Well said, everyone on here is quick to lambast every move sinn fein takes, good or bad. But at least they’re offering us an alternative. I’d like to see people’s other alternatives, seeing as how the shower we have in government have done nothing but screw us further out of fear. Would people honestly rather stick with FG/LR or give these guys a chance? Forget about your prejudices on their history, they’re here offering us some balls in charge, and I personally am not a sinn fein supporter, but I think they deserve a chance more than anyone else.

I don’t necessarily think people are against their intentions, but their tactics and methodology don’t inspire confidence.

Z, where do they not inspire you? I’ve not been an advocate of sinn fein until the last couple years where they have inspired me. Now they may well turn into the same as the rest of them when/if they get into office, but it’s nearly a guarantee that the rest will anyway, but at least we have a chance with these. Just my opinion.

I think they maybe a viable contender for government in the future, but not yet. They’ve increased their support base over the last year, but they still behave like a minority party with only a hard-liner support base. The way the present themselves is still exclusive, not inclusive. Their grassroots supporters are sometimes over-aggressive and outright abusive. They interest image the intelligence of the average moderate voter, and the moderate voter doesn’t like this, but the need those votes. SF, in terms of mainstream politics, still act like stroppy teenagers. They need the equivalent of a decent haircut and a clean shirt, and they need to stop their supporters from using personal insults before they’ll be taken seriously by the majority.

On one hand I agree with you that they need to stop the personal insults and straighten up a bit. But on the other hand, I think this is the shot in the arm this country needs to get ourselves together and up and running again with a bit of confidence and pride.
Now, I don’t mean to compare the two, or say that the end results will turn out the same… But I remember when bertie first came on the scene with FF, he was hard hitting in his remarks, followed by major reforms that brought with it the good times. At that time, he and FF inspired people and businesses. And personally I think sinn fein are doing that now. I just think they should be given the chance, because if they do half the good that FF did, we won’t be in as bad a message as we are now.

Mess, not message. Stupid auto correct.

@ Anthony O Rourke everyone?….Read the comments and don’t generalise.

Cy, what part exactly are you talking about? When did I generalise?

The word ‘ Everyone’ is a generalisation. If you bothered to read all the posts then you would notice that it is wrong.No reply required.

No, I will reply Cy, because at the time my comment was posted there was only negative comments about the article and sinn fein in general. If you bothered to wake up before 3 o clock in the day, you would have known that by the time frame of the article.

No reply needed.

Well at least I was right about one thing…..

@ Anthony O Rourke…I do not know what the intention of the three o’clock reference is.A poor attempt at some slight.If you bothered to read the comment you would have notice that my comments were posted at around one o’clock and another an hour earlier. I do not think that you will deduce that I rose at twelve….but somehow I would think that you would.That is a chip on your shoulder that will be exploited at a later date. You should learn how the game is played. This will be fun.I actually agree with a lot of what you said. Some not all.

Cy, I already looked at your profile. “hypertroll” it says. Keep hiding behind your keyboard, coward.

My face is there and my profile is there…..you have your ass…..At least thats what I think it is.If Its your face i am so sorry…..for you lmfao. Hiding behind keyboard??…what the fk does that mean ya dope….kop on

I do not have one M so I cannot argue with you on that point.

But they’re not going into negotiate. They can’t, they don’t have the authority. Also, we’ve yet to see if the’d put their money where their mouths are. I’m not saying they wouldn’t. I’m saying we don’t know one way or the other. They are career politicians, after all.

Lot of people in FG and FF couldn’t give a flying frig what SF did in the North. What they are worried about is having the old boys network, the system of patronage broken up. You do not have to go that far to see businesses and individuals awarded contracts at favourable terms based on membership of those parties.

When FG or FF get in to Govt. they already have a ream of requests for “payback” and that is before even a bribe ever crosses the table.

Maybe they’ll be amused as Mary Lou does her calculations on the back of the envelope and think “Enda and Eamonn are idiots, but at least they don’t believe there’s a pot of gold hidden away that would stimulate Ireland to long term prosperity”

No Enda and co. believe there is an endless supply of tax, charges that is completely killing the average citizen which is doing more damage. What’s the harm in them listening to their plans? None

There’s no harm in listening to those plans. I’m not objecting to Mary Lou’s visit. But given Mary Lou’s inability to grasp reality (and SF are not alone in the Dáil in that respect), they’re going to laugh her out the door, just like Enda and Eamon are laughed out every time they look for a concession.

Mary Lou is laboured with the assumption that you can create jobs using capital investment. You can’t. You can only create work, which disappears (along with your breakfast roll multipliers) once your white elephants are built.

This implies SF won’t just roll over once to doors are closed. Plus, the reality is is that this is just a presenting of opinions, SF are not in a position to negotiate of behalf of the Irish government, so there won’t be any negotiation.

The troika always meet with the incoming parties, did the same with fg/lab.
They set the agenda now, don’t ya know.

All the parties are meeting the Troika. Silly non-story

In events like this they are always going to meet the opposition party. Understandable.

Z, you would prefer the Troika don’t hear the stark reality of how FFG/Labour and their predecessors FF focussed on penalising the lowest income families with disproportionate tax hikes that impacted them more than any other groups? How FFG/Labour refuse to implement a third band of income tax so that earners over 100k could pay an extra 2% of their income in tax? They refuse to do it, because they and their vested interest groups would much prefer to extract the last ounce of blood from the lower/middle income families?
Do you not think the Troika should hear that the Government are only interested in protecting their own incomes and that of their vested interest groups? How the Government are supporting paying incremenents to those already on salaries of over 100k? Or how the Troika might be interested to know how the Government have given away Irelands Oil/Gas rights to their buddies, that had the future potential of being a windfall tax source for the next generation?
Do you not think, someone should tell the Troika all this?

By tactics and methodology, I mean sticking to the point and not grandstanding on topics not entirely related to the topic actually being discussed. A bit like your comment above.

You forgot to add
SF: Also raise taxes on those who earn over 100K.
SF: And a wealth tax.
SF: Cut down on quangos
SF: Reduce public service “expenses”

The Hollande approach? Because that’s working out so well.

Hahaha are u for real since when are the shinners not lying and corupt

#northern rock

Shinn Féin/IRA supported the Nazis during WWII. This makes a nonsense out of your ridiculous inane assertions.

Northern Rock? That was the British Labour Party big lad!

Patrick, you can’t even spell Sinn Féin – let alone be in a position to discuss the history of the party. At no point in history did Sinn Féin support Nazi Germany. It would be like saying that Fine Gael supported Nazi Germany because of the views of Eoin O’Duffy.

Have a bit of intellectual rigour.

There’s really no winning with some people. If Sinn Féin wasn’t actively attempting to put forward costed proposals, and engage with bodies like these – they would be accused of shouting from the sidelines. Now that they are – they are accused of being ‘amateurs’.

I don’t know about you – but Sinn Féin in it’s modern form has some very bright and talented politicians, even if you disagree with some of their policies (Which would be perfectly fine). The days of assuming that ad hominem attacks are sufficient criticism of SF are long gone. Either elaborate on why you consider them amateurs, or shout from the sidelines. I’m not asking for a 50 page essay, but christ – you could at least offer a little more depth and insight in your post.

They should insist on a secure venue as government buildings are often bugged

Look at the economic record of FG and FF. FF have bankrupted the state 3 times, FG once. Between them they have set global records for economic collapse, debt growth, property crashes, bank crashes.

Ireland cannot survive another term of them in Govt. They have been on the wrong track for 50 years.

It will be interesting now that they will/have come face to face with the organ grinder as opposed to the monkey. The stark reality of this countries economics may yet have another shock or surprise in store.I think the learning curve for the younger SF deputies could be a reminder to one and all that they are as a party very small fish in a very large ocean.It is not enough to be right in europe on an issue, you also need support.Our major parties get little of that I doubt if SF will get any.Its a courtesy call at most and nothing will come of it.Assurances are like doggy bags after a meal…..you can take them or leave them.

@Jim Yeah, you’re right…things like the work involved in the good Friday Agreement, and the fact that people which hated each other, were able to sit down and talk for the sake of peace in Northern Ireland was a very amateur exercise indeed…

Jim what an idiotic statement from an obvious supporter of a useless government.

Sinn Fein wwould be a lot better to deal with these people than Kenny & co as they don’t negotiate on behalf of the Irish People SF would.

As opposed to the experts in FG/Lab?

@ jim ah…………Try …Just at least try not to let your species down and come up with something interesting to say. People love chimps but you make it so hard at times………..

Steep learning curve required in fast changing economic situation. This meeting can only help.

“Our” debts?

When it comes to being …’economically illiterate’… I think you take the biscuit. No political party in Northern Ireland has control over public spending budgets as these are decided in London.
The British government taxes everyone centrally and then decides how much money is to be allocated to the regions.

You are completely wrong there. In Northern Ireland Sinn Fein are in Government as part of the power sharing agreement. When the Treasury issues us a block grant it is up to the executive how they are going to spend it. As Sinn Fein has ministers in charge of Departments like Education and Agriculture they are directly in change of cutting yearly spending. They also sit on the Finance committees and participate in debates that decide how they will spend their money. In some ways Sinn Fein can sometimes be a bit sensible in Northern Ireland as they are kept in check by the power sharing agreements and the British. Down South However they can spout some rather silly ideas

I live in the north. Give me an example of these cuts like there is no tomorrow please.

sorry mate, you may need to expand on that comment. As has already been stated in other replies to your laughably unpresice comment, taxation and monetary policy were not included in the devolution process in northern ireland. in fact even if monetary policy was included in the devolution process Sinn Fein wouldnt have control as there is a ‘mandatory coalition’ in power, meaning sinn fein are not in power alone. The biggest party in the northern ireland executive is the DUP followed by sinn fein. in short sinn fein cannot be held responsible for any fiscal abnormalities as there is a ‘shared’ govermental process in place.

The DUP are responsible for enterprise trade and investment, and the finance portfolio also, so i cant see how sinn fein are in anyway responsible for any cuts in public spending.

“You are completely wrong there.”

Eh, no he isn’t Connor. If the block grant is cut, then the natural consequence of that will be cuts. Since there are no tax-raising powers in the north, they cannot adjust the budget accordingly to make up for any cuts. You’re clearly economically illiterate when it comes to the north. Just accept it, and move on.

Shes not in power… What can she do?

Lovely to see the kind of ignorant sexism strong women have to face in politics is still alive and well. Attack her looks sure… That’ll teach her. Gives one great faith in the future of this country. Bravo, Frank! You truly are a shining light for us all to see by! I think I love you!
…oh wait, NO.

Hopefully they can get by a persons appeareance and deal with their point of veiw.I’m assumeing all members of the troika team are grown ups unlike…..

I agree Norman. To do so would be sexist and immature. I made no reference to her appearance unless you mistook “dross”for the word “dress”.

Ollie what makes me sick is SF pretending to be something they are not they have no problem implementing Austerity measures in the North while condemning the same measures down South .
Time to get off the fence

Look at Sean o briain’s comment above on fiscal soverignty being determined by Westminster rather than stormont but you knew that I’m sure. I’m not a sinn member but I sure as hell like their proposals. Just remember FF is a corrupt , pseudo-republican, capitalist fat cat party. My grandparents and great grandparents (was cumann na mban and IRA) were die hard fianna failers. That was when they had men and woman with
Principles. Before my grandad died 6 years ago he told me fianna fail was rotten at the core. He was right. Most evident to me of that corruption is in county Offaly where i live. Get behind the party or independents looking to bring the country out of this mess or face oblivion.

@ Brian – not yet it seems. Pity. I’m very interested to read SF’s statement and the Troika’s statement side-by-side. Not so much what’s released by FF.

Good point Jay, let’s send in enda instead. #sarcasm

Why don’t you and your corrupt fianna fail party take the next space shuttle to the moon? At least there you can’t wreck the country and doom generations to the bread line and detract from credible proposals from people that want to give the country hope. Your party makes me sick to my stomach. Stop playing the “attack the rival” games and be proactive when it comes to the best interests of the country.

Fianna fail stooge of the month must be up for grabs. I’d say your a front runner.

Now Jog on!

I don’t think anyone with an avatar like yours should be taken seriously when it comes to matters concerning sinn fein…

or maybe you

And you should not be confused with anything but a troll.

What’s the issue? I really don’t understand. Almost every party in this country began with a guerrilla movement. Dev fought the British state, Collins fought the British state, Connolly fought the British state. Why are the Shinners a pack of bogeymen in your eyes?