I have heard and read that comment on SFâs economic policies from many within FF and FG. Laughable when you think about it really. Celia Larkin was even writing as recently as last week that if we elected SF who knows what sort of economic mess they may have us in. Celia and many others in FF and FG donât see the irony Iâm afraid.
I have no doubt many in Labour party certainly arenât left wing. There are elements on the left within the party too though.
I think Celia Larkin is like a parish priest no one pays any attention to them any more and as for that paper anyway I get the joke and it isnât really funny but there has been suggestions of an almost total economic collapse with 30% unemployment and the loss of bank deposits. The one other think a significant SF vote could force is a merger/reconciliation of FF and FG.
I have to go back to your suggestion of a total left wing government on paper they would do good things but how stable they would be than again how stable would a FG Lab coalition be
The leader of SF covered up the actions of a paedo and has ordered murders of civilians.
They have no problem standing up to banks though, tend to tie up bankers families and rob the money which will probably get them a lot of votes in the current climate.
Recessions provoke extremism and I can see SF having a serious vote.
Labour are almost as right wing as FF. The trade unions in Ireland are a disgrace and part of the status quo that destroyed the country. They probably have the most capable ministers in waiting and since politics is more about personalities than policies will also do well.
FG actually have some of the best policies. They wonât be as tied to the public sector unions as Labour so proper
reform could take place. Their plans for Health are pretty revolutionary and if implemented correctly will improve the public health sector in Ireland. Canât remember any of the other NewEra stuff but that was impressive. But Enda Kennys lack of charisma could be fatal for an electorate hoping for a pipedream.
FF wonât be as decimated as they should be either. If Martin is made leader themselves and SF will be a pretty strong opposition I would think.
they will be in government with labour :rolleyes: dreadful dreadful point
Excellent election prediction tool available here: http://www.guthanphobail.net/dail-20079999.htm that allows you to input poll results and it then predicts seats based on the various constituencies.
The latest Red C poll had the following result:
FG 32% (-1)
LP 24% (-3)
SF 16% (+5)
FF 13% (-4)
GP 3% (n/c)
OTH 11% (+3)
Putting that into the predictor and making no regional adjustment you come up with an overall result of:
FF 7 seats
FG 66
LO 54
SF 23
Green 2
Others 14
Obviously thatâs unlikely to happen but itâs a cracking tool to analyse stuff by constituency.
On a related note, Irishpollingreport have done a bit of analysis at constituency level based on the latest poll and have come up with the following: (Long post so in spoiler)
Overall
FG 32% (-1) â 62 seats
LP 24% (-3) â 47 seats
SF 16% (+5) â 26 seats
FF 13% (-4) â 14 seats (including CC, but not including Mattie McGrath)
GP 3% (n/c) â 2 seats
OTH 11% (+3) â 15 seats (including MMG)
Constituency
Carlow-Kilkenny
FF 23% (1)
FG 38% (2)
LP 19% (1)
SF 13% (1)
GP 7%
FF lose 2 seats and GP 1, with FG, LP and SF all gaining.
Cavan-Monaghan
FF 14% (1)
FG 34% (2)
LP 6%
SF 37% (2)
Ind 6%
Here, an âAdams avalancheâ of this scale would outdo a Gilmore Gale, with SF2 taking one FF seat, and FGâs Joe OâReilly taking the other FF seat. FFâs Brendan Smith hangs on from LPâs Des Cullen, who himself barely squeezes ahead of FG3 on Indo transfers.
Clare
FF 20% (1)
FG 43% (2)
LP 8%
SF 12%
GP 4%
Oth 14% (1)
FF lose a seat, most likely to their gene-pool independent and ex-TD Breen, although SF (and LP if they get a good candidate) would also be in the mix. Dooley, rather than Kileen, would appear more likely to hold on.
Cork E
FF 14.3%
FG 32.8% (1)
LP 36.4% (2)
SF 14.2% (1)
GP 2%
FF lose both seats, to LP2 and SF.
Cork NC
FF 4% (yes, yes, I knowâŚ)
FG 32% (2)
LP 25% (1)
SF 17.5% (1)
Oth 20%
SF take a seat from FF, but a fractured left sees FG2 stay ahead of LP2, unless Lynch and Gilroy split their vote reasonably well. FFâs Noel OâFlynn will hope that his protests of independence may save him, and I suspect theyâll pull up his first preferences, but that heâll still be too far behind for it to make any difference to the final result. Also losing out here would be Billy Kelleher, who would have expected to be a leading member of the FF front bench next time out. SP also lose out, but thatâs hard to call as they are in âOTHâ and if the swing to them is disproportionately for left-wingers, he could pull it off.
Cork NW
FF 26.5% (1)
FG 48.4% (2)
LP 16.6%
SF 5.7%
GP 2.8%
While there are transfers here for LP, they are too far behind FG2 to reel them in.
Cork SC
FF 10% (1)
FG 38% (2)
LP 25% (1)
SF 14% (1)
GP 3%
SFâs Chris OâLeary takes a seat, with LPâs Paula Desmond just losing out to FFâs Michail Martin by a handful of votes. Very close though, and could go either way. However, Martin could be leader by the next election, which would make him safe.
Cork SW
FF 18%
FG 41.5% (2)
LP 23% (1)
SF 13%
GP 5%
LP take a seat, and FG2 holds off FF and SF for the 3rd seat.
Donegal NE
FF 23% (1)
FG 27% (1)
LP 11%
SF 31% (1)
Straightforward gain for SF from FF, who hold their single seat with less than a quota. They had 3/3 here when Blaney defected from IFFâŚ.
Donegal SW
FF 17%
FG 24% (1)
LP 11%
SF 37% (2)
OTH 10%
On these figures, the combined SF/LP/Pringle vote would hold up to the approx 60% they got in the by-election, and if SF ran a running mate for Doherty, s/he would most likely stay ahead of McBrearty, and with transfers from Pringle and the LP man, take the final seat from FF. Even if SF ran a single candidate, FF would still most likely lose out, with the battle being between McBreaty and Pringle, given most SF transfers would go their way, but at present Iâm giving it to SF2.
Dublin C
FF 6% (assuming HE isnât runningâŚ)
FG 14%
LP 32% (2)
SF 18% (1)
GP 3%
OTH 26% (1)
Donoghue makes it a hatrick of âsurpriseâ defeats, with Mary-Lou getting in, and LPâs Aine Clancy beating the FG man by doing better from transfers from Cieran Perry and FFâs Mary FitzPatrick. Perry though is a dark horse, and if youâre offered good odds against him, you should consider them. And if MOS doesnât run (as has been suggested) heâs very likely to pull it off.
Dub MW
FF 7%
FG 23% (1)
LP 32.4% (2)
SF 19% (1)
GP 7%
FF lose a seat to LP, PDs lose a seat to FG, and GP lose a seat to SF. Not a happy prospect for the Govt, but at least theyâd be sharing the pain equallyâŚâŚ
Dub N
FF 9%
FG 21% (1)
LP 27% (1)
SF 10%
GP 11.4% (1)
SP/ULA 13% (1)
FF lose 2 seats, to LP and Clare Daly. SF also in the mix, and I have Sargant holding on, largely on FF transfers. LP would be well placed if they had a well balanced ticket and split the vote well, but at this stage weâre still none the wiser who will be Ryanâs running mate, and so I donât see them getting their act together in time for the election. Daly is however vulnerable to SF, as a lot of their natural votes may have gone to her in the past, as they were considered no-hopers before, and some of these may return.
Dub NC
FF 10%
FG 31% (1)
LP 24% (1)
SF 13%
GP 3%
OTH 19% (1)
The Haughey dynasty falls, with LPâs Aodhan OâRiordan taking a seat, and Finian McGrath holding on against a SF challenge.
Dub NE
FF 7%
FG 26% (1)
LP 36% (1)
SF 23% (1)
GP 3%
SF nip in and take the last seat from LP2, who have been taking this in most polls. FF not even at the races, FG appear safe for 1 seat.
Dub NW
FF 11%
FG 12%
LP 41% (2)
SF 27% (1)
FF lose both seats, âThe Brotherâ and Minister Carey. LP take one and SF the other. FG not well enough placed to come close.
Dub S
FF 10% (1)
FG 36% (2)
LP 32% (2)
SF 10%
GP 7.5%
FF will run without an outgoing TD, following the death of Seamus Brennan and the confirmed retirement of Tom Kitt. I still see them just about holding on here, as I believe that GP transfers will put them ahead of SF, but thatâs based on the assumption of a 2-candidate LP ticket. A White/Culhane/McCarthy ticket would put the cat among the pigeons, mindâŚ. If they split 14/10/8 (not unreasonable) LP3 would be ahead of Ryan, and would be well placed to over take SF on GP transfers. Probably not going to happen, but stillâŚ.
Dub SC
FF 4% (yes, yesâŚ)
FG 18% (1)
LP 38.4% (3)
SF 18% (1)
GP 3%
ULA 11%
Collapse in FF vote here. I have LP vote splitting 15% Byrne, 13% Hupton and 10.4% Conaghan, with LP3 reeling in ULAâs Joan Collins on FF and GP transfers (FG and SF transfers cancelling out their respective preferences for LP and ULA). Very very close though, and Collins could definitely sneak it, particularly if LP vote is more skewed. FG2 and FF1 are not in the mix.
Dub SE
FF 11%
FG 24% (1)
LP 35% (2)
SF 10.0%
GP 9.4% (1)
Somewhat controversially (I suspect!) I see Gormely creeping ahead of SF on IND transfers, then getting enough from SF to overtake FF, and then be elected on Chris Andrews transfers. Less controversially, 2 LP and 1 FG.
Dub SW
FF 6%
FG 23% (1)
LP 33.4% (2)
SF 24.8% (1)
No surprise here but LPâs Eamonn Maloney gets elected on SF surplus.
Dub W
FF 11%
FG 18% (1)
LP 40% (2)
SF 11%
SP 20% (1)
If the tideâs out, itâs out. Brian Lenihen, even with an upward adjustment, would lose his seat to veteran trotskyist, Joe âM.E.P.â Higgins. LP pick up the additional seat from the revision, but the identity is unclear. I understood that a convention was likely to select Burton and Nulty, but now hear that only 1 candidate will be selected by convention, with a possible addition by Head Office. Possibly this is to add someone more amenable than Nulty, which suggests that HQ knows the fight for the last seat will be with Lenihen, rather than Higgins.
D/Laoghaire
FF 13%
FG 28% (1)
LP 35% (2)
SF 7%
GP 4.5%
ULA 13% (1)
Drops a seat, and 3 ministers, with Mary Hanafin, Barry Andews and Ciaran Cuffe all facing marching orders. On these figures, Bacik and Boyd-Barrett should both be ahead of FG2 after SF/GP transfers (and Gilmoreâs surplus), and already edging ahead of FF1 (after the elimination of FF2).
Galway E
FF 12%
FG 50% (2)
LP 14% (1)
SF 10%
OTH 13% (1)
FF lose both their seats, one to LP and the other (just about) to FF gene-pool Indo McHugh. FG hold both seats, despite 2 retirements, one presumably going to ex-PD leader Ciaran Cannon. SF in line to poll well, but are likely to fall short, unless McHugh underperforms the swing to OTH (quite possible if this is a swing to left-wing parties).
Galway W
FF 7% (really!)
FG 26% (2)
LP 24% (1)
SF 10%
GP 3%
OTH 31% (2)
Well, hard to see, but if FF are at a third of their â07 polling, this would appear to be the outcome here⌠Iâd not write them off, but they are very much up against it. They may of course be holding on better here if thereâs a different swing in the Gaeltacht (there often is) but if thatâs the case and they are still 13% nationally, that means they are lower still elsewhereâŚ.
On these figures FF lose both seats, FG2 takes one of them, and the other is won by left-wing Indo Catherine Connolly. New LP candidate Derek Nolan would hold onto Michael Dâs seat, and Noel Grealish would hang on. Again, SF not a million miles off, and they could be fighting it out with Connolly for that last seat, but I have her beating them on LP transfers.
Kerry N
FF 12%
FG 34% (1)
LP 16% (1)
SF 35% (1)
FF suffer a relative collapse, although at about their national average, you could argue its a substantial improvement on â07 âŚâŚ The Spring Dynasty returns, although Arthur, one suspects, wonât reach the heights of the Uncle. FG and SF are safe as a safe house.
Kerry S
FF 16%
FG 29% (1)
LP 22% (1)
IND 20% (1)
SF 11%
FFâs JOD loses out to the Gilmore Gale in this instance, with the younger Healy-Rae also taking a seat. LP have yet to select a candidate though, and if SF choose Toireasa Ferris as mooted on p.ie by some posters, the last 2 seats will be keenly contested. FG seat is very safe.
Kildare N
FF 6%
FG 27% (1)
LP 36% (2)
SF 9%
OTH 20% (1)
FF appear set to see a collapse in their vote here. I would caution that the swing might not be as big here, as Iâve a gut feeling that workers in some multinationals around here may be less tempted by the left-wing offerings, but itâs hard to see it stopping LP2 and Murphy (IND) joining Stagg and Durkan (if he runs).
Kildare S
FF 25% (1)
FG 25% (1)
LP 36% (1)
SF 6%
GP 5%
FG gain from FF. In other circumstances the LP/left vote could deliver a 2nd seat, but not with the figures falling in that pattern. No danger in running a LP2 though, despite the reluctance of Jack Wall, who reputedly would rather bequeath the seat, which might be complicated by another Lp cllr getting a run out this timeâŚ.
Laois-Offaly
FF 33% (2) â and thatâs with a leaders bonus addedâŚ.
FG 37% (2)
LP 10.3%
SF 16.4% (1)
SF gain the 3rd FF seat. Much talk that LP are going to impose former Leinster Leader editor, Laois based John Whelan ahead of several local cllrs (all apparently called OâBrien, for some reasonâŚ) provoking a local split, but this projection suggests that without a game-changing move (such as that) theyâd lose out to SF on current polling.
Limerick City
FF 12%
FG 33% (1)
LP 35% (2)
SF 12.3% (1)
On these figures the swing and the revision of the constituency (dropping a seat) would see FF lose 2 seats, one to LP and the other to SFâs Maurice Quinlivan, who has a well documented record of tormenting Willie OâDea. FG would also most likely lose a seat, probably Kieran OâDonnell who loses a lot of his area in the revision, although a decent FF-to-FG transfer when OâDea is eliminated might save him at the expense of SF.
Limerick County
FF 21%
FG 49% (2)
LP 22% (1)
SF 5%
Always been an odd one, this. The PDâs took a seat in â87 (leaving FG with none), FG took 2 seats in â97 as a result of Indo FFers running, and on this occasion it looks like FF could lose a seat each to FG and LPâs Jim Heffernan. A very modest FF recovery would see them hold one seat however, most likely at LPâs expense.
Longford-Westmeath
FF 17% (1)
FG 34.6% (1)
LP 36.2% (2)
SF 10.5%
FF lose a seat to LP who have high hopes for former PD intellectual Mae Sexton Still, in fairness, her main local competition is âBonkersâ BannonâŚâŚ FG2 and SF may be competitive, but appear too far behind, and as long as Sexton stays ahead of one, is likely to get sufficient transfers from the other (and from Penrose, of course)
Louth
FF 6%
FG 34.9% (2)
LP 15.1% (1)
SF 31.8% (1)
GP 4.5%
FF collapse (that Dermot Ahern is very canny, isnât heâŚ?) SF would probably have too lob-sided a vote to take 2 seats here (Iâve given them a big leaders bonus) and Iâd see FG taking a second seat, assuming they persuade MMcG (Mairead, not Martin) to run.
Nash should take a seat for LP, but on these figures Iâd be cautious about their consideration (reportedly) of a Dundalk sweeperâŚ)
Mayo
FF 16% (1)
FG 57% (3)
LP 9%
SF 14% (1)
On these figures, the Adams Avalance would push SF ahead of LPâs Jerry Cowley. Either way, one of htem takes a seat from FF, most likely Calleary.
Meath E
FF 9%
FG 33% (2)
LP 29% (1)
SF 11%
FF lose 2 seats, one each to LP and FG. LP would be in the running for a second with SF and Indo transfers, but Iâm informed that theyâll not run a second candidate, so itâll be Hannigan, with his transfers electing FG (unless SF do very well in Indo, FF and LP transfers)
Meath W
FF 14%
FG 37% (1)
LP 16% (1)
SF 25% (1)
FF lose 2 seats (including Noel Dempsey) both to the left, SF on a quota and LP edging ahead of FG2 on FF transfers (FG needing about twice as many of them to keep both their candidates ahead).
Roscommon â S Leitrim
FF 15%
FG 45% (2)
LP 13%
SF 20% (1)
OTH 6%
Well, this would be a turn up for the books âŚ. FF wer already down to 1 seat in this 3-seater, but on this poll, theyâd lose that one also. FG would hold the 2 seats, but it would be SF, rather than LPâs John Kelly who would take the seat. Both would be close enough, and Ming Flanagan couldnât be ruled out, but with 39% between them, it would appear fairly certain that one of the 3 seats should go outside the FF/FG fold. On these figures, Flanagan would be eliminated first, putting Kelly ahead of FF1, but SF would appear most likely to be too far ahead for Kelly to pull him in. It would be a surprise, but Martin Kelly polled comfortably ahead of SFâs national rating last time. However, he was one of the few Leitrim candidates and a fair bit of his vote may come from that, and it may be that the Adams avalanche will not necessarily lift that boat to the same degree, in which case Kelly may catch him.
But one to watchâŚ
Sligo N Leitrim
FF 15%
FG 45% (2)
LP 12%
SF 25% (1)
Similar to Roscommon, although this time FF lose one each to FG and SF. Here SF are on safer ground, as their candidate is Sligo based and so there is no esoteric âLeitrimâ basis for the base vote. OâKeefe would appear to be struggling unless she makes significant inroads into the FG vote, which appears to be an uphill battle. Wild card could be Declan Bree, who is rumoured to be considering a comeback under the ULA banner.
Letâs hope thereâs no discussions about Stalin at the selection conventionâŚ
Tipp Nth
FF 12%
FG 21% (1)
LP 17% (1)
Lowry 32% (1)
SF 11%
FF lose their only seat to LPâs Kelly. Lowry safe as an entire housing estateâŚ.
Tipp Sth
FF 14%
FG 26% (1)
LP 17%
IND 32% (2)
SF 11%
Mattie takes an Indo seat that will magically transform itself to FF after the election, and Manseragh lose his seat to Healy. LP falls short, McGrathâs gambit paying off. No real space for SF as the combination of Indo FF, ULA and mainstream LP just doesnât leave enough left for them (11% is no disgrace thoughâŚ)
Waterford
FF 10%
FG 34.5% (2)
LP 26% (1)
SF 16% (1)
This is a constituency where Lp have announced that theyâll only be running one candidate, and a SF surge means that they might not be missing out as a result. Although, had they persuaded Gilligan to jump aboard, it would have been much more interesting. SF gain a seat, as do FG at the expense of FF who would have been weakened anyway by Cullenâs retirement.
Wexford
FF 18% (1)
FG 38% (2)
LP 24% (1)
SF 15% (1)
FF lose a seat, but its to SF rather than LP. This is despite an adjustment for the SF candidate jumping ship and joining ULA.
Wicklow
FF 7%
FG 32% (2)
LP 25% (1)
SF 15% (1)
GP 5%
OTH 17% (1)
FF collapse, Behan holds his FF seat as an Indo, and Roche loses his to SF. LP fall just short of a second seat as a result, but if Behan doesnât stand (as rumoured) they would take the seat
Thatâs unreal, it shows FF getting 1 seat in Dublin. I hadnât realised Dun Laoighre had dropped to a 4 seater. That means Hanafin is in deep deep shit 
Dublin Mid West where I am shows 2 Labour, 1 Sinn Fein and 1 Fine Gael. There seems to be an assumption on Politics.ie that FG will take two. Iâd be very confident that wonât be the case. SFâs Eoin OâBroin seems to be a very good candidate in the Pearse Doherty mould from what I can see and he should take a seat. The public have started to consider SF as a really credible option in the last six weeks or so - 15 seats is a realistic target now.
That other tool shows FF getting zero in Dublin.
FG have 0 currently in Dub Mid West donât they? They wonât pick up seats that easily in Dublin so any increase in Dublin should be positive for them.
Do you know I canât even remember. I think it was a three seater. Harney, Gogarty and Curran were elected anyway.
Polls about political parties are relatively worthless when it comes to Irish Politics when lads are electing the fella who got the GAA club a grant. Will Willie OâDea lose that many votes? Heâs had massive 1st preferences the last few times.
he would be a typical case that contradicts the above article, he had close to three times the required vote in the 2007 election and i have no doubt that he will fill a seat with a bit to spare early next year.
dp
I donât think there will be strong transfers from FF to Greens (or vice versa). Still think Sargent might survive as he will attract transfers from all sides and he is one of very few in FF or Greens to have a bit of credibility. I also expect McGrath will hang on in Dublin myself. SF will increase the upward trend and will attract transfers much more than in previous elections in the 26. Would like to see them run two in Louth, Donegal SW and really go for it there while I think they are probably likely to get two seats in Cavan Monaghan. They will get the usual terrible treatment for the media but they have a couple of things in their favour.
- Adams was ridiculed as having a horror show in last GE but in reality SFâs policies would have prevented much (though not all) of the mess the 26 is currently in.
- Doherty is superb as a finance spokesperson. Though his exposure might lessen, his popularity will not
Real pity that SF and left leaning Independents arenât part of the ULA (think there is reasons on both sides for that). However two groups are close together and if they continue to squeeze Labour vote Labour may be forced to consider them or move to the left themselves. As the election draws nearer though the left will be attacked from all sides and their lack of media profile may hurt them.
It will be interesting to see if left wing rhetoric gains any traction in the election campaign, I doubt it to be honest. From what I hear, a large union recently sounded out the rank and file over the prospect of a general strike and got next to no support. That doesnât suggest fertile territory for campaigns fought on social justice. It will be interesting to see what it is fought on however. Economic recovery will ring hollow given that the economy is set to contract and thousands will be emigrating, so I donât know what it is that Labour and Fine Gael are going to be flogging. Whoever can best put the boot into Fianna Fail perhaps.
Pearse Doherty gave a hell of post budget speech, but like FG and LAB can he back it up
Lads whats the betting for the next government
FG/Lab - 1/20
FF/Lab - 14/1
FF/FG/Lab - 16/1
FG/FF - 18/1
Lab/SF/Green - 22/1
What about odds on a FF only government?
Beverley Cooper-Flynn will apparently not be running in the election. The rats are deserting the ship and this rat is one the dirtiest, ugliest, disease ridden rats of all.
Noel Dempsey is unlikely to run either.
Irrespective of policy, personality, etc. FF will deservedly be roundly punished in the next election. No doubt many a FF die hard, though talking about how they wonât vote FF, wonât be able to change their habits when they get to the booth, but even still it should be a bloodbath.
At the very least, I hope this will give FF an opportunity to clear away the last of the rotten-to-the-core cronies and finally break from the self-serving, corrupt organisation that was Haugheyâs legacy. Because FF will inevitably be in government again, especially if the fringes have too much influence in the next few years, and I can only hope that it will be a more respectable party by then.
The Greens will get the wipeout they deserve also, and will return to what they always really were - a small, environmentally motivated pressure group, and stop pretending that they are a mainstream political party. I honestly donât think such an ideological organisation can function in Government because Government (unless you are a very strong single party majority) is about compromise and compromise poisons ideology and deprives them of their moral credentials.
The Polls are interesting but the problem is that they donât allow for the reality of political organisational logistics. SF will not yield the same number of seats for a particular percentage of the vote that one of the 3 main parties will. Similarly, Labourâs national percentage will not be as efficiently turned to seats as will FFs and FGs.
FG will be the biggest party in the next Dail, and while an overal majority is probably beyond them (Garrett couldnât so it so I donât think Enda can) I think the country will be better off if they have a clear lead over Labour. Otherwise weâll have compromises that donât get us anywhere.
I donât think any amount of pain will force FF to change their ways.
The more Lenihan has been exposed to power the more he seems to enjoy it. He was a capable and upcoming minister when in office with Justice but look at him now. Iâm not really talking about his policy decisions, Iâm talking about his failure to consider alternatives, his unwavering support for Cowenâs policies, his refusal to challenge the status quo, his sneering reactions to the opposition. There was a time when Dermot Ahern was something approaching palatable in the DĂĄil but heâs the worst of them all now. Cowen is up to his neck in corruption (land deal at the airport to give Haughey junior a piece of land for his helicopter site right in the middle of the state owned land). Thereâs no willingness to change.
You look at the Frontline or something and you hear these young lads in the audience who are representing FF and you think to yourself, why the fuck would anyone join their party? What do they stand for ideologically, whatâs their brilliance, whatâs their attraction? And after listening to any of them for 30 seconds you realise theyâre there for one of two reasons: power or parents. Students who think the Student Union is too small for people of their cunning nature. Small business owners who arenât satisified that the Borris-in-Ossory Chamber of Commerce is a fitting stage for their greatness. A whole new generation of power-hungry politicians who will follow in the footsteps of their forefathers. Thereâs no change happening there.