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Alan Kelly announced his party's new spokespeople.

This is the Labour Party's new front bench

Labour leader Alan Kelly remains in the role of spokesperson on health.

LABOUR’S ALAN KELLY has today named his party’s new front bench. 

He said the Labour Party is now focused on holding the new Taoiseach and his ministers to account. His reshuffle comes a week after Sinn Féin announced its new spokespeople.

Last week, the government’s new Cabinet was announced, as were the junior ministerial roles.

“Labour Party TDs and Senators will hold this government to account to ensure that all of our people have a fairer future.

“We have a dynamic team with a range of experiences from across political life and civil society. Labour TDs and Senators will bring energetic and fresh thinking to all issues that arise in the coming years.

He said the Irish people deserve a Labour Party that will raise the issues that truly matter to them. Kelly said Covid-19 has been a “great disruptor” and has shown us what Government can achieve when our people need the support of our State the most. 

The party’s new line-up is as follows:

  • Alan Kelly TD – Party Leader, Spokesperson on Health and Disability Services.
  • Senator Ivana Bacik – Group Leader in the Seanad, Party Spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.
  • Duncan Smith TD – Party Whip; Spokesperson on Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport.
  • Senator Rebecca Moynihan – Party Spokesperson on Housing, Planning, Local Government and Heritage.
  • Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD – Spokesperson on Education; Enterprise and Trade.
  • Ged Nash TD – Spokesperson on Finance; Public Expenditure and Reform.
  • Senator Marie Sherlock – Seanad Whip; Party Spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Media, Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
  • Brendan Howlin TD – Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brexit, Northern Ireland and Justice.
  • Senator Annie Hoey – Party Spokesperson on Higher Education, Innovation and Research.
  • Seán Sherlock TD – Parliamentary Party Chair; Spokesperson on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands; Agriculture and the Marine.
  • Senator Mark Wall – Party Spokesperson on Defence, Tourism and Sport.

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    Mute SkepticalHippoEyes
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    Jul 7th 2020, 3:58 PM

    Irrelevant bunch

    385
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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:06 PM

    @SkepticalHippoEyes: isn’t that what people said about the greens not so long ago?

    65
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    Mute Canyon
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:08 PM

    @Dave Thomas: and they were right then and now.

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    Mute Mick Andrews
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:24 PM

    @SkepticalHippoEyes: A.O.D. obnoxious individual. Huge chip on his shoulder. Knife out for A.K.

    40
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    Mute Mick Andrews
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:25 PM

    @Mick Andrews: A.O.R

    19
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    Mute Paul Potts
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    Jul 7th 2020, 3:58 PM

    They are about as relevant as the dust on Joans iphone.

    227
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    Mute Spartacus Ireland
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:01 PM

    The Labour party, yes I remember, a sub-branch of FG? – at least that’s how I remember they behaved in their last spell in government.

    220
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    Mute Mick Andrews
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:31 PM

    @Spartacus Ireland: Got into bed with them. And got caught out. Paid a heavy price. Blue collars ran into their shirts

    56
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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:29 PM

    @Spartacus Ireland: Labour have gone in with FG multiple times (6 by my count) so it wasn’t as if 2011 was a novel event.

    6
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:18 PM

    a dynamic team with a range of experiences ??? , What is He on about??? . Sure they are a spent force. They wouldn’t blow out candles.

    155
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    Mute Christybhoy67
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:02 PM

    Who cares ?

    161
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    Mute Margaret Mcgarry
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:38 PM

    @Christybhoy67: then why comment

    4
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    Mute Nicky O'Donnell
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:16 PM

    Alan Kelly’s arrogance will hopefully be the nail in the coffin for that shower of deluded carrerists. Imagine being in a party founded on the principle of defending workers, but that turned into one which betrays and attacks working conditions and the social safety net time and again. It’s a bit like joining green-peace in order to go whaling. An organization of total dimwits without even one exception.

    219
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    Mute JJandtim Dwyer
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:21 PM

    @Nicky O’Donnell: Incredibly correct what an analogy , with Mr Irish water from Tipp leading the way to the Donkey sanctuary, no insult to the donkeys.

    63
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:46 PM

    @Nicky O’Donnell: yes, we’d be much better off if the provos represented the working people.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:58 PM

    @John Mulligan: That nonsense is getting old now John. You really do need new material at this stage.

    18
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:21 PM

    @John Mulligan: Yawn. The working class have realised that FF and FG don’t represent them, hence the massive increase in Sinn Féin support at the last election. Add to that the recession that’s incoming and you know as well as I do that we’ll have a Sinn Féin led government after the next election.

    18
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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:32 PM

    @Johnny 5: The urban working class were never great supporters of FG anyway, it’s FF that has really lost out there. Labour are social liberals, the Soc Dems have taken their onetime centre left role while SF have the oopulist

    1
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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:35 PM

    @James Walsh: populist/Nationalist left vote. The assorted Trotskyites can mop up the various Marxist far leftist votes which are few enough anyway.

    1
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:48 PM

    @James Walsh: If ye don’t like getting rode by FF and FG, you’re a populist! Great analysis there James lol

    5
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    Mute Raymond Dennehy
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:08 PM

    Labour Party yesterday’s news and with Mr boorish and arrogant in charge forget it.

    165
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    Mute David Kavanagh
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:31 PM

    Frankfurts way or Liebours way

    87
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    Mute Tom Dineen
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:21 PM

    Some clowns

    102
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    Mute Chris OB
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:18 PM

    Labour me hoop

    105
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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:02 PM

    This from the party that endorsed every austerity measure that was interduced when in government. Baby Blueshirts .

    79
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    Mute yoloboyz
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:10 PM

    Betrayed left wing ideology for a place in government years ago.. lets hope they get their act together in opposition and put ff/fg under pressure at every turn when they start up with austerity

    68
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    Mute David Harold
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:20 PM

    @yoloboyz: what is left wing ideology in an Irish political context? What are the left wing parties in Ireland?

    16
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    Mute yoloboyz
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:44 PM

    @David Harold: i agree irish politics is more complex than just left wing right wing.. however the Labour party supposed ideologies are based around defence of collective/individual workers rights which is generally considered a left wing principal… right wing believes the market solves all naturally… finally i agree with you most parties bar fine gael(firmly right wing) and pbp or the social Democrats can easily tip toe either side of the left right divide depending on the candidate/constituency

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:44 PM

    Whats a Labour Party?

    50
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:17 PM

    Well that article certainly gave me a laugh. The Irish Labour Party are the political equivalent of one of those Japanese soldiers they used to find in the jungles of South East Asia 50 years after the end of the war!

    58
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    Mute Nick Reddin
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:46 PM

    Is this a joke.

    46
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    Mute Johnny B
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:35 PM

    I forgot they were still in existence. They must have all been on their holiers the past while, not a meg out of them.

    56
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    Mute Paul Power
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:37 PM

    @Johnny B: They said that about FF.

    12
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    Mute Trevor
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:04 PM

    Three unelected persons of the people and two TDs who got in due to the SF swing

    45
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    Mute LangerDan
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    Jul 7th 2020, 4:49 PM

    When your party is so small that the front bench is literally a bench….

    48
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    Mute Michael Patrick Newell
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:08 PM

    Ah Alan AKA 47 Kelly who power is a drug too and who thought it was ok to threaten a nation over his poxy water tax and the rest of the sellouts of Liebour…..

    52
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    Mute JJandtim Dwyer
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:25 PM

    Any one remember his comment about charging for water,
    ”we have to impose these charges it is a pre-condition imposed by Europe”
    himself and big Phil what a bunch of liars Phil is gone to heaven but Alan is near the gates of hell.Sad Sad man.

    39
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    Mute Declan Crowley
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:51 PM

    and no one gives a s#/t..

    17
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    Mute Brian Stapleton
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:42 PM

    Best of luck Alan. The country needs an effective opposition and Labour is well placed to be that

    16
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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:48 PM

    @Brian Stapleton: There’s always one.

    44
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:52 PM

    @Derek Poutch: Correct! One party to deliver a strong opposition! Labour look good.

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:54 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Sorry 2

    10
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:27 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Sinn Féin have 37 TDs. Labour have 6. Labour look good? That’s even a stretch for you! Lol

    13
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:18 PM

    @Johnny 5: SF an effective opposition? You must be joking. Their only strength is complaining. Populist parties like SF never make effective opposition – but you know that Johnny!

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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:19 PM

    @Derek Poutch: Its alright Derek – no need to say you are sorry!

    1
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:36 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Tick tock tick tock. FF and FG, two parties who used to take 80 to 90% of the vote between them. This year they couldn’t even manage 50% between them and needed the Greens to form a government. So you can throw out all the buzzwords you like, the truth is there’s nothing that FF or FG can do to stop Sinn Féin from being in government after the next election when you consider the inevitable post covid recession that’s coming down the track.

    9
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:24 PM

    @Johnny 5: Sure there is a recession coming. Surely you don’t think that the populist SF is capable of managing a recession. They can’t manage what they have in NI and have brought the North to it knees.

    Its a long way to the next election and you will hear a lot of tick tock in the meantime. None of the parties will give the Shinners the “free run” they had on social media before the last election. Their current and past failures will continue to be highlighted by all sides. Be ready for your vote to crumble.

    1
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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:38 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: That sounds like a threat from Johnny, give SF power… or else!

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:46 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: The smell of desperation off ye!

    4
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @James Walsh: Apparently you’re getting threat and prediction mixed up there James. But I see what you did there. Make it look like the bad shinner is making threats.

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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:26 PM

    @Johnny 5: Keep trolling Johnny. We now have an opposition party that is not populist!

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 11:15 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: PMSL.

    1
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:30 PM

    @Johnny 5: You guys seem to be pi… yourselves alright!

    1
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    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Alan Kelly and his right wing Labour Party voted in favor of Convicted Drunk Driver Barry Cowen NOT I repeat NOT to take questions in regards to:
    Drink driving
    Not displaying L plates
    Not displaying N plates
    Driving unaccompanied
    Claiming fuel expenses while banded
    Not informing party leader
    The cover up of the MSM

    18
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 5:45 PM

    I’m not a fan of Alan Kelly but their front bench looks strong. We need a good opposition party to hold the government to account and this looks like it.

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    Mute Fred the Muss...
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:02 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Is that you Alan?

    40
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:47 PM

    @Fred the Muss…: No? You are obviously not great at reading! Try again.

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    Mute Michael Patrick Newell
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    Jul 7th 2020, 6:59 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: long as Alan doesn’t go threatening people again, or if someone disagrees with his smug dishonest ways, he runs on the late late and uses his own parents to try get the pity me vote…….

    13
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:30 PM

    For Goodness Sake I’ve got the Alan Kelly shake!

    7
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:16 PM

    @Johnny 5: Poor auld Johnny. Afraid that Labour will take back the SF vote. Ye guys are fooling no one with the SF frat room in full swing when Labour are mentioned.

    Maybe you could do a little commentary on SFs governance in NI – Housing a disaster, Jobs a disaster and the Health service the worst in Europe. Go on and justify that – I suppose its someone else’s fault!

    2
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @Michael Patrick Newell: As I said already I’m not a fan of Kelly – appears we are on the same page.

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:41 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Deflect deflect! Good lad! The article is about Labour, not Sinn Féin. As for your “Afraid that Labour will take back the SF vote” comment, well I near spat out my cocoa!

    7
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:18 PM

    @Johnny 5: Of course its about SF. Most of the commentary is this article is written by SF trolls – as usual. And as usual you don’t deal with the multiple failures in NI. Why do you think they could do better in the Republic?

    Avoid spitting – it is against the Covid rules. Of course the rules don’t apply to the Shinners!

    1
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:58 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Troll calling someone else a troll…! The paranoia too! When there’s an article on the north, I’ll comment on it. Now I’m off to get a nightcap. Slán.

    2
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:24 PM

    @Johnny 5: Good night to you. Hilarious of you calling someone a troll since you paid position seems to live on the Journal.

    1
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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:42 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Paid? I wish. Maybe I should jump ship. How much are you being paid to comment for the dark side?

    3
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:53 PM

    @Johnny 5: Jasus Johnny – I though you were having your nightcap! Surely your not doing all the defending of the Shinners without some remuneration!

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    Mute Johnny 5
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    Jul 7th 2020, 11:18 PM

    @For Goodness Sake: Just my view. I’m entitled to it. As for remuneration, maybe you could give me a contact for your boss. I’d love some extra moolah right now.

    3
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    Mute Redhandtim
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:58 AM

    @For Goodness Sake: NI is a failure alright that’s why I vote Sinn fein.

    1
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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:27 PM

    @Johnny 5: I’m sure you have moved to another thread now to continue the propaganda! My boss – I’m self employed so ……..

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    Mute For Goodness Sake
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:28 PM

    @Redhandtim: Are you trying to keep it that way?

    1
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    Mute FartyTowels
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    Jul 7th 2020, 8:15 PM

    They’ve only enough to half fill a small bench

    9
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    Mute Jimmy Murphy
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    Jul 7th 2020, 7:57 PM

    Alan Kelly. A waste of space.

    15
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    Mute Donal O'Carroll
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:11 PM

    Best of Luck to them..feck the begrudgers

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    Mute New World Order
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    Jul 7th 2020, 10:08 PM

    Duds

    4
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    Mute Broadoak
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    Jul 7th 2020, 9:53 PM

    Please can the irrelevant naysayers and keyboard warriors take a break such a sad and depressing reflection of humanity. Very inadequate people posting comments here.

    4
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