Micheàl Martin: Our new Taoiseach

WoollyRedHat

It's hard to believe that only 10 years after decimating the country, with MM complicit in having top seat at cabinet throughout, that FF are now relevant again and MM will soon be voted Taoiseach and now gets to decide the lay of the land. A party and leader that is morally bankrupt from day 1 and aided and abetted by FG.

Politics in Ireland is a joke, you also still have bandits like Willie O'Dea who will be influencing policy, don't even get me started on that stain in the Dail that is Lowry, a FG viceroy who should have been barred from politics years ago. Our country gained independence from Britain but then got swallowed up by the church and civil war parties who often have treated the country as its own little fiefdom.

Anyway let's have it, hopefully Green Party can actually discover a backbone this time round and call out the two main parties 'indescrepencies' and redeem some moral integrity after their stint in government, so we don't have to go on the same damn merryround, where zero accountability becomes order of day after the nice little honeymoon period.

Risingshadoo

I'm not thrilled about it, but at least he's Irish.

Mod

Banned

For Forks Sake

Risingshadoo wrote: »

I'm not thrilled about it, but at least he's Irish.

Who let Paddy Holohan in here?

suicide_circus

was it FF who decimated the country or was it the global financial crisis?

Harry Palmr

The global crisis was merely the icing on our mad Celtic Tiger cake.

I welcome Fr Martin (not really). He's an appalling speaker and that alone puts me off.

Quantum Erasure

People got what they voted for, tough few years ahead, I wouldn't want anyone else other than FF FG at the helm

WoollyRedHat

suicide_circus wrote: »

was it FF who decimated the country or was it the global financial crisis?

This line has been done to death. We would have been much less exposed if it wasn't for FF's irresponsible economic handling of the country, complimented with their appalling corruption. That's the truth of the matter.

suicide_circus

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

This line has been done to death. We would have been much less exposed if it wasn't for FF's irresponsible economic handling of the country, complimented with their appalling corruption. That's the truth of the fact.

i'll agree with that. FF and everyone who lived beyond their means certainly have to take responsibility.

larva

I cant stand him, dont know why but id rather Leo at the helm. Martin is a sleeveen, I dont trust him or FF, period. Has everyone gone senile and forgotten just how baldy they have governed us in the past?!!

Annasopra

Risingshadoo wrote: »

I'm not thrilled about it, but at least he's Irish.

Leo Varadkar is too. It's just racists who claim he isn't.

WoollyRedHat

Quantum Erasure wrote: »

People got what they voted for, tough few years ahead, I wouldn't want anyone else other than FF FG at the helm

I'd rather not have a party to lead our country that completely bankrupted us and then lied about it, a leader that served under the charlatan named Bertie Aherne, followed by the buffoon Cowen and was complicit in the mismanagement of a relatively small country and did not make a serious attempt to reform after it. Plus people forget that FF have a long roll call of awfulness and cronyism, the ruination of the country financially is just their most famous hit.

THE POWER OF CHRIST COMPELS YOU!

larva

Ten Pin wrote: »

Justice for Barbers

A typo on my part or pun intended hmmm? :rolleyes:

Poor_old_gill

suicide_circus wrote: »

i'll agree with that. FF and everyone who lived beyond their means certainly have to take responsibility.

Still can't believe that FF took down Lehman Brothers - who'd have thought they had so much power?

Sephiroth_dude

Risingshadoo wrote: »

I'm not thrilled about it, but at least he's Irish.

Mod

Banned

Mod

Do not post in here again, anymore comments like the one above and cards and bans will be handed out.

jam_mac_jam

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Still can't believe that FF took down Lehman Brothers - who'd have thought they had so much power?

The IMF weren't in all European countries though as a result of Lehman brothers.

So maybe the government of the time had some responsibility?

WoollyRedHat

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Still can't believe that FF took down Lehman Brothers - who'd have thought they had so much power?

I didn't realize our economy collapsed because of reliance on a US bank. Jeesh If that's the case maybe they shouldn't have be so reliant on a US bank?

Also didn't FF also squander finances by inefficient financial management even before the crash?

Poor_old_gill

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

The IMF weren't in all European countries though as a result of Lehman brothers.

So maybe the government of the time had some responsibility?

All parties at the time had some responsibility due to engaging in auction politics, as did the Central Bank, the ECB, the EU itself and a multitude of other stakeholders.

To attribute it to one single cause is both idiotically reductive & pointless

jam_mac_jam

suicide_circus wrote: »

was it FF who decimated the country or was it the global financial crisis?

Both.

Poor_old_gill

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

I didn't realize our economy collapsed because of reliance on a US bank. Jeesh If that's the case maybe they shouldn't have be so reliant on a US bank?

Also didn't FF also squander finances by inefficient financial management even before the crash?

I was ironically applying the same idiotic one factor caused it all logic as those who just blame FF

jam_mac_jam

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

All parties at the time had some responsibility due to engaging in auction politics, as did the Central Bank, the ECB, the EU itself and a multitude of other stakeholders.

To attribute it to one single cause is both idiotically reductive & pointless

Of course, that's why I said the government had some responsibility and not all.

Notmything

I don't like Michael Martin, or his party, their behaviour when the economic crisis hit was disgraceful. They denied there was a problem until the very end.

But, and it's a small but, unlike the majority of his cabinet colleagues who retired so they didn't have to face the consequences of their ineptitude he stayed on and faced the people.

Can only hope he has learnt something from the last few years as the country faces a new period of economic upheaval. However, with the likes of mcguinness, o'dea and o'cuiv still in ff god only knows.

bunderoon

It's his turn to qualify for the big pension. I'd say hes thrilled he didnt have to wait as long as Kenny had to.
Leo said he'd go I to opposition to allow Martin qualify. Then things went t*ts up but they got him in over the line eventually.

Snow Garden

MM also set up the HSE. A massive wasteful bureaucracy.

ChelseaRentBoy

Quantum Erasure wrote: »

People got what they voted for, tough few years ahead, I wouldn't want anyone else other than FF FG at the helm

Id want anyone but FGG at the helm.

WoollyRedHat

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

I was ironically applying the same idiotic one factor caused it all logic as those who just blame FF

The fact is their party was corrupt and self-serving and excaberated the crash massively. Your comment was throwaway. As another poster pointed out, not every country who went through the financial crash had to invite in the IMF. And FF were in power the others weren't, key point you're missing there.

Snow Garden

FG facilitated the forgiveness of FF by being as arrogant, corrupt and fond of the gravy train as them (think Phil Hogan, Dara Murphy, Bailey, Farrell, Mulherin etc).

Zebra3

bunderoon wrote: »

It's his turn to qualify for the big pension.

He was already there.

I recall the Tribune (yeah, it was that long ago) cornering him over having a teaching post kept open for him.

He whinged that he needed it to support his family.

If he'd lost his seat the following day he was already entitled to an instant pension of €119,000.

He finally gave up the teaching post. Had to be shamed into it.

The caliber of the man.....

bunderoon

Zebra3 wrote: »

He was already there.

I recall the Tribune (yeah, it was that long ago) cornering him over having a teaching post kept open for him.

He whinged that he needed it to support his family.

If he'd lost his seat the following day he was already entitled to an instant pension of €119,000.

He finally gave up the teaching post. Had to be shamed into it.

The caliber of the man.....

No, I mean the Taoiseach pension bracket. He has hit the top now and when retires, will get it at that level.
Like Brendan did in Labour. He got the party leader position (short term as it was) and now qualifies for that bracket upon retirement.

Chalk McHugh

Like to wish Michael Martin well. Seems a thorough gentleman and i like him. Thank god we've a real leader at the helm at last.

billyhead

Someone said MM was sleeveen. Absolute bull****. He's one of the most honest hard-working politicians in the Oireachtas. Much prefer him as Taoiseach to Leo. Such a vast wealth of experience. And in relation to the last crash people have to take personal responsibility for borrowing beyond their means. Nobody held a gun to their head when taking out a 100 percent mortgage.

landofthetree

https://mobile.twitter.com/higginsdavidw/status/1276852133158170624

He has a mandate.

Darc19

suicide_circus wrote: »

was it FF who decimated the country or was it the global financial crisis?

The SF apologists will always blame FF.

People with intelligence will know that a worldwide recession caused the main damage.

Ordinary people bidding up house prices need to accept some blame too as do bankers and also those in political office.

But despite what the SF and other leftist "its the gubberment" wish to think, there were many aspects to the economic collapse.


They don't explain how years of making it a very open economy allowed a fairly rapid recovery.


Funny, Northern Ireland still have not recovered to the same extent and also had a recession.

namloc1980

I see shinnerbots on social media blathering on about MM being elected on the 6th count while most of their lot were elected on the 1st count. I think they need to do a civics lesson for SF fans on how our system actually works.

Beechwoodspark

Im not a FF supporter but I wish MM well. I see him as far superior to Varadkar.

JohnnyFlash

namloc1980 wrote: »

I see shinnerbots on social media blathering on about MM being elected on the 6th count while most of their lot were elected on the 1st count. I think they need to do a civics lesson for SF fans on how our system actually works.

Martin McGuinness was elected to the assembly on the 7th count one time, and was deputy 1st minister a few weeks later.

walshb

Can people not just live in the now...?

Let’s start. The people have formed a government

All just human beings trying their best for the good of society..

For me the problem is SF, PBP, Rise and any more these aggressive in your face people looking to blame everyone else for “issues” in society; pandering to the uncouth and rough in society, and actively encouraging aggression and vitriol all the time..

Slattsy

First time Sinn Fein voters don't know what's going on here. They've now just realised they're not in, and are struggling to grasp the concept of how Government is formed, and don't know what a coalition is.

Social media is quite funny to read at the moment. They're a clueless bunch.

All the best to Michael Martin. A huge sigh of relief all round from most.

dresden8

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Im not a FF supporter but I wish MM well. I see him as far superior to Varadkar.

Would you like white or brown Bread with your sh1t sandwich?

jam_mac_jam

Darc19 wrote: »

The SF apologists will always blame FF.

People with intelligence will know that a worldwide recession caused the main damage.

Ordinary people bidding up house prices need to accept some blame too as do bankers and also those in political office.

But despite what the SF and other leftist "its the gubberment" wish to think, there were many aspects to the economic collapse.


They don't explain how years of making it a very open economy allowed a fairly rapid recovery.


Funny, Northern Ireland still have not recovered to the same extent and also had a recession.

SF didn't surge after the crash. FG did so it's a little more complicated then SF and the leftist boogie man.

Edgware

namloc1980 wrote: »

I see shinnerbots on social media blathering on about MM being elected on the 6th count while most of their lot were elected on the 1st count. I think they need to do a civics lesson for SF fans on how our system actually works.

Ah leave the poor gob****es alone. They're like kids who lost their confirmation money.

Gael23

Can we expect this government to last?

James Brown

suicide_circus wrote: »

was it FF who decimated the country or was it the global financial crisis?

Fianna Fail cheered on by near everyone but Labour.
Global crisis made it worse but we were due our own. It's well documented.

Well done Fine Gael. Major achievement making FF relevant when they should have been disbanded.

Hopefully now MM got his dream, it likely being his political farewell tour he might try leave a legacy of being decent to the tax payer.. don't laugh, it could happen.

Varik

Slattsy wrote: »

First time Sinn Fein voters don't know what's going on here. They've now just realised they're not in, and are struggling to grasp the concept of how Government is formed, and don't know what a coalition is.

Social media is quite funny to read at the moment. They're a clueless bunch.

All the best to Michael Martin. A huge sigh of relief all round from most.

Any FF, FG or Green party members out there like to tell me how they have a right to vote on a prgramme for government but I don't, how they have a right to vote on my future but I don't. Where in the rules for a general election does it say this?

Well there's my afternoon planned out, having a good read and a chuckle. You'd think they'd be use to being ignored at this stage.

Zebra3

billyhead wrote: »

Someone said MM was sleeveen. Absolute bull****. He's one of the most honest hard-working politicians in the Oireachtas. Much prefer him as Taoiseach to Leo. Such a vast wealth of experience. And in relation to the last crash people have to take personal responsibility for borrowing beyond their means. Nobody held a gun to their head when taking out a 100 percent mortgage.

I worked hard, paid my mortgage, have never even owned a car, yet through the mismanagement of gangsters like MM, I had to pay for other people's mistakes.

Yet, I don't have a massive pension waiting for whenever I want it.

So spare me the nonsense.

Pintman Paddy Losty

FG are going to be the ones pulling the strings in this government. Leo, Simon, Simon and Paschal are far more intelligent than their coalition partners. You can be damn sure that any decisions Michael takes will have been given the go ahead from Fine Gael.

It's quite well known that the European Commission is very close with many in Fine Gael and will consult directly with them on serious policy matters before going officially to Martin.

garbanzo

Not a particular fan of his or indeed FF but I wish them all well.

For ALL our sakes...

dark crystal

namloc1980 wrote: »

I see shinnerbots on social media blathering on about MM being elected on the 6th count while most of their lot were elected on the 1st count. I think they need to do a civics lesson for SF fans on how our system actually works.

It's quite clear how our system works. I suspect their point is more about popularity and I suspect you know this. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire topped that constituency on the first count by far exceeding the quota, therefore, it can be stated that he was far more popular with his constituents than our new Taoiseach, whose vote was clearly nowhere near O'Laoghaire's in terms of numbers.

That count was actually quite interesting in that Simon Coveney also struggled in that same constituency, finally getting elected on the last count, yet both will be in government, whilst the poll topper will not, along with many more of his party's poll toppers. This is where it appears to be unfair to the many thousands who went out and voted for something different.

I suspect had SF run more candidates, we wouldn't be having the same smug remarks about 'how the system works', if their overwhelming popularity with the electorate had put them in the driving seat and had they not been excluded by the two lower polling parties.

We wait with hope to see if this 'new' government can deliver on their promises. Yet again.

bunderoon

People seem to think that there is a difference between FF FG SF GP etc, there isnt.

You have self serving parasites at the top of each party and only a very small handful of honest hard working politicians that never rise to the top.


I cant believe that after all that has happened over the last 30 years that when there is a change in the top seat, that somehow there will be a change from the status quo. The electorate get what they (I) deserve. Nothing will change until there is change en-mass.
We elect rotten apples every 4 years who work hard for big business interests, not the national interest. Amazing how people cant see through this thinly veiled facade.

Pintman Paddy Losty

bunderoon wrote: »

People seem to think that there is a difference between FF FG SF GP etc, there isnt.

You have self serving parasites at the top of each party and only a very small handful of honest hard working politicians that never rise to the top.


I cant believe that after all that has happened over the last 30 years that when there is a change in the top seat, that somehow there will be a change from the status quo. The electorate get what they (I) deserve. Nothing will change until there is change en-mass.
We elect rotten apples every 4 years who work hard for big business interests, not the national interest. Amazing how people cant see through this thinly veiled facade.

This is the type of thing you'd expect to hear said in a drum circle as you pass the doobie to the left, maaaan.

Wake up sheeple.

bunderoon

dark crystal wrote: »

It's quite clear how our system works. I suspect their point is more about popularity and I suspect you know this. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire topped that constituency on the first count by far exceeding the quota, therefore, it can be stated that he was far more popular with his constituents than our new Taoiseach, whose vote was clearly nowhere near O'Laoghaire's in terms of numbers.

That count was actually quite interesting in that Simon Coveney also struggled in that same constituency, finally getting elected on the last count, yet both will be in government, whilst the poll topper will not, along with many more of his party's poll toppers. This is where it appears to be unfair to the many thousands who went out and voted for something different.

I suspect had SF run more candidates, we wouldn't be having the same smug remarks about 'how the system works', if their overwhelming popularity with the electorate had put them in the driving seat and had they not been excluded by the two lower polling parties.

We wait with hope to see if this 'new' government can deliver on their promises. Yet again.

They wont deliver their 'promises' to us. But the certainly will deliver their promises to ensure that they secure their future board positions.