Forming the next Irish Government - policies and personalities

HRs not part of the Regional Group. Seems like they may be cutting their own side deal though…

Split Justice and Transport which are currently split. Uhuh

It seems to be mostly sops to rural demands which tend to be cheap to fulfil (even if a waste of resources). The Healys will be cheap enough to keep in rather than out.

In fairness she has been a vocal and consistent advocate for Rosslare Port since she entered politics.

I suggest her political support for the cause at least reaches the bar for claiming some credit.

Where have we come to when a party 10 seats shy 'concedes' that it will go second. Bizarre tbh.

I doubt he's going to run for dail again. He'll be Taoiseach for 2.5-3 years, then hand over to Simon Harris and, at the same time, have a leadership election for FF. Ivan Yates suggested that MM's son will take over his seat then in next election (well he'll run for it, no guarantees, etc).

For a man who at one point looked to be first FF leader to not be Taoiseach, hell probably end up leap frogging John Bruton, Brian Cowen, Albert Reynolds, Liam Cosgrave, Leo Varadkar and Garett Fitzgerald for how long he's served as Taoiseach (he's currently 2nd shortest office holder, with only Harris behind him)

Martin could see out a few FG leaders. Head and shoulders above Varadkar and Harris. Has surprised me tbh, kicked into statesman mode as soon as he took office and it’s worked for him

And so the charade continues......

These two parties are downright the same. Making up fake conflicts throughout the election campaign.

The regional independents and those in their constituencies will be the biggest winners out of all of it.

Let me get this clear, according to you, 60% or so of people voted for what is likely to be the next government, and this is somehow a problem for democracy?

You decry a lack of policy, but surely their policy can be summed up as steady as you go and we will tackle bit by bit the problems without upsetting the apple cart. That is what people have voted for, and whether we like it or not, we have to respect the people's decision.

What's the problem with parties not standing for anything/having a strong ideological bent/differences? The fact is most people don't hold strong ideological views. The Irish voting system just reflects that as it gives voters choice. It's not like the UK or the USA where due to FPTP political parties can be captured by people with minority views but very ideologically motivated ie Corbyn, Trump, Thatcher, Brexiters etc etc. In the UK case multiple governments have been elected with a minority of votes but due to FPTP large parliament majorities. Grand if the government of the day is in line with your views but that won't always be the case.

Thatcher is a prime example. Arguably a great prime minister for London and the South of England. For the rest of the UK the less said the better if we are being kind. That's an example of what you are asking for. Under the Irish system it's far far harder for such a divisive politician to get into power.

Very few TDs got voted in on only first preference votes. Strong ideological views won't get you the 2nd,3rd, 4th, 5th etc preferences that get a TD elected. At some level you have to reach beyond your base to get elected which entails moderating your policies. Coalitions involve even more compromise further blunting any large ideological differences versus opposition parties/the general public.

As other posters have said the current government will have politicians who were supported by 60% of voters. It's democracy in action.

what are the ‘goodies’ you speak of and why are they benefit less if they are ‘goodies’

What has the public expenditure increase been spent on and could you give us examples of how much shouldn’t have been spent or where? Roads rail pay increases etc etc

What basis do you have for criticism of a situation where everyone voting for FF and FG knew what they were voting for?

Is it that it doesn’t tie in with what you wanted? C’est la vie,C’est la Democracy,N’est pas ?

Rubbish

The government didn’t spend that money on a bike shed

Neither did they promise to spend it

That was civil servants as you know and bad cross party oireachtas committee management

Next please

The rest is more rubbish used usually by the not very learned to conflate manifesto aspirations with programmes for government

If you’ve fallen for or are peddling that type of codswallop,I’m not debating with you,I’ll just point to where you’ve been misled

As for comparing Ireland to a broader problem in Europe? Ireland with probably one of the best performing lifestyle mixes in the world,you really are showing an ignorance of many facts in order to highlight whatever prejudice you have going here

Go get a seamstress to fix the holes in your argument

Maybe get one in Europe where they’re paid less