Presidential Election 2025

What 'rules'?

Politicians take the whip all the time.
No problem with her receiving orders from on high, but her inability to interact in some way with her constituents here is odd. TD's are faced with this conundrum all the time.

That’s it though Humphreys behaved like the sensible party politician letting O’Callaghan handle it. If you don’t know in Monaghan at this point, there is hardly going to be more info. To me it a “sympathy trip” subject. To paint HH as cold calculating. Truth is it is good politics not to make it more complicated than it already is.

In GAA terms I would view HH similar to the Monaghan team. Solid dependable - keeper full back line and half back line. Hard to beat.

Connolly is like her countyman Shane Walsh underneath that soft spoken quiet mannerisms. There is potential flashes of brilliance. But is not a team player does not track back, and is very unpredictable and individualistic.

Interact with these constituents, the Farrell family.

I also did not say Humphreys lost votes over it during her terms as a TD.

There is however complete bewilderment about the unempathetic response. It's not her usual nature.

Ok a lot to unpack:

Who could forget the use of the fake tweet by RTE in 2011 that installed Higgins as president?

Its actually very easy to seemingly forget this, as its not an accurate reflection of what happened. It wasnt a fake tweet that derailed Gallagher's presidential bid- it was his REACTION to the tweet that did this. Considering that it was a fake tweet, he could have been expected to deny its accusations outright. He didnt do that, which is why he suffered in the election.

There are panelistas who push political agendas for which ever party they support.

If you are speaking of panelists on 'Prime Time', 'the Tonight Show', and other 'Frontline' adjacent current affairs programs. Yes, panelists are invited to give opinion based commentary, and yes; it is biased. That is the whole point of a panel. The show runners and hosts tend to remain unbiased though. If they focus on one issue over another, its usually done so on the basis of which issues are connecting with the public.

Political subversion of the national broadcaster by Official Sinn Fein/Workers Party and its Ned Stapleton cumann

Yes from the 1970s to 90s there was a supposed left wing group, which may or may not have influenced RTE's editorial decision making. Iv heard about this story, and if it materially existed it was wrong, despite being a lefty i admit that. Iv never seen any serious list of 'incidents' where you could draw a clear straight line between this supposed group, and the news as it was being reported. If you have one, im all ears!

It was also, AFAIK, rendered defunct 35 odd years ago. If someone has evidence of 'continued political subversion' in RTE, ongoing - im open to it, but I have not seen any.

Even the so-called "newspaper of record" was caught by an AI generated spoof article that appealed to its Woke stupidity. (The fake tan as cultural appropriation article).

Ok but its the reaction to such incidents, that highlights the integrity of such publications. No one is claiming that journalists or publications never make mistakes. They clearly have, and will continue to do so. But their reaction to mistakes such as the 'Fake Tan Cultural Appropriation' story, where the Irish Times withdrew the article, and issued notice of its fraudulent nature; Thats what goes to the heart of their credibility. They published a story, realized it was fake, retracted it, and then informed the public. You can try and claim that it was the public that highlighted it to the times, but you are pushing an open door. The article was flagged to them, as not passing the smell test, and they acted on this.

You and others here seem to have a rose-tinted view of the media. When reading Irish journalism, and in particular, political journalism, it helps to be objective if not downright cynical.

Again, I just think this is a faulty analysis. Irish publications and broadcasters have brought down governments, highlighted corruption in high office, and attacked blue collar crime for decades. Would we truly know what we do about FF in the 80s/90s without the Times, Indo, RTE et al? They proceed with stories that they deem to be of public interest. It was journalists that covered the stories about RTE salary's for certain presenters, demonstrating that they will go after each other, if it is a story they deem worthy of coverage.

You accuse me of wearing rose tinted glasses. Please, check your own contact lenses, and see if they are fit for purpose.

Are you saying she didn't speak to the family or are you saying she didn't support their campaign for a public inquiry?

I am saying her failure to interact with these constituents properly has caused some disquiet locally and she should be made to explain why that was.

Local people find these details absolutely extraordinary:

She never stood shoulder to shoulder with us outside the Dáil, when almost everyone else did.

Ms O’Farrell said she has never met Ms Humphreys,

There is no record of Ms Humphreys having raised the family’s case in the Dáil. 

She also said she called Ms Humphreys in the year before the State apology and asked to meet the then minister to show her documents relating to Mr O’Farrell’s case. Ms Humphreys asked Ms O’Farrell to send the documents to her, Ms O’Farrell said.

Again, she should be asked why this was.

Just to clarify, you obviously feel this story warrants further inquiry, and you will be following, if/when it is picked up by other publications and broadcast journalists. I agree btw, id like to hear some explanation

How is this any different to the Eirigi scandal? Why are you not decrying that this story, is being brought up in the midst of a Presidential election? If its picked up by other outlets, is it that said journalists are trying to damage Humphreys chances in the election? Why are you not questioning who it was who brought this story up, and for what reasons they did so?

The door swings both ways - and i will follow both stories, as should everyone else

My only issue Liam, (and it is an important one IMO) with the Éirigí story, is where did the the initial claim by the Journal come from?

They claimed to have a 'source' with access to Garda vetting information. Garda vetting information is not in and not supposed to be in the public domain.

I'm not a political ingénue, I know dustbins are being poked in for dirt on every single candidate. But there are lines.

I will openly admit to having an issue with the whip system. I know why parties do it, but to me at least thats not democracy. You are representing the party only, not nessecarily the people who voted for you. AS a public rep, be it TD, councillor whatever…you were voted for by the people…not the party. And certainly the dictatorial style of Mehole and Simon like we have seen recently…is not democratic.

Simplistic, maybe but thats my take on it.

Personally think that the media dont call for many if any resignations…and there have been issues where a resignation would have been warranted…but there is zero accountability in public/civil sector in this country…and the same for politicians. The media / political relationship in Ireland is not a healthy one imho. I don't know when I last heard the media calling for a resignation…usually they just pass issues off and say he'll survive,…which is usually the case.