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Updated 6.35pm
PRESSURE’S GROWING ON the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to hold government-forming talks over the weekend, following the conclusion of today’s round of discussions between Enda Kenny’s party and groups of independents.
Michael Fitzmaurice of the Independent Alliance said this evening that the “pussyfooting needs to finish” and that the two largest parties should talk properly.
Other independents observed that whatever arrangement can be made with non-party TDs in the vote for Taoiseach next Wednesday, if either party manages to form a minority government it will need the support of the other for each Dáil vote.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to “get on with it and not be like children and grow up,” Fitzmaurice said.
This is about forming a government. We have acted responsible, now its time for the parties to be responsible and talk to each other.
Following the conclusion of Fine Gael’s talks with independent TDs this evening, Kenny said his party would now work towards developing a “foundation document for a partnership government”.
Kenny said the talks with independents had covered a range of areas and that a number of priorities had been identified and discussed at length. Papers were being drafted and would continue to be worked upon over the weekend, he said.
Independent TDs are due to hold talks with Fianna Fáil about the formation of a minority government with Micheál Martin’s party on Monday and Tuesday. But Kenny said Fine Gael would resume “our conversation and engagement” with independents on those days also.
Kenny said that talks with Fianna Fáil would not begin until Wednesday, after the Dáil attempts to vote for a Taoiseach.
The Fine Gael leader said he found “a sense of liberty” from the election result which meant that there would be “a very changed attitude from government” in the way it goes about its business.
It’s never going to be the same again, the people have given an unprecedented spectrum in the way they’ve voted. I actually see an opportunity here for a real sense of openness and thoroughness and completeness about politics and the way it’s conducted.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterShane Ross says there is no offer on the table from Fine Gael yet pic.twitter.com/ezTXjBEusk
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) April 1, 2016
Roscommon TD Denis Naughten, who has taken a leading role in the talks, stated that Kenny and Martin now needed to meet as a matter of urgency.
There would be no talks with independents led by either party over the next 48 hours, Naughten said, adding that the weekend provided an “ideal opportunity” for the two to talk to each other.
Independent TDs emerging from talks this evening said they would not be rushed into deciding whether to back Fine Gael and Enda Kenny in next Wednesday’s Dáil vote to elect a Taoiseach.
Fresh election
Earlier they were told that a second general election this year would cost the taxpayer at least €40 million. The warning came during the course of a briefing being given by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and his officials at Government Buildings today.
Talks between the independents and Fine Gael had been due to conclude at lunchtime but a discussion on housing ran later than expected which meant the economic briefing from Noonan and his officials did not begin until after 12.30pm.
It was during the course of that briefing that Independent Alliance TD Finian McGrath said he asked officials how much a second election would cost.
The €40 million is not unusual for a general election, but it would come on top of the expenses occurring from the February election.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterMattie McGrath, Denis Naughten and Michael Harty reiterate that FG and FF need to talk pic.twitter.com/n5lJjdC9cz
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) April 1, 2016
It means the taxpayer would effectively have to meet the €80 million cost of two elections this year because of the failure to form a government following February’s vote.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie earlier, McGrath said that those parties not involved in talks to form a government should be given a strong message about the cost of another election.
Those TDs who are at home watching Sky Sports and Judge Judy could end up costing the taxpayer €40 million.
‘Frank and honest’
The same economic briefing also heard that the next government would have around €500 million in extra spending power in the next Budget. This would double to €1 billion in the following Budget, according to the latest economic growth projections.
Kerry independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said Michael Noonan had “outlined the financial situation as he sees it in a very frank and honest and meaningful way,” and that he had learned a lot about the current state of the nation from the week’s talks.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterMichael Healy Rae has said that he's learned a lot from this week's talks pic.twitter.com/FIDuCrDFrX
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) April 1, 2016
He had raised issues of concern to himself and to his constituents, he said – highlighting the closure of rural post offices as a particular priority issue.
The cost of an election
The cost of running an election is met by the Department of Finance from the central exchequer fund and is based on a charges order made by the Public Expenditure and Reform Minister.
A significant amount of the €40 million would go towards paying for the distribution of polling cards and election literature to voters.
By law, every candidate is entitled to a Litir um Thoghchan, which is one leaflet delivered to every registered voter in their constituency.
There are also costs like the reimbursement of election expenses which a candidate is entitled to if they receive a quarter of the quota of votes for their constituency.
Other costs would include staffing at polling stations and count centres.
The 2011 general election cost €29 million, according to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
- additional reporting from Daragh Brophy
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Freedom isn’t free, it costs folks like you and me
So €40million is too high a price for democracy for Noonan but €100 million write downs for his buddies is quite ok.
FF and FG are the only numerical option of forming a government, they basically are the same policy parties. Yet they wont even talk about a coalition. Proof,if ever needed, that they both about self and party preservation and power.
Hopefully people will remember this when new election called and consign both to minor party status and combined opposition in a new era Dail as envisaged by men and women of 100 yrs ago. The true Republic is over due!
We don’t need a new election, the people have spoken and they said: “we’ve been to hell and back in the past 7 years and we want both major parties to work together to govern for all in fair and equitable manner” if they go back to the people say we don’t like what you said give us a different answer the response will be ugly.
Another election will force IW out into the open. Their can be no brusing it inder the carpet in the debates. IW was central to FG and Labour’s disastrous election and it was central to FF’s large increase in party seats . They can’t ignore the elephant in the room any longer.
@Boganity. But isn’t that exactly what they are doing? Or perhaps it’s more like “we will continue to completely ignore what you people have said – now here’s the way it’s going to be”? I am actually staggered by the arrogance of it, and I should be well used to it.
“But if you don’t throw in your buck o’ five, who wiiiiill?”
@ rashers: Exactly. FG lost the election, the voter has rejected their governance and their way of doing business. But they’re trying to cling on to power regardless.
I have no problem with another election. I would welcome the chance to vote again. The people of Ireland are sovereign.
@M Bowe
Kenny said prior to the Election he wouldn’t share power with FF, Martin said before the election he wouldn’t share power with FG.
Surely if they share power like you suggest they will not only let down their voters but will be shown to start a Government based on lies?!
Not a great position to be in regardless of similar policies or not.
@ john: The probable alternative is even more farcical. A FG minority government, propped up by FF in ‘opposition’, an opposition who cannot credibly criticise FG lest roars of ‘Sure you’re keeping them in power’ fill the Dail chamber.
@For Connolly
Labour were lambasted for breaking their pre-election promises and were savaged in the last GE by us and now people are calling on FG and FF to break there pre-election promise before the government even gets going????
We are not Schizophrenic so why would they not take that on board and call another GE?
Oh I’d dearly love another election John. The data thrown up from the last vote would be invaluable to smaller partys who wouldn’t have been able to afford the pre election strategists the bigger partys forked out for. AAA-PBP could probably add a couple of seats alone.
So, I guess not having another election could cost this country a lot more than €40 million, and what if the outcome is the same? Will all of our politicians realise we’ve elected “none of the above”, retire, and run for election in the Seanad instead…???
@For Connolly
It is a well known fact of life that replays rarely favour the underdog, be careful what you wish for.
Very true John. I know some candidates who simply don’t have the money to run another proper campaign.
40 million is a small price to pay to get it right second time around, FF/FG/LAB in particular Alan Kelly get your bags packed for real this time, Joan knows the story….
Martin said he would move to abolish Irish water and has not made a move on it since being elected. How come we can get legislation through on dog chipping but not on water charges.
If a vote was taken today to abolish it would go through straight away if TDs honoured their mandates.
AAA/PBP may well suffer for their support of the Luas drivers.
Agree jane, they have exposed their colours, lots of working class people deeply unhappy with them.
Ahh yes, it was the Luas drivers who crashed the economy, took down the banks, destroyed community care, caused child poverty and homelessness and are responsible for our failed politicians.
No Fiona and nobody is saying that either. None of what you’ve listed makes what’s going on with Luas drivers excusable.
jane – you’re looking at looney left logic on display.
It’s facile and not a little silly to seize upon the silly behaviour of the Luas drivers when vastly more fundamental and damaging crisis issues are facing the country. The AAA and PBP will not be running the country. It’s important to focus on the reality if our present situation and not seek to scape goat political parties which have not contributed to the numerous and serious crises afflicting the country.
It is FF, FG and Labour which have collectively caused the current crises in housing, health, education, community support, infrastructural deficits and social exclusion.
Describing the views of the left as “looney” fails to advance the discussion and is trite invective and lacking in any originality of expression or of insight.
The current imbroglio on formation of Government is largely irrelevant to the solution of any of the crises for the smile reason that we will just get a mild variation on a theme with the next government.
Is it really? Well what happens when the train drivers, dart drivers, bus drivers and the rest of the public servants start looking for their pay rises. Train drivers already looking for 25%. But let’s not look at that, lets keep going back to the shite decisions of the past and sure we won’t worry about the shite decisions being made right now. AAA and PBP may not ever be in government but their policy of encouraging this rubbish is dangerous and should be called out.
Fiona,
You may think the Luas drivers demands are facile but to me it’s the same greedy logic that underpinned how the economy was managed up to the crash i.e. how much money can I extract for myself regardless of the economic/social value of what I do and screw everyone else.
it’s just as facile to dismiss certain behaviours when they don’t suit you.
And yet Fiona I don’t hear you call on the smaller parties to involve themselves in talks in government formation.
This bloody fake concern ye have for the homeless, unemployed etc gets on my goat. Here ye all are salivating at the thought of a FF FG coalition. You know damn well it’s the worst possible outcome for the people you pretend to be concerned about. But the ‘left right divide’ in government is far more important isn’t it. Sure all those homeless can wait another 5 years for help.
stopit – you are absolutely 100% correct.,
But you’re not allowed to say it here, you’re not allowed to point out the obvious to people!
With FF or FG in charge, the policies of the smaller parties will not see the light of the day. Conservatism rules. The majority of the electorate want conservative policies despite the bad results.
Patlyndo, TheJournal is quite tolerant. Even your views are permitted. Difference of views is tolerated and indeed should be encouraged.
“The majority of the electorate want conservative policies despite the bad results.”
The majority of the electorate want to be back in 2006 Fiona. They want their houses to be worth hundreds of thousands, they want their wages to be back to 2006, they want their taxes reduced, they want what they had in 2006 – this is part of what crashed this country.
So you’re basically saying the smaller parties can never have an influence in government. I don’t believe that.
So you support the LUAS drivers Fiona?
Yeah its easy shout from sidelines but when a member of your family was killed in a callous manner by blueshirt free state troops joining FG in goverment is too much for me. History is always past tense but memory is still very much present tense
Could not agree more as kenny ignites ever bone i have of rejection
I don’t support the approach of the Luas drivers but I fail to see the industrial unrest as relevant to the composition of the next government.
Of course, with escalating rents, escalating mortgages repayments on variable rate mortgages, increased costs of energy and medicines, funding of school attendance, longer and more expensive commuting costs, increased insurance costs and the challenge of meeting household expenses, these all combine to drive wage demands.
Well in the context that jane brought it up, where she said that a second election may not favour AAA because of their support for the LUAS drivers, it was very relevant.
“but I fail to see the industrial unrest as relevant to the composition of the next government.”
This was never implied.
“Of course, with escalating rents, escalating mortgages repayments on variable rate mortgages, increased costs of energy and medicines, funding of school attendance, longer and more expensive commuting costs, increased insurance costs and the challenge of meeting household expenses, these all combine to drive wage demands.”
And what happens to these costs when these wage demands are met? They continue to increase.
Now both you and I gave our preference to the SD’s:
The LUAS drivers demands shouldn’t e looked at on their own Fiona, there is a bigger picture here. The AAA fully support this strike and fully support the demands of these workers – and if Transdev cave, then you will see demands from other transport sectors – the public sector, we have the wider PS chomping at the bit for wage increases, restoration of pay etc.
It was these demands, to keep up with the ever rising costs of living that turned this country into a basket-case back before the bubble went out of control.
Jane, who made the promises to the Public servants to reverse all cuts, restore pensions etc etc.? Would that be Shortarse Howlin at all, in a bid for re-election? Not the “looney lefties” , Jane, but rather the right wing skanks fg and Labour.
The AAA made the promise Rashers.
It was their “first priority” if they got into Government.
“A member of the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit group says cuts to public sector pay should be reversed.
Dublin West candidate Ruth Coppinger says this would be the first priority of a left government.”
The article subject matter is the composition of the next Government and the prancing around the formation of Government by FG and by FF. It is not an invitation to a distribe against the Luas drivers or about the irrelevance of that issue or about the irrelevance of role of AAA and PBP to the formation of the Government.
The impact of the support for the Luas drivers by the AAA and PBP on electoral popularity is irrelevant because the General Election has already produced its result in the selection of TDs.
It is a typical tactic by right wing supporters to invoke irrelevances so as to divert attention away from the failures and incompetences of FF, FG and Labour.
No matter how bad and how unjust the policies of FF and FG are, there will always be those who support those parties and seek to distract on to issues which have no relevance to the established failure of successive Government policies.
It is unhelpful and disingenuous to try to hold AAA or PBP or the independents or the smaller parties (except Labour of course) for the abysmal failures of FF and FG, collaborated in by the Labour Party.
The reality is that the policies of AAA and PBP will have no influence on the future Government. Right or wrong these policies will nit be implemented.
The depressing challenge is that the next Government will repeat and perpetuate the failed policies which have created a disastrous mess of health, housing, education, infrastructural deficit and deficient public services.
Politicians are fated to repeat the failures of the past whilst the supporters of these failed policies are content to criticise the lalternatives, which will not be adopted because our next Government will just be a version of the past Government, with broadly similar policies and continuing malfeasance.
Sometimes reality has to be recognised.
“The article subject matter is the composition of the next Government and the prancing around the formation of Government by FG and by FF. It is not an invitation to a distribe against the Luas drivers or about the irrelevance of that issue or about the irrelevance of role of AAA and PBP to the formation of the Government.”
The article encompasses many issues Fiona, including the cost of a second election and the conversation evolved from this post from FC:
“Oh I’d dearly love another election John. The data thrown up from the last vote would be invaluable to smaller partys who wouldn’t have been able to afford the pre election strategists the bigger partys forked out for. AAA-PBP could probably add a couple of seats alone.”
Where jane responded:
“AAA/PBP may well suffer for their support of the Luas drivers.”
“The impact of the support for the Luas drivers by the AAA and PBP on electoral popularity is irrelevant because the General Election has already produced its result in the selection of TDs.”
But it’s relevant in the event of a second election – which is part of the article.
To which I replied:
“Agree jane, they have exposed their colours, lots of working class people deeply unhappy with them.”
The top post didn’t relate to the “article subject” (according to you) and at least 12 posters before me did not refer to the “article subject” (according to you). You ignored all of these posters and chose to attack my post – so while you are correct when you say that the Journal are very tolerant of “even my views” – you Fiona are clearly not.
“It is a typical tactic by right wing supporters to invoke irrelevances so as to divert attention away from the failures and incompetences of FF, FG and Labour.”
And it’s your typical tactic to see something that isn’t there.
“No matter how bad and how unjust the policies of FF and FG are, there will always be those who support those parties and seek to distract on to issues which have no relevance to the established failure of successive Government policies.”
Which is their right.
:
“It is unhelpful and disingenuous to try to hold AAA or PBP or the independents or the smaller parties (except Labour of course) for the abysmal failures of FF and FG, collaborated in by the Labour Party.”
Where did I or anyone do this?
You are incapable of engaging in a civil manner – well with me anyway, so just ignore my posts – free country and all that – but please don’t try and rewrite the article to suit you and then put your own restrictions on me -= while ignoring the many other posters and the context of my posts.
Thanks.
@fiona -
Your fundamental problem is that the people expected to pay for it will not vote for it because they largely don’t benefit from it.
Not exactly an election winning strategy to suggest that the many pay even more for the few
@Brian Boru
“Martin promised to abolish Irish Water”
Eh no he didn’t and if you were taken in by that sleight of hand more fool you.
FF promised to SUSPEND water charges until the water network was overhauled and it would be 2021 before people would be expected to pay.
They signed up to water metering, remember?
Why is it down to FF and FG why dont any otber TDS try to work a goverment.
If you’ll read back Fiona you’ll notice that Jammin said that AAA and PBP could actually add to their number of TDs in the event of another election and so my post was in response to that. I also don’t see why you get to decide relevance of other people posts.
Ah but jane, Fiona has decided that this is not within the subject matter. This restriction only applies to us though – everyone else can discuss what they want.
So it seems Pat.
Nobody cared about those promises because they were a bit like endas five point plan completed worthless.
People care about water hence the 100000 taking to the street every couple of weeks for the last year.
Looney left only spring up when it comes to socialising private debt. Real left would’t put up with that horse shiite…
another election it is, the public have realised the stupidity of voting for independents and shinners
Sean, if FG, Lab and SF went together, they would have a majority of 1.
If any of their red line policies didn’t come to fruition, they could pull out of Government any time they liked.
This is the most sensible route to Government available.
And what are their pensions alone costing annually ????
So what is the breakdown of the €40 million.. It sounds like fg are using bullyboy tactics against independents.. You have to support us or else….
Amazingly this what comes out … The first day Michael noonan has actually met with independents… Unbelievable…..
It really is a small price to pay considering the amount of money currently and already spent on that quango Irish Water. Fianna Fail better remember it was one of their election pledges to abolish it.
Full breakdown should be provided €40m a staggering amount of money per person, if there is another election each party should only be allowed an evening on TV to put them selves forward again, no election leaflets, not posters, no nothing, and that’s it, it does not need to cost this type of money, we are not stupid people we can remember what they said a few months ago
€40m is a relatively small amount in the context of our overall wealth as a country and is well worth it in terms of democracy if we have to return to the ballot box.
€40m may seem relatively small to you frank, but for me it’s a massive amount of money regardless of overall wealth, there is no need to spend this type of money, it’s over kills, it shouldn’t cost half that if done right, and the other €20m can be used for the sick, homelessness, etc, it’s amazing how this government can come up with massive numbers to do something they want and come up with the cash, then tell us in other areas there is no money, crazy,
Mick, thats noonans number, whos trying to cling onto power.
Ever notice how FGs ‘numbers’ have a habit of being nice and neat i.e. 40 million for an election, 100 million saving getting rid of the seanad. Not 99 million, not 101 million, exactly 100 million.
I call BS.
Littleone we dont need 155 TDs either
Lol ya for connelly, suppose your right there, scaremongering
€40 million is the cost to the State of running an election.
It has nothing to do with the amount spent by any party or any independent. Nothing to do with posters or the election spend by candidates.
It is the cost of printing ballots, updating electoral registers, hiring voting venues, hiring count centres, hiring count centre staff, paying for secure transportation and storage of ballot boxes, hiring election monitors and returning officers, Litir un Thogchans, associated press and media releases and about a thousand other costs that go into making it a secure and transparent operation.
Did people think this all happened for free?
It is approximately twice the cost of a referendum because printing costs are far higher with all the different ballots and it takes much longer to count the votes rather than simply separating yes and no votes.
Why are people surprised that an election costs money?
@ brinster. If its approximately twice the cost of a referendum (I’d love to know where you got that nugget) then it STILL wouldn’t be 40 million.
@ For Connolly
I thought that the Marriage Referendum cost approx €20 million?
I’ll have a look for a back up to that.
@ For Connolly
Here is where I was getting the round sum of €20 million.
http://www.joe.ie/uncategorized/right-so-how-much-is-this-eu-referendum-going-to-cost-us/33095
“The Irish Daily Star reports that up to €20million of taxpayer money will be spent on the EU fiscal treaty referendum”
“The last two EU referendums to be held in Ireland cost a grand total of €39million. Lisbon 1, held in 2008, came in at €22million while Lisbon 2 in 2009 cost us €17million.”
So I think what I said was reasonably accurate?
shinnerbots disputing numbers… too easy :D
Which is better 40 million or communism.
@ PaulMc
They said they’d suspend it for five years… different thing altogether
@ brinster: The estimate for the marriage equality referendum was 15 million. The seanad referendum cost 14.4 million. The Childrens referendum cost 12.8 million. And that includes print and distribution of the referendum commissions booklets to every home in the country.
Noonan should display his work.
Remember the shinners were right about noonans figures in his fiscal space
Noonan does have a record of getting figures wrong.
Fiscal space anyone?
Well Tommy. I think anyone would dispute Michael noonan figures.. It’s not long ago we had fiscal space …. In noonans own words..prove it, prove it .
@brinster,
I am not sure if they have the actual figure yet for the marriage equality ref, but you’re close to the mark looking at the link you provided.
Fianna Fail have NOT pledged to abolish Irish Water – they merely intend to “defer it for five years” – i.e., the well known practice of “kick the can down the road” in the hope that everyone will have forgotten about it in five years. People should not have voted for FF/FG.
@Mick H : To put it into context €40m would buy about 160 new houses at €250k a pop.
That’s not much really when you look at it like that considering the thousands who have/will lose their homes.
As somebody else above said, its worth it for our democracy.
Tonight’s Euromillions jackpot is 40 million
And?
Having FG in power the last 5 years has lost us BILLIONS
FF the years before, same story.
We’re being softened up for the ‘good of the country’ BS from FF/FG over the next few weeks.
And the same BS from SF !!
‘Noun-verb-SF’
That the best you can do al?
My worst is good enough as it got you replying…..Conno !
Shinnerbots think caps MAKES IT A FACT
Tommy think himself great wit
Well he’s half right.
the joke will always be at you and your ilk :)
Jammin, SF could go in with FG and Lab and have a majority Government.
They could have their red line issues in the program for Government and have the power to collapse the Government when ever they want.
Why are they not doing this?
Do they even care ? They have been feckless in the past few weeks. Why have Fg and FF not yet talked? They waffle about ” national interest” but their own interest is predominant. Stop wasting taxpayers money.
Strange,when this gang were in government,they did nothing about housing, now we don’t have a government,they are all sitting around talking about “housing”
They talk all the time behind closed doors, great buddies in the lodge, lots in common. What they are doing now is laying the ground work for a FFFG one party state ”in the national interest”. Imagine that, won’t that be fun. The two kleptocratic gombeen parasite parties joining forces. They will play the game for another wee while, leak gossip to their media about juicy phone calls etc, then they will present themselves as ”the only viable option”, ”in the national interest”blah blah. Then they can get on with looking after the likes of Dobby, themselves, and their friends and relations, They can get on with setting up IMF inspired resourse grabs like Irish Water, and pushing things lik TTIP for their corporate masters. They can get on with bending us over for the EU and stuffing the place full of unwanted and incompatible immigrants for Peter Sutherland so he can have the chaos needed so a fully federal EU can be pushed forth as the ”solution”.
Threats, threats, more threats – it’s the good old, Fine Gael way. I am willing to vote in a general election once per week, if need be, until we get some sort of Government who will act in the interests of the Irish people.
40 million euro? Mere pocket change in the context of what has been squandered so far on Irish Water – I note that they have the cheek to continue recruiting to the gravy train! – and the money we will squander on yet another term of the Seanad. You are scaring no-one FG BRING IT ON.
Yes bring it on FG are your typical School yard bully
While of course polling cards are necessary we certainly DO NOT need election literature. Our elected leaders are behaving like children they aren’t capable of running the country appalling behaviour.
So? Just bully boy Noonan trying to stay in power. Par for the course with him. Hep c, Grace scandals are his rotten legacy.
Every time I read about that fooker I have to remind myself that he wouldn’t be worth the jail time…
Judging by the red thumbs there are a few people who think he would be worth it… That’s actually kinda comforting….
FG in government again will cost, the taxpayers a lot more.
That’s the one thing our politicians are great at is squandering money
Beware of Financial Predators:-
- Landlords who Max your Rent … and chuck kids out on the street …. causing homelessness
- Banks who Max your Debt … and then chuck mortgage holders out on the street …
- Political Parties who Max your Tax … and waste you hard earned taxes and let above happen!
Well that’s just great isn’t it. And it’s already cost us well over a million to pay these people since the last election. Certainly no austerity in Leinster house it would seem.
Meet you in the the TJ love page Aoife
Xx
Can we have a revolution instead ?
When did Fine Gael ever worry about the cost to the taxpayer?
We’re doing fine without a government. Every party we have available are pathetic.
Install a technocratic government and increase powers of local government.
Most TDS are glorified town councillors anyway
We actually have a Government.
The previous ministers are still in place.
Would you rather that they stay?
Does anyone believe that there would be a big change if people voted again
Please God Vote these Arrogant Idiots out .People are just sick of them
Warning the Independents. Who is Michael Nooan to be warning anyone about anything. Using emotional blackmail to bend the Independents to his will, “on ye’re heads be it”. F**k off Mr Noonan.
Stop their salaries until a government is formed. They’d soon get their ar$es in gear. Is Enda Kenny still on a Taoiseach’s salary?
We can’t house our own people, yet we can spend €40,000,000 because politicians can’t get their s**t together. Good God, what are we at at all?
A drop in the ocean compared to whats going out the back door at Nama even
Just keep that old propaganda pumping out, lads, and we’ll be off the hook again. Happy days.
Did you notice Alan Kelly apologising over his ‘power is a drug’ comment also? He is also trying to reinvent himself as a caring politician. Irish people won’t forget his beetroot faced, fist pumping, f
Did you notice Alan Kelly apologising over his ‘power is a drug’ comment also? He is also trying to reinvent himself as a caring politician. Irish people won’t forget his beetroot faced, fist pumping, f~~k you celebrations too quickly. If there is another election, hopefully Tipperary finish the job off and don’t allow this profoundly arrogant a sniff of power ever again.
€40m is about a €12 PER VOTER. How inefficient are we as a country that it will cost €12 per voter? I want to see the breakdown of those figures.
They should not be paid until they elect a government
I have no idea ehat the going rate for an election is, but forty million sounds a bit steep.
Its amazing when the politicians and the government of the day be it interim or not doesn’t want something to happen, its always a major cost to the phantom known as the “tax payer”. The thorn in our sides oh wait thats me… but i wouldn’t give a crap if there was another election or not.
Oh, almost forgot – that horrible gobdaw Mattie McGrath can eff off as well. Who is that windbag to lecture anybody.
So …..
I think Kenny and co, including Labour ( this is why Joan wont go ) and FF are going to play this out to the very end, they should be very careful of playing Brinkmanship,
I for one do not have the patience this time round for some muddled right wing, Rural Vs Urban, Have Vs Have nots, government of self serving professional con men and women.
Back to the polls and lets see who is left standing. That is their biggest fear……….so lets put them through it and watch them cringe and earn their inflated egos and salaries.
If a certain De O Be or one of his many companies were involved in the running of another election, you can be sure they would find 40 to 100 million no problem.
of course if we had a digital option, it wouldn’t cost €40m… & we’d have an almost immediate result…
But that has it’s own issues too.
This seems to me like scaremongering.
Is it true that the posters that they stick up cost a fiver each and how much does the literature cost. I always just throw mine in the bin anyway. It cracks me up how all of a sudden they’re concerned about telling me the numbers of the council and fire brigade etc etc
If there was another election its more than likely that Kenny, would not lead F.G, Joan would not lead Liebour, AK would not be returned, in fact Liebour would be gone. Kerry 3 would be 2, Noonan gone, and all those who scraped through would have to think really hard before recommitting…
if I had the money I would gladly pay for a rerun.
We will get another right of centre coalition with right of centre policies which will continue and perpetuate the free market disasters and crises in the areas of housing, health, education and tax favouritism for super profitable global multinationals. We will continue with the same old political parties with the same tired old policies and we will wonder if more and more extreme right wing policies will improve the problem. We will continue to depict any politician of the centre or of the left as “Trotskyites” and pay homage to neo-liberal policies because of course capitalism and the free market are infallible.
We will continue voting for the same parties and the same conservative policies whilst thinking that minor tinkering at the edges will be enough to fix and to avoid fundamental crises.
We Irish prefer the familiar and the self interest. As long as we are okay, everyone is hardship is a sponger and we admire the purates and opportunists who sold out the country. Nothing changes. We vote for what we get and we vote as selfishly as we can because I’m alright Jack.
Only €40 million, I’m sure they’ll be able to add another €20 mill or so to it. Travel expenses and food etc.
To be honest I don’t care. Rather than having deals made with some who barely scraped in would cost a hell of a lot more. Go again I say
THE country is running just fine without anyone at the tiller Sack them all at save a fortune.
If its gonna cost 40 million of taxpayers money for another election, then its the FF and FG TDs that should receive the consequences resulting in nobody voting for them in the next election.
I wonder if €40 million is the cost of buying the desired election result to support the privileged and the rich?
fianna fail will be the reason for another election .
FG, SF and Lab is a majority of 1.
Why should it cost anything as they should all have posters still in their offices
Do people really need more junk mail on these people…. Waste of money
FG or FF or FF and FG ? Does it really matter policy wise. FF and FG each have track records of betraying the public interest. Why should we expect anything different from these parties who care only for self interest at the expense of the public interest?
A plague on both of their houses.
How many houses would that build
Where are SF ? They’ve gone awful quite suddenly…..
Vote Sinn Fein/Fianne Fail.
No more hurling from the ditch.
There will be NO STABILITY until Regressive taxes are properly sorted … Parties & Independents!!
- LPT law
- Obscene CAR TAX law
- WT law
- IT law
- FTT introduced
- Referendum on property Rights (Genman Constitution)
So me of these TDs sporting great tans on RTE news at 6
Catherine, I’d have a great tan meself – if I could afford a holiday :-(
Rashers so would I, but this Republic of Germany doesn’t facilitate my dreams!
Private profit before public interest is the foundation policy of FG, FF and Labour.
Right wing parties have right wing policies which produce right wing results.
Unfortunately and although changing, most of the Irish electorate vote for conservative candidates who expose conservative policies.
Policies will not change unless or until the electorate change their support away from right wing politics.
These Independents would want to relies that Fine Gael / Labour lost the election . Kenny is the elephant in the room.
If we do have another election watch the boxes VERY closely so they stay safe!!!!
Healy Rae learned a lot about the state of the nation in a week’s talks.was he asleep for the last 8 yrs.
Belatedly FF and FG will start talking, over the weekend or next week. Should have happened earlier.
One party though seems to have away from any responsibility that Sinn Fein. Have no fear though once FF and FG conclude a deal the Shinners will be out in force bleating about the injustice of the FG, FF deal.
What would a small farmer lioe fitzmaurice from the back of beyond know about.anything…. jez we put some gombeens in the Dail. .
We knew they would have to talk, they knew they would have to talk, 4 weeks later, they start to talk, but not really talk, so when they actually sit down and actually talk, let me know, until then it is all just posturing and posing for the party groupies.
Dear Enda and Micheál, That’s quite enough pussyfooting and grandstanding and brinkmanship. Get over it! Get on with the job you’re overpaid to do!
Does Fitzmaurice ever get tired of listening to himself.
Another election will bring the same stalemate.
That is NOT what the electorate voted for in the election at the ballot boxes?
Whats 40 Million to these f++ks? They can bandy about a man’s working worth every day and then suddenly they talk about 40 million being like a big deal. F==K them! Another election…. Do not let them bully us into submission to keep the status quo
How many homeless people could be housed in €40 million? How many children could be educated with €40 millions?
Why can’t the referendum people or election commission compile a booklet with info on the candidates, as well as each manifesto for the parties. The amount of leaflets with no info is shocking. That’d save money and inform voters.
That’s right fitzmaurice because God forbid you and Ross would step forward and actually help develop a solution.
Trough pigs of a different colour
The hush word with them all is water WHY
Poor people
They are overpaid to shake hands? Good business.
…and what is the cost of NOT having the election that is required?
have your say