top table would await there, he oozes European Bureaucracy potential. Spin around until the next European elections and then see the lie of the land, or even a commissioner position, the bookies have stopped taking bets at this stage. In fact this could well be part of any lateral under the table deal he has with Martin as regards who gets the wheel.

Unless Sinn Fein can develop an honest agenda which shows a feasible solution to the future of this republic they are destined for a lifetime as political cranks. Very easy in fairness. Blah blah something something, blah blah wealth redistribution blah blah etc. They are acing the Mary Lou factor, she is the most prominent female politician in the country, that matters bigtime and she is a vote making machine. But women are not stupid either, they are also fickle enough. Unless she can come up with a plan she will lose popularity for not delivering, women hate getting disappointed. The rest of the Cabal can forget it, they are destined to singing rebel songs in their local GAA club on Sunday night, Mná na hEireann want Mary Lou.... not Eoin, Pearse, Dessie or Daithí, believe.

paddythere

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Same democracy that think getting a vote of 24% is an election win :p:p

If you're referring Sinn Fein then I need to inform you that Sinn Fein is a political party, not a democracy.

Rothko

Long_Wave wrote: »

Yes and the Irish public choose to leave him there because they are scared of a virus that's effected less than 1% of the population.

:rolleyes:

Shefwedfan

Long_Wave wrote: »

Yes and the Irish public choose to leave him there because they are scared of a virus that's effected less than 1% of the population.

Plonker

Truthvader

Much more afraid of Gerry Adams and his merry men than any virus.