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FORMER LEADER OF the SDLP party, Mark Durkan, is to run as a Fine Gael candidate in the European elections.
He will contest a seat in the Dublin constituency, alongside former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
Flanked by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Fitzgerald at a press conference today, Durkan was described as a man to offer “leadership for city, country and Northern Ireland”.
Dublin issues
During the course of the press event, Durkan was fielded a number of questions about Dublin issues, such as the MetroLink. The former SDLP leader was asked whether he had familiarised himself with such issues, seeing as he is running in the Dublin constituency.
He was unable to name four streets in the capital earlier today and admitted that he will remain living in the North.
He replied that he had not arrived at today’s press event under some “falsehood” that he is all “schooled up” on the obvious questions that relate to Dublin. Instead, he said:
I am standing on basis of who I am and not who I am pretending to be.
Durkan said he is standing on the basis of his experience, and not on answers that he will cram to learn in an attempt to “pull off some bluff”.
He said Dublin people care about Northern Ireland issues, adding that many Dublin people “resent” the way “in which Brexit has been imposed on their fellow citizens in the north”.
Varadkar said his decision to ask him to run had nothing to do with domestic politics.
“Instead of a border poll, I’m asking the people of Dublin to cast a much more meaningful vote,” said the Taoiseach, stating he wanted to people to vote “as if there was no border”.
Northern Ireland
Durkan said today that Varadkar is following through on his promise that the people of Northern Ireland will not be left behind following Brexit.
“I recognise this is a big ask for the people of Dublin,” he said, adding that people of the North will have lost their voices in the EU parliament, but if he is elected he will ensure all voices are heard, both north and south.
“I’m here because I received what I regarded as a bold, and genuine, and brilliant invitation by the Taoiseach and by Fine Gael,” said Durkan.
“I am not running against Fianna Fáil (who recently announced a policy partnership with the SDLP) or Labour,” said Durkan. He said he hoped that the people of Dublin look at the upcoming European elections as one that has national importance.
This election is an opportunity for voters to make the 24th May a “green jersey day” that can send a message to the Brexiteers.
During the press conference, Varadkar revealed Durkan was considered to fill the Seanad seat, which was eventually taken by Ian MarshalL. The seat was on the agricultural panel and as he’s an “urban Derry dweller” Durkan said he wasn’t the right fit for the job.
The last two Irish European election candidates elected in the South constituency and the Dublin constituency will not be able to take up their seats in the European Parliament until the UK has left the EU.
When asked about how irked he would be if he was left in limbo, Durkan said he understood that two MEPs could effectively be left in “quarantine” until after the Brexit stalemate is sorted out, but we should not “distract ourselves with ifs and buts”.
Fitzgerald was asked if she believes her chances in Europe will be clouded by the circumstances surrounding her resignation. The former Tánaiste said her record over the years “is the lens through which people will judge me, not any particular incident”.
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How does one go from the Social Democratic and Labour Party to Fine Gael? Power at any cost. Fup principles!
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: Fine Gael are fairly social democrat in my books, with a few divisive policies.
@Mushy Peas: LOL!
Thanks for that, I needed a good belly laugh with the day thats in it.
Fine Gael supports social and democratic principles like the rope supports the hanging man……
I find that nearly every social service in this country has gone into the toilet in the past 10. On democracy I find the media toothless.
@Mushy Peas: jesus. You must be to the right of Attila the Hun, so…
@Mushy Peas: are you well?
@Mushy Peas: I don’t think they know what they are. They’ve overseen the introduction of abortion and SSM which would be seen by most as policies of the left and then on economic issues they can be fairly right wing. They’re a bit schizophrenic.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: exactly filthy money and a bag load of expenses – principals my behind
They’re modern day conservatives – fiscally conservative but socially progressive.
@The Risen: well based on the feedback I received for that comment, I always admit when I’m wrong and when my outlook may be a bit askew…
Still, I’m happy to be wrong and will continue to be.
@Cormac Ó Braonáin: the lure of EU gravy
If I’m voting for anyone in Northern Ireland it will be Sinn Fein and not the SDLP.
@Charles Coughlan: Has anyone informed Mr. Durkan of the mess FG have made of our country?
@Charles Coughlan: you’re right. The SDLP never killed anybody, they were useless.
@John Mulligan: No one’s disputing they were good in their time, but that’s the past. They’re a party in disarray.
@Derek Poutch: what mess???
@John Mulligan: Neither did Michael Collins, Maggie henchmen, or any of the 1916 leaders, Mandela or any of his party, they were all squeaky clean in their endeavours to gain independence, the SDLP are a bit like our Labour Party, all but insignificant.
@Charles Coughlan: They are called the Stoop Down Low Party who take pride in pledging allegiance to the Queen. Don’t forget anyone through birth right can become King or Queen as long as they are not Catholic. So yep, go ahead and vote for the SDLP if you are a FG and/or feel you have no self worth and never want to better yourself or your children.
@Charles Coughlan:
Vote a Marxist Party
Good luck with that
@Patrick O Connell: If I have to explain it again! then you are part of the problem, but in anyway here’s a few things.
1 health a mess
2homelessness. a mess
3 40 per cent of workers not on living wage. ( Now really think about that)
4 Scandals there have been so many that I will just mention the latest
Children’s hospital.
5 no accountability from politicans
6Cover ups in our gardai,
7 Falsifying the employment figures, homeless figures, people on trolley figures.
So Pat these are just some of the things why the country is in a MESS.
There are so many other things I could have put down but I think you would defend these ghouls no matter what.
I thought it was FF and SDLP that joined up
@Shaun Gallagher: and you have SDLP and Irish Labour… Jaysus they’re in with everyone
Anyone running for FF, FG, or Labour will not even see a transfer from me, simple as that… Nothing going in the boxes beside them!
@Shaun Gallagher: FF, FG, and SDLP are one and the same. Labour is simply their extended arm. Honestly, I despair at times. Who is there to vote for? I don’t vote Sinn Féin because I disagree with their foreign and economic policies, and I despise FF, FG, and Labour. The Greens were so undermined and devastated after their coalition when they compromised their morals and position. Renua are diametrically opposite my viewpoint. And the SocDems have imploded due to resignations and scandals.
The only message the May vote should bring is telling FFFG where to go.
@Bill Clay: I thought the Irish Government were playing the “we’re an honest broker” Good Friday Agreement card…. While a nationwide myself here they are promoting one voice over the other..
it’s just Leo throwing a dig at micheál. this lad hasn’t a clue on Dublin
Goodbye Muirsheen Durkin, I’m sick and tired of workin’
No more, I’ll dig the prates and no longer, I’ll be fooled
As sure as me name is Marky, I’ll be off to Franco’s party
Where instead of diggin’ prates, I’ll be diggin’ lumps of gold!
Durkan lost his seat in Foyle – the first time since 1983, if he`s unelctable up there, don`t poist him on us, This “pulling on the green jersey” is nonsense as it will STILL be a UK statelet and nothing to do with the EU – He can`t speak for them if he is working for the Irish Government.
This , and FF`s determination to get into bed with the SDLP, is to make them more familiar to Irish voters, in the hope they can take a few votes from SF in the future, nothing more than that
@Pixie McMullen: * The first time since 1983 the SDLP had lost it
Complete greed.remove all FF FG labour candidates from the EU and local councils in may,stop them implementing their right wing policies.
@@mdmak33: and the shinners too
If two short planks are standing in the election, he won’t have a chance.
The Stoop Down Low Party live up to their historic name.
Green jersey my foot, its blueshirt no matter how you dress it up
Desperation !!!
Leo’s recommendation is enough for me,
This guy should be ignored!
Hasn’t this guy sworn an oath to the British queen ?.
Fitzgerald thrown out of gov. So she pops up in the euros! Talk about brazen.
Fine Gowl never gave a fiddlers for the 6 counties. Sickening but not surprising to see this.
This guy was unable to name 4 streets in Dublin today
Vomit inducing.
It’s a PR stunt by Varadkar. He knows Fitzgerald will command more votes than Durkan, but it makes it look as though he has a real interest in the North, and diminishes the media chatter SF/SDLP linking.
Amateur stuff.
The People decide , time for change. Take back the trough and expel all useless piglets ….
He can f**k right off….. we’ve enough politicians in Dublin who have no interest in it without importing someone who isn’t even going to be living here.
@IRL77: who is this we you are talking about
@IRL77: who is this we you are talking about ?
Was wondering when he would come out of the closet….not the party I would have chosen……..
@Pat Casey: like what you did there. Not easy to be loyal to two queens. Lol
The deputy leader of the blueshirts Michael Martin will not be happy with this choice. After all the S.D.L.P. and the party that facilitated in bringing the country to it’s knees F.F. were happy campers. Suppose Martin will give Leo a roasting over this… It will be like being savaged by a sheep.
@Donal Desmond: BLUESHIRTS ? TRY SPECSAVERS.
@James Keogh: Blueshirts part of their history, led by O’Duffy… .even Franco couldn’t get rid of them fast enough.
He strikes me as a good skin. He lost his seat by 169 votes on a recount. This is his highlight for me. His speech on the publication of the Saville report in the commons.
https://youtu.be/MKVGO2eZKvE
He’s running for FG, enough said!
@ObsidianShine: Watch the video. Enough said.
@Clifford Brennan: He lost a seat that the SDLP had held since 1983, that`s not exactly a ringing endorsement now is it?
@Pixie McMullen:
All of a sudden the blue shirt schizophrenics love Nordies.
You just have to laugh really.
@Pixie McMullen: 169 votes suggests its not a ringing dismissal either. One of the architects of the GFA, sought the middleground like Hume & Mallon, and by all accounts a very decent man. The polarisation of the north depresses me. His speech in the commons, that you’ve ignored for some reason, was incredible.
This just adds more fuel to the raging fire of FF and FG being one and the same tbh
Wondering when he would come out from the closet……not the party I would have picked
Talk about adding”" INSULT TO INJURY”"
@Itzme…..I think you are correct
A dubliner for the dubs
To the tune of “I have often walked down your street before”
I have never walked down
your streets before
For where you live is
really such a bore
Varadkar says you’ll all vote for me
Though I can’t name the streets where you live
Does a river flow through the heart of town?
Is Moore street on the north or on the south of town?
Will the voters pour, out of every door?
When I can’t name the streets where they live
And oh, the towering feeling for you to know your candidates so near
The overpowering feeling that any moment I may suddenly appear
People stop and stare they don’t bother me
I care for them as much as they do care for me
Let the time go by, I won’t’ care if I
Cannot name all the streets where you live.
have your say