There's hard decisions to be made, and no matter what gets decided it's hard to know right now whether it'll be right or wrong. In a few months time we'll have the benefit of hindsight, and will know if they chose the right path or not.
The Govt can't run away from making a decision. Labour, Soc Dems, Murphy and a raft of back benchers have all had the honesty to state which way they'd advocate.
Sinn Fein run away and hide like the ultimate hurlers on the ditch that they are, and in 3 or 4 months time will pretend that they were in favour of whatever it turns out would have been the correct course - but they just didn't feel like telling anyone at the time.
Opposition is supposed to be about advocating for what you believe is right. Much as I disagree with the likes of Murphy or Boyd-Barrett, at least they've the honesty to state what their position is.
Political Rule 101.
I've seen the shinners statements on covid get misrepresented on this very site. Now ye seem to be complaining they're too quiet so they can't be misrepresented.
We're in good hands, Leo and Michaél will lead us to safety.
Most effective opposition is one of the greatest misnomers of our time.
For the first time SF have to defend Adam’s vid and O’ Broin was put on the spot with his call for the apology.
Instead of sitting back and promising x+ when the govt offer x they suddenly found that they actually had to defend something.
Gone to ground, throw poor Eoin (and maybe poor Lynne) under the bus while the two attack dogs are let off the leash.
MeAnwhile the two alleged leaders are as quiet as church mice.
I know the question wasn't addressed to me - but I think a very current example of "quiet" would be Sinn Féin's position on NPHET's recommendation from last night.
Agree or disagree, at least today we've had Labour, Soc Dems, Paul Murphy and various back bench TDs and Senators make it known what they think should be done.
SF seem to have gone to ground, waiting for the Government announcement so they can then shout "No that's the wrong thing to do!", but will wait until they see the outcome of the potential next wave before actually getting off the fence and saying what they would have done themselves.
The "Most Effective Opposition in History" going to ground when there's hard choices to be made - what a shocker
Indeed indeed…… few breaches beginning to appear………hmmm
Interesting. We were told on here many times that Conor had no questions to answer.
Can indeed, big drop in the interface here in terms contributions per diem from that quarter since poor Eoin was thrown under the bus.
Seems to be a new understanding that, maybe, just maybe, something has escaped from the black hole that is Sinn Fein.
Not a word from MLMCD, OReilly defensive , O’Neill trying to douse the flames, Poor Eoin squirming in his seat on VM.
The attack dogs Carthy and the ‘Up the Ra ‘ lad quick into the firing positions…. Connolly House pulling the strings
Reality has spread its blanket of silence over this area……………..😎
Can you define quiet there mo chara?
Educate away. I believe the point is that if the goal is to drive people away from SF, its not working.
Maybe try dealing with housing and health instead?
Gone very quiet here since Eoin’s little skirmish with Connolly House.
That they are declining slower than the DUP is not something to be that boastful about.
Well it's never pointless to tell young people the truth or teach them history and I'd never suggest it was.
SF are benefitting from the coming together of two where in 2016 FF's line was that FG weren't as 'caring' or as interested in 'fairness' as FF. These two attributes were allegedly what ROI voters were looking for. Then the two parties were forced into alliances and coalition by electoral arithmetic.
There's been a general move away from the two and a splintering of the vote for a long time and now SF are promoting themselves as the young guns on a mission of change. Who knows what will happen, there could be a split in SF, a common Irish occurrence. When they experience downturns in their political fortunes tensions will emerge.
Meanwhile it's no harm to remind people of unpleasant truths.
Here, when you posted this.
With the two traditional Civil War rivals effectively showing there's very little difference between them SF now is the only alternative
You've said it yourself, FF/FG have shown they're basically one and the same. Nothing between them, and young people looking for an alternative are heading towards Sinn Fein.
They're not (as polling proves) going to be too troubled with the conflict in the north 40 odd years ago. In fact, I'd say it's even counter productive, and if I'm not mistaken that was the sentiments expressed my some fg ministers of late.
Where did I say it was 'pointless and counter-productive' ?
Sure, it’s not true that “nobody cares…”
How many more times do I have say that……
Can I just remind you, the reason we're even discussing the opinion piece was due to the fact I was saying I thought it was pointless and counterproductive for the media and FF/FG to keep trying to revisit the troubles, because the young people simply don't about it.
You have just agreed with me now apparently.
With the two traditional Civil War rivals effectively showing there's very little difference between them SF now is the only alternative for voters who are dissatisfied as labour is struggling to move beyond its urban liberal and trade union base of single digit or low teen percentages.
It's an opinion piece, where she gives her opinion on why people are voting for SF (2020) or saying they support them which they may or may not do when it actually comes to the election. FF/FG have been in effective coalition since 2016 and FG have been in government for ten years. With the two traditional Civil War rivals effectively showing there's very little difference between them SF now is the only alternative for voters who are dissatisfied as labour is struggling to move beyond its urban liberal and trade union base of single digit or low teen percentages.
That's my take on the situation but I'm sure Una Mullaly has a different opinion based on the same facts.
So you're saying people just vote and SF happened to do so well despite all the concern about the troubles? Can you clear that up mo chara?
Nothing to do with your claim that ‘nobody cares’ big man
A lot of time spent going after the journos in these here parts. Not so much denying the stories.
I believe Una Mullally is basing her entire article around election/polling results.
I don't think it's just a feeling in her waters.
The Shinners are predicted to be the largest party in the assembly after the next election pal, that'll be some decline if it happens.
Imagine if the shinners are largest party here and in the north at the same time, and after you spending countless hours over literally thousands of posts telling anyone dopey enough to listen that their ceiling had been reached etc etc.
Rare you see a poster be so wrong so consistently lol
Funny that, how, whenever I point to the data of the declining share of the vote held by nationalist parties in the North, I get the don't like the data, shoot the messenger response.
no idea who una mullally is , but its not like there isnt actual real life data to back up what she is saying ?
ff and fg votes have been dropping year on year , but sinn fein have been increasing there seats year on year
dont like the data , shoot the messenger ?
Una Mullaly, no surprise. Read her most recent opinion piece and she was going on about the 'neo-liberalism' of FG. Student politics slogans. The IT's standards have dropped in recent years.
Not a fan of democracy...hmmm
Most people in this country care that Sinn Fein is full of people like Dessie Ellis and Gerry Adams. That is why most people continue not to vote for them.
Rather flimsy evidence for “nobody cares”, my friend.
Last election mo chara.
“ Nobody cares”………….plenty people care, a chara
Where did you mine that little nugget of info from?
