The Supreme Court didn’t say that. It said that it was not illegal for a woman to have an abortion if her life was in danger, including from suicide. It does not need to be legislated.

It’s easy to be seen to handle something correctly when your actions/words have no impact whatsoever on the situation.

It is worrying that people still consider FF/FG to be viable options given their consistent failures and corruption over 90 years.

Just because you are not in power does not mean you can not influence the debate. Look at the amount of councils across the country that have passed SF motions backing the right to Gay marriage. That changes public awareness, develops support for a position. Belfast, Dublin and Cork all backed it, all to massive news coverage and public awareness.

Just because you are not in the driving seat doesn’t mean that you can make a difference, just get off your bum and get stuck in for what you believe in.

Is it influencing things in a real way thigh or just providing populist soundbites on contentious issues? Genuine question.

I do feel that if abortion wasn’t so topical these days all we would hear the SF hierarchy banging on about is through terrible awful atrocity that was the ruling before the children’s referendum.

Of course there’s a need for opposition, but only when viable real alternatives are proposed and not just nit picking the issues of the week.

SF are essentially waiting for FG to f*ck up as opposed to proposing real alternatives. (ps I don’t see the alternative budget as a real alternative)

And it is up to the electorate to put some effect behind those words. The crowd in governent now have shown umpteen times their words mean nothing.

I completely agree M, I just really don’t see alternatives. Honesty from all corners would go a very long way

They were calling for things like this when it wasn’t popular, quiet the opposite in fact. They were out protesting in the 60′s against the Chattel law, where women were viewed legally as the property of their husbands, from every pulpit they condemned, called enemies of God and the family by FG and FF.

I’m aware of that daffodil. I have a couple of mates in ogra an have seen them regularly over the years protesting about abortion. That was just an example I used that I hoped would show the lack of innovation at the moment from the opposition (not just SF). It’s the whole system, it’s set up to promote bickering and nit picking without innovation or alternatives

There are many in SF that want abortion on demand, ie widely available, they are still in the minority in SF. Most people in the party though are in favour of relaxing the law, clearing it for issues around the X case. SF have had the same position on this for a very long time, the party called for X case judgement to be legislated for in 92.

Certainly the Leinster hse system needs to be radically overhauled, made more transparent and where opposition members have powers and responsibility that they are accountable for, but can make a positive impact as well. Govt.’s here are obsessed with centralizing and controlling more power. That leads to ossification of Govt.

I agree, the other lot or toss pots had their chance, I’m not SF fan at all but, what’s the worst they can do :(

@ DaffodilDaze:
” It is worrying that people still consider FF/FG to be viable options ….”

did you forget Labour ?

Yes, but are they really ‘trying’ to get it right? I think not. Nice house, pension/s and your face on the Telly! Government jets, limos and fancy hotels. It’s tough going for these empty vessels who lack any ideas or imagination. Just going through the motions hoping the economy can sort itself out. Thinkings hard.

Good man Richard. They’ll be able to give you a couple of voting cards in the bar where you work at the next election but register anyone because that will give you one more.

Complete insanity!!!

Insanity is paying bondholders billions that we don’t need to. BILLIONS more will follow, 16.9bn payment in march is it?! This is what’s crippling the country and will ultimately be FG downfall esp since there will never be a deal on bank debt. BILLIONS! That’s lots of 00000000000000000000000′s

Ryan. Don’t forget to remember that brutal John Bruton called for the Irish people to forgive the bankers and politicians for their crimes and sins, before anyone is held to account or made even pay a token punishment. John will be getting a lot of hampers from failed and crooked bankers and politicians this year. The likes of him really believe that their little golden circle is all that matters and that the rest of us should happily sacrifice our futures to protect them. John will get his big pay cheques and next big job irregardless, he doesn’t have to be a knob about it though.

Agree daffodil all the while sending us postcards from Europe. The dirt goes deeper with fine geal all the way on the gravey train to Europe selling us out to bankers as they go. This will not end up good

‘Shoots’ good choice of word.

Lol. I remember being called a fuc&ing marxist in the 80′s by a FG TD, when I spoke out for abortion laws that reflected certain realities like the X case. Like most SF’ers I’m not in favour of on demand abortion, though quite a vocal and large group in the party are. The party position has been the same for a very long time and it is just as divisive internally as it is in wider society.

On a lighter note I was stopped twice on the drive home from the meeting by the Guards, the same Guards and the car searched both times. One of them as much as apologized for it but I guess you can’t have reckless radicals trying to damage FG’s church based voter base.

I find it hard to take Sinn Fein seriously, as a ‘legitimate political party’, BUT, I’m still waiting on FG and Labour to prove that my view of all parties, as showers of power-hungry and greedy gombeen gangsters is ill founded. Please prove me wrong Inda/ Eamo!

Kevin, I am afraid you will be waiting a long time for FFG/Labour to do the right thing… Don’t hold your breath.

Kevin. Why would FG start doing the right thing at this stage. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

At the risk of anyone taking me up the wrong way, I’m no FG supporter and I’m disillusioned with the labour party these days. However, in the interests of this country, I would like to see them get their collective act together. Otherwise we might see FF back in power. One cannot underestimate the general public.

#Gary Fitzgerald,well done Gary your living the dream.Have a pint on me.

I’m not a SF supporter Garry but I just have to ask are you posting from work?

Ah yes – because ad hominem attacks on the electorate is the basis for an intelligent discussion. Do you have anything of substance to add to the conversation?

@Garry could ask you the same question,but seeing as it’s none of my business i don’t want to know.I assume you are familiar with the concept of “breaks” and shiftwork.

^^^^^
There’s the problem with the country. Party before people. I presume you posted that from your constituency office!

Garry. I’m reaching out across the web to give you a bear hug. Stop being such an angry old goat, you’ll give your self a stroke.

I’m sitting here in the Isle of Mann having a morning coffee overlooking the sea and a golf course. My total tax rate is twenty per cent and of course the Health Service is free. Now what was that you were saying about hugs and work breaks and Sinn Fein?

Gary, You really are a bitter, angry man. Look at that Sunshine, your imaginary golf course in the Isle of Man and thank God for a new day and a fresh start.

ah Gary do you not know that most of the commenters here are ‘not SF supporters but will give them a chance in the next election’

That is their democratic right Snooch – people are entitled to vote for whoever they want. You on the other hand are a dictator.