To be honest I’d rather them at 21% than FF, bit players as they were in the last government.

omfg… this stuff again.

Greens as a six person minority party got as much in their program for government as Labour did with five times that amount. The policys of the banking bolocks were not opposed by anyone but sinn fein and the far left groups.

They got fec all done in the end but specifically hating them for doing exactly what minority parties are meant to (get a few points done and nothing else) in government is silly.

Anyhoo, look at my comment further up for what I think would fix this and many irish political issues.

Not a bad thing..then msybe FG cld deal wth the unions.

Not a bad thing..then maybe FG cld deal wth the unions.

No James, unless you want mass strikes and paralyze the country? The biggest drain is the bondholders – not the Unions.

Nope, the bond holders are only a symptom of the real problem .. and the Unions don’t want anything to change. It will their choice to implement mass strikes and paralyze the country. Some would call that irresponsible, but I don’t expect much from the Unions. Another group of greedy parasites intent on tearing this country down.

people have limited choice within the current system…..

it’s either choose someone else if unhappy with the current people or come up with some other system.

Tommy,

There IS choice: Sinn Fein, Independents, People before Profit, Socialists, etc.

If people are so dumb to think it’s either FF or FG, it would explain their short memories.

One thing is that most of their vote is concentrated in the 65+ demographic. They have little support in the under 45′s. Time will do for them, Thank God and it won’t be soon enough.

Does anyone else think that the problem is people don’t like our current political system.

Labour get in as a minority to a majority right wing government and everyone hates them because its an economically unimaginative centerist government. Well mix Labour red and Fine Gael green and all you end up with is sh#tty brown any day of the week.

My own prescription and what I think the hidden problem is is the whip system. Vincent Browne keeps lambasting people for voting for things they obviously personally dislike but ignores that this is the political system they were elected into and have to abide by. Get rid of that then the opposition members become useful and valuable, debate means something again and members of government (even in a minority) can still have a conscience.

We need an alternative on the right to sort out the economy. I fear these leftists will drive us further into oblivion. They mean well but I’m not so sure they know what they are doing. Shouting populist ideas is fine if there is no expectation of ever getting into power but they now need to grow up.

@stefanovich No need to stick with the left comment, they all spout populist tripe.

@Joe, I had to check back there to be sure but I never said there was no choice. There is always choice. Personally, I don’t see the parties you listed as a credible choice as they have never (IMO) offered change in a credible way.

And to be fair Joe, when you don’t see those parties you listed as being credible then you look at the ones you appear to believe are only for the dumb.

I’m more of the opinion that while FF have a lot of responsibility with respect to where we are – how long can people continue to point at the party and say that those currently active in FF have no business in government? Time passes, the individuals change and the party once again becomes credible. The same would be true for any party. Labour are making a complete mess of it right now too and I can’t imagine they are regarded by many as very credible either currently – but again, this can be expected to change in time. That’s exactly why we don’t end up with the same party in government every election.

@Conor: “Does anyone else think that the problem is people don’t like our current political system.”
Yes – absolutely. I can see no party that deserves a vote IMO. It’s more a case of choosing the best of the worst these days.

@ Tomy

I have resisted allowing FF right-wing supporters to tell me how to think and feel. However, I have to admit that today’s people confuse me. It almost seems that they focus on the issue of favoritism over all the other “SOCIAL” issues. Micheal Martin promises to double the amount on unemployment and say he will steal seniors social security money to pay them! To me a strong economy is what is really going to help people. This opens up more choices and opportunities. Sinn Fein have launched their stimulus plan for the economy and I support it. Fianna Fail on the other hand have just played the ‘poor us’ game in order to get the sympathy vote. Personally, I will do everything I can to tell everyone I know not to vote for Fianna Fail again.

Fianna Fail MUST be kept out of government. No sane-minded person would forgive them for the carnage they inflicted upon every Irish man, woman and child.

I knew while I was writing that post that assumptions would be made. I have no allegiance to any party.

I find your post very very confusing though because it seems to see-saw all over the place. For example:
This…
“I have resisted allowing FF right-wing supporters to tell me how to think and feel”
does not fit with this…
“Fianna Fail MUST be kept out of government”
You don’t want to be told how to think yet appear to be telling people how to vote?

and this….
“Sinn Fein have launched their stimulus plan for the economy and I support it”
doesn’t fit with this….
“No sane-minded person would forgive them for the carnage they inflicted upon every Irish man, woman and child”

At what point did Sinn Fein get forgiven for their part of the carnage inflicted on this island and in Britain?

I actually don’t really have a problem with SF being a part of government. I would respect any person’s democratic right to vote for whomever they please. It’s only my opinion that what they offer is not credible and if they did get into government and I was proved wrong then I’d be happy to be wrong.

At some point, people let the past be the past and tie the past to the individuals rather than the party. That’s what I mean by FF gaining in this poll. A combination of that and the fact that FG/Lab are quite simply doing a simply brutal job.

James,jokes are funny. this is so not funny.

I was speaking with a woman who is quite centrist and she recoiled at fianna fail’s monologue about women. She left the room saying Micheal Martin came off as a total creep. And this was someone who hated fine gael’s christian right ideology.

Micheal Martin is an empty suit. He’s like a plastic human that can be shaped to fit any situation and opinion. He is a creep.

What a day, spud prices up, no ash for hurleys, and now this. What’s next, St. Patrick was an Orangeman?

People want an alternative to the gov but there isn’t one.

Seriously. Bells. That 21% should be made wear bells so that members of the general population are pre-warned that a person of incalculable stupidity is approaching. They should also have corks put on all the forks in their cutlery draw lest they hurt themselves. And if 21% are saying they would vote for the architects of Ireland’s economic humiliation and surrender of sovereignty you can bet in reality they’re most likely at 25% when you count the cowards who are too ashamed to admit to voting for them.

Unbelievable this is so Irish. Fianna Fail drove our country to the dumps and because of that thousands of people have lost their jobs, emigrated and in some cases committed suicide. How in anyone’s right mind would vote for them. We need a new political party in Irish politics. I’ve heard of the Irish Democratic Party but I’m unsure if it has ever made progress in setting up. Either way we need a left right divide in politics and move on from civil war politics.

Sam , to be fair fianna fail didnt make people overstretch themselves on mortgages and they cant control the banks entierly.

But I agree we need a new party , one to cut taxes and stand up to the unions and the dole scroungers, a party to close our borders to unskilled immigrants, lower taxes and make business easier for companies, to give people more powers to defend themselves and stand up to criminals

Twenty one per cent of Irish people suffer from Stockholm syndrome. No other plausible explanation.

Stephen I agree with a lot of what you say and your right Fianna Fail didn’t make people overstretch themselves on mortgages but there is something called regulation where was the regulation Stephen, surely that’s Fianna Fails fault.

I like the bells idea. Or maybe we could get all the brain dead FF supporters to emigrate, instead of always losing our best and brightest to their corruption and greed. Traitors all.

There is an alternative: Sinn Fein.

The problem is people stuck in their old fashioned family voting ways. This is why Ireland never learns and keeps making the same boom-bust decisions.

Tax breaks like pension breaks for rich sections of society under Fianna Fail. Even the imf called for this to be rolled back. The economics aren’t in favor of tax breaks because they lead to distortions in the economy. A tax break costs the state and those who have ability to pay more should do so.

Stephen, FF by their policies developed an environment where people were actively encouraged to borrow beyond their means. They deliberately had a “regulation light” relationship with the banks so they are definitely at fault. Also Mr Martin sat at the cabinet table for the duration so is just as culpable as the others. They stole my children’s future and I, for one, won’t ever forget that regardless of how many times he says: we are where we are!

stephen is either a fainna failer or an idiot.

21% of the electorate would rob from their own mothers. What kind of dirty traitor votes FF.

#JoeMcGarry I think most of us are looking for an alternative whose economic policy isn’t predicated on tipping into the local Northern Bank in the middle of the night, whose Justice policy doesn’t include shooting dead Gardai and whose infrastructure policy isn’t based on asking council workers to make extra tar to go with the feathers accumulated for warning off rival drug gangs. No?

I understand – FG & Lab are not doing it, the shinners & ULA policys don’t stand up. BUT I would rather be dragged naked across a field of broken glass by my tounge than vote for FF. I owe it to my children !!

Says the Fianna Failure proudly. Lest We forget this party’s terrible Governance has Us were We are today & for years to come too.

I like the bells idea too. I’d also like to suggest a box on ballot papers where voters explain their reasons for voting, one mention of the civil war, their grandfather, the candidate’s father or a favour and their vote should be binned and their name deleted from the register

Me own personal opinion is to execute them for treason. Set a precedent, won’t happen again for a while. Guillotine worked well in France.

Your Facebook url is: http://www.facebook.com/MaddieMccann

Maddie McCann – Do you think that is funny.

It is the crud of the country like this fool that are in FF and backing them.

If FF are responsible for the recession how did they stretch their powers all the way to Greece the USA etc

Emmm..it was a world wide recession did ff cause this?surely we can’t blame them for everything…at least they would have gotten us a better deal so we can pay our banks

We can blame them for the most expensive bailout in the history of the world, and for selling our country down the river. Do you get it now?

Sinn Fein will have us living on the 50′s isloated on the edge of Europe with no FDI. they’ll tax the rich with no incentive to create employment who’ll pay the welfare then.

Aye Stephen!!!

It may have been a “global recession\2 but you MUST remember that FF made this worse by over-spending to buy votes. Fianna Fail created a deficit of 32% of GDP by their profligate spending and bank debt socialization.

Think of that before you consider voting Fianna Fail.

People should be grateful for what FF did. If it wasn’t for them wed have no money in the ATMs and we wouldnt have a stable funtioning banking system like we do today. At least 21% of people are sensible. And it will be 31% before long let me tell you! The comeback is on!!

@FF4Sean: You clearly came down with the last shower – either that or you’ve developed amnesia with regard to ALL fiscal policy decisions taken by this State prior to the announcement of the Bank Guarantee Scheme. Or maybe you’re just a troll.

Just to be on the safe side though, can I nominate you to pilot this warning bell suggestion? Or would that interfere with you just going back to sleep?

@killian shaw, “tipping in to the Northern Bank” love it

We’ve been reading for months about the fact that fianna fail pays women in their administration, far less than they pay men for equal jobs. We’ve been hearing negative reports from fianna fail women, who complained that the men not only earned higher salaries, but had better access to the “jobs”.

Well, we voted for FG and Labour and they seem to be even worse than what went before. Who do you suggest we turn to next as we seem to be rapidly running out of options?

# Maria- would you listen to yourself? Worse than went before??? FF presided over the collapse of the Irish economy, the surrender of our sovereignty, corruption on a biblical scale and a truly gluttonous wasting of our collective wealth. Yeah. That €100 household charge is soooooooo much worse, isn’t it? So tired of professional Government bashers? Is it that hard to draw a line between the legacy of that catastrophic Fianna Fáil Government and unpopular policies now? It’s not rocket science. You just have to think beyond newspaper headlines and Ray D’Arcy.

# Maria- would you listen to yourself? Worse than went before??? FF presided over the collapse of the Irish economy, the surrender of our sovereignty, corruption on a biblical scale and a truly gluttonous wasting of our collective wealth. Yeah. That €100 household charge is soooooooo much worse, isn’t it? So tired of professional Government bashers. Is it that hard to draw a line between the legacy of that catastrophic Fianna Fáil Government and unpopular policies now? It’s not rocket science. You just have to think beyond newspaper headlines and Ray D’Arcy.

“Who do you suggest we turn to next as we seem to be rapidly running out of options?”

Well, I would make a change to the alternatives like Sinn Fein, People before Profit, Independents, Socialist Party, etc. Don’t vote based on family voting habits – vote based on principles – not money.

Killan
You also seem to have forgotten that Fine Gael couldnt get voted in until they were handed it on a plate – and even then they couldnt win a majority. Why do you think they were in opposition for so long? It is because they are Tory thatcherites/republican-alike who would have imposed austerity on the ordinary people and tax breaks for the rich even in good times – they just have the excuse to do it now.
SF and all those independents promise the earth, but they will not be a majority government even if everything goes right in the next election so these promises are empty

I didn’t say who I’d vote for, just that we’re running out of options. I should have said that I’M running out of options. A lot of the policies of some of the left wing parties would appeal to me, but, as I do vote on principal, not on family voting habits, I’d have to part company with when it comes to some key areas. I’m not sure who’ll I’ll vote for the next time, but, as Independents don’t usually have a lot of power and the whip system ruins party politics, it’s a bit of a catch 22..

Sad truth, for all the talk of the friendly, decent, proud Irish there are a lot that couldn’t care less what happens to the country, couldn’t care less that their children have to emigrate and their parents die in MRSA run hospitals. There are a lot of bad eggs in this country, it is a sad result to see.

The Fianna Fail years have been the hardest on women. More women in poverty, more women on food stamps and more women that are unemployed.

Women would choose prosperity over poverty.

FF has done the women of Ireland no favors.

@ James O’Regan
Yes . I do believe people can be that stupid !!!

#Eileen You have no right to comment on the effectiveness of Government or Opposition if you’re not paying your full contribution towards the running of the state.

@ Killian go to bed you troll

Eh…me too.

That is what the FF’ers want you to do, they want to pull it back in to the mire and stuff their pockets once more. Don’t give the dirty buggers the satisfaction of seeing people emigrate.

Don’t leave. That’s what Fianna Fail want in order to strengthen their vote. I would stay and vote for the alternatives on the left in order to minimize the majority votes given to FF/FG/LAB.

Are you for real? Fianna Fail are a TERRIBLE opposition.

They’re clearly not that populist if they’re not appealing to the mass of people.

That would be the same M Martin who was sitting at the cabinet table when FF wrecked this country for generations by putting themselves and their banking and developer buddies before the Irish people!
FF doesn’t even do renewal well.

Constructive opposition? You’re kidding, right? That’s what the anti Household charge campaign is, is it?

Paul – I’m not sure you know the meaning of “populist” because Sinn Fein are the only party to challenge the tax breaks which destroyed our country under Fianna Fail.

P.S. I know people who changed to Sinn Fein from Fianna Fail.

Paul Anthony Ward mentions “silly promises”. Well, not a silly as the promises Fianna Fail made to their cronies to buy votes.

Is Paul Anthony Ward related to the Ward traveler family? Anyway Paul, SF don’t make the same type of promises as FG & LAB. Infact, SF recently pledged not to make promises they can’t keep.

Ah Sinn Fein promises to tell the truth. Like when they promised they had nothing to do with the murder of Garda McCabe before lobbying for the killers early release under the Good Friday agreement?

Fianna Fail done much worse: BANKRUPTED the country

I’d have no issue with this were it not for the fact that FF brought us to where we are today,

Here here!

But FF don’t do any of that, Eoin. The recession started when Fianna Fail cut taxes for the rich and now they must pay more to restore economic equality. FF are like a bunch of strumpets hanging around outside a church whining how they are being persecuted while their heads bob up and down. FF’s reign of error, bankrupting Irish Banks, and tying the country’s fate to doomed banks.

Opposing the household tax (… that ye signed us up for and the Government now have to implement) is responsible opposition is it Eoin?

Conor the campaign is called “wrong tax, wrong time”. In the MOU with the Troika there was mentioned a property based tax, not specifically one based on the value of the property (inequitable, unenforceable and unfairly biased against large cities). It also didn’t necessarily saw family homes would be included. However, I and a lot more in the party believe something more approaching a “Council Tax” based on services provided, collected locally and staying locally would be a better version of this particular tax. Hence, “Wrong Tax”.

The MOU also states that if the then growth projection held, then a property tax would be envisaged to take effect towards the end of 2014. The growth targets have been missed by a mile but instead of being delayed, this government has in fact brought the date forward for implementation. “Wrong Time”.

Fianna Fáil would be in favour of bringing in a local tax for local services, a Council Tax, based on properties but domestic and commercial down the line however now is not the right time and the centrally collected unaccountable, property value based tax is a poor decision form government.

No double standards, equitable alternative solution proposed and government held to account. This is exactly what Fianna Fáil are doing in opposition and it is catching on with people. Any of the above points with regard to the tax in question wrong Conor? I’ll stand corrected if it can be shown to be.

Eoin, we don’t believe FF lies anymore. We know well what you would really do.

censored, a person with Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore as his profile photo, lecturing others on lies. Please!!!! Give it a rest. If you don’t have a substantive response to the above, just don’t bother wasting everyone’s time with banal, politically self-motivated comments.

If you can counter any of the above points with reference, please feel free.

Don’t vote FF – vote SF or anyone else but FF….

Fair point David.
I’ve been dismissive of polls myself in the past & would be hypocritical now if I suddenly accepted just this poll. They are, however, interesting snapshots in time & this poll would suggest some sort of a shift in the public narrative.

Shift in the public narrative!

This is why what FF did bears repeating again and again and again.

Fffing traitors.

@ Paul Anthony Ward

FIANNA FAIL ARE GOOD FOR NOTHING.

The Irish nation needs to grow up. Our electorate is like the audience at a pantomime. Booing every time the “villain” comes out from behind a curtain. Or in this case, protesting against the Government when they make decisions the masses don’t like. We have collectively paid a terrible, terrible price for rewarding Governments for telling us what we want to hear and pursuing populist policies rather than doing the right thing by the country. We’re in the midst of a national emergency. We’re at war. This Government was always going to have to come in and make the most horrendous cuts. Save the righteous indignation for those who brought this plague down upon us. And accept that we as an electorate encouraged them.

Stephen – there are alternatives: Sinn Fein, People before Profit, Independents, and so on. I think the real problem is people vote based on their family habits. Very sad form of Stockholm’s Syndrome.

@killian, excellently put. I think most people know this, and knew what was ahead of FG and LAB. FG were trying for an overall majority and LAB were fighting back, both with ridiculous promises, that once again, people fed off. With FF on the rise its ‘Look out behind you!’ time.

No Killian, many of us are complaining because our current government is taking too many of the soft options and passing the buck. What “hard” decisions have they made? This guarantees we’ll be a walking dead economy for years to come.

censored,

Actually the current gov’t took extreme right-wing decisions that constitute class warfare e.g. extending the tax breaks on the rich and paying the bondholders.

Una, extreme right? That’s exactly what the extreme right would *not* do.

Una- I think it’s time that people here realised that when it comes to the bond holders, neither FG nor Labour are running the show. When FF bankrupted us they left us, like petulant children who had racked up a huge debt, having to promise to do as we’re told by the parents who are bailing us out. Paying bond holders is the price we pay for keeping schools, hospitals and Garda Barracks open at a time when, essentially we’re broke. Blame FF. blame Berlin. But it’s a hard one to pin on FG.

Correct, Una Dev. Like I said, not making the hard decisions.

Haha! Fair play to you!

Well, that would be a step up from the last 10 years.

SF should be given a chance to prove.

Why?

The nation would rather you disbanded

Evidently not Killian.

Already you have seen how FF are the best opposition party. Constructive opposition. Not saying no for the sake of it and providing real alternative policies.

I for one will not abandon FF and leave the sole opposition to government being controlled by the ULA and SF.
The nation is beginning to see this as well.

So 21% are deluded, desperate or want to get on a FF get-rich-quick gombeen scheme. That leaves 79% who haven’t forgotten what you did. I see this more as a blip. People are beginning FG/Labor for what they are: continuity FF*ckers.

#David, 79% would seem to agree with me. For the record, I have no issue with FF being in opposition. As long as ye stay there. FF was founded using stolen money from the state by a ferocious traitor. It’s corrupt to its very DNA, bringing to power Haugheys and Aherns and P Flynns and Ivor Callely’s. It has done incredible damage to this nation and has no place. The so called Republican Party, the very one that scoffed at the West Brits in Fine Gael was the party that handed our independence over to Berlin. I can accept that everyone has a right to an opinion and very often it will differ from mine- but FF’s heritage is different. It is a cancer on the body politic of Ireland, the host of cute hoor syndrome. And by God, aren’t we all paying for it now.

Fianna Fail are NOT a constructive opposition – they come across as desperate enough to buy votes by their crony style arguments. This appeals to some people but despite incredible dishonesty, Fianna Fail are NOT the alternative.

The real alternatives are Sinn Fein, People before Profit, Independents, Socialists, etc.

David Ryan is deluded. FF provide no alternatives other than smoke and mirrors. This is the trick that FF politicians successfully pulled off in the 1980’s to buy votes.

The only place they should be all marched to is the Gallows outside the four courts and into a slurry pit after.

Pajo, sadly in the privacy of the ballot many will revert to type. I worry for this country we learn nothing, absolutely nothing.

#Kerry – you’re usually full of crap. But you’re spot on here. Lemming like, Fianna Failers migrate towards the polling station like Cavan people towards a Sean Quinn rally…

How dare you bismerch an honest entrepenure. Sean Gallagher fundraised for FF getting money from other businessmen. FG and all other parties do this too, theres nothing wrong with it at all.
FF and FG are the two right-wing parties and therefore the ones with the most sensible policies for running the country.

FF4Sean,

I would vote anyone to keep Sean Gallagher OUT.

Right wingnuttters are bonkers. Last month when they showed FF, they were despicable, manipulated, improperly sampled sources of witchcraft and conspiracies.

Now FF has 21%?

What a bunch of malarkey!!!!

Liam,

There are real alternatives out there: Sinn Fein, People before Profit, Independents, Socialist’s, etc. It simply takes openness and willingness to change for once.

Jesus Joe, you’ve made your point ffs

People who vote for Fianna Fail are idiots.

Joe that was a very un-stupid educated comment.

No, it’s not Ciaran. They destroyed our economy and sold off our economic sovereignty last time around. What do they need to do to get people to stop voting for them? Take people out and line them up in front of a firing range?

Too many thickos with short memories in this country methinks…

Ciaran Bolger,

Fianna Fail got excited in 2009 when the polls indicated upswings yet they suddenly lost faith in the polls anytime they dropped in support. Funny world we live in, ha ha.

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Where will we go?

I’m just agreeing with you because you look pretty. Does that make me a bad person?

Don’t emigrate – it will only bolster the Fianna Fail vote. Stay and vote for the alternatives on the left. This will keep FF’s majority down.

#Edel- you’re so insightful. I mean you’re right. FF did such a good job when they were in power. I mean I got a bit distracted what with FG negotiating a lower interest rate on the debt Bertie, Brian & Micheal left behind and that whole breaking of the linkage between sovereign & bank debt and our imminent return to the open market and the departure of the Troika that I forgot the contribution FF could make to this country. I mean we could have more benchmarking! Some more tribunals! There could be electronic voting machines in every pub!!!!!! Come back Soldiers of Destiny- all is forgiven!!!!!

Edel,

That isn’t an excuse to vote Fianna Fail. I’m not trying to have a go but please vote for the alternatives on the left instead of Fianna Fail. Otherwise, we will endure another boom-bust bubble of another kind if FF are re-elected.

Killian- You yourself seem to be a yoda type. Please oh wise one, enlighten us on your views of how we will succeed as a country with an unstable party at the helm?

We know you prefer the dark side edel.

#Edel- I define stability by using the last FF Government as a benchmark. You know. The one that lurched from crisis to crisis. The one where the Taoiseach could not organise his own cabinet reshuffle! The one propped up by the greens. The one that needed the remnants of the PD’s to vote with them to survive. The one which let Michael Lowry and Jackie Heali Rae order off the menu for their own constituency- just to keep them in power. By their standards, FG and Labour are solid as a Rock.

How many times?? It was a GLOBAL resession! FF did a great job of running this country for years and will do again in 2 or 3 years time please god.

It wasn’t a “global recession in 2010 when the deficit increased to 32% of GDP due to Fianna Fail’s bank guarantee. Instead of letting the Banks fail like in Iceland…

Shur Iceland is a kip. Burn d bondholders is it? You wanted to see no money in the ATMs did ya? Shur that wud have been a great idea.
Brian Lenihan and Brian Cowen saved this country, some ppl dont understand that yet.

I believe that one of them stab little kittens to death at their Ard Fheis.

‘Only credible opposition’ are you actually serious? Give me one reason what’s credible about a party that threw away its countries economic sovereignty?

You should be ashamed to be a member of the party of Haughey, Ahern, DeVelera, Flynn, Burke, Cowen, Callely et al.

Fianna Failure traitors are not a credible opposition.

Instead of people giving me thumbs down, why not explain to me whats credible about Fianna Fail?

FF and FG are pretty much the same. A bunch of self serving vote hungry incompetent idiots. There is no real alternative but I think having Sinn Fein in power for a couple of years would scare the establishment enough to change things hopefully for the better.

Sinn Fein would stop paying the bondholders, if elected. SF have vast experience playing hardball with previous governments politically. FF and FG only have nice guys as leaders who are unable to play hardball with the ECB. Time to give SF a chance for once.

Oh! I see. They are being a proper opposition party! Great! Irish people like solutions that can’t be implemented. Pity FF did not implement policies that make sense when they were in power!

Donnach you expect far too much from these people,you have to understand that they are in their smoke filled bedrooms sitting in front of a computer wearing their Liverpool/ManUtd boxer shorts.
The legends that leave nasty uninformative comments have little knowledge of politics and only know how to tell everyone what is wrong and never have a solution or are many of them capable of giving a solution.
The SF bots only know what they should have in their pockets without having to earn it and they believe their masters when they are told they are entitled to everything.
These little people should expect nothing and get up from their computer and go earn what they are expecting.
It is very funny really most rational people realise that polls are only and indication of the feeling on the day of the poll and things can change within days or hours but the SF supporters get very excited with polls and this poll has proven this fact that they have no cop to shut up and just get on watching the porn on their computers.

In saying that it is a great boost to see people returning to Fianna Fail even if it is for a day.

Donnacha 7 Ciaran. Both of you have worked for FF, one in Leinste hse and one in the EU Parl.

Course both of you are black FF. It is about money in the pocket, but for most other people they are interested in politics because they want something good for the country, a better future for their children. That is something that doesn’t even register on the scale for you or people like you.

What about you Grandkids in that photo Ciaran. Aren’t you worried that they or the brothers or sisters might have to emigrate in time. Does it even matter?

Fianna fail created the problems, are you lot still in denial?

Donnacha,

I voted for Fianna Fail in 2007, BUT NEVER AGAIN. I can’t stand the lying two-faced doofus. If you truly want an economic recovery, man or woman, Adams is the man.

What is Martin’s vision for the next four years other than getting elected somehow?

Adams/Higgins 2016

I’d rather be a socialist than a corrupt Fianna Fail supporter. Its the economy stupid. Its not about stupid right-wing accusations. We had to check the unbridled power of Fianna Fail and their syncophants in the Seanad that inflicted Anglo Irish Bank on our economy.

Don’t hurry back, so.

And there we have it … soon only the halfwits will remain in the country.

Karl,

I encourage you to return during the elections and please use your vote against Fianna Fail. Vote for anyone but FF and FG.

If they ever get voted in again I will never come back either. Should introduce voting for those who live abroad like they do in other countries.

@ Killian, enjoy paying for the Quinn’s, bankers, nice TD salaries + pensions – be a good little puppy.

I just got sick and tired of it all and left – has done my mental health alot of good over the last 12 months :-)

Karl,

FFG/FF/Labour will never allow voting on Saturdays for a General Election, because they know the young vote would decimate their parties. Its only the older generation who give these traitors votes, because the Church tells them who to vote for. (Think FF and the Church agreeing that the people of Ireland should have to pay for all the clerical sex abuse scandals).

FFG had no problem scheduling the childrens referendum on a saturday, because they know its going to pass. However, anything that will threaten their grubby control of power, like enabling the youth vote, either by allowing Saturday votes on General Elections, or allowing the very people forced to emmigrate because of their corruption/ineptitude is definitely a no-no. They promised sun moon and stars before the last election on getting some sort of fairness for those forced from the Island, but unfortunately, like everything else FF/FFG/Labour do, it has been put out to pasture.

@ Cal1 Mooney,

Totally spot on I am afraid. As far as I am concerned this Government is not following the promises which helped it win the election.

It is almost like “haha, you stupid fool voted me in and I will gladly do “x” instead of “y” and do my upmost to enseure that either I or my pals will feel a thing”.

whilst I agree that things need to change as far as spending goes in Ireland, I keep asking myself why every introduced measure seems to target the middle class – they are now broke also! I would have no problem paying my part if the burden was shared fairly and where possible those responsible were taken into account.

There is no accountability in Ireland and money is still being spent wastefully. All of this has a wider knock on effect on the economy – no money left.

In my case it was “you are doing a great job, but we had to scrap that training course and we will not be giving you an increase any time in the forseeable future! If you don’t like it, leave”.

People like Killian can call me a traitor if they want, I am looking after my own professional development and hope to return some day and be in a better position. Had I have stayed I could now be very well on the dole, would that make me any less a traitor.

I miss my family, friends and my country, but must admit that I am doing much better than I could have in Ireland. Sad, but true. Every day I read the news from back home and it angers me what these self serving idiots are doing the country I love.

As far as I am concerned, FF should be bannned and anyone who even thinks of voting them in again needs to get their heads examined!

Karl, what you’re doing is actually having the opposite effect. You are bolstering FF’s vote by not casting your vote. This plays into FF’s hands. Honestly man, cast your vote no matter what because it will keep FF’s majority down. It’s vital you do so.

@ Joe,

Hehe, well if they let an unregistered person vote, sure why not (actually wouldn’t be surprised to be honest!).

Rest assure, no one in my close circle that remains in Ireland ever voted for these muppets.

It is the “I vote FF because my dad does” types that you need to be wary of…

#Karl…Seriously, man. Dry your eyes. Others are managing ok here. If you can’t cut it, fair enough. But don’t presume to comment on a nation you walked away. Live with your decision and leave the running of the Republic to those us who stayed in the fight.

@ Killian,

My eyes are dry mate, now how’s about you spend less time at the keyboard and get back to work. Those TD’s and Bankers are going to need your money now.

I suppose you view the other’s who left Ireland as deserters also, well good thing there are nice little puppies like you to pay and put up with the crap that is going on.

I got by fine in Ireland for the record, but knew that I could do better and am now proving that.

Enjoy your masochism and get back to work – fool!

They’re looking for ‘deals’ to buy their votes.

But James, Fianna Fail merely reshuffled like before. They still field the same members who were exposed as corrupt. Fianna Fail have NOT changed… Despite their smoke and mirror manipulations, Fianna Fail aren’t a credible opposition. They belong on the sidelines with their false promises. They cannot spend money they don’t have.

Transformation!? It’s been 2 years, not 10! The old guard (that DESTROYED this country) are still there, in leadership positions, in that party. One of the most corrupt parties in Europe (or was there another reason ye had to exile your former leader there recently) and 21% of the electorate want them back… We are a bunch of thickos at times

Ah Conor – it’s a poll, done on a tiny sample of the population. It’s not 21% of the electorate it’s 21% of people who were asked.

Don’t forget to hand in your Passport & apply for Canadian citizenship if you feel that way.

Cheerio, you’ll be missed!

Brilliant observation, because dictators and dictatorships have such an accomplished record. Well done genius

This was a very common argument in 19th century Britain. I think we’ve moved on a bit from this, most of us anyway!

Well said Petr. When Victorian writers compared the Irish to apes and uncivilized, it was the nadir of Anglo-Irish relations. People should be free to choose their politicians and have opinions, no matter whether anyone else agrees or disagrees that is the essence of democracy

Sorry lads, I’ve met many an ape in the west of Ireland. Mostly blind FF supporters to boot but that’s surely just a coincidence, right?

Democracy was the great equaliser in the world or so we thought. Remember politicians no longer have to fool all the people, just a high enough proportion to gain power. Do you honestly think every single person who voted is properly informed on who/what they are voting for?

Agreed

So you’d rather tell people what to think rather than let them be uninformed? That is the worst kind of leftist bull! How can you honestly believe that democracy doesn’t work? This has nothing to do with FF FG SF or Lab- are you seriously saying that the people of Ireland don’t deserve a right to self determination and a right to have a say in the running of their country?

Gerry stop & read 1st

I never said anything about making people think my way or getting Adolf Hitler in to run the country

I merely said too much of the electorate are not educated enough to vote. They vote on the look of a candidate,the Soundbite they hear on the radio/TV etc

They are too easily hoodwinked & modern democratic politics is all about hood winking the ignorant masses.

If you don’t believe me, that’s your problem & maybe you’re part of the 40%. If you are, we’ll I’m afraid i’ve learned cant win an argument with an idiot, so goodnight, I’m off to the leaba

I don’t like it either, but it looks like Kevin is right.

Two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for supper. Ireland is living proof that democracy is broken.

Well said.

Who and in what part of the country? Who here participated in this poll??

Do they have a flawed pedigree?

“They and others, both in and out of public life, have attributed to him an overweening ambition which they do not see as a simple emanation of a desire to serve but rather as a wish to dominate, even to own the State.”

The perception that “there is no alternative” reveals the limited IQ of the electorate. The alternatives are on the left (e.g. Sinn Fein / Independents, etc)

That’d be the guarantee that Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Indos voted for at the time also? And that Fine Gael and Labour have since amplified and extended ?

James,

To be fair, Sinn Fein opposed it. Fianna Fail still guaranteed banks in Sep ’08 despite two experts who forewarned them not to do this, they still went ahead. Fianna Fail aren’t credible opposition because they haven’t the willingness to say no to the ECB.

Joe, give it over

Sinn Fein will have us living on the 50′s isloated on the edge of Europe with no FDI. they’ll tax the rich with no incentive to create employment who’ll pay the welfare then.

Brian, you haven’t read Sinn Fein’s policies, have you? Let me help you: Sinn Fein have vowed NOT to increase corporation tax.

I imagine the proposed cuts to services for people with learning difficulties were particularly contentious in your household.

Fianna Fail cut the minimum wage until this was reversed by Labor. They also cut cancer services from Sligo Hospital. FF also cut social security rates on the most vulnerable in society. FF’s social engineering is abysmal.

Sadly, though for all your roaring back Enda Kenny is Taoiseach, Fine Gael are running the show and 79% of the country would just as soon see Fianna Fáil disbanded and consigned to its own inauspicious history than get next nor near power again. The bit you should look forward to most is when Taoiseach Kenny takes the salute outside the GPO on the 100th Anniversary of 1916- having repeated history by restoring Irish Sovereignty by thanking the Trioka and sending them on their way.

No FF are still the same party of fools, thieves and traitors that it has been for forty years. The only FF’er that doesn’t lie is one that has stopped breathing.

They’ll rob and destroy this country like they always have.

Murder plunder faugh a balla clear the way
cheating stealing diddle idle de
ducking diving faugh a bala clear the way
diddlily i dle de di diddly idle do

[ The Failures Song ]

Kevin Rooney – FF are NOT a “viable alternative” – you are corrupt, buying votes under the illusion we can magically grow our economy out of this debt tower. FF still signed the 2008 Bank Guarantee despite two independent experts advising against this – this pushed our deficit from 14% in 2009 to 32% in 2010.

This is the same David McWilliams who recommended the bank bail out & who makes a fortune doing the 21st century version of the man on the street corner with the sandwich board reading ” The End Is Nigh!” This country will prevail and prosper but alas David McWilliams will always be a ginger.

Killian the same. Also the one that predicted the present problems in 1999. His bailout plan was not fully implemented. He told the minister to use the Swedish model which never happened. I see your a fan but he has a lot of experience in issues like this & maybe just maybe he is right.

U forget quiet quickly what fianna fail were the cause of!!!!

Paul,

It’s beyond your power to get Ireland “back on its feet again”.

Do try harder John.

Don’t feed the troll

Disgusted. I can’t imagine what sort of idiots would vote for them after all they’ve done. We’re doomed to repeat our recent failures if we ever put these gangsters back in.

What effing glory days are you talking about John? Surely you’re not talking about the days when FF cabinet ministers were taking more brown envelopes than an average postman could carry.

Oops! Meant to post this as a general comment. Seems I know as much about computers as Fianna Fáil know about honesty.

Glory days . When were they you fool !

Ahem Fine Gaelers…James Reilly, cronyism, health centres…unvouched expenses…broken promises on health cuts…any difference really?

Of course not. They are the same party with different lads in it.

I think you forgot to take your meds, John

That is why FF have always been happy to see people emigrate it removes the people that will not vote for them. As the thief Brian Lenihan Snr. said “It is a small country, we all can’t live here”. Sickening given that we are one of the least populated countries in the Western world.

No. Actually, it’s the votes in the election that matter in the end. No sane-minded person would re-elect a gov’t who signed Ireland up to €70 to bondholders in Germany,

There is a 3% margin of error in that poll. So this 21% figure could actually be just 18%.

Oh dear god…..

Here here! FF are the ones with the ideas to get the country out of this mess. Shur imagine if some of those lefty headbangers got into goverment. Shur theyd reck the economy FFS.

Go back under your rock, it was FF and their ideas which has brought this country to it’s knees, their cronyism, their corruption, their greed, their gombeenism, their brown envelopes…………

FF are making the right soundbites now they’ve found themselves out of office, playing the populist card, saying the things the seriously deluded electorate want to hear, it’s how we ended up with the current shower of FF clones, and if this baffling, head scratching rise in popularity continues to rise and god forbid – you shower of clowns get back into office then this country deserves every thing it’s subjected to.

A return to cronyism, corruption, greed, gombeenism, brown envelopes? – no thanks.
You lot ruined this country for generations to come, you can try and deny it but the fact remains and history will condemn you as the party that did so.

David – How much “progress” has Fianna Fail made during their term – none.

How much “truth” – if any – have you heard from Fianna Fail on the COST of their tax cuts and bonuses?

If you prefer to side with Micheal Martin that is your choice – but don’t expect many people who care about real issues to join you.