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MICHEÁL MARTIN HAS said the focus of the general election must focus on issues as opposed to what parties are willing to go into coalition with each other.
The Fianna Fáil leader was speaking to reporters at his party’s Ard Fheis which is taking place today at the Citywest Hotel in Co Dublin and is expected to be attended by thousands of party members.
Martin said there has been an attempt, “and Fine Gael are at the heart of this”, to frame the election around polls and the view that the only possible option for the next taoiseach will be Enda Kenny:
That’s not fair to the Irish people, people deserve a choice.
He was reacting to comments by jobs spokesperson Dara Calleary, who suggested that the party will be willing to look to smaller political groupings as potential coalition partners.
Cathal Mac Coille / TwitterÉamon Ó Cuív says 'People in the media are talking as if the election is over. It's only beginning.' #ffaf16
— Cathal Mac Coille (@CathalMacCoille) January 16, 2016
Martin also raised the issue of ‘coalitionology’, a term used by head of BBC News James Harding to describe how the station became preoccupied with poll numbers and the effect this had on its coverage of the UK general election. Harding said in hindsight the dissection of policy was more important.
However, Martin was still willing to categorically rule out Sinn Féin as a coalition partner, responding with an “are you serious?” when the suggestion was put to him.
He said such a coalition was “out of the question”, describing himself as “one of [Sinn Féin's] most forceful critics, holding Sinn Féin to account for a whole range of issues, the most recent being the unacceptable defence by Gerry Adams of Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy in relation to the tax conviction”.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterHere we are now at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis #af16 pic.twitter.com/O7WzqCfgoQ
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) January 16, 2016
Martin said the focus of this year’s Ard Fheis is to present to the public that there will be “a choice” in the next general election. The feedback on the doorsteps has been positive but more work needs to be done to “seed the votes”, he said.
I understand the challenges, I understand the cynicism out there towards politics. You know what? I’m engaging with people on the doorsteps, and people are concerned about the future.
Martin believes the public has already expressed their opinion on the previous Fianna Fáil government in 2011, but that the party has since “reconnected” with voters
Follow @TJ_Politics on Twitter for all the latest from the Ard Fheis.
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Too many shite politicians is the issue!
They have the wrong agenda which what is wrong
All they think about is “what’s in it for me and my buddies f*ck the people we are ment to represent”
Bollickology is the new buzz word amongst the electorate…
Every time Michael Martin makes a statement I feel that he is completely misjudging the anger and disgust that exist around the corrupt political Fianna Fáil regime that ruined our country. He is desperately trying to create a smoke screen around his own participation at the top end in it. Hopefully he will learn the hard way not to treat the Irish electorate as fools.
Martin makes my blood boil every time he opens his mouth. Who is his little poodle standing beside him? Another irritating little gimp.
Another FF lie. Gerry Adams has not defended Slab Murphy on tax evasion. SF has questioned the use of Special court in conjunction with UN, Amnesty International and civil liberties.
This is their spin to distract from the policies they put in place for troiks and continued by FG/lab. Rem prom night and the illegal deals done.
@ Nicky, your article states thousand’s are expected at the FF Ard Fheis why a photo of the notice board.
Why was the FF Poll removed, they were doing quite well only 69% said no, 21% didn’t know 8 said yes and 2% said I always vote FF ???
A few things about this election….
1. No party will win an overall majority, not even close.
2. Michael Martin wants another shot in power like your dog wants that piece of sausage that’s just fell ff your fork.
3. FF are sorely lacking in both policy and leadership.
i.e. coalition is foremost in his mind.
Coalition is not foremost in fianna fail mind because they always look to screw the junior partner.
Foremost in fianna fail mind is power, because they think like English kings of old that they alone have the divine right to rule this country. It would be a very foolish electorate to give them back that power until they have rid themselves of all of the dead wood and can come up with some well thought out alternative policies.
I wouldn’t be surprised if FG got an overall majority
For Connolly
SF will win a majority!
Can’t win a majority if they only run about 50 candidates.
Dream on kid but have a few euro on FG and SF as they will have the numbers and as they say its all about power
I have a novel idea, – a government that acts in the best interest of the people and the country.
Fianna Fail only care about the coalition, they cannot handle 5 more years of being irrelevant
The only way FF survives is by being in power. They need it to enable them to bribe and bye votes and spin their lies to the electorate by throwing morsels to each category. Without power, they will continue to decline. Keep them out, don’t give them a vote. Say no to the golden circles, corruption and cronyism. FF/FG/ Labour are all the same. This is our chance, take it.
After all the grand standing Me hole did over top ups for advisors, he’s claiming one himself, and tax fookin free… What a bloody shameless chancer.
He’s essentially saying that FF don’t need to be in coalition to ruin the country again.
And bolloxology is the oldest word
Ah yes. Two cheeks. One arse.
FG or FF. Is there a difference. FF were more of the people. FG more for European people and Banks and elite in society. Neither deserve a chance in my view. Liebour will be no more. Time for change..
Now that the polls are showing a static FF, it’s long passed time for MM to hang up his boots. If they come in at the same level as the last election, a strong possibility now, then he has been useless and dead weight.
Well then if he doesn’t want to discuss coalition then coalition governments can’t use the excuse that it is coalition and that’s why they’re ignoring their manifesto.
At least FF have promised not to go into coalition with SF Hope they keep this promise SF would really hate to be forced into government and have to make difficult decisions
Has FF signed up for ‘right to change’ principles. The media know that unless they do, these questions about a SF coalition are only a distraction.
SF will only enter a coalition as the lead party and only with right to change candidates.
You crawler Martin, nirvana for you would be in coalition with liebour so ye could splurge together with here friends in the public sector unions, not a tweek out of you about Burtons latest act of cronyism.
Says the leader of the party that would jump into bed with anyone to gain, or remain in, power.
I’d take Michael Martin over Kenny Burton Adams any of them. Best of a bad bunch
The same Martin who was a minister in the FF government that ruined the country’s economy lol what a clown you are.
Clown? Hardy words from a keyboard warrior. If you manage to grow a pair of balls I’d gladly meet you face to face and you can say that.
At least he shows his face and name Wandy, you clown.
Grow a pair of balls says the person with no profile picture up lol you’re an embarrassment
That’s a lovely profile picture you have Stephen Walsh. I don’t use Facebook myself but yum. I think I might now
That has a somewhat threatening feel to it. Are you for real?
Comes across as a right wander.
Wandy, are you any relation to a Alphonsus Wilson? Short fella, he’d be a son of Mickey Wilson who had the gout. He was a bit of a tool too and I thought it might run in the family
Any chance FF would propose scrapping Eircode?
Let’s scrap FF
Yeah sure, rather than let it die naturally while not forgetting those who implemented the fiasco, why don’t they set up another quango to oversee it’s official decommissioning . Lets face it, that’s exactly what FF would do.
if some floating voters vote SF will some voters end up floating?
more bollixology from the ferret
Micheal Martin embiggens us all with his bold cromulant approach to politics…
Thinking back to the last government and how they allowed Anglo screw Sean Quinn and the job losses which resulted because Quinn didn’t lick up to them…..b@stards.
There is a 5% levy on all non life insurance policies. To pay for the mighty Quinn. Wonder has he and the missus started to pay the mortgage in their mansion again.
Quinn screwed himself by building up a 25% stake in a ponzi scheme bank. He was a big part of the problem.
Imagine political buzz words replaced with competent politicians
Only in martin’s dreams does he visit people’s doorsteps because we are facing the same issues as in 2011. Health, education, politicial curroption, homeless and victims of state abuse have not changed in five years. Why we need FF to hold SF to account when FG/liebour have being allowed to bring politics to a new low shows that in martins mind we’re all still fixated with civil war politics. Tax evasion in the 80′s was almost universal and FF surfed that wave with party members showing others how to break the law. Goverment parties buying elections with promises and taxpayers monies sowed the seeds and turned people away from politics. The only winners of this election are living abroad just like most politicians bank accounts.
How about bawlawxology. A practitioner of which is titled bawlawx, but not to be confused with the language they speak, also bawlawx.
No way SF would go into government with FG as they would be the junior party and we all know what happens to them.
For all the FF bashing they are the only way SF can get into government this time. Gerry Adams knows it that’s why he’s pushing it as it’s probably his last chance to be top dog.
I rekon younger members of SF know there better off in opposition for another while
When you hear Michael Martin speaking about coalitionology one word springs to mind and that’s criminology which Fianna Fail are masters in along with deception and treachery.
just picked up my phone to find the journal open for the first time in a long time. the journal. nonsense. is there one real journalist in this country. I see only reporters. nobody got the balls to actually uncover the truth? this country has no significance. what a waste of time. why am I even writing this??? doin a poo here sure why not have a rant.
These are the type of psychopath criminals who are being elected to office year after year. They serve no one’s interest only their own.
Wonder what it costs FF to rent the phone box for their Ard Feis? Was it paid for by the extra dosh that MeHole pocketed?
anarchy please!! voting is for idiots.
FF MUST BE THE MOST TALENTNESS PARTY IN THE STATE – They are brutal in opposition, have no firm policies & are tepresentative of Jim Hansons MUPPETS.
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