Day of protests...doh doh dooooohh

macvin

So Paul Murphy the self proclaimed leader of the Cost of Living Coalition that seems (according to Mr Murphy) to included Whiners about Profit, sinn fein, social democrats, ICTU, and Union of Students (do they all know he is their self proclaimed leader?), had a day of protests today.

He had plenty to say on RTE & Newstalk about it and in various media, but stumbled whenever asked what exactly he wanted.

Anyway, in a city of 1.2 million, about 600-800 people turned up.

To put in in context, a bottom of the table league of Ireland match on a cold went monday night would get a bigger crowd.

Has to be seen as an abject failure. And shows most people know that this is a world wide issue and knee jerk pandering to those that shout and who primarily receive one of the highest social welfare rates in Europe is not the answer.

Maybe Mr Murphy will realise that even in the face of economic hardship, people still will not give his mouthy whiney style any credibility whatsoever

Paul Murphy is from the same stock as the likes of Mick Wallace and Clare Daly. They all pretend to care about the working class, organizing protests etc. - all the while lining their own pockets.

All three of them are utterly repellent.

dorothylives

I've no time for the alphabet soup parties. Fair play to everyone who got out and protested, at least they're doing something, it's gonna change nothing but at least they bothered to protest.

macvin

Ms Mc Donald of sinn fein spoke in Dublin

Mr Quinlivan of sinn fein spoke in Limerick

Mr Gould of sinn fein spoke in Cork

sinn fein also had speaker in Galway & sligo.

So who do you think sinn fein rolled out for the belfast cost of living protest?...

whoops - they are in joint government up there and have plenty of power to take action on many things that affect cost of living. And somehow they seem to have ignored the belfast protest and did not have anyone there to speak.

mmmm....

Hypocrits

buried

Every political party gombeen, greedy, cowardly, shyster, hypocrite hoping to get elected into the next Dáil would want to get all every last single one of their thick deluded team fanboy and fangirls out voting for them in the next twist because that's all they will have. Every other sentient Irish person has cottoned onto the game and won't be there for any of them, FF, FG ,SF or PBP or whatever else is currently making a holy show of themselves trying to make out they can make a difference in a world where they have literally zero influence on any realm of power whatsoever. Times up.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220090#Comment_119220090

I'm sorry but I don't get that reasoning. It was a wasted, worthless exercise that only fed the egos and profiles of a few politicians who have no workable solutions.

Brucie Bonus

The general public deserve better. I don't care which politicians or parties jump on the band wagon. its like the water protests were the general public protested and the arseholes made it all about Paul Murphy. Giving out about the shinners and Murphy sure helps avoid the issues and the public protesting. Its a **** bore.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220795#Comment_119220795

Care to share your ideas on improving things?

skimpydoo

Does anyone know why Labour did not take part today?

Galwayguy35

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220984#Comment_119220984

Maybe they copped on that they are irrelevent.

Galwayguy35

I haven't much faith in the shower we have in Government.

I have no faith at all in SF and the looney left.

Mary Mac played that crowd like a fiddle today.

rolling boh

I presume the numbers wre fairly paltry around the country if the Dublin protest was anything to go by unless you can get the middle ground out the protests will acheive nothing and a waste of day off .Irish people love to complain but rarely take to the streets in big numbers with only a few exceptions over the years .

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221089#Comment_119221089

Shopping centres were packed with shoppers today. No sign of a cost of living crisis. The airport has been busy too with people who seem to have more than enough spare funds for a holiday.

AngeloArgue

I'm getting the same vibe as before the 2008 crash. Politicians trying to outdo each other on all the giveaways their promising. Inflation seemingly unstoppable, American tech companies looking overvalued and overstaffed, a weak euro the only saving grace in our competitiveness.

This whole thing has the potential to turn sour. Except next time where's the bailout coming from?

MFPM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220008#Comment_119220008

Somewhat typical of discourse on sites like this, no comment on the actual issues, hurl a few slurs and abusive remarks around at politicians who probably can't do right from doing wrong in your eyes and then recede back into the anonymity the site affords you.

MFPM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221151#Comment_119221151

Indeed, but wasn't that the case in 2008?

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221232#Comment_119221232

2008 wasn't an inflationary cost of living crisis.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221224#Comment_119221224

Paul Murphy is a creature of the far-left, or at least pretends to be.

Like Owen Jones, they rake in the cash on the back of caring about the poorest in society. In the case of Jones, he has a Patreon account and makes tens of thousands of pounds a month (based on current figures), whilst railing against capitalism and the rich in society! Jones is playing the crowd well and, to some extent, I don't blame him. His audience are sheep, and they only hear what they want to hear.

The same is true of Paul Murphy.

He isn't saying what he's saying because he actually believes it, he's saying it because it has effectively become his business model to say it; his means of earning an income.

If he switched to the political right, for example, what earnings would he make?

Nothing.

So it's not personal to point this out about Wallace and Murphy and so on. It's simply a reflection of the reality of how it's actually they who are playing the system whilst simultaneously pretending to be enemies of the system.

You can presumably identify right-wing grifters? You can see how right-wing sheep follow the likes of Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro and so on? I can see it, and I'm of right-wing extraction. The same phenomenon, whether you admit it or not, happens on the Left, too.

And as long as the sheep hear about how awful the US is, and how poor people are victims of society who need a leader in Paul Murphy to bring them to salvation, they have a massive audience with which to grow their own profile and, as a consequence, rake in the cash. Do you seriously think that the likes of Clare Daly in the European Parliament, earning 300 euros a day just to turn up, cares about the poorest in society?

That's what these protests are largely about when it comes to Murphy and Daly and others.

It's a narcissistic desire to further themselves at the expense of everyone else. They want to be the story; they want to be in the headlines; and they want to be on radio news bulletins.

Eduard Khil

Buy now regret later it has been the Irish way forever. It used to be on tic now it's I need a new sofa,car,holiday,ah sure tge credit union will give me a loan.

This is going to be a bigger financial disaster that the great depression when the stock markets crash and the cryptocurrency debacle falls like a house of cards the banks will not be generous to businesses or the public alike.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221224#Comment_119221224

What, if any solutions were proposed at today’s meetings?

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221151#Comment_119221151

But that is exactly what is causing the inflation.

Too much money chasing too few goods.

Employment is still strong, there are still COVID savings being spent, but the supply can't keep up.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221278#Comment_119221278

I agree but I'd qualify it with 'workable solutions'.

MFPM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221238#Comment_119221238

I didn't suggest it was.

MFPM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221278#Comment_119221278

There were several from what I heard though that's no relevance to the post I ws responding. Though it's interesting that the posters ridiculing the protests didn't put forward any solutions either.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221356#Comment_119221356

You're the very one who drew the comparison when there isn't one.

🙄

Andrewf20

The strange thing is this cost of living crisis may be a good thing for climate change. Rampant consumerism will have this planet half wrecked in a matter of decades potentially. Im sicked to death of the waste in this throw away society. The only way to get people to value things more is to reduce our wealth from what I can see.

Also: The only thing that seems very expensive in this modern world is housing. Food, clothes, cars, computers etc are all quite cheap for what they are.

macvin

I'd still love to know why sinn fein did not support the rally in Belfast.

jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220984#Comment_119220984

What this looks like is the start of the Water Tax protests. If it gains momentum then these protests will be ongoing (every month or so) and will cost FFG votes. Labour politicians gleefully imposed Austerity on the Irish people and attempted to impose the Water Tax. Labour went from winning 37 seats in 2011 to just 7 in 2016. On its current polling, it will be lucky to hold three seats. Labour just hasn't the credibility to be associated with a protest against the cost of living increases.

Regards...jmcc

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221750#Comment_119221750

But the water charges protests had a very definable goal

To remove water charges.

How does this protests movement define when it reaches it's goal?

When things become affordable again?

Who defines affordable?

nullzero

Should the Irish people be protesting en masse about the property crisis and the cost of living?

Definitely.

Should grifters like Paul Murphy stay the hell away from organizing said protests because he is poisonous and delegitimizes any worthy causes he's associated with?

Abso-fvcking-lutely.

nullzero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221247#Comment_119221247

Spot on.

It's as if people forget that politics attracts psychopaths and narcissists ("only the other side are like that, not the paragons of virtue I identify with").

They'll all step over your warm corpse to get their hands on your money.

10000maniacs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058250775/day-of-protests-doh-doh-dooooohh

It's because who are they protesting to? What can the government do?

The only thing they can do is hit the already hard pressed middle income families with more tax.

Oh wait, what they could do is reverse the cynical Fine Gael "save the rural pub" minimum pricing of alcohol policy so at least we could avail of discounted beer.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221376#Comment_119221376

Probably because they're aware that there are no simplistic solutions and anything needed would require more than a single term of government office. Most of the problems are too firmly established within the country, and those that aren't would involve unpopular decisions. Most of the problems have been problems for years and simply deferred over to the next election or the next generation to resolve, but ultimately, not being resolved, and increasing in weight all the time.

When posters ask for solutions on threads such as these.. they're not looking for solutions. They're looking for something to take apart.. and have no interest in constructive criticism, or committing themselves to alternative possible solutions (and the associated criticisms). Any poster who has been on boards/CA, for a while, will be aware of this. So, why would you put yourself in such a position?

Protests without a serious following, and a definite media (both online/traditional) plan are doomed to failure. Look at BLM (who have everything going for them).. for all the marches in Europe, they've effected very little actual change that wasn't already in the pipeline before they marched. Now, it's almost as if they didn't march at all, now that people have moved on to other problems. Marches tend to fail to capture the attention of the general public for long.. and people's attention spans are very short, unless they're directly involved. So, yeah, I'd be critical of such protests.

skimpydoo

Earlier today I was in the city centre and I thought I might get an ice cream. I got a big shock. One scoop of gelato is €4.50 and a choc ice is nearly €3. How long will it be before a loaf of bread is €3 plus? In Malta diesel costs €1.21 and petrol costs €1.34, why does it cost so much more here for diesel and petrol?

These are some of the reasons why there was protests today.

Brucie Bonus

When people protest its because they have an issue they want addressed. Who said you have to have all the answers to shine a light on an issue? Snickering and taking the piss out of the like of Paul Murphy is just plain ignorant. Its just a way to sideline the fact members of the public were willing to get off their arses and protest. All that's happening is giving Paul Murphy more importance than he's due and running deflection for government.

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222039#Comment_119222039

Protesting is the only way we can let the current government know that we want and need change. If we don't protest the government will do whatever they like and dam the consequences. As more and more protests take place, this will end up turning into lost votes. Just look at what's happened to Labour. From 37 seats down to what they have now.

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221278#Comment_119221278

FREE MONEY TO ALL!

jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221872#Comment_119221872

This may be the beginning of a backlash against the FFG government. These types of protests can tap into public anger and Labour was destroyed as a political party. FF and FG do not want to end up like Labour in terms of seats.

The most powerful thing in this country is the vote. That's how the electorate can get rid of politicians and the politicians know it. Don't be too surprised, if the momentum grows and more protest marches take place, to see these protests misreported and demonised by the party mouthpieces in the media and on Social Media in much the same way that the Water Tax protests were when they happened.

Regards...jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222041#Comment_119222041

 If we don't protest the government will do whatever they like and dam the consequences.

When have protests (limited to Ireland) stopped/caused the government/political parties to stop their agendas, and take notice of what the people protesting want? Actual examples would be nice, cause I think it's just wishful thinking..

rolling boh

Only way a protest might achieve something is if FFFG see their voters out on the streets they don't mind the usual left groups out because they are not their voters no matter what . I do agree that people tend to rubbish protests when they see the likes of Paul Murphy involved and that's all they see and not the reason for a protest .There are plenty of solutions banded about but most likely the wrong ones .When the elderly came out about the medical cards the government changed pretty quick because a lot of their voters were on the protest .

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222041#Comment_119222041

Labours loss in seats has very little to do with protest.

Actual their gain in 2011 had more to do with protest.

They came into the election in 2011 promising the sun, moon and stars.

An electorate reeling from the crash and FF government of the past 14 years took Labour at their word.

Then when it came to the real work of solving the countries problems Labour obviously could not deliver the sun, moon and stars.

As a result in 2016 all those people who voted for them went back to the likes of FF (remember they decide mid campaign that they were against the water charges they negotiated) and Labour went back to their usual handful of seats.

Labour are a "boom bust" party

The same will happen with SF in the coming years.

dorothylives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220616#Comment_119220616

What's not to get? People didn't go to stoke the profiles of politicians. They went because they're worried about the rising costs of pretty much everything. They went because they're frustrated at a government who seem to have abandoned them and who tell them that there's nothing they can do for them, all the while throwing open the country to tens of thousands of people we've no obligation to. Telling people to go to the Community Welfare Officer if they can't afford to put fuel in their cars, mere weeks after announcing 10.5 million euro in grants to welcome Ukrainians into communities. As I said, it'll change nothing, but they went out and protested.

Make no mistake about it, very tough times are on the way for many people and these small protests will get larger. There is a huge current of resentment and anger among the public. Not everyone bought their houses decades ago for a pittance and retired on a nice big pension. People will rally behind any politician that can persuade them that they have their best interests at heart, not a one of them does though. All are singing from the same hymn sheet and very few will be reelected. I wasn't at any protests myself, like most people I've been content to be angry about it and bitch online while not trying to do anything to change it. Our politicians rely on it.

griffin100

It will be interesting to see which mainstream party TDs blinks first and starts to link some of the inflationary pressures to the influx of Ukrainians. There’s a populist void there at the minute and someone / something will step in to fill it.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222445#Comment_119222445

None of them will for two reasons.

They know they will get roasted.

They know that the taking in of Ukrainian refugees has very little to do with the inflation problem.

MFPM

Essentially I made the point that in 2008 people though concerned about the economy (evidenced by the FF victory in 2007) were continuing to spend etc. egged on by 'economists such as Jim Power and Dan McLaughlin and their mantra that 'the fundamentals of the economy are sound' and disingenuous politicians like Brian Cowen...

So the fact that people are spending and going on holidays etc is not a guide to the fact that there are serious economic concerns or indeed that there is a serious number of people struggling economically....that is the 'comparison' with 2007/8, not the inflationary issues.

griffin100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222452#Comment_119222452

Neither of those reasons will stop an opportunist. The question is if the opportunist is already a TD or a fringe element. Verona Murphy and Peter Casey did ok off similar stuff.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222492#Comment_119222492

This time people are continuing to spend egged on by the fact that they have jobs and COVID savings/pent up post COVID demand.

So how do you slow them down ?

They are not spending against an overinflated or speculative property market like before.

A lot of the problems are obviously external, the war and the continuing China COVID situation.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222497#Comment_119222497

I was thinking more a sitting TD rather than some like the two you mentioned.

mikethecop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221885#Comment_119221885

This is a very valid point,

Most politician i ve known first hand over the years are awful awful people whose main goal is to get reelected and line their pockets at the publics expense

The few genuine honest people Ive known involved in politics don't rise above local level because they spend too much time actually helping te people they represent

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119222375#Comment_119222375

It was FG who promised honesty, an end to cronyism, quangos. They lied. Labour sold out their base by supporting FG. And as usual the smaller partner paid for FG (or FF) policies and performance. If people vote for a party they've not previously supported they want value for money. FF/FG only got a pass to an extent because their base have little concern for others and we are all use to the FF and FG power swap.

We have people protesting and even those in support feel they have to preface it by disavowing and distancing from various left wing personalities. Thats the kind of environment allows FG and FG exist despite their god awful records.

macvin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119227014#Comment_119227014

If you think it will be better under sinn fein, you really need to have a look at the amount of cronyism and nepotism they employ here in NI. Everything from allowing their developer friends over build in some locations and even allowing one to provide the green space for the complex over 2km away!! (yes seriously happened in Belfast )

I really hope their manner of operation in NI is brought to the fore. It will enlighten people. EG. Very silent on the protests in Belfast and no representative there. Why? - Wasn't it an all island protest? (if you could call the few that turned up as a protest group) Didn;t they mouth off in Dublin, Cork Limerick, Galway 7 Sligo and had plenty of their banners about - but not one banner in Belfast which had the biggest turnout of all!

Why?

Oh yeah. they're in government up here