General Election

[pegmyass85]

It would be interesting to see an MRBI poll on the matter. The last thing Ireland needs is a Sinn Fein influence in Government. I'm not referring to any 'historical' SF involvements. My objections to them in power is strictly economic. Their economic policies just don't make sense and are completely unworkable. It's truly unbelievable nonsense. If they share power with FF, which is highly unlikely, they will be looking for at least 8/9 ministerial positions. Try picking them from their elected TD'S.

Because FG economic policies backed up by FF for the last 4 years were amazing? Only people to benefit were the wealthier of our society. The screwed the working class over time and time again. Here's how good FG and FF economic policy is. Before the last local elections the SF, PBP and independents were the majority of the council. On council land they purpose to build 360 houses. 160 of them social the other 200 were to be affordable housing. After the local elections FG and FF were the majority on the council. Within a month the affordable and social housing was scrapped and instead building has begun on 580 build to rent apartments.
Working class stamped on agian so vulture funds can get richer that's FG FF policy

[Joaquim]

Granted Sinn Fein's economic policy needs some work but at least they should be given a chance. After all the last time FF were in power they drove the economy off a cliff saddling future generations with a national debt that will never be paid off. Fine Gael claim to be the party of fiscal competence yet their mismanagement of the National Children's Hospital and the National Broadband Plan indicates otherwise and an economic policy based on criteria that only working class and middle class people should pay tax whist facilitating corporate tax evasion (banks and Apple anyone?). We have a Health Service that is third world and a homeless crisis. Do you seriously believe that more of the same is the answer?

And no I'm not a Sinn Fein supporter. People voted for change and for FF and FG to refuse to even engage with SF shows an arrogance and a sense of entitlement that will come back to haunt them.

[rbpdick]

Well only 25% voted for SF so 3 out of 4 voters do not want a SF govt

Close on 45% voted for either FF or FG so that would suggest that almost twice as many people want a govt to include FF or FG than want one with SF in it.

All this bull shit that SF won is just that, BULLSHIT, they doubled their vote yes and were the party with the biggest growth, but 25% does not give them the right to call the shots.

In my constituency almost 40% voted SF first preference ,more than FF/FG combined only problem SF had no second candidate to pick up transfers

[Wolverine]

For decades throughout many parts of rural Ireland anyone who admitted voting for anything other than FF or FG was ridiculed as a fool who wasted their vote.

I for one am delighted to see that come to an end. Leo and Michael didn't get in until the fifth or sixth count. Some of their party members got their seats without meeting the quota.

The argument of " they'll destroy the country" with SF doesn't wash as they battle to protect Apples finances and manipulate projects like the childrens hospital to line their pockets.

Who wants to go back to rewarding failure and corruption ?

[RickyBobby]

For decades throughout many parts of rural Ireland anyone who admitted voting for anything other than FF or FG was ridiculed as a fool who wasted their vote.

I for one am delighted to see that come to an end. Leo and Michael didn't get in until the fifth or sixth count. Some of their party members got their seats without meeting the quota.

The argument of " they'll destroy the country" with SF doesn't wash as they battle to protect Apples finances and manipulate projects like the childrens hospital to line their pockets.

Who wants to go back to rewarding failure and corruption ?

Apple has come up a few times in this argument. Apple Computers is located in one of the poorest parts of Cork City, they employ around 6-7000 people, probably another few thousand get a twist out of the place, lets say 10,000 people, 10,000 wages. I would hate to see what would happen if the squeeze was put on them and they bailed out of town. That's just one of my fears with a SF/Left/Socialist Govenrment.

[Barney Rubble]

Apple has come up a few times in this argument. Apple Computers is located in one of the poorest parts of Cork City, they employ around 6-7000 people, probably another few thousand get a twist out of the place, lets say 10,000 people, 10,000 wages. I would hate to see what would happen if the squeeze was put on them and they bailed out of town. That's just one of my fears with a SF/Left/Socialist Govenrment.

You forgot about Labour. Thought they were supposed to be a left of centre party?

[Meursault]

Apple has come up a few times in this argument. Apple Computers is located in one of the poorest parts of Cork City, they employ around 6-7000 people, probably another few thousand get a twist out of the place, lets say 10,000 people, 10,000 wages. I would hate to see what would happen if the squeeze was put on them and they bailed out of town. That's just one of my fears with a SF/Left/Socialist Govenrment.

This is it really. You could tax them a bit more but not by much. If they get a better deal or deals somewhere else, they along with other american multinationals will leave.

I remember in college a lecturer saying the one thing Pharma industry were interested in was profit. Thats all. Much wants more.

You also have to factor in that the people employed by these multinationals are taxed themselves as any working person is.

[RickyBobby]

You forgot about Labour. Thought they were supposed to be a left of centre party?

I don't think labour know what they are at the moment.

And while I'm at it, what exactly are the greens? are they the new left? I doubt it somehow.

[Barney Rubble]

I don't think labour know what they are at the moment.

And while I'm at it, what exactly are the greens? are they the new left? I doubt it somehow.

The Greens? Feckin tree huggers!

[jekyl69]

As an aside. I have it on good authority that both the Army and the Gardai have done risk assessments on SF being in power and noone likes the outcome . THink it through , a SF minister for justice instructing the gardai to provide information from files on loyalist activity , seems extreme but its possible . Equally if SF get into dominance , watch for the rise of the UDA/UVF ... ITs all starting to get messy ..