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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

President signs legislation to liquidate IBRC into law

The President returned from his official visit to Rome yesterday to sign the emergency legislation.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has signed the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013 this morning at Áras an Uachtaráin.

The Bill, which was voted on by TDs in an emergency late-sitting last night moves to immediately liquidate the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), the combined former Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said yesterday that it was necessary to approve the legislation immediately as the plan to scrap IBRC’s promissory notes was leaked to foreign media.

In the Dáil, the bill was approved at 3am with 113 votes to 35. It then went a vote in the Seanad, where it was passed by 38 votes to six.

President Higgins interrupted his official visit to Rome to return home so that he would be available to sign the Bill into law. He will be returning to Italy later this morning to complete his programme of engagements.

The legislation will now see the special liquidator, KPMG, start to sell off all of IBRC’s assets and liabilities. The bulk of this will go to NAMA, which will act as a kind of purchaser ‘of last resort’ if no other parties wish to buy each asset.

There are concerns about IBRC’s workforce of 800 people which the Bill will essentially lay off, though Finance Minister Michael Noonan said last night that he understood most staff would be immediately rehired by the liquidators, or by NAMA when it takes on IBRC’s assets.

The intention of this bill is that the promissory notes – which currently require an annual repayment of €3.06 billion, due at the end of March – will be replaced with NAMA-issued bonds, which are covered by a government guarantee.

The repayment of the promissory notes has been a hot topic recently with the government in discussions with the European Central Bank (ECB) to work out a deal. ECB approval for last night’s legislation could come later today when its governing board meets in Frankfurt.

Read: Legality of promissory note to be challenged in the Supreme Court today>

Seanad debates legislation to liquidate IBRC>

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150 Comments
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    Mute Sham McSham
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:37 PM

    She joined ten years ago, and in those ten years has seen the country go down the toilet as a DIRECT result of that party, so what could she possibly see in the party? The only answer is what FF has always stood for; self advancement

    601
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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:47 PM

    Agree 100%. I wonder if these young people have mammy and daddy activists in Fianna Fail?

    381
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    Mute Jimmy McCann
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:11 PM

    Here’s a guy taking the moral high ground with a fake profile to troll…sad

    79
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    Mute Dermot Purcell
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:24 PM

    must have called in the wrong coordinates on the air strike .

    16
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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:25 PM

    Jimmy McCann,a Fianna Fáil man!

    87
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    Mute Sham McSham
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:51 PM

    1. You obviously have no idea of what a troll is.
    2. Ad hominem much?
    If you could have refuted anything I said you would have. Sad is right

    37
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    Mute Jimmy McCann
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:09 PM

    I am, but at least I put my real name to my comments so I can be identified unlike yourself.

    48
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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:23 PM

    Jimmy speaks like someone with no shame.

    48
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    Mute John Fagan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:37 PM

    80 -90% of our present ministers can trace their families back to people who fought in the war of independence. To say that politics is open to everyone is just not true.

    29
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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:07 AM

    You’re great aren’t you..
    See look I can use numbers too..
    1.
    2.
    3.
    Much?

    14
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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:09 AM

    What exactly should Jimmy McCann be ashamed of?
    He’s only been one of the party’s hardest working public reps.
    He set up neighbourhood watches at 17.
    What have you done for your community?
    Refute that.

    28
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    Mute Conor Joseph Ryan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:15 PM

    So… you refute the fact that FF mismanaged the country (to put it extremely lightly)?

    13
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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:31 PM

    Being part of FFool. Anyone with a brain or a sense of integrity would be ashamed of that.

    3
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    Mute Ted Power
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:32 PM

    I was going to start slating Fianna Fáil but she’s too hot :(

    341
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    Mute Francey Woods
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:39 PM

    Is that president of orgy??

    110
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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:42 PM

    Beware, Ted. That’s an old Sinn Fein tactic. That’s how they lull you in.

    100
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    Mute Ted Power
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:46 PM

    I know Dillon it’s a clever tactic, Mary began to indulge once she got her feet in the door!

    86
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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:47 PM

    The PD’s used the same tactic with Orca what’s her name to reel people in

    57
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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:48 PM

    @ted- you know nothing would ever be good enough for her? It would forever be “Alot done. More to do.”

    49
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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:55 PM

    Alas, yes Ted

    6
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    Mute Neil Burke
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:06 PM

    Yep. Very easy on the eyes!

    39
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    Mute Jimmy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:44 PM

    Oh man….wonder would she go for a kebab with me….hottie!

    42
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    Mute OU812
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:55 PM

    I had a vote to give so I gave her one.

    (Not really)

    22
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:58 PM

    And people wonder why more women don’t get into politics, you need only look at the comments of degradation that people are posting here. Disgusting.

    117
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    Mute Ryan'O
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:13 PM

    Do you not see the flack Enda Kenny gets on here…..oh wait he is a woman. Point taken.

    37
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:25 PM

    The crap Enda Kenny gets doesn’t sexualize and objectify him does it? How can anyone consider that acceptable?

    44
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    Mute Ted Power
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:28 PM

    You look nice too Sean. :)

    58
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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:48 PM

    @sean- I see from your profile you work for Fianna Fáil. 1. Honestly- fair dues to you being up front about it. 2. In the interest of full disclosure- Are you on duty right now? 3. I also see from your profile that you don’t believe in “The Politics of Anger”. Can I ask: is it “The Politics of Amnesia” that you prefer? 4. I disagree with Ted- I don’t think you’re that cute.

    55
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    Mute Ted Power
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:57 PM

    I was just being nice Dillon! I’d say she’s upset now, sorry he!!

    21
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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:00 PM

    Ted. You can’t just flirt with people like that. People have feelings.

    19
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:01 PM

    @Dillon I don’t know anyone political who can simply ‘turn off’ and what do you mean by ‘on duty’ I don’t get paid if that’s what you mean. Also I don’t mind that you don’t think I’m handsome, eggs aren’t really my thing you see. :)

    25
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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:03 AM

    Fair dues about being upfront about it?? Sneer away..
    I know NO ONE in Fianna Fáil who isn’t up front about it. It’s nothing to be ashamed about.
    Sean doesn’t earn a cent for the work he does for the party.

    15
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    Mute Westmeath
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:33 PM

    Will Fianna Fail ever dissolve. They are a shower of gangsters

    263
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    Mute jenny rosen
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:42 PM

    Over 400,000 voters don’t agree with you so looks like you won’t get your wish.I didn’t vote for them btw but thats beside the point.

    80
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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:49 PM

    The polls suggest FF wouldn’t have enough votes to win because Independents and undecided voters are very large.

    71
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    Mute jenny rosen
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:54 PM

    I refer to the number of 1st perference votes in the last election.If the present idiots persist in the damage they are doing to the populace FF will get back into power in 2016.

    44
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    Mute Pat Linehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:01 PM

    Which free state party would you suggest we vote for or would you recommend Independent? Would be interested to know.

    12
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    Mute Pat Linehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:02 PM

    Sorry, previous comment for Reg.

    4
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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:52 PM

    FF is a political movement. You cant kill an idea!

    69
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    Mute Shane King
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:37 PM

    Direct democracy

    20
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    Mute Rory Conway
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:16 PM

    Regonald, if thats the case they should slim down , not expand

    3
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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:37 PM

    Yeah, we all know the “idea” that FF stands for.

    1
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    Mute Mikeconnor
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:50 PM

    An accountant in fianna fail, she will be kept busy!

    243
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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:46 PM

    As opposed to the Chair of Labour Youth who is a trade union official!

    100
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    Mute Timmy O Toole
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:06 PM

    Remember the last accountant to lead Fianna Fail?!

    97
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    Mute Dermot Fennelly
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:33 PM

    I don’t think so ! Not if the past is anything to go by

    5
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    Mute jason stenson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:35 PM

    Hope she won’t turn into another Lucinda Creighton #shivers

    202
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    Mute Gerry McCormack
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:46 PM

    She already is.

    142
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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:41 PM

    She may try and make the move to the right,until the public starts looking at alternatives and asking questions.

    If she wanted to become a more appealing political rep, she should have stayed in town and worked as an Independent political rep instead of aligning herself with Fianna Fail. It’s not as though she hasn’t had plenty of time to come up with some plan to avoid the same mistakes previous female reps made in this respect.

    19
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:53 PM

    Come on then Gerry, what are Kate Feeney’s social and economic viewpoints? How is she the next Lucinda Creighton?

    51
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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:58 PM

    No, FF see themselves as infallible. Self-righteous, nearly god like. ;^))

    14
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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:34 PM

    The FF propaganda is just getting pathetic.

    You will fool some you won’t fool all.

    166
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    Mute Tara o brien
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:53 PM

    And she’s an accountant!! …..that’ll come in handy….ahem.

    98
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    Mute Ryan Stewart
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:40 PM

    Unfortunately they’ll probably fool enough

    34
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    Mute Daniel Condren
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:41 PM

    Whinging and balling about Fianna Fail on the journal isn’t going to actually do anything!

    46
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:36 PM

    For someone who is the member of a party that has their own branded book/coffee shop that sells Provisional IRA shite, pravda style newspaper (An Phoblacht) to be coming here whinging about propaganda is a bit rich I must say!

    62
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    Mute Diarmuid Ward
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:36 PM

    But if it was ‘Old’ IRA shit it would be a different story?

    18
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:50 PM

    Is that what I said Diarmuid? Didn’t think so at all. I have no time for paramilitaries nationalist or unionist who act as apologists for child murder.

    34
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    Mute Diarmuid Ward
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:44 PM

    Well you made specific reference to ‘Provisional IRA’ does that mean The selling of ‘Old’ IRA memorabilia would be acceptable in your eyes?

    12
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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:49 PM

    Daniel have you looked at your own parties history well I wouldn’t say history.I am a member of no party I support SF the political party. The Good Friday agreement was signed when I was 6. I’m living in the present. NOT giving my vote to the rot that is FF. if you are a member that your own decision my opinion of the party is not directed at you it is what they have done to me and my family and everyone else in this country.

    19
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    Mute John Fagan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:44 PM

    Have you been drinking Julie? Don’t get so wound up about politics, it will always disappoint you.

    12
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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:31 AM

    No John wasn’t drinking, funny you say that was working, in a pub so that I can save to leave, because I can’t find employment here thanks to FF and their corruption. Lets hope I can get a job their with my degree. I’m pretty sure majority of these FF youths are not in any financial difficulty and would have no problem getting mom or dad to pull them a job.

    6
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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:36 AM

    Daniel I do come on the journal, but how do you know that is all I do, same of the same throwing out acquisitions because you have no way of defending your rotten party. Trust me that is not all I am doing. FF are rotten, rotten rotten. Anyone who could be associated with them, have felt none of the consequences of FF corruption, incompetence and stupidity.

    11
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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Feb 25th 2013, 7:54 AM

    Biffo was an accountant……

    3
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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:39 PM

    And Bertie only pretended to be one

    1
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    Mute siobeli
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Is she Geraldine feeney’s daughter? Member of Seanad and related to brian cowen!! All in the same gene pool ;)

    151
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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:29 PM

    Hah! Excellent bit of information there, Siobeli. She may be a girl, but it’s still got a boy’s club mentality.

    66
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    Mute siobeli
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:25 PM

    Yep and if I remember there was controversy a few years ago about G feeney hiring her daughter as secretary as she was the “best qualified” candidate!!!???

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    Mute Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:54 PM

    Your point being? She doubled the vote of her contender in a secret ballot. The question of to whom she is related is rather irrelevant at this stage.

    24
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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:08 PM

    I believe the raddison sligo ran out of brown envelopes at the weeekend???

    35
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    Mute Catherine McMahon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:12 PM

    Yes!

    2
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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:12 PM

    No one is claiming that she doesn’t have the idiot vote locked up.

    If you wife can see what happened over 2007-11 and still believe FF is honest, she’s welcome to them.

    15
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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:16 PM

    The point being that her family is embedded in FF. It’s not like she made up her own mind after evaluating the policy an ideology platforms of all the political parties in Ireland the FF was the one for her. Ok, I acknowledge that she’s been in the party for 10 years now, but I suspect, and I hope that any young person starting from a zero political background would think FF to be the optimum party to lead the country forward.
    Also, it shows that the dynastical quality of FF politics is alive and well.

    26
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    Mute Fiachra Maolmordha Ó Raghallaigh
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:23 AM

    Ignoreland – she ran a highly successful campaign against another extremely capable candidate, whom I had the greatest pleasure of canvassing for. Her success speaks for itself. This begs the question of whether is there anything wrong with someone coming from a political family being far more politically engaged than the average citizen? It’s not as if she had no prior involvement in the party, and was selected as a candidate because her TD father/mother died or retired.

    17
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    Mute siobeli
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    Feb 25th 2013, 11:17 AM

    My point being that this ‘keeping it in the family’ politics is what is wrong with politics in this country. My hope is that this crap would have died out, but it hasn’t.
    How can people who grew up in wealthy political families, get a well paid government job from their parents understand the day to day difficulties of the citizens of Ireland??

    17
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    Mute Shaun Hannon
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    Feb 25th 2013, 4:14 PM

    To be fair, the ‘keeping it in the family’ comments don’t wash. She’s her own woman, who was brought up in a political family. It’s not all that strange that she would end up having an interest in politics. In my opinion her party choice is misguided but surely any young person who gets involved in politics and puts themselves forward for election should be given credit.

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    Mute siobeli
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    Feb 25th 2013, 5:48 PM

    I take your point shaun.
    We do need more young people in politics, but if she is her own woman why not go independent? I’m guessing the vast majority of her college friends have been forced to emigrate due to ff policies?
    But also the fact her mother hired her as a secretary, claiming she was most suitable for the job is not fair, just as eamonn Gilmore did for his daughter. She is embedded in the old boys club

    4
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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:06 PM

    ‎500 young people attended, including the young man holding up the new President. See him there, holding her up, wearing the suit. Odd ain’t it? We were called trouble-makers for saying he was in Fianna Fail, told that he left them ages ago, yet here he is, Gary Redmond, in the middle of an Ogra Fianna Fail conference. Remember this, remember this every time they tell you that the political party background of an SU or USI officer doesn’t matter. Yet we’re still slated for pointing these things out. Never trust anything a hack or a careerist says to you when it comes to student politics because everything we accuse them of always turns out to be true.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:10 PM


    Exactly.

    31
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:30 PM

    I was a little upset you didn’t come with all 5 members of the SWP to protest like you suggested. Would’ve been good to get a laugh.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:31 PM

    He’s been at the last 3 FF national youth conferences…
    All that’s changed your views since is he was democratically elected for two years in a row as USI president.

    26
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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:38 PM

    Lol, I’m not in the SWP. Also, comforts me to know exactly how you feel about people being outraged over racist comments made by Councillor McEniff, what’s next lads, rename Ogra the Celtic Wolves and argue that the 2004 Referendum didn’t go far enough?

    32
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:48 PM

    Outrage? Really? From where?

    13
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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:01 PM

    From the Traveller Community, oh sorry, I forgot, you don’t listen to them, much like ye don’t listen to asylum seekers, the unemployed, nurses, students, single parents, home helps….

    33
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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:09 PM

    Ah Mr. Loughnane would you stop that nonsense. The funding that Travellers rights groups get from the government was set up by FF, I’ve never heard of asylum seekers getting turned away from here so again your point is crap, there are more people employed now than there was in 1997, FF support the student nurses, FF invested the most in students from the introduction of free second level education to massive investment in 3rd level creating a situation where Ireland has among the highest number of graduates per capita in any country in the world, single parents, I grew up with my father deceased so I know all about that and I don’t think I’d be a FF’er if they were no help to me. FF introduced Home Helps in the first place and oppose the cuts to them.

    Care to throw anything else out there?

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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:21 PM

    Ah so, they got their funding so they should just accept the racism that is thrown at them? As for asylum seekers, that just goes to show how much you know. Under FF, the 2004 referendum was passed which split up families and caused the suicide of many more. Do you read anything about the asylum process? Under FF, many Judges have turned away every asylum application that came their way and deportations happened every 2nd day. The nurses started to go on strike because of FF and the fact the final years would not be paid for their work. More people employed now? What? Did you just ignore half a million people?
    Free 2nd level education? Oh you mean commercialising secondary schools, making sure parents constantly have to buy new editions of books as well as new uniforms? As for 3rd level, over the tenure of FF, fees increased from the low 100s to over a thousand euros a year. Now for what they have voted in favour of like lapdogs to the FG/Lab government, the recent debt “deal” that puts the burden on the next generations, every Budget that has cut home helps, savaged single parents, destroyed rural communities.

    Stop lying, no one on here believes you.

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    Mute Steo Dowd
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:49 PM

    They destroyed our country.no excuses,no forgiveness.disband ff.how can anyone support such a corrupt party? They are a curse on our country.shame on any one who votes for or supports them.

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    Mute Donal Fallon
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    Feb 25th 2013, 11:04 AM

    It seems like being a Fianna Fáiler in USI is a bit like being a stickie in the RTE of the 1980s. Why will nobody admit to being in Fianna Fail when they’re involved in the national student union? Doubt anyone is surprised by Gary Redmond.

    “f that’s how you define thugs posing as students who throw bricks at our Gardai you are the best spin doctor I know.”

    Nice Comical Ali impression Ciaran. Funny, can’t remember if you were still involved with Sinn Féin and the student movement at the time, or if you’d make the leap to the darkside and Ógra Fianna Fáil by then. Either way, if you think 2,000 young people were bricking Gardaí outside the Department of Finance you’re dead wrong. Hundreds of students gathered outside Pearse Street the week after protesting, which was an incredible sight.

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    Mute the bad mood pixie
    Favourite the bad mood pixie
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:41 PM

    Who cares, bunch of losers

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    Mute Donal Fallon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Wow, former USI President Gary Redmond holding her up. People might remember him as the USI President who set the union back years by calling for workers pay to be slashed, and who also condemned students who were attacked by the Public Order Unit. At the time he outright denied being in Fianna Fáil, funny that. Future T.D no doubt.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:26 PM

    If that’s how you define thugs posing as students who throw bricks at our Gardai you are the best spin doctor I know.
    There was an article here on the incident and also a voice recording posted proving it.

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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:03 PM

    There were 2000 non-students outside the Dept of Finance? Mad, seems a bit odd. Though, ye FF’ers always did have a strange way of looking at things…

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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:12 PM

    The brand new ff generation…. Same old Sh1t.

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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:57 PM

    A shame that the hacks on here cant be positive about politically engaged young people – regardless of their persuasion!

    Largest political youth event in Ireland!

    Very proud of being a member of Ogra Fianna Fail – and my family werent FF, I made the choice to be a member…because believe it or not its now a party that listens to its members!

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    Mute Michael Mclaughlin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:03 PM

    Here here Sean. In fairness where the hell would voting for independents get us?? Getting pulled in all directions springs to mind!!!

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    Mute Mick Kenny
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:14 PM

    Sean, people are fed up of politicians whether young or old. i do hope the new generation of politician do what they are supposed to ie looking after the best interests of the Irish people. Irish politician have a proven track record of having their own agenda and inflated egos.

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    Mute Michael Mclaughlin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:17 PM

    Fg and labour lied through their teeth in the last election but hey they really are doin a good job off rebuilding!!!! Give me a break!!!!

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:21 PM

    Michael- the country is in a better state than it was two years ago. That’s all I ask. Steady progress.

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:23 PM

    @Sean…you’re joking right?

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    Mute Michael Mclaughlin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:28 PM

    I hope your being sarcastic, did the live register numbers drop? I know the most of my mates have emigrated, does that leave us in a better state?

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    Mute Joe Mooney
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:31 PM

    Oh, thanks Sean, that gave me a great laugh. Can’t disagree FF listen to their member and take really good care of them too. FF tents etc. promoting Parish pump Politics and forgetting that the job in government isn’t about the members but the country.

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    Mute Daniel Condren
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:44 PM

    Why can’t people understand that the youth of today are completely different from current members of Fianna Fail.

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    Mute Joe McCormac
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:50 PM

    Well said Sean.

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    Mute Joe McCormac
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:51 PM

    Well said Sean

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    Mute Rory Conway
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:23 PM

    Sean Cassidy, if that’s the case , then you are the cause of this country being on it’s knees

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:40 PM

    ‘We,the youth wing of the party are different,we’re going to change everything’ said every youth wing for the last 50 years,nothing changes lads and lassies,once ye get your snouts in the trough

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:50 AM

    Ironic since The Grachii were murdered for exactly doing that!

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    Mute Fergus Lynch
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:18 AM

    Give them time. That party is a cancer that will destroy everything it touches.

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    Mute Olibhéar Ó Góillin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:11 PM

    Well done to Kate Feeney on being elected president of Ógra Fianna Fáil the renewal goes on, Micheal done a 4 hour canvass in sligo on Friday and was warmly welcomed on the door steps no bad negativity at all.

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:19 PM

    Meanwhile in the real world far far away from dreamy fantasy land…

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    Mute The Mule
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:24 PM

    You weird pro life FF lackey. Come to my door some day please.

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:26 PM

    But was he welcomed when the doors opened,those doorsteps are an awful forgetful lot!but in all seriousness ,was he ok after those four whole hours of walking and talking?im really concerned.

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:41 PM

    Yeah right !!!.
    Just because some polling company ring around a few people asking a few obscure questions you think ff will get their thieving arses back into power !!.
    Don’t think so buddy,wait until the next elections and both ff and the other paracitical leeches fg will get told to f— –f and rot in hell.

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    Mute OU812
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:55 PM

    * Michael DID a four hour canvas.

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    Mute Gis Bayertz
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:26 PM

    FF better not come to my door!

    28
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:38 PM

    He can do a TEN YEAR canvas and still get the same kicking at the polls.
    Some people are too polite to tell him and his lackies to go and get f***** !!!!! at the doors.
    Don’t worry,the ballots will tell.

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    Mute Shane King
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:49 PM

    My mother told the ff that called to her door to get the f*#k off her property and close the gate on the way out there faces were priceless.

    43
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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:23 PM

    Well done hope you’re proud of your mother! She sounds lovely

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:29 PM

    You’re mother is a legend ,bleeding trespassers!

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:38 PM

    @ciaran… Well there is a classic example of the apathy and the detachment that gave your party the kicking it rightly deserved.
    A Lady and citizen of this country is showing her disgust at the liars and thieves that destroyed this country and all you can do is to pass caustic comments…
    Charming,just charming but not in any way surprising. I’m sure your party are proud of you.

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    Mute Shane King
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:10 PM

    Keep going with the comments ciaran you are doing more damage to your party than my mother and i could ever hope to do you have shown all the readers here your true colours.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:17 PM

    They are. #TeamFitzer

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:31 PM

    @ ciaran… My case is rested.
    See you and your poor deluded buddies at the polls.
    Just remember that when your recruiting canvassers that running and an ability to jump fences will be an advantage.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:27 PM

    Well holy god, a party lackie proudly stating that ‘Mehole’ did a 4hr canvas in Sligo and was warmly welcomed on the doorsteps!!!

    Any independent verification of this hmmm???

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:15 AM

    The polls are turning… Where’ve you been!
    And I always jump the gates if
    possible… It’s quicker so I can canvass more houses!

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:49 AM

    once you step onto private property, you potentially endanger yourself because property owners have new rights under changes recently implemented.

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:04 AM

    You mean he canvassed a pre-approved bunch of cumann members? Because Michael Martin wouldn’t dare step foot on a pavement in any street in my area. He’d be lynched.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
    Favourite Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:45 AM

    Yea… Dermot Ahearn minister for justice helped bring them in.. He was..FIANNA FÁIL!
    Shock horror.
    And it is still highly illegal to physically attack canvassers so don’t be encouraging anyone and we should all be condemning it no matter what party their from.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:48 AM

    Go on what’s your area?
    Tenner says he’s been there already.
    He canvasses door to door at least 3 nights a week.
    No other party leader ever has done that!!
    I bet we know your neighbours better than you and they probably know us better too!
    Some of them are probably members!!

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    Mute Fergus Lynch
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:22 AM

    Hope he knocks on my door.

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    Mute Derek Daly
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:18 PM

    “A Lady and citizen of this country is showing her disgust at the liars and thieves that destroyed this country and all you can do is to pass caustic comments…”

    I think you’ll find the caustic comments come mostly from the people on this site who have nothing better to be doing than responding to every article about Fianna Fáil, and now Labour and Fine Gael, whose members are, surprised as you may be, citizens of this country.

    #hypocriticalmuch

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:20 PM

    Property owners don’t have to worry about making any stupid moves, they can force any unauthorized person off their property. There are various options of doing this. It’s not like public property, it’s private property.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:15 PM

    This is simply not true Reginald… I don’t know where you got your information but I suggest you go back and take another look… You cannot forcibly remove anyone from your property without leaving yourself open to assault charges. You can of course defend yourself if under attack but no-one can take the law into their own hands..

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    Mute ✨Michael✨
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:02 PM

    Have these people really had their heads in the sand all this time? Makes my blood boil after what Fianna Fáil have done to this country.

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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:44 PM

    What has that ‘party’ ever did for women :o

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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:45 PM

    ….or youth come to think of it…

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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:45 PM

    Every piece of Irish equality legislation was introduced & passed by FF.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:24 PM

    Eh Seán, every piece of Irish equality legislation was enacted on the back of EU directives instructing us to do so. Do your research.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:13 PM

    ” Every piece of Irish equality legislation was introduced & passed by FF ”

    During FF’s term of office, a minister famously stated that inequality was “inevitable”.

    This minister also defended the gap between rich and poor in Ireland.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:11 PM

    The first ever woman to be elected to parliament was a founder of FF. the previous government had a higher representation of women at cabinet level than the current government. FFs committee of 20 is made up of 10 men and 10 women. Three of the VPs of FF are women…

    Outside of politics, FF introduced free maternity care for all women in the state. It also introduced maternity benefit and child benefit, might i add that they also never moved to tax either. They also introduced the free childcare scheme for all children for the year before they are due to enter primary school. FF introduced the free cervical check and breast check screening services and also rolled out the cervical cancer vaccine for young girls at school… Need I go on? In answer to your question, FF have always strived to protect the most vulnerable in society including women.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:15 PM

    Except Fianna Fail want to introduce a homes tax and water charges (which in effect is equivalent to cutting maternity entitlements, isn’t it?)

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    Mute Mathew Gunning
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:32 PM

    Property tax and water charges are common taxes throughout the world. If I remember correctly the current government is introducing these taxes.

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:50 PM

    We don’t need a property tax, Matthew. There are alternative avenues like spending cuts, wealth taxes, and rolling back tax breaks on the top 10 per cent such as:

    - tax rebates on company cars
    - group company tax breaks
    - discretionary tax reliefs
    - tax anomalies
    etc, etc.

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    Mute Ciaran Bolger
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:28 PM

    Many congratulations to OGRA Fianna Fail in becoming the largest political youth organisation in the country, the young people involved are a credit to Ireland for getting up from their backsides and trying to do something to make the changes for the betterment of the society in which we live unlike many of the keyboard warriors on here that have made negative comments and sit at their keyboard pontificating.

    Young people should be encouraged to become active in politics and be active in a positive and constructive manner. Unlike the youth in SF & their fellow travellers that think by throwing eggs or paint at politicians makes them political activists, it make you appear to be what you are ” small minded useless social outcasts ” now in saying that I do understand that you have seen no better from your party elders.

    Anyway I was delighted to see such competition for the positions at the NYC and the caliber of candidates such as Donnacha Maguire & Kate Feeney & regardless of which one of them had succeeded in becoming President of Ogra the future of the organisation would be looking bright as both are bright intelligent people with energy that will in no doubt keep Ogra Fianna Fail the largest youth political organisation on the Island.

    Now for the knockers who have little knowledge of politics and just worry about where their next can of beer comes from get up from your keyboard and do something positive and stop displaying your complete ignorance & bitterness toward the bright intelligent people that wish to actually contribute to the future of this country.

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    Mute Joseph Loughnane
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:51 PM

    Politics? Your party has no politics and no ideology, it relies on pure populism and has done for years, The majority of people who hate your party are engaged in struggle everyday, be it on the streets or in local communities, organising to ensure people like you never have a say in the future of this country. You speak of people wanting to get things done yet you don’t even mention the myriad of different groups in this country who are suffering everyday due to your party.
    Don’t worry, we are all aware of how ye are able to paint things and unfortunately for ye, there are 1000s of us who will never forget.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:02 PM

    Yes Ciaran it seem these FF wannabes are turning nasty on these articles, somewhat becoming bitter and twisted in the process.

    One wonders what the contents will be once FF receives their comeuppance in three years time.

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:19 PM

    Real ff,pure talkers,yapidy yap yap,let me repeat a good point made above,we will never forget!

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:02 PM

    Also important to note that not one individual on the Central Officer Board or the Ard Comhairle is simply appointed unlike those of SF. People call FF a boys club when in reality that’s SF. In FF people get elected to such positions by the members based on their credentials not on how closely related they are to those involved in SF.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:08 PM

    @Gemma

    The choice is pretty clear. Does this country want a huge nanny state government it previously experienced? It’s a case of winning the battle and losing the war because if they do it’s going to collapse like every other center right society in history.

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    Mute Keith L Cullen
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:15 PM

    Small minded useless social outcasts – Is this the official FF position on anyone who does not agree with them? Oh if memory serves the founding members of most political parties in Ireland where quite fond of throwing a missile every now and then.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:51 PM

    Nanny stateism? Really is that the best you have? It’s laughable.

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    Mute Gearóid O Machain
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:09 PM

    i cried laughing at the slogan on her facebook page “effective leadership proven results”

    get up the road you shower of fools if ye think ireland will swallow your bull ever again!!

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    Mute Paul Anthony Ward
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:56 PM

    The bile & negativity from some quarters, targeting someone who chose to take the time to get involved & make a difference, is just depressing…

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:00 PM

    What I find depressing is that herself or yourself would join the most depraved, shameless crowd of gombeens in Ireland, who destroyed the economy, created mass emigration, unemployment, and misery for so many. That is what any thinking, decent person will find really depressing.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:20 PM

    @ pAUL: I have even greater concerns when faced with “just sign on the dotted line, trust me” proposals. To me they smack of snake oil.

    In all situations one must be careful not throw out the baby with the bath water. Sympathetic saying things cannot get worse is neither true nor convincing. In life experience, things almost always can get worse.

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:23 PM

    @paulanthony- that the prospects of this girls entire generation have been materially damaged by Fianna Fáil incompetence and profligacy- that’s depressing.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:29 PM

    I would NEVER vote Fianna Fail.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:58 PM

    What a fabulous army of keyboard warriors we have here. Perhaps if you got up of your collective backsides people would actually listen to what you have to say. This moan and groan about FF 2 years after the last GE is getting really old. People are sick of listening to them. If you are so disgusted by their brand of politics provide a credible alternative to it, one that doesn’t include the phrase “they ruined the country” “their all corrupt” “ah Bertie Ahern was a crook” “Charlie haughey was a gangster” ect ect ect. Same sh!te different day… Move on!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:02 PM

    Gemma,

    Indulging in name calling and verbosity of your own is not conducive to discourse. Many have forgotten that it was the conservatives who were first to attack ideas by attaching labels to them. We can all disagree but do so with comity. Let us not behave like politicians today who act like enemies rather than foes. If FF listened to people, FF would table a bill to repeal the house tax and water charges.

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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:41 AM

    Trust me Gemma a lot of us are much more than keyboard warriors. We just don’t need to have what we do splashed all over articles to make ourselves feel important.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:47 PM

    Gemma we will vote for a credible alternative. Never forget what FF did to this country. They should be in jail, instead of living off the fat of the land. You young FFers disgust me with your blind loyalty. If the citizens of this country allow you to get rich off our backs by the same methods as your predecessors then more shame on us!

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    Mute Mark Vieregge
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:14 PM

    The number of people defending FF on this article is just depressing!
    Who cares what she looks like? She’s FF, the party that killed the Celtic tiger! The party that signed away sobering try to the troika! The party of corruption, chancers and fat cats.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:13 PM

    FF, also the party that BUILT the Celtic tiger yet people always seem to forget that…

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:18 PM

    Yes Gemma, I’m glad you admitted to being proud of building the real estate bubble. Like most bubbles, it failed.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:57 PM

    I’m proud of nothing. I have never sat as a TD or at the cabinet table.. However I do support the fact that FF created thousands of jobs during the Celtic tiger as well as creating one of the most talented and educated workforces in the world… Like I said, people on this site always seem for forget the positives. I can’t imagine you were complaining when your taxes were cut… Then again, you were prob like FG and Lab and wanted them lowered further…

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:06 PM

    Gemma,

    I think you are too immersed in your own partisan rhetoric. Unemployment was steeply rising before FF were voted out of office.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:45 PM

    You might want to check the unemployment rate in 1997 and compare it to 2011…. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/ireland/unemployment-rate

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    Mute Sarah McCarthy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:15 PM

    So Gary Redmond spent 2 years as USI president claiming to no longer to be part of FF? He said as much straight to my face one day. Odd, what’s he doing there?

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:35 PM

    Imagine that, an FFer telling porkies :D

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    Mute Richard
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:35 PM

    Haha the keyboard warriors out in force slating a young woman for having an interest in actually doing something positive for the country. Sad.

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    Mute Barry McSweeney
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:53 PM

    “doing something positive for the country”

    The FFers in Sligo decided to rezone land for a private hospital against the planners’ advice. When challenged, a female FFer said “we are dealing with people we know”. Tells you all you need to know about their mindset
    The hospital was never built!

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:21 PM

    And James Reilly put 2 primary care centres in his own back yard on land owned by one of his own financial backers rather than put them where they were needed…

    FG gave Denis O’Brien a telecom license under questionable circumstances, those named in the Smithwick Tribunal have never been punished or received as much as a slap on the wrist. Many of them still sit at cabinet table.

    Labour completely lied to the electorate and sold out their grassroots all to jump into bed with FG.

    SF were involved in the brutal murders of hundreds of people north and south of the border. Not only do they refuse to acknowledge it but within their own ranks it is celebrated.

    Michael Lowry is possibly bankrupt, Mick Wallace has a VAT bill worth ten times the value of most of our homes…

    HOW are any of these people “morally” just and chaste… At least FF have learned from their indiscretions..

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:02 PM

    Is that why FF still defend their blanker bank guarantee?

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    Mute Mathew Gunning
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:28 PM

    Verru well said Gemma. Could not have said it better myself.

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    Mute Barry McSweeney
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    Feb 25th 2013, 10:58 AM

    The only FF defence “what about………”
    Maybe you will explain why the FF group on Sligo County Council generally follow a man who is not a party member AND who spent 2 years in jail for fraud.

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    Mute Lionel Hutz
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:41 PM

    Fair play to her. Great to see young people getting involved and trying make a difference regardless of party. Lets hope they aren’t put off by the negativity and constant bashing they get from peeps on here. Regardless of politics young people should be encouraged to get involved!

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:25 PM

    Here here!

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:25 PM

    Tell her to stay away from my house door…

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    Mute The Mule
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:35 PM

    So well done to this enterprising young chap?
    http://www.bnp.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/kieren.jpg

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:58 AM

    Yes, all we need are young people “making a difference”. As the poster above said, is it ok if they’re racist? Homophobes? Gombeens? Son/Daughter of a gombeen? You just don’t get it, it’s not the people we’re criticising, it’s the whole organisation, no one in FF is going to help anyone but themselves, whether they know it or not.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:55 PM

    We’ve had enough of the “difference” that FF makes. Our grandchildren will still be paying for it, while Bertie/Cowen and their ilk are living a life of luxury.

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    Mute ciaran clarke
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:53 PM

    Ah the future of corruption.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:05 PM

    Well done Kate!
    I have no doubt you’ll prove the hacks on here wrong.
    Kate is passionate and driven for the youth of Ireland and ye’ll all be seeing a lot more of her!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:33 PM

    Does she surround herself with Gardai: simply more of the smoke and lights show that is really becoming worse than the best soap operas and like the soaps, happens weekly.

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    Mute David Henry
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:55 PM

    Congratulations to Kate. Best Of luck for the upcoming year. I don’t know how the Youth of the Party can be blamed for what has happened in Ireland. It is great to see young people with such passion, unlike the majority who don’t care about politics and what will happen to our country in the years to come. Well done Kate and Mark. Looking forward to a great year.

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    Mute Danny Stultz
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:24 PM

    Congratulating makes you sound as if you never graduated from middle-school (and if that’s true, I apologize) – otherwise, grow up or do we need to put a “P” at the front of your last name rather than a “H” and a “U” before the “R”?

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    Mute peter king
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:53 PM

    I know. Its like if you joined the nazi party in 1946. Why should you be asked to defend the policies of hitler. You weren’t even a member when all that genocide was going on.

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    Mute mark power
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Would you wonder young people don’t engage with politics when you read some of the comments on here . Fianna Fáil are attracted the brightest and the best in our third level colleges and that is the reason FF are the biggest represented party at third level . Have to say I am disappointed that all the people who constantly moan about the lack of women in politics are not sending Kate messages of congratulations and support today .

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:48 PM

    People bemoaned the fact Mary Hanafin lost her seat to Richard Boyd Barrett two years ago too. One had been in government for years, helped preside over the economic destruction of this country while doing little to advance the cause of gender equality. The other is a feminist and proponent of women’s rights. Guess which is which :)

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    Mute Darren O'Treasaigh
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    Feb 25th 2013, 4:56 AM

    It has been the anti-FF posters on this thread who have been objectifying Kate Feeney and dismissing her ability based on her looks. It was implied that her appearance was the reason she was elected and that her appearance was somehow a deliberate ploy to attract people. Whereas the FF voters have emphasised how Kate won her her election to Ogra President based on her talents. She is an extremely articulate and intelligent young woman and impressed the delegates present with hard-work and sensible managerial proposals for the organisation.

    Mary Hanafin did contribute towards advancing women in politics. She was a good education minister and an example of a woman who was seen to be more competent than most of her peers in cabinet over the years. True gender equality would involve woman representing all aspects of the political spectrum, whether they come from parties that you like or dislike. It’s up to every woman just like every man to decide her own political beliefs and to be free to do that without being pigeon-holed in certain brands of politics solely on their gender.

    Mary Hanafin also consistently promoted other women within Fianna Fáil, Senator Averil Power for example was a special adviser of hers. She spoke many times over the years. And she was a consistent advocate of more women in politics across the board.

    But that wasn’t all she did in relation to gender equality. She also examined the lack of men in teaching profession particularly at primary level. The fact that care-providing professions nurses and teachers are overwhelmingly female. Gender equality involves promoting women in areas where thet’ve traditionally had little opportunity but it also requires a change in men. The fact that care-providing professions; nurses, teachers etc. are overwhelmingly female dominated is also bad for gender equality. And so long as domestic work and care-giving is seen as a “women’s area,” and men shun that work, we will never have true gender equality. More male’s working in traditionally female dominated roles is another important step for true gender equality.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:44 PM

    Admit, you losers are just trying emulate Sarah Palin and the tea party nutcases.

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    Mute Gerard Fogarty
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:05 PM

    First female Úachtarán, it is a new role. But not the first female leader of Ógra. Congrats Kate, best of luck

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:21 PM

    FF party supports the unfair house tax and water charges. No thanks…

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:19 PM

    Many of us will never forget what FF did to this society.

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    Mute Roy Mitchell
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:28 PM

    Congratulations to Kate and all the people that took the time to come to Sligo and discuss serious and important issues. There’s great passion out there and a hunger to do the best for the country and it’s people!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:29 PM

    the ennui of listening to the FF supporters is becoming unbearable. Forget about elections, it’s time to stand firm and as one against this profligacy.

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    Mute Roy Mitchell
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:46 PM

    Well if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. I’m standing for something I believe in.
    Looking forward to the local elections on 2014.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:31 PM

    Don’t come to my door, bro. I don’t want Fianna Fail anywhere near my property.

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:59 AM

    Tell us what it is you believe in Roy? Is it the shifting of bank debt onto normal people? Or maybe mass pay cuts? Or perhaps you agree with our ambulance service in North Kildare no longer existing on a Thursday? Empty words, no actions, nothing

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    Mute Aoife Marie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 11:38 AM

    You’re right Roy, there is a great hunger out there, in fact one in ten children live in poverty in this country, thanks a million Fine Fail for starving many generations to come.

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    Mute John Fagan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:55 PM

    Iceland replaced their politicians with women because their country had been ruined by the macho habits of men. I think we should be willing to give that policy a go. They couldn’t do any worse.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:33 PM

    Fianna Fail had the opportunity to skip the bank guarantee but chose not to do so. This left Ireland with massive liabilities.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:26 PM

    And FG/Lab saddled my great great grandchildren ( I’m 23) not a few weeks ago with their deal on the promissory notes and in doing so nationalised the debts of Anglo… Fianna Fáil never did that.. Then they had the cheek to try and convince us that this was a good thing…. B*llocks!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:10 PM

    FF nationalized Anglo Irish Bank in 2009

    FF blanket guaranteed banks in 2008.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:15 PM

    Gemma –

    http://www.thejournal.ie/anglo-promissory-notes-ecb-775366-Feb2013/

    You might care to refresh your memory for a minute….

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:17 PM

    @gemma- seriously. You’re so ill-informed you shouldn’t vote.

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:20 PM

    @gemma- just looked at your profile. You’re an Ogra Fianna Fáil member. You’re level of engagement and the extent of your amnesia is about what I would expect from an Ogra member. Thanks for the confirmation.

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:20 PM

    Your level..

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:43 PM

    @Dillon… So ill informed I shouldn’t vote? Are you for real? I am merely stating facts, FF nationalised Anglo Irish, not its debt, in fact NAMA was created to collect such debts.. By signing the deal on promissory notes the government wrote into law that the Irish people would repay the debts owed to Anglo, effectively letting its debtors off the hook and making that money the debt of you me and every Irish citizen for the next 3 generations. This was not a solution to the problem it merely pushed it down the road.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:50 PM

    And yes I am a member of Ogra. I have no issue nailing my colours to the mast. I’m not a political coward or a populist. I am a proud member of Ogra and of Fianna Fáil. I’m entitled to be if its of my choosing. I chose to be involved in FF off my own back in 2007. I by no means agree with everything they’ve ever done but I believe in the ideal and in the movement. I am not, nor will I ever be, embarrassed to have made a political decision and to have stood for something. I doubt you can say the same yourself. It’s rather easy to hide ones face behind an anonymous profile . Anyone could do that. It quite something else to be prepared to stand by the courage of your convictions and get up and do something. If you wish to spend your life sitting in front of your computer then that’s fine. I’m not content with being a keyboard warrior. I want to be involved in the political process and ensure that my views are represented on the floor of Leinster house.. You’re obviously quite contented with your own views going no further than a comment thread on the journal. To each his own I suppose….

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:55 PM

    Bunreacht na Stupidity.

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:16 AM

    @gemma- your party is a cancer on the body politic of Ireland. It was founded by money stolen from national funds by Eamon DeVelera. That dubious DNA remains in it to this day. It is the party of DeVelera, Haughey, Ray Burke, Padraig Flynn, Beverly Cooper Flynn, Liam Lawlor, Ivor Callelly and any number of other proven gangsters. It is “The Republican Party”, that surrendered our Sovereignty to Berlin, it is the party that brought economic ruination down upon us by not regulating banks and feeding an unsustainable property bubble. It condemned generations to debt with its ill conceived Bank bailout and it destroyed Ireland’s reputation around the world. You should be thoroughly ashamed to be associated with the most destructive force in the history of the Irish State.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Feb 25th 2013, 7:59 AM

    Ff are the root cause of all this mess. No defense……

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 25th 2013, 10:18 AM

    Gemma – you must be clearly suffering a bad dose of amnesia. The FF Gov Blanket guaranteed the liabilities and assets of the banking system. The EU would have called for the Anglo Prom debt under said g’tee, regardless of what ever way you try to spin.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:08 PM

    @Dillon you seem to have forgotten the outcome of the last GE… Last I heard it wasn’t Micheal Martin flitting over to Berlin to sit down and have tea with Angela Merkil, that’s Enda Kenny. It also might interest you to know that the reason the current govt are backing Germany whole heartedly is because they belong to the same European grouping as Angela Merkils party… On top of that, the last 2 successive. Budgets by FG/Lab have been proven to be more regressive than any FF budget. As well as this, FF have been the only party in opposition to provide a fully costed budget alternative to that created by govt. They have shown how to achieve the same cuts (which we need to achieve) with the least financial hardship for everyone. Perhaps if you’d actually read them then you’d know that.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:58 PM

    If you could at least spell Merkel’s name correctly you might have some hope .. but on second thoughts, nah.

    And John, did you happen to notice that Merkel is actually a woman? As was Margaret Thatcher?

    I’d prefer to vote for the best qualified, regardless of gender. There’s a lot more to the Iceland story. They came out of this mess very well because they are people of integrity and courage.

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    Mute Keith L Cullen
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:02 PM

    The following are facts. Fianna Fail have been in power for a total of 61 years since 1932. In that time they have facilitated and accepted culpability in various Church scandals, the most recent of which that of the Magdalene Laundries. Their members have been accused of gun running. They have failed to legislate properly for the X case (1992). They created crazy economic policies (the SSIA). They governed through huge bouts of emigration in the 30′s, 40′s, 50′s, 70′s, 80′s and in recent times.They perpetuate the ‘Jobs for the boys’ culture and encourage nepotism in politics leading to bad governing. Their members have been accused of and in some cases been found guilty of corruption and bribery. They created the secret society that is NAMA. And they gave away our economic sovereignty because their mates from the Galway Races tents were in difficulty and all the while the general population suffered. My point being I cannot understand why any young person would join such an organisation. But the fact that they do does not bode well for the future of the country.

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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:22 PM

    Seeing as were talking about ‘facts’ here.

    Fianna Fáil created modern Ireland
    Fianna Fáil brought peace to Northern Ireland
    Fianna Fáil is responsible for industrialization
    Fianna Fáil brought forward nearly every piece of equality and rights legislation in the books.
    Fianna Fáil Government has lifted 250,000 people out of poverty since 1997
    Fianna Fáil has brought about the single greatest period of Irish language revival since the 19th century
    More people are employed now than there was in 1997
    FF created one of Europe’s most advanced transport networks
    Standard and quality of life has consistently risen under FF
    FF built the infrastructure to take us into the future
    Bringing the minimum wage into line an then going better than the EU average.
    Brought in the carers allowance

    The list goes on!

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    Mute Michael Mclaughlin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:33 PM

    Boom!!!

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:37 PM

    You forgot to add that ff royally f***** Ireland.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:51 PM

    Seán, you didn’t mention:

    - A deficit of 32% of GDP

    - A capitulation to the ECB in late 2010

    - A bank guarantee that apparently went against the advice of experts who in the early months of 2008 apparently warned FF against making any blanket guarantee.

    - A big government with overt regulations on small and medium businesses and ordinary people

    - A tortuous bureaucracy for getting a driver license (young people now have to fork out approx €480 in “compulsory driving lessons” introduced by Fianna Fail )

    - Tax breaks, tax reliefs, tax anomalies, and tax rebates on the top 10 per cent at their lowest in 25 years

    - Income inequality during the so called “boom years” apparently trending with social regress and rising poverty.

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    Mute Keith L Cullen
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:55 PM

    Sean, in response.
    Fianna Fail created modern Ireland – This is nothing to be proud of what with our creaking health service, over 400 thousand unemployed and a parliamentary system in dire need of modernisation.
    Peace in Northern Ireland – FF did that all by themselves did they?
    Industrialisation – Really, we were a predominantly agricultural society before joining the EEC and where are our indigenous industries now.
    FF did bring in nearly every piece of equality and rights legislation. You were in power for 61 years. You were bound to get around to it eventually.
    How many people has FF put back in poverty since 2007?
    Emm Irish language revival? Cad? That’s what right?
    More people live here now than in 1997.
    Far enough you build good roads. Maybe you should stick to it.
    See my point above. Lot’s of roads. Ya even built towns way out in the country with no other infrastructure but sure it’s fine you could get there quickly.
    And sure yis were great at throwing money at things without having a long term plan.
    I’ve been converted. Thanks for correcting me.

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:10 PM

    Fianna Fáil created modern Ireland (is that a board game?)
    Fianna Fáil brought peace to Northern Ireland (there is no peace in NI, more peace walls than ever, more dissident republicans than ever.)
    Fianna Fáil is responsible for industrialization (right….)
    Fianna Fáil brought forward nearly every piece of equality and rights legislation in the books. (mainly because you were forced to by the EU)
    Fianna Fáil Government has lifted 250,000 people out of poverty since 1997 (and put many multiples back into it)
    Fianna Fáil has brought about the single greatest period of Irish language revival since the 19th century (even if this was through I’d rather have a job than be able to speak Irish.
    More people are employed now than there was in 1997 (because the population has increased)
    FF created one of Europe’s most advanced transport networks (LOL)
    Standard and quality of life has consistently risen under FF (and has in the western world as a whole, while 1/3 of the planet lives in poverty )
    FF built the infrastructure to take us into the future (the delorean?)
    Bringing the minimum wage into line an then going better than the EU average. (cost of living is way higher here)
    Brought in the carers allowance (and then proceeded to make all our bank debt private and force a scenario where another right wing government cut it :) )

    Any other empty pieces of rubbish rhetoric you’d like to spew from your mouth?

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:28 AM

    NAMA is a secret society.. Really?

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    Mute Fergus Lynch
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:59 AM

    You need help, urgently. Did daddy tell you to post that nonsense?

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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:48 PM

    No. Quite liberal but she’s a leader who embraces democracy and the mandate of her members!

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:32 PM

    Apparently shops in Sligo sold out of brown envelopes this weekend

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:49 PM

    Votes Fianna Fáil. I have no problem with people who bite FF.

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    Mute Fiona Conlon Dunne
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:19 PM

    I am appalled at some of the comments here.

    First of all, many congratulations to Kate, she’s worked incredibly hard for this and I’m positive she will continue to work even harder as Uachtarán.

    I chose to join Fianna Fáil at the beginning of this academic year because I want to make a difference, as I think the party needs young, passionate members. People are constantly questioning why there are few women in politics, well, take a look at the nasty, unnecessary comments here and we could certainly accuse this kind of scrutiny as being a legitimate reason for that.

    Ógra Fianna Fáil is the largest political organisation in Third Level in this country, recruiting 1500 new members in the past year. This shows it’s new members are willing to make a difference and didn’t choose the route of sitting behind a computer screen, annihilating others.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:43 PM

    I appreciate your comment, Fiona, but neither the Fianna Fail nor the Fine Gael party can be fixed from the inside. They’re beyond repair. The clear evidence can be found in the fact that the choices they’ve provided are water charges and the homes tax. Voting for FF is”indicative” of the fact that I will no longer choose between the lesser of two evils. I’m getting old and I’m done with that. You should be, too.

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    Mute Hugh J. Conaghan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:08 PM

    Well said Fiona

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:53 PM

    Fiona why do you feel you have to be in a political party to make a difference?they have collectively lost the country for us ,if we had less alliances and party politicics and backstabbing which is inherently created and perpetuated by the party system I know it would work for us,how do I know?because its the only thing we haven’t tried.the comments on here haven’t been pleasant all night and this just shows that we really don’t keep our heads when debating.we get personal and completely diverted from the task at hand because we’re just arguing,we need unity!we all know we have to sort everything out and people are getting annoyed with ffs assertion that it is still important and that it should be,or that politics is important .why is it important that ff survives?or any party?id rather Ireland survived

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:08 PM

    “I chose to join Fianna Fáil at the beginning of this academic year because I want to make a difference”

    LOL. Where did I hear that line before…

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    Mute Fiona Conlon Dunne
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:29 PM

    Mr. Darcy – Yes certain members made huge mistakes, hence my comment: “I think the party needs young, passionate members”. I think your preference to have less party politics etc. is a bit of a fantasy as there will always be groups of people with different opinions on everything. Not everyone agrees on everything, it would be a whole lot easier if people did, but naturally that is not the case.

    Mr. Dalt- Are you accusing me of plagiarism???

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:41 PM

    Fantasist I can live with,but the question was why is it important that ff survive?or the party system?these party’s bear no resemblance to the parties of old,so why not change the system?

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:54 PM

    intellectual stupidity repeats itself.

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:55 AM

    Fiona, this whole, “we need more women in poltics” thing is rubbish. What we need is women in politics who are altruistic and care about their communities, people who actually do something more than pay lip service to gender equality. Not Mary Hanafin, not Mary O’Rourke, not Mary Harney and not you.

    You don’t even get it, what we need is people who are passionate yes, but Bertie was passionate too, passionate about looking out for himself. Less empty rhetoric, what exactly is it you even want to achieve from politics?

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:58 AM

    A career would be the wrong answer.

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    Mute Dale McDermott
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    Feb 25th 2013, 5:09 PM

    Ógra Fianna Fáil are also not the largest youth political party in Ireland, Young Fine Gael is and that’s absolute fact.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 25th 2013, 5:22 PM

    Does it bloody matter???

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    Mute ADEBAYO FLYNN
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:09 PM

    Ha! love it!

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    Mute Michael O'Reilly
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    Feb 24th 2013, 4:52 PM

    OMG had it taken that shower as long as that to have a female leader….now that really shows what they are like as a party !

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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:53 PM

    She was elected on the basis of merit not on her gender. Ironic how sexist your comment is actually!

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    Mute Sean Cassidy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:49 PM

    Nothing authoritarian, aggressive or inhuman about that…hmmm?

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:39 PM

    Gary Redmond also in that picture, have a google folks, grade A self-advancer :)

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:23 PM

    He’s a student??! What has he “advanced” exactly?

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:49 PM

    Himself, “self” would be the clue there Ciarán.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:11 PM

    Ciarán

    I have faith that the entire country has not gone off the deep end just yet, electing for a continuation of five more years of pure hell under FF’s abysmal policies.

    We are in a financial mess, and Martin’s happy, hopeful, fairy tales aren’t going to help. Let’s hope Adams is better. He CAN’T be worse.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:22 AM

    What has your SF spin got to do with Gary? Stop typing from the script..
    -Does not compute-
    Shinnerbot alert!

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:51 AM

    Says the person who is clearly a FF shill? One question Ciarán, tell me one thing FF have done internally to convince me you lot have changed in any way, shape or form in the last two years? One thing…

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:56 AM

    We have supported the current government when the country needed it and strongly opposed them when necessary.
    A new unprecedented kind if opposition. Unlike Labour who opposed EVERYTHING for attention and Fine Gael who tried to be in all sides of every argument at once!!

    Well look at them now.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:51 PM

    The current government is just the idiot wing of FF. We know which side of the argument your lot are on – the one with the brown envelopes.

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    Mute karl doyle
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:19 PM

    Which party would people vote for next election ? Seems everytime im on here everyone bashes all the parties.

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Feb 24th 2013, 5:29 PM

    Independents

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    Mute michael o'toole
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:57 PM

    correct Karl
    seems there are a lot of spoiled celtic tiger brats on here
    negative types – who are against everything
    except – perhaps – abortion & gay ……. ahem …… marriage.

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:29 PM

    For me and Patrick Lyons,defo the Shinners

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    Mute michael o'toole
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:22 PM

    i’ll be voting SF too,
    but as ever, i’ll give FF a higher transfer than FG/Labour
    in fact – i’ll give every party a higher transfer than FG/Labour.

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:14 PM

    You’re all out in force to drum up support on here for Fianna Fáil,one commenter put it right saying people don’t have the balls to say fuch off when clip boarders call at the door,bare faced cheek thinking we should be all receptive to this article.the workers of this country did all they could to make Ireland successful and Fianna Fáil who were in trusted with building on that were not doing their job and we know the rest.it is great to see young people getting involved ,but in this day and this age in Ireland if joining Fianna Fáil youth for whatever reason is what you want to do,More power to you.but I can never trust you and you will Never ever ever get my vote.the dynasties ,nepotism and corruption of political parties has us starved of democracy,I’m voting independent only,no matter what that might mean.

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    Mute Donnacha Maguire
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:20 PM

    The very best of luck to Kate. While we opposed her in the election at the NYC, she will have my full support as my President. I have known her for close to 10 years and I have no doubt that she possesses the skills and talents to lead Ógra.

    To all the haters on this site, you will never break us, you will destroy us and you will stop us from seeking to represent those who have given us a mandate.

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    Mute Donnacha Maguire
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:24 PM

    You will never destroy us..oops!

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    Mute Stephen Carroll
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:38 PM

    In other words, all we want is power, power please, that is all we stand for. It’s like some strange cult. How you guys can hold your heads up high after the organisation you belong to caused so much damage is beyond belief. As has been posted many times above, either you’re utterly deluded or just self centred careerists. I’d go for the latter.

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:57 PM

    Why would anyone want to give FF a mandate? I mean, it’s not like the chickens haven’t already come home to roost.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:54 PM

    Freudian slip there eh? Oops indeed.

    And you’re right, we *will* destroy you but you will never destroy the Irish people in spite of your repeated attempts.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:57 PM

    It says a lot about this society that there even exits an Ógra Fianna Fáil after all they’ve done to us.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:29 PM

    It says a lot about Fianna Fáil that they came back from it!

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:08 PM

    It says one thing,shameless!

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    Mute Dillon
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:26 PM

    @ciaran- could you be more typically Fianna Fáil? So enraptured by your party that you’re celebrating an electoral semi-revival while the country burns. Always party over country with you guys, isn’t it?

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    Mute damien foley
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:37 PM

    yap all the usual trolls are on here today

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    Mute Feargal Clarke
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:20 PM

    The idea of praising “young people” for “getting involved in politics and making a difference”, regardless of who they’re involved with and what those “politics” are – is a frustratingly idiotic platitude from Ógra FFers.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:00 PM

    Yeah. That really is a poorly thought through idea. Like the eejit on Frontline a while back who said FF had destroyed the country, but he was doing something about it by. . . joining FF!!!

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    Mute Fergus Lynch
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:16 AM

    It says a lot about you that you’d have anything to with a bunch of gangsters.

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    Mute Richard
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:19 PM

    What does ‘an interest in actually doing something positive for the country’ mean these days anyway? Is there anyone around -including aspiring fascists- who has an interest in doing something negative for the country? Also, I am quite sure that when Mussolini was on the rise you had people exhorting others to ‘be positive about politically engaged young people – regardless of their persuasion’.

    But anyways, Fianna Fáil – Fine Gael – Labour: all branches of the same party these days: The Troika Party. All of them support cuts to welfare, driving down wages, privatising public assets, slashing public jobs, outsourcing public functions, and stripping ordinary people of any decent standard of living or social rights or labour rights. Sure, you can keep your right to vote, but it won’t make a damned bit of difference when the Troika Party decides that the will of ‘The Markets’ trumps the will of the people each and every day of the week.

    Still, don’t let’s be beastly to the Troika Party, especially with so many of them being ‘passionate’ and ‘driven’ and drawn from ‘the brightest and the best’, as people here are pointing out. If I want to get public health services shut down and schools starved of funds, I want it done by the most passionate and driven people possible.

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    Mute Stephen Kelly
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:22 PM

    You are being negative, which is bad for business. Clearly you don’t have Ireland Inc.’s best interests at heart. We need to get Ireland moving again, going forward.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:31 PM

    Stephen,

    You meant the Tents at Galway races?

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 10:48 PM

    Anyone who challenges FF corruption is “negative”. Remember Bertie’s advice to the negative “fools” who pointed out the emperor had no clothes?

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    Mute James Campbell
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:35 PM

    Congrats To Kate Feeney and indeed Fianna Fail! Kate is the very first Feale to be elected as President of the Fianna Fail, Youth Council, Ógra Fianna Fail! She is one lady to watch in the future!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:46 PM

    Propaganda alert

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:57 PM

    A baby shark is still a baby shark too!!

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:40 PM

    FF probably pump a few grand of taxpayer funding into paying someone to red thumb all these comments. No one old enough to remember the last 10 years (some of us who’ve read a bit can call on 80 years) thinks this is a new dawn for FF. Your party has no policies. Its only policy is “vote for the lad you know, cause he’ll sort ya out”.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:36 AM

    We are volunteers as is Kate Feeney. We don’t get a red cent in pay or in expenses.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 11:02 PM

    Yep, you couldn’t pay somebody to be this stupid.

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    Mute David Carmody
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:53 PM

    Will this country ever learn from the mistakes of the past, anyone who would want to support this party would want to have there head examined. Well richard there are alot more positive things to do in this country, and one of them is not supporting FF, I can only imagine you are ff supporter! Are memories starting to fade already. I can only assume these young FF people have not been affected by the reccesion, but off cousre like all good FF s they are only in it for themselfs!

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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:25 PM

    a lot of their parents could work in politics, banks or NAMA

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    Mute Mary O'Rourke
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:13 PM

    Congratulations Kate Feeney, Fianna Fail have obviously got a modern vibrant and enthusiastic youth wing electing a female to this office. Good Luck Kate.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:16 PM

    Not taking your meds eh?

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    Mute Derek Daly
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:39 PM

    Kate is a person in her own right, neither limited nor defined by who she is related to. She will be a fantastic leader for Ógra, with a fantastic team beside her and an organisation united to deliver on its goals.

    The haters here would be hard pressed to find any member of any political party who joined because of the 5% of policy mistakes, though the consequences may sometimes be large. The sooner people realise Fianna Fáil is an organisation made up of people who joined it because of the advancements Ireland has made under Fianna Fáil governments and Fianna Fáil led governments, represented in 95% of policy successes.

    Continue with your bitterness, continue with your obsessive hatred of Fianna Fáil; it does nothing but increase your blood pressure and increase our determination to succeed.

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:05 AM

    Sweet jesus, they’re bloody everywhere

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    Mute Hugh J. Conaghan
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:44 PM

    I for one am proud to be a member of Fianna Fáil. For me this organisation is more than just a political party it’s a vibrant national movement. I’m delighted to see so many dedicated young people involved in Fianna Fáil today.
    My most sincere congratulations to Kate Feeney even though I would be a Donnacha Maguire supporter I know that you will do a fantastic job and it was great to see two excellent candidates for the position.
    Also congratulations to Fintan Phelan from my own area of Carlow town and Thomas Foy.
    To the many young enthusiastic Fianna Fáil members I say don’t let the begrudgers get you down.
    Stand up for what you believe in!! Be proud of your party and be proud of yourselves for changing Fianna Fáil for the better!! It is mainly because of you that the fight back is truly on!!

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:15 PM

    but FF want to drag us backwards to when people didn’t have reproductive rights, when there was no gay marriage and when the rich didn’t pay taxes. That’s something to be afraid of.

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    Mute The Mule
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:17 PM

    This thread is dripping with creeps. What kind of rational sound minded human being would attach themselves to such an awful group. You meet the odd FF apologist and its funny to see the mental gymnastics they employ to defend their party for life. The damage they have caused this country is immense and won’t be fully realised for another 40 years.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:20 PM

    That’s simply not true. At our last Ard Fheis Fianna Fáil adopted motions relating to same sex marriage rights and the right for those couples to be able to adopt children.. FF support both these, in fact they’re now party policy. The membership of FF voted in favour of it. FF is made up of people from all walks of life, always has been, always will be.

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:00 PM

    One question for Fianna Fáil supporters on here. Do you support the Property/ Bondholder tax?

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    Mute Danny Stultz
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:17 PM

    Yes they do.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:29 PM

    Wrong tax, wrong time

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:50 PM

    So are Fianna Fáil going to repeal this tax if they get into power Ciarán? Yes or no?

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:16 PM

    FF want a property tax.
    ——————————————————————————————————-
    Fianna Fail Proposition for €200 Septic Fee defeated in late 2011
    ——————————————————————————————————-
    FF advocate water charges (apparently with lower daily water consumption allowance)

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:21 PM

    Stop right there!
    I gotta know right now!
    Before we go any further
    I gotta know right now
    Before we go any further

    Let me sleep on it
    let me sleep on it
    and I’ll give you an answer in the morning

    ???

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:27 PM

    No.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 1:27 AM

    Did ye not get the leaflets yet?
    Obviously we haven’t got to your estate!
    Go find the answer yourself if your so interested! It’s on our website!!
    I’m not your secretary, I already know you’re wrong on it!

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    Mute Martin Grehan
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:02 AM

    If FF were in government right now they’d be implementing this tax. And you’d be on here Ciarán, doing a Dave Higgins telling us there’s no alternative. You have no shame.

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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:19 AM

    Wrong tax wrong time, really that is FF opinion, FF youths opinion on this tax, it is a wrong unjust tax. Ye are comical, FG just implemented all the policies that FF had planned, so not alone did they stick the knife in the backs of Irish people they were planning on twisting an twisting it until they bled us dry.
    How do you not understand that there are people out there that are suffering right now because of your parties actions, some mother had to send her child to bed hungry, so instead of acknowledging that people have every right to be annoyed to see the same party rising in power, you get all defensive. Shame on you. Nothing has changed.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:59 AM

    Predicting what I WOULD do… Go on my twitter and find out.. I’ve PUBLICLY disagreed with my party on issues…
    We aren’t a football team we don’t want blind support either!
    A true Republican party nurtures debate.

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:05 AM

    Waited in all night for Ciaran D’s answer, but he must have gone to the Fianna Fáil do… But anyway, the question is, are Fianna Fáil in favour of the Property/ Bondholder tax? Could be a game changer!

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    Mute Fergus Lynch
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:11 AM

    I hope they knock on my door.

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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 4:06 AM

    Don’t patronise me Ciaran,”true republicans nurture debate” “we are not a football team”.

    You and your party represent the suffering my family are going through every day, my family broken up, watching my parents in financial despair and that’s not even scratching the surface of the suffering my family face, thanks to the financial terrorists you represent, I can’t help them because I can’t get a job and I have to save to leave here to start some sort of life, maybe these are just words to you, but they are not to me, they are feeling of hurt,anger,despair, stress etc. every day.

    And because I decided to support SF, the only party that sees my family getting any much needed relief, I get attacked, called the unwashed masses, told I am handout orientated ass, I support terrorists, the terrorists you claim I support are having no impact on my life, the terrorist you support have impacted my life in such a devastating unexpected way, so who do I vote for.
    Do I look like a terrorist supporter to you do I sound like a handout orientated ass

    Your party should be hiding under a rock in shame.

    Please please tell me how you expect me to be happy that this party are rising to power, and trust your word that this party have changed( Michael Martin is leader I need say no more) I WILL NOT TAKE THAT RISK I have a lot to lose if you turn out to be wrong.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 25th 2013, 10:29 AM

    The Property tax is in the Troika agreement that was signed by none other than FF. Quite convenient that said party are now against same tax. Treacherous bast***s.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:47 PM

    Don’t patronise me either… I’m an ex- member of Sinn Féin and I know exactly what those cowboys are like first hand.
    Rhetoric, dogma and waffle.
    What have you achieved for your community with SF? I did Nothing positive with them.
    Fianna Fáil is the party that improves quality of life.
    What’s Sinn Féins alternative ? What’s Gerry’s plan?
    They don’t have one… Anti-austerity, anti- cutbacks, anti-taxes .. Against this and that but “tax the rich” they have all the money.
    I can give you a calculator but we both know it just doesn’t add up!!!

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:50 PM

    I’m not your personal secretary!..
    Go on our website its all there… There’s a leaflet going out on it.. You must’nt have got it.

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    Mute Con Ó Domhnaill
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:07 PM

    So Ciarán, are you going to repeal the property/bondholder tax if you get into government? Yes or no answer please.

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    Mute Julie
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:15 PM

    What are those cowboys like, any member that I have met are nice hardworking down to earth people.

    FF are the party that offers a better quality of like, can you read my comment above and outline to me how they gave me a better quality of life.
    Better quality of life and FF cannot be put in the same sentence.

    I did a lot of research before I decided who I was going to support and that comment it doesn’t add up, I have a good friend a old lecturer of mine, highly qualified account, said everything in SF budget adds up, and he would not support SF.

    Populist : claim to be on the side of the poor over the elite.

    It’s not a CLAIM their budget reflects that

    There was nothing for you, didn’t have anything to do with your wage never being above the average industrial wage.

    Okay forget I plan on voting SF, how do you expect me to ever vote for FF, actions speak louder than words and from your parties actions, They cannot be trusted. So I am meant to say oh Ciaran said they have changed and so did Michael Martin believe it and vote for them.

    NOT A CHANCE.

    Also what made you decide to become a member of SF day one?

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:16 PM

    I’m loving the juxtaposition on The Journal.ie homepage of this story followed immediately by the image of Ronan O’Gara captioned ‘I have no idea what I’m doing’.

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    Mute michael o'toole
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    Feb 24th 2013, 6:53 PM

    @ Gerry McCormack:
    the 2nd “greatest crowd of chancers in Europe”, perhaps ??
    the “greatest crowd of chancers in Europe” are in government, now.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:34 PM

    Can the FF members here who were in Sligo tell me whether you got around to discussing this little baby: http://www.planningtribunal.ie/images/finalReport.pdf

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    Mute Seán O' Dulaing
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:02 PM

    The Mahon report is old news and was discussed at length within FF almost a year ago now.

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    Mute Petr Tarasov
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:11 PM

    Others won’t forget it so quickly, Sean.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:21 PM

    Article here on the journal published Ogra’s responses…

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:09 PM

    I don’t see how less than one year, and no prosecutions is old news. Any chance you can post a link to Ogra FF’s response to the findings?

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:11 PM

    I suppose the banking guarantee and the mismanagement of the economy by FF are old news too??

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:39 PM

    What has been done in relation to the Smithwick Tribunal? FF expelled those members found of wrong doing less than a week after that report was published…

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:17 PM

    The damage was done by that stage.

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    Mute Regonald Timpson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:22 PM

    Why shouldn’t Feeney claim she’s “positive?” We have a generation of dummies who know how to ‘put a condom on a cucumber’ but cannot tell you ‘how many zeros are in a billion.’

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    Mute Phil
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:51 PM

    Why would this even make the news. Has the bosses at the journal got vested interests in this party. Hmmmm let me think.

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    Mute Joanne Cussen
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:46 AM

    What’s the point if this story.. Who cares pack of gangsters

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    Mute R Neuville
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:33 PM

    “Whoever abolishes the loathed Household Tax will win the next election”

    Berlusconi will abolish it in Italy AND return the confiscated tax paid last year!

    Berlusconi for Taoiseach!

    9
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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:40 PM

    Sinn Fein recently tabled a bill to repeal the house tax and water charges.

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    Mute Phyllis Mc Kenna
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:14 PM

    Brian Hayes, Fine Gael started off as a member of Sinn Fein and MaryLou Mc Donald, Sinn fein was in Fianna Fail so maybe Kate will discover her mistake and join er…. Fine Gael

    9
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    Mute John Ramsey
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:08 PM

    Good to see a young intelligent woman taking part in the politics of the country. I wonder if the venomous here have done anything to serve their country?

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    Mute Peter Richardson
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:45 PM

    It’s a good career move. Lots of business will result but no public good will accrue and no public interest will be served. What does she stand for?

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 24th 2013, 8:49 PM

    Read it for yourself… It’s all in public up on line on her website!!

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    Mute The Mule
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:22 PM

    http://www.katefeeney.ie/
    She stands for nothing. It is the usual FF line of politics for the sake of politics. No objective beyond obtaining and maintaining power. Ahern was all about this. What was best for the party was number one.

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    Mute Peter Richardson
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    Feb 25th 2013, 12:30 AM

    At Ciaran D Fitzgerald, yes I read it.

    It was all about Ogra, new structures and officer training etc. it was like a management reform exercise. I meant where does she stand on the major issues facing Irish society, ideals, vision for Ireland, economic and social policies, reform measures, austerity measures, public service pay, pension reform, the health service and the issues relevant to the citizens of Ireland.

    It look like a poor quality, derivative and hackneyed management consultancy report.

    Perhaps what is good for Ogra is good for Ireland.

    She is so young to be trotting out such tired material.

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    Mute Ciarán D. FitzGerald
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:07 AM

    Her email is on her website.
    Ask her yourself.
    She has her own opinions and ideas.
    I agree with them.
    You’re not even giving her a proper chance to defend herself you’re just engaging in an unfair attack.

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    Mute Gemma McGrory
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:22 PM

    Naturally… She was running to become president of OGRA! What did you expect it to be about? Come on now…

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    Mute john fitzpatrick
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:19 PM

    The Fianna Fail “Wise Guys” (open the books) and Kate has been “made”….

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    Mute Olibhéar Ó Góillin
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:49 PM

    To all the Fianna Fáil haters on here you are only doing one think and that is making us more determined to be back on top of Irish politics and we will i can assure you on that, you will not break the spirit that’s there with FF the true Republican Party. Ar Aghaigh le Fianna Fáil.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Feb 25th 2013, 5:29 PM

    It’s all about the party isn’t it…

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 11:03 PM

    Just remember that we’re the voters. Your contempt for us speaks volumes.

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    Mute John Stenson
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    Feb 25th 2013, 3:45 AM

    I wouldn’t be giving her my money to look after ( if I had any that is )

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 9:56 PM

    If they jumped off a bridge would you??

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    Mute Eoin Darcy
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:29 PM

    There’d be no bridge there if it wasn’t for a fine man,then you’d have to…not ..jump!?

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    Mute Tomy Iona
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    Feb 25th 2013, 8:34 AM

    @Mark -In the 300+ comments here you’ve made plenty, all obviously strongly anti-FF. I’m interested though, just who do you think there is to vote for next time around?!

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    Mute Tomy Iona
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    Feb 25th 2013, 8:32 AM

    There’s way too much entertainment in these comments…..

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    Mute Seán O' Sullivan
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    Feb 28th 2013, 10:13 PM

    Another Lucinda? Where’s the proof of that? Doesn’t mean I’d vote for FF ever btw, some of you have very short, selective memories!

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    Mute Olibhéar Ó Góillin
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    Feb 24th 2013, 7:53 PM

    What a ridiculous comment to make and absolutely no basis to it whatsoever, it’s typical the thrash that comes out of some people’s mouths. Are you a member of a political party ? Do you vote ?

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    Mute Declan Cotter
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    Feb 25th 2013, 4:11 PM

    2 comments on this!!
    First off i find it kinda disgusting to see any yound people with an loyalty to FF. All it can be is that her family are up to their neck in FF history… Sad to see a young girl follow like a sheep.. Pathetic really..
    Second point is why is this getting any headline? Latest poll (red sea) showing the that fg are still at 28% and ahead of FF. If the poll was other way around , i just know Journal and the Irish Independent wouyld be all over it… … I get a feeling that certain parts of the media want FF back!!

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 11:07 PM

    Yes it’s kind of disgusting, but in the same comment you point to FG. Continuity FF is just as disgusting! We need both parties to disappear into oblivion.

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    Mute David Gazeley
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    Feb 25th 2013, 6:10 PM

    Orga Fianna Fáil aren’t the largest youth party in Ireland

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    Mute Enda Costello
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    Feb 26th 2013, 12:35 AM

    I wonder David do you have any official verification for that? Because according to the vast majority of Student Union’s across the country, Ógra Fianna Fáil is the largest political society on campus, Ógra Sinn Féin (or whatever they call themselves) or Labour Youth have hardly a presence on most.

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    Mute David Gazeley
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    Feb 26th 2013, 4:46 PM

    I left out young Fine Gael there

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    Mute Enda Costello
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 12:30 PM

    Yes because unlike the other two, they along with Ógra have a presence in most colleges. That doesn’t make them bigger. As far SU recognition goes, I believe YFG are bigger than Ógra Fianna Fáil in ONE university and no college.

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    Mute censored
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    Mar 2nd 2013, 11:06 PM

    Nobody cares.

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    Mute Mark Dalt
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    Feb 24th 2013, 11:11 PM

    Sure it’s not, Dave. Oh wait…

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    Mute Dave Kelleher
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    Feb 24th 2013, 10:50 PM

    It’s not always about converting people. Mostly it’s just about improving political discourse and the quality of political discussion.

    Let the record show, I don’t think your comment did either of those things.

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    Mute Pat Barrett
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    Feb 25th 2013, 2:07 PM

    What about a young female Pope now??????

    1
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