Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
CLOSE TO FIVE years ago today, the first “stay-at-home” measures were introduced in Ireland to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Five years on, some of the impacts of the pandemic still linger.
The Central Statistics Office today published COVID-19 – Our Lives Five Years On: Social Impact.
It’s the third in a series of releases exploring the social and economic impact of Covid-19 on society since the onset of the pandemic.
The findings are based on an online-only survey which took place between 16 January and 2 February 2025, and explored how the Covid-19 pandemic is still impacting our lives five years on.
The survey gathered 21,003 responses and while not nationally representative, the CSO said the results are calibrated to Irish population totals and “provide valuable insight”.
Many predicted the death of the handshake during the pandemic, with some opting for elbow bumps as alternatives.
Five years on, 25% of those surveyed by the CSO said they still try to avoid handshaking.
Those with poorer health try to avoid handshaking more than those with better health.
Some 31% of respondents who rate their health as fair or bad try to avoid handshaking compared with 21% of those who rate their health as very good.
Women (32%) are more likely to attempt to avoid handshaking compared with men (18%), and women also report increased handwashing since the pandemic (61% vs 51%).
Some 56% of respondents reported that they wash their hands more often now than before the onset of the pandemic, while 6% say they wash their hands less often.
Meanwhile, 37% of respondents report no change in their frequency of handwashing.
Many people got a pet during the Covid lockdowns and most are happy with the choice.
Some 16% of respondents got a pet during the pandemic, with 67% of these getting a dog, while 30% got a cat.
However, only 6% of people who got a dog, and 3% who got a cat, now regret doing so.
Other common pet types obtained during the pandemic include rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens, and fish, while more unusual pandemic pets listed by respondents include ferrets, mice, rats, lizards, and snails.
Nearly one in four (23%) of respondents aged 18-29 say they got a new pet, more than three times the proportion (7%) of those aged 70 and over.
More than one-quarter (27%) of respondents who lived with their partner or spouse when Covid related restrictions were in place report that the pandemic had a positive impact on their current relationship.
However, 17% said that their current relationship has been negatively impacted, while almost half (49%) feel it has had no impact on their current relationship.
The financial situation of the household at that time appears to affect how the restrictions impacted on relationships between partners or spouses.
Some 38% of respondents who rated their financial situation in 2020 as bad, report that the pandemic had a negative impact on their current relationship.
This compares with 13% of those who rated their financial situation as good at that time.
Respondents who did not work from home before the pandemic but are now working remotely from home at least half of the working week are most likely to say that the pandemic has had a positive impact on familial relationships.
Just over four in ten (41%) of respondents who lived with their partner or spouse when Covid restrictions were in place and who currently work from home at least 50% of the time report that the pandemic has had a positive impact on their relationship.
The comparable rate for employees who do not work from home is 23%.
And exactly half of respondents who are now working remotely from home at least half of their working week report that the pandemic has had a positive impact on their relationship with their children.
The comparable rates for those who do not work from home is 35%.
Meanwhile, 86% of people agree or strongly agree that their work-life balance has improved since they started working remotely from home.
And 70% agree or strongly agree that their job satisfaction has improved since they have started working from home during the pandemic.
Overall, 33% of relevant respondents report that working from home has had a positive impact on their relationships with work colleagues.
Some 17% say it has had a negative impact, while 45% report no impact.
Of those who regularly attended religious ceremonies in person prior to March 2020, 37% no longer do so on a regular basis.
More than half, 55%, still regularly attend in-person, while 8% say they only attend online.
Older respondents are most likely to still attend religious ceremonies either in person or online, with 69% of those aged 70 and over still regularly attending in person, while 12% opt to attend online instead.
However, 67% of younger respondents, those aged 18-29, say they no longer attend religious ceremonies regularly in any form.
Three in ten (31%) say they still attend in person, with only 2% saying they attend online.
One-third of younger respondents, those aged 22-29, say their alcohol consumption has increased, while 40% report a reduction and 27% report no change.
Respondents who describe their household’s current financial situation as good are most likely to report their frequency of exercising increasing since pre-Covid levels, with 38% stating they exercise more often.
In contrast, only 23% of respondents who describe their household’s current financial situation as bad report an increase in their exercise frequency.
Meanwhile, 41% of employees who work from home report their frequency of exercising has increased, while this figure is only 29% for employees who do not work from home.
Elsewhere, 69% of respondents aged 18-29 say they have increased the amount of time spent on social media, compared with 53% of social media users who are 70 years or older.
And while 64% of respondents aged 18-29 state social media impacts their mental health negatively, 75% of respondents aged 70 and over who use social media report it has no impact on their mental health.
Since the pandemic, 27% of respondents who rate their health as fair or bad say they try to avoid social gatherings, almost four times the proportion (7%) of those who rate their health as very good.
Meanwhile, 59% try to avoid others when they themselves are sick – some 68% of female respondents report doing this, compared with 49% of male respondents.
Almost 70% of employees who work remotely from home at least half the working week try to avoid others when they are sick, compared to 55% for those who do not usually work from home.
And only 9% try to keep at least one-metre social distance between themselves and others, with no difference between the rates for male and female respondents.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
As long as the shinners arent involved, I’ll take anything.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: We deserve everything we get from here on in.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Then you deserve everything you get.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: what SF won’t admit is that they screwed up by not running enough candidates…..and thank god.
@Fred the Muss…: Snap
@Canyon: but did they really?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Can’t trust them Shinners!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Clearly not what people voted for these lads are a bunch of crooks.
@Canyon: they didnt do well in the elections last may so why would they run more candidates when they had no idea how they would fare. Mary lou isnt mystic meg.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL:
Very true. Anything is better than a party whose stated aim is to break the state.
They and the other part of their provisional republican movement have done more than enough damage to the economy and social fabric in Northern Ireland since their fromation in the 1970s
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: no thanks
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: what complete bolloxology
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: You’re talking a serious amount of shitery there.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: Yeah what a tragedy they broke the social fabric of 70s NI. Catholic communities had it so good up until that point, it really baffles why anyone supported them in the first place…
@Chris OB: @Seán O’Loughlin: The truth hurts. doesn’t it.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: And FFG have really been a beacon of greatness while in power……can anyone say NAMA, bailing out unsecured bondholders, tax exemptions for banks, dodgy tax deals with multinationals, children’s hospital overspend and the corona virus of quangos Irish Water…….but yes shinners BAD
@Robert Edwards: dont know who they are themselves. Started out as Republican party now they moving left. Populist anything for press coverage
@ruairi: it might be just me, but being alive was significantly better that being unemployed. Also, peaceful protests were just about to break through which would have delivered equality to address that double unemployment got seriously kicked in the teeth when an unelected SF decided to start destroying everything. It’s the same at the last Irish election – SF had a chance to be the ‘Brexit’ party and blew it.
@Chris OB: Another Shinner who doesnt understand how democracy works
@Fred the Muss…: A return to greatness.
@Chris OB: it clearly is. Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to form a majority.
Clearly another eejit that doesn’t understand how our electoral system works.
@Dave Lynch: Good man Dave explain how telling lies to your voters is democratic then Im all ears. I support what sf a promoting but didnt vote for them.
@Chris OB: If they’re able to secure a majority of votes in the Dail then it is, most certainly, what the people voted for.
@Joe: another bot jaysis is there a real voice among all the fffg shower.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: FFG have destroyed the ROI for personal gain. At least SF fought for human rights and equality. The British Army and the RIC, both entities who murdered Irish people through collusion with loyalist paramilitaries were backed by the partitionist FFG every step of the way. The treachery of some Irish people is nauseating. And before you go on your usual tour of historical injustices perpetrated by the IRA, tell me how the republican movement can now back the previously murdering police force in NI after a simple name change, yet turncoats like yourself still can’t get behind SF’s movement of justice and equality for Irish people trapped in the northern apartheid state.
@Michael Patrick Newell: and that’s just the last 10 years.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: the place is over run by west Brits.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: what good is being one of the wealthiest in the world when it’s all flowing one way? Homelessness, child poverty, hospital waiting lists all at all time highs? Giving the current crop any credit for social projects from 60s and 70s and the procurement of foreign direct investment in the 70s and 80s is inaccurate.
@Chris OB: that’s democracy pal.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: How about those who can barely afford bread, who have to work every hour they get and be taxed to the limit, while this great FFG lot have allowed insurance, utility and healthcare along with basic childcare so people can go to work go down the toilet……being the wealthiest countries on paper is all great to brag about but then mehole and leo vanity socks arent ever used to mixing with people outside of race tents and ivory towers……..oh will leo and co severe all ties with the puppet master of FG the tax dodging media mogul who seems to get debt write offs and goes untouched even after tribunals find him dodgy
@Brynþór Patrekursson: You need to read up on your NI civil rights history.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: I think the state is currently broken. I thought all of the major Irish parties were for unity. I think you’ll find that the “the economy and social fabric in Northern Ireland” was destroyed long before then, by the gerrymandered majority.
@Chris OB: I’m not a bot. I just don’t use my real name. I also have nothing to do with any political party
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: i reckon every time you open your mouth the verbal diarrhoea flows and flows
@Michael Patrick Newell: bullying…cover ups…up the ‘ra….etc etc
@Conan Campbell: Conan, people have short memories., That pro Brit, blueshirt, West Brit snobbery , has always been a part of the brown nose segment of the Irish population. I detest it,in my book they do not deserve to be called Irish people.
@Brynþór Patrekursson:
Unemployed? It was a bit more than that. People were systematically denied basic housing, poltiical representation and social services, on the basis of their religion. The Burntollet Ambush, the Battle of the Bogside, Internment and Bloody Sunday provide proof that NICRA’s peaceful efforts were not going to be allowed to succeed. I can only assume you mean SF blew the NI elections… Why would a party who represent a community overwhelmingly anti-brexit stand in on a brexit platform?
@Chris OB: Given the mix of TDs elected, the people didn’t really vote for anything in particular, though they did vote for a bit more Sinn Fein than previously.
@Chris OB: Clearly exactly what people voted for, if SF formed a coalition, would you be saying the same??
@Conan Campbell:
ROI means Return on Investment.
The name of this country is Ireland. I’ll say it again just in case you are confused, Ireland. It’s not “The Free State”. It’s not “The 26 counties”. It’s not “The South”, It’s not “ROI”. It’s not the “Republic of Ireland”. It has one name and one name only – Ireland. You and your organisation are the absolute epitome of hypocrisy. You pretend to be Irish and yet you refuse to recognise the country and use its name correctly
IRA terrorists killed more people than the RUC, the Britsh army and loyalist terrorists combined. They killed 23 serving gardaí and 1 Irish soldier. That is de facto treason and treachery.
“northern apartheid state.” you sound like a 13 year old child. There is no one trapped in Northern Ireland. Every person in Northern Ireland has the same right as every other citizen in the UK. The also have additional rights granted to them by the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Féin have no interest in justice or equality for anyone. Your organisation is a vile stain on this country and anyone supporting it should hang their heads in shame.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: You need help
@Robert Edwards: in what way ? The 3 parties in government are not trust worthy in the slightest! If you really need a list of thete lies I’m only be happy to oblige…
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: stop with your hypocrritical Irish sounding name, it’s easy to read your true colors.
@Bornicks eyes.: Feardorcha is a unionist and a dying breed thank god. Can’t wait to read his posts in 5 years when SF sweep the boards.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: well why we need to vote ?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: If you are willing to accept the toxic mix of FFG/ Greens you have got your wish. The same F.F./ Greens who when last in power brought this country to it’s knees. After losing the election it took a pandemic for Varadkae to change his mind about entering government again. A Covid 19 government.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: harsh!
@Edy: Unionist & FG voters, pretty much the same thing getting closer and closer all the time…
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: five years with this lot you could b voting SF yourself
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: you must have more money than sense. After this government you will only have one option and that will be SF.
@Conan Campbell:
How can you seriously call yourself an Irishman and support a party that supports the destruction of the country.?
Do you justify it with the same mental gymnastics that you use to pretend to yourself that your name is not of Scottish origin?
@Bornicks eyes.: Real Irishmen don’t support a organisation whose aim it is and has always been to destroy this country. My name is my name. It’s a real Irish name. That fact that you are unaware of thet shows the real interest you have in being Irish
I think the best description for yourself and your buddy Conan is “Wolfe Tones Irish”.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: You’ve lost all credibility. The origins of my Campbell name can be found easily online. A simple genetic test identifies the origins of my ancestors is >90% from Tyrone, specifically in the area inhabited by the MacCathmhoail clan. MacCathmhoail was anglicized to Campbell after the Ulster plantation. You’re nearly as epic a spoofer as Mickey Martin.
@Alan: Republican doesn’t mean conservative… you’re getting an adjective mixed up with the name of a USA party there.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: Ireland has always had her traitors. You put the interest of a minority unionist population on this island ahead of your fellow Irish people because it suits your selfish money grabbing me fein agenda. It’s fine to hate SF and have issues with their past. But how do you justify your backing of Irish political parties (FF & FG) who abandoned their fellow Irish once they got a whiff of power down south. FF & FG supported the presence of the British Army and always took the side of the RUC who colluded with loyalist terrorists. How do you justify your support for the murder committed by them?
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: you seem like a poser and a hypocrite, but I’m sure u have been told that before., As for me, I have a long memory, I don’t switch sides based on which way the wind is blowing, I wouldn’t have much time for you or your ilk. You can borrow any name u want from MY language, but your words and actions will always speak for themselves, so pose all you want, I’m sure you will find plenty of company in the orange order.
Last time we will ever see greens in government for sure.
@The Guy is Here: thought that last time
@The Guy is Here: that’s what they said last time
@eoin carroll: Greta Thunbergs campaigning won’t give them a boost next time.
@The Guy is Here: same was ssid about FF
@The Guy is Here: You’re deluded if you think climate change and environmental impact isn’t going to become a larger issue as the years roll on.
Nobody will care about a carbon tax when the ocean is on their doorstep.
@The Guy is Here: we shouldn’t need the greens in government. Every party should be responsible for the environment and quality of life.
@Rochelle: people pay serious premiums to have the ocean on their doorstep. Are you saying the value of my house is going to increase? Great!
@The Guy is Here: Greens were so desperate to get into power . Well at least the other two parties will have the Greens to blame when taxes are increased . In
@Laz Mahon: they should be desperate to get into power otherwise what they hell are they FOR?
@Rochelle: I’m a huge supporter of initiating sustainable changes to combat climate change and disaster mitigation, so much so I’ve a PhD in it. However, I don’t believe the greens are the party that can do that as they’re far to divisive in the Irish political sphere. They’ll edge forward with their addenda but get no where.
@The Guy is Here: The Greens have a specific mission statement. They’re not a single issue party, but they will never be the senior party in gov so I’m quite happy for them to prop up almost any government as long as they fight for the things in their manifesto. I voted for them in the last election and will probably do so in the next.
@The Guy is Here: The Green Party don’t offer change or alternatives. All they have are lectures and taxes. Give people viable alternatives that whirl outside the Pale and we will change. Look at electric cars: over 50% of oil rich Norway car sales are electric. Here: 5%? Encourage, not punish. The recent WFH thing should show how work and commuting habits could be changed and get rid of lots of carbon emissions and reduce infrastructure spending on getting people into an overcrowded city centre and armpits like Park West. But no, that’s now the Green way. Heck, they held the environment ministry last time and were hopeless in the job.
@The Guy is Here: people said that the last time they are in. Looks like a good agenda for change as the shinners would say
@Gareth Murran: But they’re not!
@The Guy is Here: If you really had a PhD wouldn’t you be able to spell?
This is Not what the majority of voters voted for.
@Caoimhe Clery: but it is, if it wasn’t they wouldn’t be able to form a government
@Caoimhe Clery: what did the majority of voters vote for.
@Caoimhe Clery: actually….
Just under 1.1million voted for these parties more than Double the sf total.
This is what the people voted for.
@Caoimhe Clery: Exactly. “The message I’ve received loud and clear: people want a new government, they want a change of government and that involves Fine Gael out of government.”
Fianna Fál leader Michael Martin, January 23, 2020
@Hector Son: They ran on the mandate that they would not go into government together so what you are saying is horse manure.
@Caoimhe Clery: 25% with their paltry numbers… all wind and piss like Kate Carneys Cat!
@The Risen: He’s from Cork! Think that sums it up! Never to be trusted.
Only wanted to be Taoiseach and Feck everything and everyone else. Me Fein.
@Caoimhe Clery: Actually it is. Between them they have over 50% of the vote. That’s how this works.
@The Risen: Why did Sf not form a government? They claimed to have won the election
@Tim: an idiotic question by another tribal moron. The reasons they didn’t are obvious to anyone with half a brain.
@Hector Son: FF voters didn’t vote for FFG same for FG, greens tho, yea.
@thesaltyurchin: still waiting!!!!
@Pád: watch your anti Cork words, we don’t want him either!
@The Risen: He must be hearing voices in his head then, because they said nothing loud and clear.
@Caoimhe Clery: by the majority I presume you mean the 24% that voted for Sinn Fein?
@Caoimhe Clery: yes it is, the majority of the country have given FF, FG and the Greens more votes that that other crowd who have the North in a mess and still protect terrorists. Nobody will form a government with them, does that not tell you something. Thank god they kept them out.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dums failed policies for another 5 years. Depressing stuff altogether.
@Ronaldo Blanc: goosed with the greens
@Ronaldo Blanc: This government will not last a year.Liars the lot of them. Pigs in a trough.
No no and no!!
@Bart O Brien: yesssssssssssss
@Canyon: 0 followers 0 following yea that about sums up your yessss
@Chris OB: them grapes must be awful bitter…forget the ad hominem attacks…says more about you ….
@Bart O Brien: No no and HELL no
Time for the vaseline folks and say goodbye to having much money in your pocket either, because the pandemic, previous government waste and taxes, incoming austerity and green goblin taxes will all need paying for……but don’t worry the usual suspect like banks, big business, tax dodging media moguls and developers will all get the usual get out of jail free card they got the last time…..
@Michael Patrick Newell:
The only solution here would be a cronyvirus tax , but they will quickly find a cure for that.
@Michael Patrick Newell: Taxes are coming no matter who gets in, how the hell do you think all the borrowed money will be paid back shake the magic money tree?, if you think SF would do anything different you are delusional…..FFG have saddled us with massive debts its them you should be ranting on about the bloody greens…..christ people are so thick in this country.
@Peter Hughes: U see that where the govt any govt at an end gae WHAT TAXES ? Form whom at a time when lockdown happening in china again and companies being paid by whom ?? ?? Think people need to keep eye on how ther own TD deal with this package cos TD who make that vote in end and choose between govt account to Dail or not AND choice to tell taoiseach to tell commission bond buying spree is not on any more as part of prog for govt.
@Peter Hughes: so the greens arent gonna try introduce any taxes, or agree to any sort austerity that the FFG cabbages come up with…..give over, i think Irish politics in general needs wiping out along with their deluded support base, and we start again with ppl who work for the ppl and not banks, business or pie in the sky save the planet by taxes ideas
I’m just here for the comments
And there you have it. These three parties have taken advantage of the pandemic, and have agreed to work against the will of the population. They have agreed to ignore the fact that the popular party, the party that most people wanted are kept out.
Traitors
@Gareth: the narrative during the campaign was that FFG were one and the same party, if that’s true then they won the election. You cant have it both ways.
Do you not understand how democracy works, 24% of the country voted for a party, that’s not the will of the people. FF got more than that in many elections and they didn’t got into government.
@Daniel Roche: I accept it’s democracy but it’s not really the will of the people as FF denied point blank in going into government with FG. I don’t t think many people voted for a FF/FG/greens coalition
@Brian Madden: nobody voted for any coalition, SF left tried to form a government with other left parties, didn’t have the numbers, then centre parties have now formed a government cause they have the numbers, I didnt vote for any of the three but I will support democracy.
@Gareth: Gareth I think you need to learn how democracy works, our voting sytem and possibly percentages too.
@Daniel Roche: I I didn’t vote for these three either but I accept the outcome but fear that those at the bottom will bear the brunt of the taxes and cuts.
@Gareth: Traitors to who or what? Sinn Fein? The people who voted for the TDs/parties who could cobble together a government? The state whose democratic process they followed? You need to be a bit more specific.
@Daniel Roche: Fianna Fail said they would not go in coalition with FG and on that basis people may have voted for FF.Liars
@Connoroconner: They are the same party.. the pretend differences between them have comical. Martin has kept the Blueshirts in power up to the election. Varadkar lost the election, F.F. ahead of S.F. because of an uncontested seat . RTE stating it was a historic agreement failing to mention the F.F./ Green government that brought this country to it’s knees, or the fact it took a pandemic for Varadkar to form a government .The three ring circus continues.
God help us all.
What horrors await us???
@Brian Tierney: A lesser horror than the alternative of the Professional Protest Parties being in power and actually having to make decisions, rather than crib from the sidelines and spout daft, student politics-esque rhetoric. Imagine them trying to handle the Covid crisis.
Glad to have some adults in charge and keep the clowns out. They’re far from perfect, but they’re better than other amadáns.
@JDel: “handle the covid crisis”…. It was easy for Varadkar, Harris & Co. when we all know they’re really just Tony Holohans glove puppets
Tony. “jump”
Leo. “how high”
@JDel: By adults do you mean Simon Harris who all but disappeared during the election. Medical advice would have the order of the day no matter who was in government. Do you recall Harris threatened striking nurses with fines if they did not return to work .It took a pandemic for Varadkar to change his mind about entering government again. The crumbling health service, Homelessness, Housing crisis and scandal after scandal are still with us. That was the legesy of the FFG government that lost the election.
Get ready for serious taxes
@Adam Conroy: nothing in comparison to what SF would impose on us
@Côte D’oherty: incorrect. The greens said in the examiner last week that a slew of taxes are in store after this pandemic
@Adam Conroy:
Any chance a cronyvirus tax???
@Côte D’oherty: How the f would you know
@Chris OB: hahahahaha
@Côte D’oherty: they’d provide the services though and we would actually see where the taxpayers money goes…
@Adam Conroy: Whe compnaies being paid to keep employees what taxes .
The Taoiseach nobody wants – not even Fianna Fáil
@Shane Connolly: Your statement is clearly incorrect. It will require at least 80 TDs, representing over 1.1 million voters. to elect him as Taoiseach.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: poor old shinners they could never grasp free state politics.
@John Nolan: you mean lannigans ball politics. One stepped out and the other stepped in again. Times are changing and FFG dont like it one bit. They have amalgamated to keep SF out. How the mighty have fallen.
@Brian Madden: you need to run more candidates and besides that 25% vote was a protest vote. When it comes down to it there is no loyalty from the masses. They will run with the hair and the hound. I wouldnt be getting worked up about it. This new arrangement will last a few years and then implode
@Brian Madden: No. The reasons that Sinn Féin are not involved in government formation talks are very simple.
1)They have insufficient seats. i.e insufficient electoral support
2) Their politics are an anathema to the rest of the TDs and to those who they represent.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: afraid not. They didn’t run enough candidates. Then ones they did mostly topped the polls with huge surpluses. SF don’t have cronies in big business. The media brought out the quinns and there was a storm on election day and they still topped the established parties. Sf are now the main opposition and will be in next election.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: 1.1 million votes lol lol fookin idiots couldn’t reach there own quote for a seat
Hope I’m wrong, but God help us.
@Ciarán Nestor: Is giorra cabhair Dé ná an doras.
The beginning of the end of the green party.
They proved the old saying,” everybody has a price”
For a time it will be looking like its working but give it time.
Banana republic.
@LUCY Thomas: Septic Isle
Never again a vote for the greens!
@Phillip Daly: why? They’ve apparently won lots of green concessions from the other two.
Why are you annoyed they’re actually achieving their goals?
@Shazam37: I doubt theyll even deliver a reduction. Cutting the herd will be extremely unpopular especially for the farmer parties
Power at any cost. At least they’ve confirmed one thing. That they really are two cheeks of the same @rse.
And the slim ball MM gets first turn as Taoiseach encase this Poisonous Coalition collapses sooner rather than later!
@Pád: Micky will bring us back to ruination, tighten your belts and grab your parachute.
Not my Taoiseach
I wonder now if Leo thinks it’s ok for John Delaney to apply for his old job back in the FAI.
They’ve handed the next election to SF on a plate because they are so greedy – I don’t think anyone believes they are doing it for the country
Never again a vote for the greens!
Never again a vote for the greens!
Bye bye greens. Gretas coattails won’t be there to ride on next election.
I don’t see this as a legitimate government. They have blithely ignored the will of the people. I didn’t vote SF but I still accept they were in fact the winners of the election. As for the Green Party, well I think they have demonstrated that they will do anything and cosy up to anyone for a bit of power. FG and FF are miles away from GP principles. I did vote GP but never again. Increasingly a huge number of voters are being disenfranchised as there is no one party that can represent them in Dail Eireann effectively.
@Karen Delaney: This. THIS is the problem. Such staggering levels of ignorance in the public.
A) a democratically elected Dáil elected this government. It is undeniably legitimate.
B) the will of the People is to appoint the members of the Dail. That happened. The People have no further say in matters.
C) no one “wins” an election. Even if they did SF can hardly be said to have won when they don’t control the Dail.
D) the Greens, sensibly, want to actually Enact their policies which is the ONLY reason these people have jobs in the first place. They’re actuslly getting more green concessions than ever before so job done by them. Six Dems and Lab and all the others should have been doing likewise.
E) no one has been disenfranchise – your vote was counted. TDs were elected. That is the beginning middle and end of your contribution.
@Shazam37: A clear and concise statement of facts there. However I doubt it will have much influence here.
@Shazam37: You are correct for the most part, but every time you try to explain you purposely neglect to mention that some of the votes won by parties (FF) in the election were done so under false pretenses. I accept this Dail is legitimate as long as it gets the majority of TD’s to back it – no question. But people were disenfranchised. If someone absolutely didn’t want FG in power again and voted for FF hoping they’d be the largest party and most likely to lead the next government, along with committing to not enter government with FG, then they’ve been disenfranchised. So while what your saying is accurate it missus the essence of immorality of this government.
@Conan Campbell: This agreement is as good as toilet paper for the greens. They wont achieve anything with these two .
Any thing but the shinners thank God.
And the slim ball MM has first turn as Taoiseach. I’d say that’s just in case this Poisonous coalition collapses sooner rather than later. He can always say he was a Taoiseach. Makes me sick.
How wonderful! As if it were ever in doubt after Ireland Inc gave FFG their orders?
Time to hit the streets this is an affront to the democratic will of the people.
@Chris OB: the people voted in the election, do you not support democracy.
@Daniel Roche: The people voted on the understanding that FF would not keep FG in government. “The message I’ve received loud and clear: people want a new government, they want a change of government and that involves Fine Gael out of government.”
Fianna Fál leader Michael Martin, January 23, 2020
@Daniel Roche: They lied in their mandate both parties ruling out coalition if you think thats democratic you need a good root in the hole.
@The Risen: how do you know what i or anyone else voted for?
@The Risen: MM would see his granny to be taoiseach. The man has no intention of providing change
@The Risen:
What a load of rubbish. The people of Ireland are a lot more knowledgeable about Irish politics than you clearly are.
I doubt there was a single Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael voter who didn’t think that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would be in coalition if the numbers necessitated it.
You are either completely naive or totally disingenuous. I’d guess the latter
@Brian Madden: why would you expect change from FF? Their very existence depends on their being no change.
@The Risen: I didn’t. How do you know why they voted as they did? Who are ‘the people’ anyway?
@Chris OB: I think you mean manifesto. A mandate is something you achieve when you garner the majority of seats in parliament. As nobody achieved a mandate, we’re left with a shaky coalition.
With the cost of COVID-19 still to be truly realised I’d be surprised if this lot last a year.
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: “I doubt there was a single Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael voter who didn’t think that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would be in coalition if the numbers necessitated it”. Then why did FF feel the need to advise the electorate that they wouldn’t be entering a coalition with FG before the election if it has no bearing on how they vote?
@Conan Campbell: “advise the electorate”. Are you for real? Are you actually an adult?
@Feardorcha Ó Maolomhnaigh: OK, how about ‘tell’ the electorate. The point is the same, and you still can’t answer it. I’ve noticed you’ve started using a more patronizing tone recently – are you 13? are you an adult? Is the inevitable demise of minority unionism starting to play on your mind.
And let the complaining………begin!
Hope we all know what it’s like to pick soap up for the next few years.
A terrible day for Ireland. These 3 fool’s will make everything worse. It’s all they know. Michael is a joke. Leo isn’t a democratically elected leader and is like bad stain that won’t go. Democracy in skewed.
@Finbarr Ryan: Varadkar has been democratically elected by the Dail. That’s how the Taoiseach is elected.
@Finbarr Ryan: For the 1st time the opposition will not be FF or FG, its the beginning of the end of the cartel that has stumbled from one disaster in to the next…
The black hole of poverty has just been dug deeper
Coup d’état nOw pLeAse
At long last we might get a stable and solid government and retain our sovereignty. The thought of being governed by Mary Lou and Pierce and others under instruction from their masters from outside jurisdiction would be abhorrent to every decent man or woman in the Republic of Ireland
@Kevin50: who are these masters? Perhaps you know something the psni don’t? As for a stable government. We has had these Two main parties in government for 100 years. SF are now the main opposition.
@Kevin50: Garbage, every word…
@Kevin50: And FFG in power every time we lost another bit of sovereignty to the EU. Jesus wept. Where do ye people come from?
Maybe, just maybe, having the Greens in there will bring about some change.
@Logan Shepherd: I would be keeping that betting slip in your back pocket.
@Brian Madden: I’m just being as optimistic as I can Brian. Surely the Greens will have learned a lesson from their last stint in government.
@Logan Shepherd: thet will have FFG over a barrel.
@Brian Madden: Sitting here on the outside looking in, I think they will. For a small party they will hold a lot of power. That it’s put to good use is all I’ll ask.
1st we had FF who bankrupt the country then we had FG who implemented savage austerity… Now we have them both, at the same time…
Everyone is going to pay dear for this..
Tighten your belts everyone , we’re in for a rough ride..
Sure let’s see what they can do
@Jane: we have seen what they can do. We have had them for 100 years.
@Brian Madden: more of the same so. Brought us from being one of the poorest to one of the richest and most developed. If SF had been in we’d still be living in the dark ages!
@Joe: they also brough in the troika. Lined the pockets of the rich. Taken away medical cards from kids with cancer, Sold the housing to vulture funds who have made families homeless. But I guess you know all of this already…..oh and then theres the health service.
@Brian Madden: and who gave them the medical cards in the first place? I don’t necessarily support any party. However the lies and the twisting of the truth that the Sinners and their buddies go on with is abominable!
@Joe: of course you support a political party. You are on here non stop bemoaning the shinners
The country is fu##ed
The Green Party need 1,800 members out of 2,700 to vote for this deal. Good luck with that.
@Jack Cass: The greens got most of their votes from the transfer left move, that will cost them dearly next time round after hoping in to bed with the crooked cabal.
Looks like the election was a waste of time…sadder times to come #vote again
As rotating Taoiseach will Eamon Ryan ride the bike to official functions.What a plonker representing us in the world stagep
@Larry Whelan: he’s not going to be Taoiseach. And more TDs riding bikes and us not having to pay for drivers would be a good thing.
Looks like the Concannonbots are out in force.
I’d give this alliance 1 year tops before it all come crumbling down, this is the end of the Greens
@Adam J: They are even using maga accounts these days, them YFG far right connections paying off?
Tax tax and more tax until eventually they won’t be able to get blood out of a stone. I never voted for the greens yet they are calling the shots.
54% of the country voted for this… but 100% will pay for it
THE COUNTRY IS F…..
What was the point of the country voting if this is what happens, makes me so mad. Money grabbing b*****ds >:(
@Felicity K: 1.1 million people voted for these parties.
@Hector Son: On the basis that FF and FG would not go into government together. Both parties clearly stated they wouldn’t. They have again broken their campaign pledges.
@Hector Son: Keep saying that. The penny might eventually drop..
This world has gone mad
Mafia!
Will Eamonn get a chance as Taoiseach
The three party leaders and their party strategists have now come up with a “manifesto” that only members of those parties will get to vote on. The electorate didn’t vote for this cobbled together “manifesto”.
Absolute disgrace ..same ol same ol ..rich stay rich poor stay poor .corupt to the core
The 3 stuggus
The Good news is everything opening will speed up now. Within the next month 2metre will be abolished, schools/colleges will be open after all and pubs will be able to serve drink without having to serve food.
@John Egan: and 2nd wave and lockdown again woohooo
@Chris OB: unfortunately your dreams won’t come true.
@John Egan: Not my dream I lost 3 people to the pandemic so you need to shut t f up. There are 2nd waves a plenty globally.
@Chris OB: sorry to hear. But no, I’m not going to ‘shut t f up’. I’m entitled my opinion as are you. My comment was in regards to this goverment being formed.
@John Egan: He’s right though, numbers will inevitably go back up once bars are open again, 1 infected person in a crowded bar could infect 20-30 people easily, thats why when bars reopen it will still have to adhere to social distancing rules, etc
@Adam J: I understand. My point was now one of the reasons for a slow opening of things was to form this goverment. I did not mentiom disregarding all social distancing. 2 metre down to 1 metre etc….
@John Egan: You originally said 2m restriction would be abolished in the next month, not reduced, unfortunately i can see that recommnedation being with us for a long time, they wont revise it to 1m anyway as its only a recommendation, WHO has stated 1m will suffice but 2m is recommended
I honestly would have preferred almost any outcome to seeing Martin as Taoiseach
And we thought we lived in a democracy… obviously not….. those with the power decide what we get for our vote…. makes a joke of everything democracy is supposed to stand for! No wonder the younger generation are disillusioned with the system!
@sinead foley-coleman: god you need to go back to school.
Did you get a vote? Was your vote counted from the ballot box?
Of so then that’s the end of the public contribution to democracy – and democracy has been served.
@Shazam37: I’ll re-enroll next semester and tell them you sent me Thanks a million for the advice! *eye roll*
See they put up another picture of the 3 stooges again. We will see how many people start complaining in a few months when they are been screwed for higher taxes and their take home pay is on the floor.
@paul mccoy: and there is a new train line between Clifton and Westport with 5 passengers a week and a bag of coal costs €50
In 2006 my brother Michael was murdered in Botswana. I hired a barrister to investigate his death. This investigation proved he was murdered. I gave a copy of this file to micael martin, charlie flanagan, brian cowen, enda kenny, sean sherlock, ivana bachik, not one of them did anything to bring the killers to justice. And these hypocrites shut down the country to protect peoples lives, dont make me laugh. I dont believe anything those people say. They lie every time they open their mouth. Get ready for lockdown 2, because absolute power is what these twisted parties are about. Everytime i went out to get bread during lockdown1 , i was stopped and questioned, where was i going, where was i from, was my journey essential. To think i had to get the permission of a policeman to get bread. What will they think up next. A One World Government under the UN? I forgot they already implemented that under the guise of the WHO. With plenty more to come where that came from. Just wait for the 3 leaders to implement the next waves of austerity, lockdowns, political correctness, bicycles get priority, migtants get priority, black lives matter, any lives matter except Irish lives. They have allready proved that beyond doubt to me.
It’s not fair. Why can’t Eamonn play musical chairs as well?
No more services! Ban all infrastructure! set up an insurance company! Lol! cant wait for more ‘leprechaun economics’ from these self involved lizards, eight years done, lifetime pension secured.
The idea that anyone who didn’t give SF number 1 didn’t vote for them is nonsense. There are plenty of republican leaning FF viters who’d give SF a transfer over FG. Similarly, there is a left current among green voters. I’d give anyone but FG a transfer.
I fell asleep listening to him :-)
So FF and FG promised not to go into coalition with each other, but did anyone actually believe any of that? And if ye did, are ye really that naive? FF and FG were coalition partners in all but name for years, this just makes it official, and as for the greens, they are going to get crapped on by the two cheeks of the same arse.
“Hi Mr mcmanus, unfortunately we have to let you go but we would like to offer you your job back.”
Ehm, ok?
God help us all.
The only raises we are going to get to see is the rise in tax and the pension age,
As soon as the coronavirus problem is well and truly under control another election is needed. This government has no proper mandate
They look like the three stooges.
Significant challenges ahead for the country, ie the taxpayer, the government won’t see any difference. They’ll just keep taking the same money and laughing all the way to the bank
Reading the comments and it seems nobody wants this ! As nobody voted for this !! It should be stopped now with another election maybe not immediately but in 6 months as we actually have alot more important things to deal with..
@Pat Kelly: Comments here don’t reflect the general population and rarely do.
See recent poll preference for Leo Varadkar to be taoiseach as an example
Vote FF and get FFGr
The Democratic wish of the people now exercised with the possible formation of a government. If supported by at least half of the Dail that’s fine with me.
SF is now the main opposition party. I trust in this role they will become more responsible and align themselves firmly to the Democratic process. In this scenario majority parties coalesce and govern. Importantly, the opposition groupings are not victims of anything but just opposition members.
Go néirí an t-ádh leo. Beidh sé ag teastáil.
Wont deliver anything on this document I’m sure. Toilet paper
God help us all
Leo the Lion
Just remember how td vote on package req permission to Borrow and Spend but no accounting to Dail. If govt not accounting then up to Dail to make them ?
This is an EU program for Govt AND why costing are sparse.
Govt not in control and not EU BUT ESM created by ESM Treaty.
For instance minister cant consent to county council spending TO DAY if loan terms breached from ESM not EU ?
Why is not govt using cheap loans to redeem the loan and free up spending by council or is it because that under treaty ireland cannot opt out of membership of that company until it is liquidated and all its debt to the markets are paid in full and all the debt due to it are paid by borrowing nations in full ?
No govt can change that treaty without the consent of the other parties AND opposition TD should stop misleading on it.
Every TD in Dail Eireann will be asked to elect a taoiseach with permission to borrow and spend but with no commitment to accounting to dail. .
TD can say aye
or
No to a package without accounting to the dail.
if TD vote taoiseach on that package they are giving him licence to
accept commission proposal that we charge to tax commission cost for 750 billion euro bond for 5 nation states and 1.9 bill to Ireland at council of minister meeting
AND
licence to borrow form esm with no MANDATE for that from people,,
and no accounting to Dail
Surely should nt those tow issue be debated in Dail before TD cast a vote for such a package giving taoiseach permission to borrow and spend? ?
S67 of the Credit inst Fin Stab Act 10 no min consent to co spending if loan from ESM ( NOT EU) breached. Why is loan of 44 billion small in big scheme f thing paid of and get them off our back cos it does do it ? ,
@Joe: what about FG members going to fight for the literal Nazis and Francos soldiers I’m Spain?
We Are DOOOMED DOOOMED.
Did anyone involved in these negotiations actually understand social distancing. From the news footage last night they seemed to be less than 1 m apart.
Reading the comments makes me realise why this country is the way it is we complain about FF and FG, but yet alway vote them back in neither party has done good by the general population since the foundation of the state.
In the last 5/6 elections things have gotten worse for joe soap house prices that no one can afford, extortionate rent, shitty health service education system that is only suitable for the 1960s.
I did vote for sf and all the lefties but I also voted ff and fg in the past. I just want to see can things be done differently do really care by who.
But 70% of the population did NOT for this
QUESTON: Now then what’s wes goings tos does abouts its.
ANSWER: Nothings.
Yep.
Micky mouse bullshit
Vote green, get FFG. Green supporters better know everything FFG does now is on them too and they will be held accountable.
#FiannaFail #FineGael…… I cannot see how 2 Captains from opposing sides can navigate a ship safely, it just won’t work. #FairerFuture let’s see what our 50 tearaway’s have to say before the final sign off
Did anyone involved in these negotiations actually understand social distancing. From the news footage last night they seemed to be less than 1 m apart
This is not what I voted for! I do not want those Failers in again! Liars and me feiners, just like the Gaelers. Jesus, we’ve been thru enuf! Our lives matter too!!!!!!!!!!!
have your say