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FIANNA FÁÍL LEADER Micheál Martin has said the Government was taken off guard with the level of anger levelled against them over their stance on homelessness this week.
Addressing his party members at their annual presidential dinner, he said:
I think they were surprised by the scale of the anger at their effort this week to recast the homelessness situation as really not that bad. And have no doubt – it was a strategy not a mistake.
The Taoiseach and others worked to put out the idea that as long as things are worse somewhere else we shouldn’t be so negative.
“They got their response in the swift and overwhelming reaction of everyone,” he added.
The government has been forced into repeated explanations, clarifications and comments on what their assessment is of the housing crisis in Ireland.
This was brought on after the Taoiseach was asked to comment on why Ireland’s rate of homelessness was at an all time high, and he answered by calling Ireland’s rate of homelessness low “compared with our peers”.
But when that claim was examined by TheJournal.ie‘s FactCheck team it found that that claim was “unproven”, it is very difficult to compare figures in any meaningful way across different nations.
One of Ireland’s most experienced homeless campaigners, Father Peter McVerry, said that he was “furious” over the Taoiseach’s comments.
But what’s better than that is that we don’t think that’s good enough and we want to continue to reduce homelessness in the years ahead.
“The government should be aware that the time for spin is long over. There must be urgent and sustained delivery. Put aside the staged photos and focus. If they put half as much effort into building houses as they put into launching documents we wouldn’t be caught in the middle of such an unprecedented crisis,” said Martin.
While Martin’s speech coincided with Gerry Adams’ speech at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis this evening, he again ruled out the possibility of going into government with Sinn Fein – even if Adams is not at the helm.
“The party is much more than the person and the party remains as unreformed and as unsuitable for government as ever.
“I take no satisfaction in saying that, 20 years after the ceasefire, Sinn Fein is unacceptable for us as a government party. As our members reaffirmed at the Ard Fheis, for Fianna Fáil they are not and will not be a possible partner,” he said.
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Still, did you see Leo’s novelty socks?
They have houses on them!
That’s their policy position all stitched up!
Socks appeal and 5 millions for the Ministry of Spin!
@Jarlath Murphy:
Leo’s socks are waiting to pounce
Q Brinster
@Jarlath Murphy: Does he not get he’s part of the problem propping up FG
@Jarlath Murphy: It really dose say something when the spin doctor earns multiple amounts more that L.V. It’s bloody ridiculous & we all just sit back & take this s**t!
@Colette Kearns: does
@Jarlath Murphy: Least I can afford the best of socks.
@Jarlath Murphy: and marty is helping leo to be up to his neck in his socks ff is keeping fg in power the service and supply agreement, ff come out and wacks lyrical about fg tweedle dee and tweedle dumb
@Matthew O’Kane: how do you do we’re shaking hands
@Dot Com: if there was an election they’d get at least 10 extra seats and FF the same. Thankfully the whiners are on the run….
Remember that time our national debt spiked by 300% under Fianna Fail?
Remember how homelessness has spiked by 278% since that fateful bank guarantee?
I wonder if there’s a correlation there…
@Franklin Roosevelt: Mr Martin and FF are propping up this government.
@Franklin Roosevelt: need a one man show.
@Brian Madden: Yes Brian, and as we all know, in the future, that friend that has been propped up may be of some assistance, in the future.
@Franklin Roosevelt: YES you a correct, but it was, and still is Fine Gael and Michael Noonan, that have made sure that The odinary people of Ireland have paid and are still ipaying for the greed, and downright incompetence, and fraudulent behavour of the the sleezy lieing bankers.
well done to Me hole for all his work in government in wiping out poverty… Bertie, Cowen & Me hole —where would Ireland be today only for them
Well if Micheal says it must be true….must be awful to feel irrelevant. Even the weather outstaged him and his band of not so merry men.
@MK76: what are ya talking about? Haven’t FF shaped the last TWO Budgets, sure the Government can’t do anything without sanction from FF, were have Ya been for last 2 years?
If FF won’t consider SF to be a suitable partner in Govt then they’ll have to rely on FG to return their favour.
Whichever of them gets the most seats will look to the other for propping up.
The ‘Republic’ is about the people sharing the resources of the State not the politicians sharing out the goodies of ‘Office’.
@Gerry Ryan deG: that’s what it’s all about the boys an girls an what friends can get something out of the finance pocket . Really that’s what it’s all about. Look at the so called independents, Donnelly need we say more
Martin an out of touch man giving out about another out of touch man and his party. Only in Ireland are we “served” by such fools…….
@Kerry Blake: I’m not so sure about that. Most countries are run by incompetent eejits. The Brits are as bad as us. Paradoxically there is something about those that seek political power that makes them unsuitable to hold political power.
@Dermot Lane: Its utter madness to get uptight about politicians of all descriptions as none refuse the large pot of money from which they enrich themselves.
@Dermot Lane: Canvassing should disqualify….
Did man not sit around the table with Bert, Brian an that gang that broke the country an it’s people..
Aided and abetted by himself and his shower of thugs
@Dave O Keeffe:
Mickey Martin should “shut his gob and grow up”
Good ole Mr. Martin shying away from any blame on the homelessness crisis! You and your party are a treacherous bunch, the electorate needs to wake up and vote you out of any possibility of forming any government! SHAME ON FINE GAEL & SHAME ON FIANNA FÁIL.
Sinn Féin Abú!
@Niall Binéad: exactly how many people did they make homeless in Northern Ireland.
@Tim Brennan: I give up Tim….. tell me!
@Tim Brennan: yeah Tim, how many? To the nearest 50 will do. And a brief explanation as to how. Cheers.
@Niall Binéad: SF scare most sane people. FF and FG will get at least +20 seats in the next election. Put €20 on with Paddy Power. Racing certainty.
Martin is a two headed snake!
€5 million to pay for spin doctors per year for Leo. 16 social housing units built last year for Dublin. I am not a left wing do gooder nor am I involved with any political party. However this situation is far from all right and totally unacceptable. Unless there is a marked improvement for all to see I will cast my vote to put them out of Government.I hope the Irish people will do the same. Genuine people and especially children of our country must be looked after. I know there are some who are not so genuine but that is no excuse not to help the majority of homeless. We Irish are better then that and let’s make a stat by eliminating this Government if they do not perform in a meaningful way.
Man who sat at cabinet level whilst the seeds for the current crisis were sown lambasts government over fruits of said seeds reaching fruition. The funny part is it’s all a charade FG wouldn’t be able to govern without FF
@Daithí Uí Ciarmhaic: indeed @Daithi Ui Ciarmhaic. We have a coalition. A unification of the obscene and the dishonest. As an electorate, we need to ensure they never, ever get the chance to shaft us again.
@Elizabeth Gregory: If they were in a coalition they could claim some kind of joint and therefore democratic mandate but they are not. They have a confidence and supply arrangement which means that we have a government and an opposition, both without mandate.
@Elizabeth Gregory: Liz it is nothing to the shafting youd get from SF and AAA and the other lunatic left. If we had an election the middle ground would hack up.
The time for spin is long over
That is because you are so out of touch with reality.
There’s no need for martin to say it, he’s giddy that FG effed up big time on this. We all know Leo’s and the govs attitude to the homeless crisis is disgraceful.
Coincidence or not, whilst Jerry Adams was making his speech, this fella should have been thinking about how to get one over on Leo and his ilk in order to try and bring some type of normal life to the people of this land that so badly needs genuine leadership. NOW.
Martin supports and props up FG
The anger was just as much at ff mr martin,you are only fooling yourself, and others to keep leadership of ft . you’re weakness is killing the party.
No crisis whatsoever, compared our levels with India, Nigeria, south Africa and lads we ain’t to bad now rents are affordable. No homeless crisis accept it #sockyknowsbest
Leo is not getting his investment back with his spin team,
Fianna Fáil are just puppets of Fine Gael.
By ruling out a coalition or a supply and confidence arrangement with SF, Michael Martin is telling the Irish Electorate that they will have FF/FG or FFG forever. Intelligent democrats will see that for what it is and burn his A$$. Not very clever.
As far as leo is concerned the homeless people sleeping by the canal are nasty bunch of people? Maybe their not from Castleknock!
Mehole is the image of Mr Burns from The Simpsons and has his characteristics.What a sneaky looking snake with his false outrage just pull the plug you snake.
Show out of touch they are with the ‘real people’
http://www.pmvtrust.ie/ says it all
A Fianna Fáil, Green busted economy, followed by a Fine Gael, Labour busted society. Kenny, Noonan, and now Viradker ‘s mantra continues
So, in short Michéal Martin confirms he’ll prop up a minority FG government for another 5year term
They really do think we are all stupid mr Martin coming out against The government but yet his party is propping them up
I smell an election soon
This being the case – then why the hell is FF continuing to prop the other national wasters up? Laughable!
Yup , Mehole… The people will just continuing with FF or FG … Near century now. .. You told em….
More they spin more they start to sound incompetent…
To have a home…a roof over your head,a place for you to cook.Feel safe when you and your family sleep.History has though us if its given without being earned that privilege can be abused and a sense of entitlement is installed.The welfare state continues..We need to plan.Yes have a placement program based on merit…so those who wish to get a home have earned it…reform if there’s a drug or a drink problem …A willingness to get employment and not just get the dole…bring our people away from the drug dealers and leeches in our society.
@Dave Walsh: Very simplistic there Dave – ‘bring our people away from the drug dealers and leeches in our society‘. How is that going to be done?. Great to make pronouncements but more difficult to elaborate.
@Father Hody Commody: there is no silver bullet in my line of work I deal with damaged people every day…and their children.my suggestion is merely a point of view.Simplistic yes..
Stand open to correction… but does not Michael Martin’s party keep Leo and his cohorts in power.? In case it escapes Martin’s attention, was it not under the tenure of a F.F.government in which Martin was a minister that facilitated the gangesterism of the banks and developers who brought this country to it’s knees. Michael Martain stated he knew and was not told about the financial crash that was coming down the line. That makes him a fool or a liar. He is both
.
And still Fianna Fail are sitting on the wall
ruined our country exiled our children.but dont worry mister martin plenty of clowns in this country will vote for you, and your cronies
Ff make me sick propping up fg while at the same time trying to score points against them. Do they think people are stupid? They have not got the balls because they know people have kopped on to their shit.
.
Hypocritical bunch of crooks ff fg and Labour the same of sf aaaa and independance. Self serving the whole rotten lot
Don’t forget FF are agreeing to all FG minority government policies. Kill the second seat transfers. Leave FF and FG off your ballot entirely.
Fine Gael show once again that they are a billion light years away from the wishes of the people. They are an arrogant ignorant shower of extreme right wing facists
FG are a bunch of idiots.
What a fantastic contribution.
@winston smith:
Thanks.
well me-hole as bachman turner overdrive said “YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET ” !
The greatest election asset Sinn Fein has is the goms in FFG.
Yes .. let’s ignore everything that FG do and blame FF for EVERYTHING
Wow, your arrogance is unreal. Leo is taking you to school boy.!!!!
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