General Irish politics discussion thread

This is true, but governments can create economies that are good and bad for house building

This idea that the govt see a housing crisis and do nothing about it should no longer be considered acceptable.

For example when the banking crisis transpired in 2008 there was legislation enacted overnight to deal with the issue.

But then again, there were rich people at stake in 2008 so they had to be saved, poor people should eventually die off so not as much of an issue

You don't blame the paramedic (even if they put you on the trolley) for the trolley situation in UHL.

Likewise you shouldn't blame SF for the problems caused by the Tories, nor should you blame the UHL doctors for the problems caused by FFG

Well spotted and worth a listen as an example of a younger journalist who has neither the courage nor the sense of fairness to criticise the government even when her older colleagues give her cover, especially on the indefensible farce of Seanad reform,

Both Hugh Linehan and Harry McGee comment critically on the "unseemly haste" with which legislation was rushed through both Houses this week with the guillotine used "injudiciously" and "more often than in the French revolution". Scandalously, the debate on the Seanad reform was completely curtailed and a Bill which will radically extend the Seanad University electorate was rammed through on Wednesday.

As was the emasculated Incitement to Hatred Bill. Harry gives a potted history of that embarrassing volte-face by the Government but Hugh turned this into a discussion of SF's similar u-turn which Jennifer was happy to focus on, so not a hint of criticism from her of FF/FG. Harry tries to bring it back to FG/FF but Hugh again goes after SF on puberty blockers and Jen agrees, saying SF are "going with the line of least resistance" on such issues. She admits the government have also ditched various proposals after the referendums but she is insouciant - "that's just politics".

Hugh and Harry say the saga of Seanad reform shows "something rotten in the heart of the government" , a "quasi-corrupt divvy up" by the large parties which Harry calls a "rotten borough", like the House of Lords. But Jennifer completely dodges these issues and tries to ridicule Hugh's concerns as a mere personal foible - "let's talk about it over a pint". Of course, she can't deny the facts, but admits she didn't even know what was going on with the Bill until the night before (if I were her Editor, I would haul her in over that remark).

Is there a generational shift in the IT? Older journalists like Hugh and Harry are perfectly comfortable giving the government a kicking but the younger generation are much more comfortable going after the "right-wing" opposition. Jen loves to spread election gossip but she offers no insights on policy.

Ironically, SF are paying a heavy price for trying to placate these younger "woke" journalists and, as a result, Harry and Hugh expect Independents will have a strong showing - Hugh expects up to 40 in the next Dáil. This would be disastrous for good government - a Parliament full of Mé Féiners looking to bring home the bacon like the Healy-Raes. But most younger journalists don't understand why the electorate are so disillusioned with the political parties and don't understand the dangers. They don't even realise Budget 2025 was an irresponsible vote-buying exercise. And the Taoiseach now promises the next Government would write a blank cheque for all the child-care in the country 🤯

Yes I do. See my latest posts.

Any other candidate for the title of fair and unbiased Political Correspondent?

Firstly, you haven't described how a SF government would do things differently

Apologies, thought that it was implied they wouldn't have f**ked it up in the first place

The counter argument would be

1. Let the current crowd have another chance
2. Buy health insurance

election over before it’s even officially announced.ff and fg to romp home.looks like the public have bought the few bob threw at them and believe the tik-tok Taoiseach and his endless videos of him working for you and his party’s “new energy “

All to be decided is who’s the mudguard to take the flak.🤦

Their vote has halved over 12+ months. It seems the recent issues affecting the party has had little impact on their support despite some wild predictions here.

It's been clear for a while that FF/FG will form the next government - notwithstanding the next few weeks can impact all party's support positively and negatively - agreeing a programme won't be an issue as they are broadly at one on most issues. The issue will be the gap between both in terms of seat numbers and who gets to be Taoiseach.