Would have been nice to see Dermot Ahern struggling for his seat if there was any chance of that but I suppose his decision to leave of his own accord is the next best thing.
[indent]Dermot Ahern to step down at General Election
The Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has announced that he will not be contesting the next General Election.
In a statement this morning, Minister Ahern said that over the last 18 months, he had been diagnosed with a painful medical condition that he had to take heavy medication for.
He has been advised to change his pace of life to cope with the medical regimen.
Minister Ahern also said that he informed the Taoiseach of his decision in October of last year and confirmed it with him last weekend.
He has also informed his Cabinet colleagues and his local party organisation in Co Louth.
Mr Ahern thanked the people of Louth for their support over his three decades in politics. [/indent]
Changes to the constituency boundary now means Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Grange Rath, Donacarney, Gormanston, Highlands, Millmount Abbey, Deepforde & Lagavooren Manor are all part of the Louth Constituency now. The Ceann Comhairle’s seat is guaranteed so FF could still get two out of four with James Caroll in the Drogheda end of constituency. Adams is a virtual shoe in with O’Dowd also guaranteed a seat. According to Ahern there is a very significant ABA (Anyone But Adams) factor in Louth. I don’t think so Dermot.
Ganley was on Last Word yesterday. Don’t think he has declared an intention to run but Paddy have him at 5/4 to win a seat in Galway East.
How many more sitting TD’s will do a legger rather than face the polls again? O Hanlon the Ceann Comhairle is going too, which is odd cos am I right in saying he didnt have to go before the electorate?
Red C poll just released has FF at lowest rating ever recorded. 13% still opted for them though. 6/1 to have fewer than 20 seats. Wishful thinking perhaps but I stuck couple of euro on it. Percentage is likely to be higher also as people will end up voting for them which push comes to shove.
Sinn Fein are up significantly to 16%. Don’t know if they have ever been that high. Labour have incredibly ruled out going into government with them though they have no problem joining with Fine Gael to form another centre right coalition. Both parties are down on this poll.
Are Sinn Fein a real alternative or just a protest vote they are a small bit like the labour party in that their policies are vague but I think Adams would destroy any of the other leaders in a debate if they let him on looks like McNamara from scarrif will run for labour in Clare now not sure he can win a seta but he could split the vote
Looks like the FF support is going to SF no Labour or FG
Did I not say that sinn fein were like labour in there wishey washey policies and while that is an impressive website I’m not questions Sinn Feins abilities one way or another I’m posing the queation are they a real alternative or a protest vote
If you mean alternative are there significant policy differences then yes they are a real alternative. I say that because they don’t support FG and FF centre right policies. SF are the only party to have had their budgetary policies assessed by an independent economist also I believe so in that sense they are an alternative too and aren’t a party of protest. For the first time in the history of the state a left alternative would be a possible if Labour had the balls for it (or if they believed in it).
United Left Alliance could well win five seats (Daly, Higgins, Collins, Boyd-Barrett and Healy). If these poll results are accurate SF could take fifteen seats. Add a sizeable number for Labour and left leaning Independents in McGrath and O’Sullivan with Sargent and there could be an alternative. Wishful thinking on my part perhaps but it is about time Labour stood up for what they claim to believe in and declare that a real alternative is on.
Well it’s a fine idea but I would question how left some of the body of the Labour party are. Both FG and LAB have spent there time roaring out they are not FF and that is half the battle but there are some serious question s over both parties and people. Personally I don’t care for that Richard Boyde Barrett lad
I still wonder how much of an alternative SF are as I view all politicians in the same light but some are worse than other and SF to me seem to be the others at the moment however there is a history there and I would hope that element of the party has gone away ???
As regard policies their health and education seems a lot like FG and Labour but there economic policy is no where near anything from the other 3 it has been suggest that their policies would lead to economic armageddon in some circles
