FF/FG/Green Government - Part 3

Yeah it 100% is happening with Independent Ireland. Not sure how well led and sellable they are though. People seem to lump them in with the other Independent groups.

I think we will see a few more capable Independents elected this time around.

what else would he be, his first job was parliamentary assistant to Frances Fitzgerald, dropped out of his degree to pursue a career in politics (not that that's an issue I firmly believe degrees aren't for everyone). but what experience outside politics does he have. hasn't even flipped burgers as far as I can see.

Gardai are resigning because their pay is shîte, but propose a public sector pay increase on Boards and you'll be called a Marxist. We need to pay people who provide vital public services a decent wage.

 I have a real issue with the idea that electing a Government should be based on personal popularity contests rather than the issues and the proposed solutions from the parties.

Its not. It's based upon contests in each constituency based upon the issues those voters deem relevant - often local.

I sometimes wonder do some of the more vocal posters in this forum even live in Ireland, or have ever lived in Ireland, due to their profound level of ignorance of how our electoral system actually works.

Nonsense. Catherine Connolly is more capable than most of the TDs in the Dail.

That doesn't mean he has any influence, quite the opposite. It just means he's a reliable contrarian voice who always picks up the phone when the media call. RTE's idea of "balance" is to have an opposing voice for everything no matter how much of a gobshite they are.

Some superb contributions on the mother and baby home report (I know some won't look at them because they are intimidated by intelligent women).

Most recently on the Trolley crisis in Galway hospital.

'One always loses the will to live on this': Catherine Connolly slams Govt over trolley numbers

“All of the time I am getting different answers.

“It would be easier to read The Castle or Metamorphosis by Kafka – which is extremely difficult to read – It would be easier to read it in German, Irish or English than to understand the answers that are coming in relation to the hospital in Galway,” the Independent TD said. 

Connolly pointed to an appraisal carried out in 2019 which found that 64% of the infrastructure was not suitable.

She said today, 62 patients are on trolleys in the hospital and noted that earlier this year when the number hit 73 it was the worst recorded figure since the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) started collecting data. 

In 2015, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil that the hospital was “not fit for purpose”.

In response, Connolly said: 

Minister, one always loses the will to live really in relation to this.”

She continued: “2014: Not fit for purpose. 10 years later: Not fit for purpose. And you are telling me then that there is money going into this?”

“How in God’s name can we stand over a situation 10 years later, where we don’t even have a deadline for an accident and emergency?,” Connolly asked.

I don’t want to stand here and lambaste the Government. I want a public health service that’s fit for us to call ourselves a Republic.”

No nonsense. Tough lady.

She still does the role when Sean is not doing it.

Leas-Cheann Comhairle – Houses of the Oireachtas

Catherine Connolly is the first woman to hold office as Ceann Comhairle or Leas-Cheann Comhairle in Dáil Éireann. She was elected Leas-Cheann Comhairle of the 33rd Dáil on 23 July 2020.

In the absence of the Ceann Comhairle the Leas-Cheann Comhairle deputises and performs the duties and exercises the authority of the Ceann Comhairle in Dáil proceedings

She has never been in government but you knew that.

Who is your hero TD?