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Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty says the party is considering to taking legal action against RTE. PA Wire/PA Images

Sinn Féin objects to Virgin Media for excluding Mary Lou from Leaders' debate

The party is also considering legal action against RTÉ for not including Sinn Féin.

SINN FÉIN’S PEARSE Doherty has written to Virgin Media objecting to a head-to-head debate between the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders set to take place on Wednesday.

Doherty said the two parties received less than 50% support in the last election, and has called for Mary Lou McDonald not to be excluded from the debate. 

The party also confirmed today that it is considering taking legal action against RTÉ for excluding McDonald from one of the Leaders’ debates programmes due to be aired on 4 February. 

Speaking about the letter issued to Virgin Media, Doherty said: 

“I believe that facilitating a debate in the manner proposed is capable of affecting the outcome of the election by presenting the electorate with a false, binary choice between two parties with virtually the same policies.

“BAI rules acknowledge that broadcasters have a statutory obligation to ensure that all news and current affairs programming is fair, objective and impartial.”

He questions how Virgin Media can justify excluding Sinn Féin and its voter. 

“There is no substantial difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Their policies are much the same and this can be seen over their past four years in Government together.

“I am calling on Virgin Media to make public the criteria applied in reaching this decision. They should reverse this decision immediately and have a debate that’s actually representative of Irish society,” he said. 

Virgin Media Television argues that coverage is in accordance with BAI guidelines, with coverage allocated on the basis of party performance in the 2016 general election and the local elections in 2019.

RTÉ is also set to broadcast two live debates in the run up to the general election.

However, Sinn Féin has claimed the national broadcaster has “failed to live up to its responsibilities” as one of the debates will also only feature Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

The heads of the two largest parties are set to set to clash on Prime Time on 4 February while The Claire Byrne Live Leaders’ Debate a week earlier will feature the leaders of a number of political parties debate in front of a live audience.

McDonald has said it is a “farce” that she is being excluded from the RTÉ leaders head-to-head debate in the wake of a Sunday Times poll which puts her party within the margin of error of being the second largest in the country.

The Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes poll published yesterday put Fianna Fáil on 32% of the vote – 12 points ahead of Fine Gael.

The poll placed Fine Gael at 20% and Sinn Féin at 19%.

Speaking to reporters today, the party’s spokesperson on housing Eoin Ó Broin confirmed that the party is considering taking legal action against the national broadcaster for excluding McDonald.

It is understood that TD Pearse Doherty, the Sinn Féin’s director of elections, will write to RTÉ today setting out the party’s opposition to the decision. 

Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have said they would not go into coalition with Sinn Féin after the election, and Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty has accused RTÉ of “facilitating the gameplan” of the two parties by excluding his party and its leader Mary Lou McDonald from the Prime Time debate.

Doherty previously spoke out against the planned debate, stating that there is no difference between these two parties.

“They have the same ideology and the same outlook, and combined they received less than 50% of the votes of the Irish people at the last general election.

They have tried to carve up government and opposition, and now they want to carve up this election by excluding Sinn Féin. This election is about much more than these two parties and the media have a responsibility to make sure that all voices are heard. RTÉ’s decision is an utter joke.

Housing policy launch 

Ó Broin confirmed the threat of legal action today at the launch of Sinn Féin’s housing policy. The party has promised a rent freeze, a tax credit for renters, as well as more affordable homes built on State land. 

He also promised that Sinn Féin would reduce mortgage interest rates by giving the Central Bank powers to do so. 

He said that if Sinn Féin is elected to government it would also set a deadline for ending long-term homelessness, although he did not provide that date today. 

“This election isn’t just about the policies. It is also about who the public wants as the housing minister. Do they want Eoghan Murphy, whose stand-out achievements are records level of homelessness, sky-high rents and house prices, or ever rising social housing needs?

“Do they want [Fianna Fáil TD] Darragh O’Brien who has facilitated Fine Gael’s failed housing policy by repeatedly abstaining on budgets and motions of no confidence?” he said.

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96 Comments
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    Mute DM
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:52 AM

    The support for Fianna Fáil is astonishing and really disheartening.

    Remember the period of 2008-2012, when thousands emigrated and every second constructive worker lost their job, the USC…..

    They ran a circus…..How the hell could anyone vote for that.

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    Mute Reg
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:17 AM

    And add Lowry and Wallace who should have done time in jail.

    148
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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:19 AM

    anyone else feel cheated that Kenny is now considering a ff coalition after saying he won’t multiple times. how can this man be trusted to run the country

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:21 AM

    Sure isn’t that what ……….you know the rest

    50
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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:27 AM

    Richard what is your suggestion for how the next government should be formed ?

    37
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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:29 AM

    I agree but FG ran a similar circus for the last 5 years going from scandal to scandal and people still voted for them too … Corruption riff in Irish politics – as bad as each other

    66
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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:38 AM

    rainbow coalition ff sf SD/independents maybe anything but fg really

    52
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    Mute Finn Tennance
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:42 AM

    I fear it was the absence of an acceptable alternative that has caused this.

    I went to the ballot boxes wanting to vote for someone who was best for my area but couldn’t because of the party he was associated with so I went independent. I’m quite sure I wasn’t the only one.

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    Mute DM
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:43 AM

    Agree Stephen, we’re not exactly spoiled for choice, but my god the last FF government was the worst in the history of the state…..

    FG are not much better but FF wrote the book on corruption in Ireland…..And it seems a quarter of the country wants FF back in office. Incredible.

    67
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    Mute Reg
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:44 AM

    There’s no way Sinn Fein will enter government with such a small parliamentary party. They really are a party of opposition.

    47
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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:54 AM

    Oh I agree too but after the last 5 years of mayhem still a qtr of the people still want FG too …as bad as each other

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    Mute Damian Moran
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:08 AM

    We gave FG chance 5 years ago and the just milked the system and ploughed on as if they were FF.ignore massive water protests and expect no repercussions

    39
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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:54 AM

    @damian

    what did you expect could happen when FG were voted in 5 years ago. The country was broke, you cant lower taxes and give benefits to people if you have no money. you seem to think that they chose to bring in water charges because it would be a good idea?

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:58 AM

    Reg it’s time for SF to put their money where their mouth is and form a coalition.

    28
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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:00 AM

    It’s amazing how you forget about not sorting out courts, solicitors and barristers. The country is broke and it’s not us that have to foot the final bill it’s our children. Don’t forget it’s 5 years of FG policies that have us were we are now . Public services decimated, waiting lists, homeless the list goes on

    27
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    Mute Frainc Ó Broin
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:15 AM

    FF and FG coalition would be political suicide for one of the two. Not necessarily a bad prospect if you are in opposition.

    21
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    Mute up3bs9LF
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:27 AM

    One thing for sure what ever way this all pan’s out will be interesting…

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    Mute Tony Mac
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:51 AM

    You’re spot on Reg. It’s a shame there is no real viable option other than Sinn Fein/AAA or any other “left” parties. They simply don’t have the numbers to contest it. It’s back to square one by the looks of it.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:04 AM

    If Lowry is found guilty next month on tax fraud will he lose his seat?

    25
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    Mute C O'Neill
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:14 AM

    DM if they feck (and they will) again and betray the boters who gave them a second chance then they will be back to square one. They will not get a third chance either, instead the FF votes will go to SF. FG will be continue on their downward trajectory. It all points to a SF led government in 5 yrs time, unless this coalition (FF/FG)fails.

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    Mute C O'Neill
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:14 AM

    *voters

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:21 AM

    Can’t see that happening Jane, I heard Paul Murphy this morning, they don’t trust SF.

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    Mute gregory
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:21 AM

    Many people took a stand on water charges protesting for 4 years due to their fear of price hikes, sale of iw, unfairness of the charge after already been hit with various other tax hikes and charges. Labour choose not only to ignore those people but try to use their union links Siptu etc to undermine the protest. Many protests were not even reported. Labour never even tried to adress those concerns in any serious way and certain Senior Labour people were condescending & flippant in their criticism of protestors.This unfuriated the people who feel very strongly about this issue.

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:24 AM

    Who is this Eamonn O fella elected in Galway? Let’s hope he is a better TD than that O’Cuiv guy.

    7
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    Mute Peadar O'Comain
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:32 AM

    Sinn Fein wont work with FF. They have been very clear on that. Its FF/FG or another election.

    11
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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:40 AM

    From what I can see SF won’t work with anyone so what’s the point? Do they not want to govern?

    9
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    Mute James Darcy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:44 AM

    I want one of two things. FF and SF to go in together. Or let’s go back to the balls and complete the wipe out of labour and FG.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:44 AM

    What would be your preference Pat?

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    Mute Robert Lester
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:09 PM

    He can’t the man is a fiscal space

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    Mute Brian Harrington
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:13 PM

    It’s the whiff of the expensive leather seats in the ministerial mercs. Sure, who could resist that

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:23 PM

    Some of you seem a bit deluded about the water protests. As if the politicians should have listened and how dare they ignore you. It was a protest, the government have no obligation to listen especially when it was clear it was a minority of the electorate which has been borne out in the election. The right 2 change parties are firmly in the minority. You act like protesting is the same as voting and should mean mandatory change. It’s narcissistic to say because you were protesting, how dare the government not listen and abolish IW.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:27 PM

    Robert unless you’re just not following the results it’s you who is deluded thinking water charges were not an issue look at the growth in popularity of ind. Etc wake up the people have spoken

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:32 PM

    Its gone very interesting. Heard M Martin say yesterday that they couldn’t go in with FG and leave the opposition to SF! As Adams says they want to control government and opposition!! Martin said it wouldn’t look good to outside investors! The cow towing to these “investors” has started already. Its really interesting now because FF may have to drive through some real progressive steps and changes as they are so scared of SF. I mean SF are the only credible All-Ireland republican party, which is what FF said they wanted to be for nearly a century.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:43 PM

    Sorry Stephen, the water movement made a clear political pact in right2change and those candidates will win the majority of seats. That’s the point. The matter was an issue for a minority of voters.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:17 PM

    That should read will NOT win the majority if seats.

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    Mute Stephen Fitzgerald
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:37 PM

    True they won’t win a majority of seats but FF said they would abolish them for the next 5 years … the term of the government(if it doesn’t fall asunder) so the people have in fact spoken like it or lump it votes don’t lie

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:25 PM

    At least Labour had the balls to go into government. SF thinking about their growth prospects over the interests of the country.

    4
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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:54 PM

    Search eagle SF are a self serving party and their only aim is Brits out, everything else is an after thought. And that’s ok if you’re upfront and honest but they’ll say whatever is popular at a given time to get a few votes.

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:08 PM

    Not sure jane I voted SD and my candidate did not make it sadly.

    I certainly do not want a FF/FG coalition. I also don’t want a FG/FF one either lol.

    Clare Daly said that the left “needed to get their act together”, and this is a very good point, why is the focus entirely on FF and FG?

    If the left were more organised and struck a deal with SF – then isn’t this an alternative?

    I mean all we hear day after day is that change is needed – yet AAA is unwilling to work with SF because they didn’t rule out working with FF/FG.

    This is a great chance for the left, if they can get that act together.

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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:55 PM

    Finn, I’ll second that.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 6:48 AM

    Pretty shocked how well FF are doing to be honest. Very short memories in Ireland. Most countries in the world had a downward spiral after the financial crash but very few were quite as catastrophic as Ireland. That happened under FF’s watch. Would be very disappointed to see them back in government after everything

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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:42 AM

    Both parties stated they wouldn’t go into coalition with each other. It ll be their first broken promise

    73
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    Mute Joe Smith
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:49 AM

    Zossima of they all keep their word on who they won’t work with then we won’t be able to form a government, do you think that would be a cos thing ?

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:05 AM

    If you vote for SF and Independents, then you weaken FG’s hand against FF. Not surprising at all. Hilarious really.

    16
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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:21 AM

    Yes, 50% of voters didn’t vote either party so any Gov is better than a centre right ( forget about appeal of the 8th ) FF FG coalition.

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    Mute family guy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:26 PM

    Was FG any better than FF? At least FF would be know as a better party for promoting business. FG and Lab made too many promises in 2011. I lent them my vote as they asked now I took it back thank you very much.

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    Mute Val
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:01 AM

    Why FF? I can’t comprehend how the party that brought this country to its knees is surging??

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:14 AM

    Village pump politics. People seem to ignore the party and vote for the individual. This is a result of that.

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    Mute Zossima
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:51 AM

    All the Fianna Fáil Yahoo’ing, Hollering and riding on shoulders is the ecstasy of a 90 grand salary, unlimited expenses, pension sorted and the Dail bar.
    These criminals couldn’t care less about the ordinary Irish people.

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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    Ecstasy of 90k… It’s amusing that people would be ecstatic with that as a salary. If you came to me tomorrow and said that figure, I’d be throughly depressed.

    12
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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:00 AM

    Would you be terribly depressed with the allowances with that salary?!

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:25 AM

    Of course you would drew, of course you would.

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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:31 AM

    So Fianna Fáil torch the economy and then come back claiming to be the fire brigade. Guess what – they then deny they should be in government with Fine Gael even though there is no difference between them.
    Fianna Fáil – always putting themselves first!

    71
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    Mute Sean Baylon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:51 AM

    To be perfectly honest, FF real crimes in office were not preparing for an international economic downturn.. not regulating our banks enough and not broadening our tax base so we were not so heavily reliant on income tax.. FG would’ve done the same.. but in fairness to them once things went bad they made all the horrible decisions that had to be made and FG just kept up the same policies.. them going into gov together won’t be the worst thing… they are pretty much the same thing.. the real problem is ego’s.. Will they all now show they are really about putting the people first and go into gov and do what’s needed? At least this time they might actually keep each other in check..

    14
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    Mute Mark Andrew Salmon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:06 AM

    Irish politicians in general spend too much time thinking about their constituency and too little thinking about their country. The system needs to be changed so that a national parlisment is elected instead of a county cooperative.

    71
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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:55 AM

    County Cooperatives in Ireland have grown into powerful global plc’s in the past, Kerry and Kilkenny being the most striking examples.

    Encouraging more entrepreneurship at local level is the best remedy for Ireland’s economy, rather than suggesting yet another national talking shop!

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:25 PM

    We should have an overhaul of the system. Maybe follow New Zealand where each voters gets two votes. One for a candidate and one for a party. Then devolve more power to regional councils. Let them take care of the pot holes etc.

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:22 PM

    The election of mega-councillors isn’t going to go away as long as local authorities are so de-powered.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:18 AM

    FF brought this country to its knees and then we had FG continuing its legacy of taxes and corruption. Now we have the pleasure of Fianna Fáil AND Fine Gael. Two sides of the same coin. Yes, there was no strong alternative but Jesus Christ, What have we brought on ourselves.

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    Mute Stephen Kilbane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 7:14 AM

    Enda and micheal will be looking all doe-eyed at one another soon enough, which ones gonna bend over and take it for the sake of the national interest and gender equality

    39
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    Mute mr magoo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:05 AM

    While the media were busy attacking SF every chance they got it the me fein party where left alone, nobody reminding us of their dodgy past. The establishment knew FG were in a bad way and labour were out so it suited them to let FF back. DOB now has a whole Dail full of buddies including Michael Lowry, Biffos brother, Enda and more, so it’s a very satisfactory result for kinf DOB indeed

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    Mute Paudi Onail
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:43 PM

    its hilarious really. All they’ve got is that one radio show Adams did, everything else he said on live tv was TRUE. FF came in 2nd but got a lot of facts wrong. We all know what FF are capable of, seems like many forget. We’ve just seen what FG/Labour did. SF will get their day, if it doesnt work out then so be it but to see change for once for 5 years is worth taking it. People really need to forget about the IRA this and that. You were fooled on the previous governments promises, the lisbon treaty, the IW, the bankers getting off, Property Tax, endless crap. Now you’re going to be fooled again. Makes no odds, the lower class is rising, the poorer and getting poorer, it will be those people that will take SF up another 50% come 5 years from now, same for the Independents and the SD’s. Take the chance and be done with it, ye have taking all the wrong ones and dead certs so far. I’m no fan of Adams btw, but Mary Lou and Doherty would have any of those FF/FG/Labour leaders for breakfast. Miriam O’Callaghan is not fit to lead debates either when her own brother is running for FF. Those that emigrated can safely say that they won’t be coming home anytime soon. They’re where they because of what you’ve voted for again. Might be ok for the Farmers and Business buddies. We have the 2nd lowest wage rates in the world in comparison to our cost of living. That ballooned over the past 5 years and the rich got very much richer thanks to cheap labour. Makes no odds, we need to leave the EU cos theyre ruling this. The country is a dump and destroyed by lowering wages and increased living costs. It can only go one way that – a growing lower class and much more poverty. This is what the EU rulers want btw so better get out.

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:15 PM

    ” Miriam O’Callaghan is not fit to lead debates either when her own brother is running for FF.”

    I do agree that with such an obvious conflict of interest, she needs to be removed from the political programmes.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:08 PM

    That’s all complete rubbings Paudi and what’s disturbing is that you seem to believe it.

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    Mute mickmc
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:13 AM

    Hopefully they’ll be able to form a good right wing government and not have to be pandering to the layabout and scroungers that will not help themselves.

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    Mute Declan Madsen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:22 AM

    For example children, the elderly, the disable and the homeless? Or does leftist economics benefit only the subset of unemployed who don’t want to work?

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    Mute mickmc
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:31 AM

    Well I was thinking of the layabout long term unemployed who have never done or never will do a day work in their lives.

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    Mute Declan Madsen
    Favourite Declan Madsen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:57 AM

    And I asked “does leftist economics benefit only the subset of unemployed who don’t want to work?”.

    That’s a smaller subset yet, since the long term unemployed have the disabled and the long-term ill among their numbers. The normal right wing responses to “benefit scroungers” won’t have any impact there. The normal left wing responses don’t do much either.

    Is it possible the solution is nothing to do with a simplistic left/right choice?

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:28 PM

    Most right of centre voters would say of course the elderly and infirm should always be helped. People who genuinely cannot work. But everybody else? There is no excuse if you are able bodied and able minded not to be working. There should be obligation on society to continue to hand out benefits to people who refuse to work and who are intent on milking the system for all its worth.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:18 PM

    *No obligation*

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:20 PM

    “Hopefully they’ll be able to form a good right wing government and not have to be pandering to the layabout and scroungers that will not help themselves.”

    That’d require some right wing parties to begin with. Sadly we only have the center/center-left FG, FF, SF, Labour who all have variations on exactly the same policies.

    One of the things that this election has made clear is that in spite of so many apparent choices, there really are limited choices. Unless you want to go for one of the fringe far left groups with no workable policies, you’re stuck with one of that bundle.

    Renua and Social Democrats offered something new, and while SD have built some ground, Lucinda has been punished for daring to offer anything different to the safe center-left consensus.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:57 PM

    Correct. There is a need for a new right of centre party. All the parties follow the same policies in a roundabout way. It’s all traditional high tax and spend, pandering to the PS and running hefty budget deficits and borrowing billions to plug the gap. No stomach for any welfare reform, PS reform or balanced budgets.

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Feb 28th 2016, 6:57 AM

    What’s happening in wexford? Why can’t they recount today?

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:06 AM

    They had the wrong shade of pencil.

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    Mute mr magoo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:03 AM

    It’s almost funny how the Sunday Indo act like SF don’t exist except when there is some hint of negativity then it’s emblazonedvon headlines, I would never pay money for that rag

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    Mute Kerrigan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:38 AM

    Cue the emergence of a new party ‘Fine Faíl’… Perfectly summing up the mood of the Irish electorate

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    Mute padraig o gallachoir
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:20 AM

    If FF or FG or a weird mishmash of the 2 are the only alternatives we are ever going to have as government in this country then what is the point in ever voting again? Seriously what’s the point? I’m done with it!

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    Mute Paul O Sullivan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:52 AM

    “They miss judged the mood of the country” if only there was massive protest and they were followed everywhere the went with security because of the dissatisfaction of the people. The arrogance of the last 5 years is hitting home today. They didn’t miss judge the mood they ignored it and tried to tell us what the mood should be. #endofenda

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    Mute Scandalasdog
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:15 AM

    It’s about time Ireland came to the realisation of what other states within the EU have realised. These government’s aren’t running countries they are managing them. We take orders from EU then our politicians rise and fall with the tide depending on how much the EU needs at any particular time. So we’re left withta situation that unelected technocrats decide what our politicians must do and we spin the politician carousel every 4 years throwing every consecutive one out depending how hard the demands from the unelected are. But after 10 years apparently you can be forgiven for destroying a country and still get voted back in. Time heals all wounds except the massive head wound the Irish electorate seem to have. Let’s go even more right as if there isn’t enough poverty unemployment health care and housing issues they vote for more of that ! Jerus I’ve almost lost faith in democracy. I actually heard a politician on the state channel saying you can’t vote your way out of problems?? What? What?????

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    Mute Stephen Coveney
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:00 AM

    @scandal

    What dont you understand? If we owe 40 billion, voting in a different party doesn’t change the fact that we still owe 40 billion….they may have a different way of solving the problem but the problem still exists.

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    Mute Anthony
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    If the politicians put a fraction of the effort into governing the country as they have campaigning we’d be in a much better place.

    Sadly, that will never happen. Once in they tend to go on a jolly.

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    Mute John Cross
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:06 AM

    FF back in power , better stock up on the brown envelopes

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:51 AM

    The national broadcaster at it again first thing this morning/
    ‘RTÉ’s Political Correspondent Martina Fitzgerald tells RTÉ Morning Ireland that if the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party supports a coalition with Fine Gael then you would have to favour it getting past the party conference.’ (from their news website)
    As I said early yesterday,if Micheal Martin thought about this as an alternative he would be crucified at his special Ard Fheis to discuss the issue, then, five years later, Fianna Fáil would become the new Labour Party, complete with their second vote collapse in a decade.
    It was John Bowman said this morning at 1.30 that Eamon O Cuiv had ruled out coalition with Fine Gael, that wing of their party will not be bought off, especially in the year that’s in it.

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    Mute jane
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:51 AM

    FF, SF, SD and a few independents?

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    Mute Larry Doyle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:27 AM

    Eamonn O.

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 12:58 PM

    Jane, Fianna Fáil could but, Sinn Féin have clearly ruled such out, the will of the people has prevailed, and may well again within a few months, the sad thing is, whom of the political leaders will be at the front of the General Post Office in April, hopefully not the leader of the party which helped partition our nation.
    One thing is for certain, it won’t be Gerry or Mary.

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    Mute Mel Mcintyre
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:09 AM

    A coalition of anykind with Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan is unexceptable ,other than a role as backbenchers ,FG must realise that these 2 despots are a reason why so many of their TD lost their seats ,along with this mith of a massive recovery ,all we are doing is introducing all the bad aspects of the Celtic Tiger that rouned our country ,for the gamblers that were at the helm

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:39 AM

    Don’t do it FG. Hung Dáil all the way.

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    Mute LesBehan
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:17 AM

    “We need to reflect on that because we did make mistakes as a political party” – Jerry Buttimer

    They are even beginning to sound like Fianna Fail now!

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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:52 AM

    International media are expecting a hung parliament lol. Yes if it was any other country that might happen.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:39 AM

    We have now not one but two Healy-Raes in the Dail!!!!, *#*”$%~#*^, Pardon my french

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    Mute leartius
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    Feb 28th 2016, 11:22 AM

    The people have spoken, now the only question is will these canditates but party first or country first. The biggest majority are those who failed to vote and this should be investigated. It opens the system to fraud and we must get to a stage of using photo ID when voting. I can’t believe that the percentage is so high, 4 in very 10 have given up on politics. Their option is unknown that is the biggest embarrassment for this election. This is the vote party should be fighting for.

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    Mute Joey Gee
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:13 AM

    the latest from no less than the leas Uachtarán Sinn Féin,
    ‘Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party would not be enablers of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil running “rampant” across an unequal society.

    Speaking on RTÉ Morning Ireland, Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin would be very different from the Labour Party in that respect.

    She said going into Government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail or both was a matter for the Ard Fheis (again from RTE website)
    Gerry will, perhaps not for the first time, sell himself, and republicanism, to whomever wants to pay them the most, Judas Adams and chips looking to support one or other it seems.

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    Mute Cathal O'Flaherty
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    Feb 28th 2016, 10:52 AM

    It’s depressing to contemplate a FF/FG coalition,but if we ever want to have a government without either of them involved,this had to happen.If the left are ever to offer an alternative government,this will be the time to sort themselves out.

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    Mute Euro Vaping Supplies
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:47 AM

    I’m amazed to see people have voted for a FG/FF coalition. That’s essentially the only real government possible now.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Feb 28th 2016, 9:04 AM

    No one voted for a FF/FG coalition….was it in their manifesto or on the ballot paper?

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Feb 28th 2016, 3:24 PM

    For once I agree with Al.

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    Mute Patlyndo
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:11 PM

    That’s the reality Al, if they form a coalition then we’re back to parties making promises that they can’t and won’t obligate.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 2:22 PM

    I didn’t know FF have to take any decision on a coalition to an Ard Fheis. If FF are the smallest party then I can’t see it happening, their egos won’t allow that and they know it would be a huge risk. Other FFers are saying a coalition with Labour, SocDems, Greens and other indos could happen.

    This is going to be a long drawn out pain in the a**e. Each party will try and court smaller parties and indos and all kinds of promises will be made, you may even get the Healy Rae gobs**tes having a say if their numbers are needed and god knows what concessions they’ll get.

    This is a just painful.

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    Mute Epi Retro
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:33 PM

    % of 1st preference votes according to the Irish Times: Labour 6.6%.

    A Tribunal of Inquiry should be established, under a high court judge, to determine whether these 6.6% actually exist in real life and, if not, impostors and vote-count fraudsters should be given lengthy jail terms.

    I mean, I have not met or heard of a single person who voted for the Labour Party.

    But perhaps its simply a matter of Labour voters being too embarrassed to admit to their vice?

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    Mute Paul Fanshawe
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    Feb 28th 2016, 5:47 PM

    “Gerry Adams channelled Albert Reynolds as he paid tribute to Louise O’Reilly in Dublin Fingal this afternoon”.

    What does that mean?

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    Mute Ireland, MS & Me
    Favourite Ireland, MS & Me
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    Feb 28th 2016, 5:15 PM

    FF: “Hi, IMF, ECB and EU. Remember us? We’re baaaack!”

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    Mute Luke McKeon
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    Feb 28th 2016, 4:43 PM

    Fianna Fail gonna get 40+ seats after what they did, I’ve never been less proud to be Irish to be honest.

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    Mute Robert Breen
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    Feb 28th 2016, 8:42 AM

    I don’t want a fianna gael government

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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:15 PM

    A minority government? Really? That won’t fare to well with FG, with it inevitably being incredibly unstable and the then inevitable vote of no confidence by the opposition, which will more than likely pass will lead to FG being weaker than they have ever been.

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    Mute Robert Cousins
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    Feb 28th 2016, 1:49 PM

    A minority FG government would be bad for FG long term as they’d probably face collapse at the next election as the global economy is on very shaky ground which affect Ireland. It would suit FF as they’d probably walk in at the next election and it would not suit SF as FF would really steal their thunder as the biggest opposition party.

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