Election to be called Fri - predict outcome

All they need is a state guarantee that should they need to repossess, the covenant on the property is removed (no longer restricted to the affordable scheme for selling).

This is the issue the banks had - what happens in case of default. I believe old Mcdonald already answered this one too a few times

I suggest you re-read the post.

Anyone in a working corporate environment and most outside of a working corporate environment will know that sending any type of message classed as a pornographic message is not classed as “workplace banter” - doesnt matter if its “viral” 🤪

“The Whatsapp, as sent, was generic and viral at the time and was not of myself. It was brought to my attention some three months afterwards, a lot of texts that are sent in the workplace environment, amount to workplace banter,” he added.”

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/patsy-obrien-says-pornographic-message-sent-to-fine-gael-female-staffer-was-workplace-banter/a951722977.html

The hypocrisy of the FG faithful over this is off the scale. Cannot call it out nor the omerta that accompanied it.

I don't disagree with you, but the type of situation you have described is a far far lesser evil than sending inappropriate messages to children.

A good man to ask about banks is Brian Hayes, CEO of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.

He was also a Fine Gael TD and MEP.

A little reminder of what Fine Gael's 2011 New Politics policy said…

"Fine Gael’s starting point is simple: political failure lies at the heart of Ireland’s economic collapse. The finger of responsibility must, in the first instance, point directly to the massive policy failures of the recent Fianna-Fail led Governments and their willingness to promote the interests of a so-called “Golden Circle” over the interests of the Citizen. Under Fianna Fail a political culture developed which ensured that the bankers and the developers were not dealt with before it was too late. A culture which tolerates cosy cartels and high costs in the private sector and ignores the need for radical reform in the public sector."

Even if you are correct, it is another current unknown about the SF plan, another delay to getting the SF plan going. We need to build houses, we need certainty.

But if the banks don't lend then any plan you might have for selling houses isn't going to work very well. Again I reiterate - at least they have a plan

FFGs plan is to keep housing stocks low for another 5 years so their property developer and landlord mates can charge what they like. I'd argue a half-baked SF plan is better than that

Since social housing can be done on a part 8

With respect, I said the exact opposite. Maybe you don't understand a part 8?

Put very simply a part 8 is an avenue of planning permission with no room for appeals to An Bord Pleanal from the public. Instead the public can make submissions as usual and the decision ultimately gets carried by the local authority. Essentially the end result is that the development gets built faster

It shouldn't amaze you. FFG have been in government on many occasions and whilst they've been guilty of wasting money and opportunities in a number of areas, they shown that they have the ability to run a very wealthy and successful country. We've had giveaway budget after giveaway budget year-on-year down here.

A SF government is an unknown entity for the majority of people down here and that concerns them. Sure, they been in government in NI but NI is a different ball game. This is high stakes poker down here in comparison to NI! If they mess up, the consequences could be dire for an awful lot of people. Therefore, voters are questioning SF's policies again and again, and they are right to do so. I've seen nothing to suggest that SF have the ability to run the show down here and I'm not going to vote for them. It'd like giving an 18 year old learner driver a Formula 1 car.

Business Post opinion poll due out tonight apparently. Anyone know what time?

If McGahon suddenly emerges from a crowd with a box of Twix under his arm we could see Harris doing his Usain Bolt impression again

pathetic that he's trying to let the election clock run down to avoid making a call on that…

The property ponsi scheme of 2002 - 2007 seems to have escaped your analysis, the mass unemployment and emigration of the 80s too, and the austerity of 2009 onwards, they're hardly examples of competent governance. The over reliance on FDI now is also going to hit home at some point in the coming years.

As for SF, I'm no fan but how exactly will their policies be tested if they don't assume power at some point?

Where did I say it was? Re-read the post I was replying to then read mine, then come back and acknowledge your error.

As for what more 'I' or 'one' might want - maybe the eradication of appalling waiting lists for health procedures, improvements in services for children with additional needs so their development isn't compromised to the extent it has been under successive FF/FG govs….I could go on but even with your tinted glasses, you get the point!

The scattered voting pattern only results in one thing - protracted government formation talks.

It could takes 6 months, unless there's a massive swing to the main 3 parties.

Aontu, Independent Ireland, People Before Profit.

How did Irish politics get to this stage?