FG's first year in Government....your opinions

Downlinz · 09-03-2012 05:19PM

mike65 wrote: »

They were dealt the worst hand of any government in the states history

Actually they've been dealt the best hand of any government in history. They can, have done and will continue to blame all of their incompetence on the previous FF regime.

Unemployment has increased during their time in office, emigration has increased, they paid money to the banks when we were promised they wouldn't, the household charge, the constant gloomy negativity from our supposed influential leaders, Roscommon A&E, the Sean Sherlock incident.

Its been a torrid year, and one of the worst goverments in history thats getting off the hook by the convenience of being after the "worst" government in our history.

mikemac1 · 09-03-2012 05:22PM

KeithAFC wrote: »

Time will tell but I predict Fine Gael to not be as great as some might have predicted.

Not realy a prediction there

Nobody expected them to arrive and save us all

They won by default

Promises were made and were broken
But the Labour party have been even more disappointing with their U turns and I know they are just the junior partner

listermint · 09-03-2012 05:23PM

mike65 wrote: »

They were dealt the worst hand of any government in the states history, they have'nt made things any worse on the macro level, indeed things are better - Ireland is no longer considered a basket case/next Greece by global investors.

On a personal level things have got worse but thats because of the massive hole left by the previous government, a hole that has to be filled. One can argue about how best to bridge the gap between national income and expenditure until the cows come home and I can certain see areas for improvement but I'm not going to hammer FG/Lab after 12 months.

They dont deserve any plaudits anything thats been done hasnt been of their making. All the bloody decisions were taken as FF exited and FG continued them on. Why in the hell would you say things are better??

They are still handing out silly sums to advisors / people who caused the problems / and the usual spin doctors. Theyve failed left right and centre on pretty much all their preelection promises.

In fact i think we could have put a bunch of 10 year olds at the helm for the last 10 months and we would be exactly in the same position as we are now.

Your so called 'better'. Any damping of the markets feelings towards this country have NOTHING to do with FG or Labour.

Get up out a that will ya.

Einhard · 09-03-2012 05:35PM

Downlinz wrote: »

Unemployment has increased during their time in office,

Unemployment rose by 11% in the two years before this government assumed power. In the year since then, it has risen by .5% and shows signs of stabilising. Indeed, the figures from last month show a slight fall.

To claim simply that "unemployment has increased" without any context is a ridiculous charge.

emigration has increased,

Do you have evidence for this?

they paid money to the banks when we were promised they wouldn't,

Wrong. Both parties claimed in their manifestoes that they would seek to renegotiate pasrts of the bailout. They explicitly stated that they would not unilaterally burn the banks or the bondholders. Yes, a tiny number of individual candidates made populist noises in that direction, but the party line was different and clearly so. Indeed, I voted for FG because I knew they wouldn't butn the bondholders. I fail to see how anyone could have gotten the exact contrary message from the same manifesto.

If you believed that the parties were going to row back unilaterally on the bailout then you weren't so much deluded as delusional.

the household charge,

Which was promised in FG's manifesto. You're against governments keeping their promises now?

the constant gloomy negativity from our supposed influential leaders,

I find that this administration is relatively upbeat actually. It's the media and people on fora such as these which keep banging the gloomy drum.

Roscommon A&E,

They were absolutely wrong to promise it would remain open. No doubt about it.

They were absolutely correct in closing it. No doubt about it.

the Sean Sherlock incident.

What's this then?

Its been a torrid year, and one of the worst goverments in history thats getting off the hook by the convenience of being after the "worst" government in our history.

I'm sorry but your criticisms have practically no solid basis. You complain about the worst government in history on the basis of kept promises, broken promises; on a tiny increase in unemployment; and on precious little else.

This is exactly what I mean when I lament the directionless criticism expressed by many people. They seem to be angry about something, aren't sure who to direct that anger at, and just project it on the government instead.

Einhard · 09-03-2012 05:38PM

listermint wrote: »

In fact i think we could have put a bunch of 10 year olds at the helm for the last 10 months and we would be exactly in the same position as we are now.

Your so called 'better'. Any damping of the markets feelings towards this country have NOTHING to do with FG or Labour.

Typical. Everything bad that happens is blamed on the government; anything positive happened despite, rather than because, of them. Anyone with even a basic understanding of the markets would acknowledge that the policies of this administration have had a beneficial effect in that sphere- whether the austerity measured needed to achieve that are worth it is another matter, but to claim that the domestic policies of FG/Labour had no impact is just delusional.

the_syco · 09-03-2012 05:44PM

Biggins wrote: »

Don't say you weren't warned AGAIN!!!

Link to proof I wasn't warned before.

Freddie59 wrote: »

Proof - if ever it were needed - that someone needs to watch the watchers.

We'd need unbribeable watchers, who'd need to be foreign, as nearly every Irish politician take bribes. The only parties that claims not to, have shady links to past terrorist organisations.

alphabeat wrote: »

and i voted them in

I voted FG in. I was afraid this sh|t would happen if Labour got in. Seems I was right.

=-=

Question: did FG create the beginning of the Celtic Tiger, just in time for FF to come in and destroy it?

seamus · 09-03-2012 05:47PM

mike65 wrote: »

They were dealt the worst hand of any government in the states history, they have'nt made things any worse on the macro level, indeed things are better - Ireland is no longer considered a basket case/next Greece by global investors.

On a personal level things have got worse but thats because of the massive hole left by the previous government, a hole that has to be filled. One can argue about how best to bridge the gap between national income and expenditure until the cows come home and I can certain see areas for improvement but I'm not going to hammer FG/Lab after 12 months.

This would pretty much sum up my view on it too.

I would accuse them of being too slow/too scared to make tough decisions, but they seem to have more of an appetite for it than the previous shower.

It's always easy to look at campaign promises and expect them delivered in six months, but in reality Government is a lumbering, sluggish monolith and changes are very slow to happen when they come from the top down (or the bottom up). Whoever said "a week is a long time in politics" is a f'ing idiot. A week in politics is about five minutes in real time. A year isn't even a long time in politics.

FG won't get a future vote from me cos of the Sherlock issue, but that's separate from what they've been doing for the last year. As mike says, they were dealt a stinking pile of ****e and the fact that it hasn't gotten any worse would be one reason to let them hold the reigns for another 12 months, but I would also go as far as to say that things generally are marginally better than they were 12 months ago.

Question: did FG create the beginning of the Celtic Tiger, just in time for FF to come in and destroy it?

Probably a simplistic way of looking at it, but basically the last time we had a FG/Lab coalition, they left office with booming employment and a fiscal surplus. FF took hold for the next 14 years and rather than steer a steady course, they went wild and left us where we are now. Never forget

Jonty · 09-03-2012 05:47PM

Well when I heard my local FG TD wanted to throw a party to celebrate 1 year in power, I just shook my head - Johnny taxpayer would be paying. I don't know if its going ahead.

I wonder would joseph kony do any better?

listermint · 09-03-2012 05:53PM

Einhard wrote: »

Typical. Everything bad that happens is blamed on the government; anything positive happened despite, rather than because, of them. Anyone with even a basic understanding of the markets would acknowledge that the policies of this administration have had a beneficial effect in that sphere- whether the austerity measured needed to achieve that are worth it is another matter, but to claim that the domestic policies of FG/Labour had no impact is just delusional.

WHAT Policies??

Which ones, which ones did FG and Labour implement that has impacted the market in any manner ?

Whats typical? I elected these tools to make an impact. So far theyve carried on other peoples policies (not their own) Whos delusional ? Certainly not me. Ive been unimpressed to date with their 'oh we were handed this' mantra. its not going to wash anymore.

Theyve continued the policies of the previous crowd and yet blame them when anything bad happens.

Why isnt the minister of health sorting out this childrens hospital fiasco.

Sean sherlock with is backwards consultations process on his personal version of SOPA.

Enda/Eamonn/Pat and many more breaking their own self instilled pay barrier for advisors.

ffs they'd never survive in the real world of business. Ive to deal with the civil service upper management frequently and tbh there all as clueless as each other. County Council officials would be kicked out on their ear if i had them in my sector making the decisions they come out with.

And as for Vradkar, christ dont get me started.

listermint · 09-03-2012 05:56PM

seamus wrote: »

This would pretty much sum up my view on it too.

I would accuse them of being too slow/too scared to make tough decisions, but they seem to have more of an appetite for it than the previous shower.

It's always easy to look at campaign promises and expect them delivered in six months, but in reality Government is a lumbering, sluggish monolith and changes are very slow to happen when they come from the top down (or the bottom up). Whoever said "a week is a long time in politics" is a f'ing idiot. A week in politics is about five minutes in real time. A year isn't even a long time in politics.

FG won't get a future vote from me cos of the Sherlock issue, but that's separate from what they've been doing for the last year. As mike says, they were dealt a stinking pile of ****e and the fact that it hasn't gotten any worse would be one reason to let them hold the reigns for another 12 months, but I would also go as far as to say that things generally are marginally better than they were 12 months ago.

Probably a simplistic way of looking at it, but basically the last time we had a FG/Lab coalition, they left office with booming employment and a fiscal surplus. FF took hold for the next 14 years and rather than steer a steady course, they went wild and left us where we are now. Never forget

I would agree on the time scales thing, but i dont believe for a second they have the stomach to make any changes.

i placed my vote firmly in their hands and to date. I havent actually seen 1 tough hard hitting decision in a whole year that made me say you know what 'fair play lads' 'fair fu***ng play' Im waiting on this to happen, id be impressed if it did. But it wont. They need to show the public that they can do something worth while, a year on in office and to every man on the street its the same old business. business as usual at ireland inc.

SafeSurfer · 09-03-2012 06:31PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Now I am probably opening a huge can of worms here but I am curious as to peoples opinions of FG/L's first year in government.

For me, I feel that they were lumped with a situation they didn't cause and although their decisions have been tough to take, there really aren't any other options they can take.

EK never promised miracles because he couldn't It took Fianna Fail nearly 20 years to bring us to the point we are at now, it is totally unrealisitc, in my opinion, to expect EK and Co to fix things in a year or two.

It breaks my heart to see people struggling but I firmly believe that the governments decisions, while hard to swallow now, will be pay off in the long run.

Do you ever post anything that is critical of Enda and Fine Gael?

Or do you reserve your criticism for anyone critical of the current government?

Toby Take a Bow · 09-03-2012 09:45PM

Einhard wrote: »

In the run up to the 2002 election, the FG election manifesto criticised FF's fiscal policies as madness. Exchequer spending under FF was 13% ahead of inflation; FG proposed to reduce this to 2%. They also decided to stick by their principles regarding benchmarking, and criticised the policy in quite trenchent terms, even though it cost them votes in the public service.

Point taken, although I would treat election manifestos with a pinch of salt: I seem to remember when calculations were made on fulfilling the promises in 2002, FG's spending was way, way over budget. Add to that their attitude to some of the huge failures which have crippled the country - which they could have taken an active stance against - and I would suggest that we would be in a similar situation.

squod · 09-03-2012 10:05PM

No score cards for ministers like they promised. FF/FG still trying to bankrupt the state as far as I can see. Looking increasingly like they will pay the €3.1bn this year to feed the counterfeit scam operated by the central bank.

The sooner I see some arrests the sooner I'll believe their sh1t.

Ghost Buster · 09-03-2012 10:11PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

Now I am probably opening a huge can of worms here but I am curious as to peoples opinions of FG/L's first year in government.

For me, I feel that they were lumped with a situation they didn't cause and although their decisions have been tough to take, there really aren't any other options they can take.

EK never promised miracles because he couldn't It took Fianna Fail nearly 20 years to bring us to the point we are at now, it is totally unrealisitc, in my opinion, to expect EK and Co to fix things in a year or two.

It breaks my heart to see people struggling but I firmly believe that the governments decisions, while hard to swallow now, will be pay off in the long run.

They could stop being amongst the moist highly paid politicians in the world. They could also stop us having one of the highest per capita number of public representatives in the world. Hows that for a beginning?

Show Time · 09-03-2012 10:13PM

The blueshirts and Labour won't last another year.

SafeSurfer · 09-03-2012 10:37PM

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I think a lot of the problem is that everyone was expecting miracles that could never and would never happen. They hoped for too much, too soon.

It took the best part of two decades to bring the country to where it is now. Things will not improve overnight nor did anyone ever say it would.

I will concede that a lot was promised at Election time that has been delivered yet. But I think this may have been a case of simply telling us what we wanted to hear, and not what was right, in the same as EK said we were not responsible for the recession.

Alot of people's unrealistic expectations were driven by the election promises made by Fine Gael. The phrase "within 100 days of achieving office" was one of their buzz phraes during the election, in relation to upward only rent reviews amongst many other promises and in my own constituency in relation to cancer services.
So they have only themselves to blame.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/the-promises-and-the-reality-after-endas-first-100-days-2672602.html

http://www.finegael2011.com/pressreleases.asp?artId=5E5A57

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccH8ht3T1_k

westendgirlie · 09-03-2012 10:58PM

Biggins wrote: »

It breaks my heart to see that so many are just accepting the (maximum?) 10% good they might be doing and at the same time willingly overlooking the other 90% of pure crap they are doing/saying!

Yet when others give out and protest their 90% disgusting actions, they are put down as 'moaners, begrudger's, whiners, etc...'
Some people gave out about Charles Haughtey, Fianna Fail, Albert Ahern and co, and they were treated the same. "Aaa... sure they are a bunch of moaners, as Bertie said, they would be better off killing themselves!" (I paraphrase)

..Yet years later when the real price of their 90% (approx) bad actions became evident to the public - the same sheep public that supported these fools, scratched their head and said "How did this happen? and "How was this allowed to happen?"

...It was because ye allowed it to happen you idiots!
In your rush to only see the minor good they might have did, you stupidly constantly failed to see (or didn't want to see) the utter rot they were/are doing at the same time!

...And SURPRISE!!!
The same crap is happening again!
Don't say you weren't warned AGAIN!!!

When you moving into Vincent Browns seat? I might start watching it again!

homerjay2005 · 09-03-2012 11:01PM

i think they are doing well. they have made mistakes, but they took over the country in the worst state in about 100 year.

its easy to just blame then when the country is in the s*itter. its not going to be solved in one year, the damage done will take years to recover.

Royal Legend · 09-03-2012 11:09PM

1. They told blatant lies to get into power, maybe they felt they had to, so as they could remove the previous government, but imo sinking to the level they did, shows that they are morally corupt.

2. Enda Kenny is one of the most transparently poor leaders that we have ever had, The one time I went to give him credit for a speech, it turned out he had plagerised it. He tries to copy the mannerisms of Tony Blair or Bill Clinton, but he looks like a string puppet out of Thunderbirds. What really pees me off is when he gives an interview and he has to have at least 20 nodding dogs behind him, he has the personality of twn dead cats and he continues to make promises he cannot hope to keep. We are not stupid Enda !

3. Apart from Noonan, who seems to be a nice fella, I cannot stand any one of the FG ministers, everyone of them is either arrogant, superior or thick, or in the case of varadker and Reilly, all three.

4. That one of their promiises was how they would tell the EU to F.O, etc, when in fact, all they seem to have done is read up on the karma sutra and bent over more and handed the EU a jar of vaseline

5. That every week, they either renage on another promise, or hit joe soap with either another stealth tax or charge.

To be very honest, I fear they could potentially destroy peoples lives, there are more people getting out of this country as there ever was. There are going to be more people on the breadline, They dont appear to have tangible policies, plenty of bluff though of what they are going to do, but no realistic plan of how to do it.
The excuse that they inherited these issues was a broken record 6 months ago, plus, if you look at what they were saying when in opposition, they wanted to squander even more money then Fianna Fail did, we would be in as bad or an even worse situation.

I thought the chinese thing a couple of weeks ago was very positive and was the first time that I said to myself, yes, this is a good inititive. Then they go and ruin it within a day with their training and jobs plan, training people to get jobs that are not there.

One thing for certain, Labour will be finished at the end of this governments term, they have shown themselves to be seriously lightweight and have seemed to ignore everything they have ever stood for.

So in summary, a disaster of a government, but we all got what we voted for, so suck it up for another few years and if you dont like it, go to Canada or Oz

questionmark? · 09-03-2012 11:29PM

KeithAFC wrote: »

From the outside looking in, they seem to have done a bad job. I think Fianna Fail would have been a better option to sort out the mess which some say they created. I don't think Fine Gael are up to the task and the taoiseach seems to be too lightweight on the political front as they say.

I really think Fianna Fail can get back in again and with some new ideas and fresh candidates, they can improve the situation and move the Irish Republic forward. Time will tell but I predict Fine Gael to not be as great as some might have predicted.

Please say that post was a joke :eek:

galwayrush · 09-03-2012 11:36PM

Disappointing, but a massive improvement on the last shower.

kevmy85 · 10-03-2012 12:03AM

To add my 2 cent on specific ministers:
FG ones first

Kenny - as expected steady, upbeat, good for stability of government to not have an egotist as Taoiseach. Still wooden in TV appearances but thats Enda

Noonan - probably one of the best. Seems on top of his brief and putting in the work, especially given the tough times he's had personnally

Bruton - disappointing. Expected a lot from him but he's not really cutting it. I know they've announced a lot of plans and job losses have tapered off but still not much overall

Reilly - I think he's doing ok. Turning around the HSE is like moving a battleship it'll take time. Thought he handled Roscommon hospital situation, Tallaght and HSE board issues well. We'll see on children's hospital and HSE retirements. Good to see someone there who wants to be in the job

Shatter - bit of a disaster. Done nothing on upward rents, fecked up one of the referendums and generally has an arrogant, know-it-all air about him.

Coveney - surprisingly one of the best. Farming is booming and he seemed to tailor budget cuts fairly smartly. Got a very good deal for the fishing community.

Varadker - meh. Still makes the odd off the wall comment which is needed but in a department probably not best suited to him.

Hogan - sceptic tank issue his main contribution so far. Constitutional convention/referendum his chance to make a proper mark, we'll see how that goes

Fitzgerald - hasn't done a tap as far as I can see. Still no childrens referendum and that seems to be all she has to do.

Deenihan - doing the ordinary in a nothing department.

Labour ones

Gilmore - a bit of speechifying every now and again but thats about it.

Quinn - mixed bag. Disappointed on his u-turn on college fees. Doing good work on separation of church from schools. Wrong on Deis cuts but reversed it. Right on closing some smaller schools but will it go through

Burton - probably the best of the Lab ministers. Knows the mood of the nation better than most and managed to keep most of the social welfare budget cuts non-controversial which is an achievement in itself

Rabbitte - very disappointing. One the guys I had higher expectations for but seems to have done very little.

Howlin - unsure on him really. Not enough on reform but seems to be managing the civil service redundancies/cuts quite well while keeping unions onside.

LordSutch · 10-03-2012 12:21AM

One year in and I think the Fine Gael/Labour coalition are streering a steady course in the aftermath of an economic catastrophy engineered by Fianna Fail. Enda Kenny has turned out to be a reassuring leader (albeit a bit wooden), but a safe pair of hands nonetheless, and he cuts a solid image for Ireland on the international stage. Economic green shoots are beginning to appear, and we are seen to be paying our bills and facing up to our financial responsibilities, good debts & bad debts alike, the bad debts being courtesy of the previous Fianna Fail Government and "their" bank guarantee/bond holder shambles.

Royal Legend · 10-03-2012 11:27PM

LordSutch wrote: »

One year in and I think the Fine Gael/Labour coalition are streering a steady course in the aftermath of an economic catastrophy engineered by Fianna Fail. Enda Kenny has turned out to be a reassuring leader (albeit a bit wooden), but a safe pair of hands nonetheless, and he cuts a solid image for Ireland on the international stage. Economic green shoots are beginning to appear, and we are seen to be paying our bills and facing up to our financial responsibilities, good debts & bad debts alike, the bad debts being courtesy of the previous Fianna Fail Government and "their" bank guarantee/bond holder shambles.

When's your Fine Gael renewal fee due?

FG's first year in Government....your opinions

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