In fairness to Willie, he does his clinics and is in touch with things on the ground more than most contemporary politicians. I think he knew this whole thing, and especially the way they have gone about it was a bad idea. He likely would’ve said so and was ignored. Hence he is lashing out now. I saw him in the pub at the weekend and he was getting the ear burned off him.
I think there is a perception among the public of NGOs, lobbyists, advisors, administrators et cetera pulling in big money and having a big say in the running of the country without a mandate.
As you have said yourself, what supports do parents really get bar the old children’s allowance? Childcare and creche fees should be further subsidised; Parents aren’t in a position to remain at home without taking a vow of poverty in most cases. Housing is a huge one; the health system.These are the things people care about and trying to balance that with putting money in their pocket.
Someone published a list of government advisors here last year maybe; it was deeply unimpressive.
SF are the only alternative and regardless of your views on them, people are afraid of their shit that they’ll bankrupt the country with their fiscal policies. The second thing is that a lot of people dont agree with their stance on a United Ireland. It would be too expensive
They had their opportunity last election nut didn’t run enough candidates. Can’t see them doing as well this time round
There won’t. The saving grace is that all political parties went for it. Roderick might be the only one who could be in a bit of bother alright but this close to an election there won’t be any huge shift
McGuinness has had it in for Martin day one. Hes the Willie O’Dea of Carlow/Kilkenny and has topped the pole here for decades. He’s not really seen as ff here. He’s your typical parish pump man and has a very good reputation for getting shit sorted. Indeed hes done me a favour or two. He attracts votes from all sides of the political spectrum
It’s funny to see people explaining why people voted no against the amendments as being nothing really to do with the amendments proposed but because of confusion or dissatisfaction with government. They were defeated by 74% in one case which is a massive no vote and it’s because the amendments made no sense.
More reason why he shouldn’t be sitting in the back benches of a party where he’s clearly not wanted except as a safe seat.
He must be a very wealthy man
Willie is a party political/FF lifer. If he can keep topping polls til he’s carried out of the Dáil in a box that would suit him the finest. He has plenty money made by now but I can’t see him kicking back by the pool out in Lanza somehow
Picking up 100k plus a year for sorting out a few medical cards and the odd bit of planning permission here and there. Of course he’s wanted by ff. It’s a guaranteed seat ffs.
The Blueshirts could do worse than shift Varadkar on at the end of this government term. People in general are tired of him.
Paschal O’Donoghue, for a FG heavyweight, was conspicuous by his absence on the ‘hustings.’ It all makes it seems that this referendum was a nod to keep the more socially liberal Greens happy rather than anything the FF/FG parties bought into in any significant fashion.
So what? Do you think either odea or ff give a flying fuck? Call it a marriage of convenience if you want but as long as there’s something in it for both sides, they’ll run with it and I don’t see the issue