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GE2024ge24WHILE THERE HAD been talk that tonight’s televised leaders’ debate could be the make-or-break moment in this election, it’s difficult to see how it could move the dial for any voter.
Post-debate, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald was asked if she won. “But of course,” she said, with a smile.
McDonald, who was standing between Micheál Martin and Simon Harris during the live debate, first sought to remind voters of the past, stating:
“You brought the crash and you brought austerity.”
She also spoke about the two men wanting to “jive their way back into Government Buildings”.
However, this debate didn’t bring the same level of success as the 2020 version, a time when the wind was in her party’s sails.
Truth be told, there was no clear “winner” last night.
Did the gloves come off between any of the party leaders as the clock runs down on this election? Not really.
There were accusations of “sniggering” at health issues, while Harris was told he had a “brass neck” by the Sinn Féin leader at one point.
But with such the flat replies and lack of in-depth debate, it’s difficult to see how voters going to bed will remember any clear, breakout moment.
The final debate before the general election got off to an awkward start for Fine Gael in particular with Harris questioned about what interaction his team had with the national broadcaster about that video from Kanturk.
The first question posed to Harris was whether there was a request to take the clip down, but the Taoiseach insists that the party’s communication was to offer a statement about its position on care and disabilities.
He said he had “no knowledge” of any request being made not to air the clip.
Simon Harris responds to questions about his interaction with care sector worker, Charlotte Fallon, in Kanturk, and whether his staff contacted RTÉ about coverage of it.#rtept | @RTENews pic.twitter.com/pRpAoKboNe
— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) November 26, 2024
The viral clip has dominated the election campaign debate for the last week and pushed the debate around pay disparity between HSE and section 39 workers into the spotlight, something which was raised this evening.
Who will go into government with who? This line of questioning was held to the end of the debate.
‘Coalitionalogy’, as Martin put it, has been far to frequently discussed throughout the campaign, he said.
On coalition possibilities and ruling out Sinn Féin, Micheál Martin "it's extraordinary that you put a question that manner..."
— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) November 26, 2024
Asked about previous coalition claims, he says FF and SF's housing policies are "diametrically opposed."#rtept | @RTENews pic.twitter.com/rHFPJnVXEf
Martin was asked about his decision to rule out speaking with Sinn Féin about government formation after the votes are counted. He turned on presenter Miriam O’Callaghan, saying her question was “extraordinary.”
“You told me five years ago that you wouldn’t go in with Fine Gael, just saying,” she responded.
“Just because you get 20% of the vote doesn’t mean that you get to go into power,” said Martin.
Explaining why he went back on his word in 2020, he said Fine Gael was “the only option” but added that Sinn Féin’s housing policies are diametrically opposed to Fianna Fáil’s.
McDonald then wheeled out the old reliable about “tweddledum and tweedldee” – to which Harris shot back by saying: “You’re rolling out the five year old line, you can do better than that.” .”
Housing is one of the main talking points of this election, so of course it featured.
Where is the “radical reset” in the Fianna Fáil housing policy, something the Housing Commission report has stated is needed, presenter Sarah McInerney asked Martin this evening.
He struggled, stating that he wants to get to 60,000 houses per annum, but added:
“We do not need to go back to the drawing board, as some would say.”
He said doing this would only cause more delay.
McDonald was also quizzed about Sinn Féin’s new housing delivery plans, such as the plan to build homes on state-owned land, but land that the state would continue to own.
She said the Banking Federation of Ireland has never said banks would not lend to buyers in this scenario.
It was put to Harris that the “horse’s mouth” – former housing minister Eoghan Murphy – said in his new book that housing was not Fine Gael’s number one priority when he was in government.
He was also asked about promises from another Fine Gael housing minister, Simon Coveney, to end children having to live in hotels.
It was put to Harris that that pledge was made seven years ago and it is now worse than ever.
Asked if Fine Gael had failed to make housing a top priority, Harris said:
“Housing is the number one priority.”
Pressed on whether Fine Gael had put the party in front of the country on reforming housing policy, Harris said: “My party never put party before country.”
He added: “My party’s never crashed the economy.” A subtle dig there at his former coalition partner just a few feet away.
In terms of when there was disagreement between Harris and Martin, it was only evident when the debate moved to the manifesto spending by parties.
Martin poked holes in Fine Gael’s figures, with Harris politely responding that he was sure that the Fianna Fáil leader was making a genuine error and not trying to mislead the public intentionally.
McDonald said she agreed with Harris on one thing, that the scars of the financial crash are still being felt.
Martin said: “You don’t have to tell me that, I have learned from that, I will always put the country before party.”
Harris responded robustly to McDonald’s criticism of Fine Gael’s handling of the Dublin riots.
“I think there will be many Garda families at home finding it quite sickening that Mary Lou McDonald is now the champion of An Garda Siochana,” he said.
“That’s the first thing. I’m not ready to take a lecture from you on law and order. My party has never had a TD who has collected a Garda killer from the gates of prison. First point.
“Second point is this – your position was to immediately blame the head of the guards rather than the rioters, and you carried out a press conference at a crime scene. That was your approach. How do I use this to my political advantage? That was your approach. And the public saw right through it.”
She defended her response.
“The state lost control of the streets of our capital city on that occasion, that’s unacceptable and that, by any measurement, is a measure of failure. I don’t know what else it is,” she said.
“I, at the time, was very critical of Minister Helen McEntee. I stand by that position. I see some of your (Micheal Martin’s) colleagues now in Fianna Fail belatedly agree with me. How anybody could imagine that it is a badge of success to have that level of violence, and law and order breakdown, and the fear that it brought and the criminal damage that it meant,” she said.
Climate change, something that has fallen off the radar somewhat of this election campaign trail, was raised this evening.
Martin said he does not agree with an “unfair” report from Friends of the Earth which put Fianna Fail as the third worst party on climate policy.
Fianna Fail scored 30, Sinn Fein scored 33 and Fine Gael scored 38 in the report, out of a maximum of 100.
Martin said: “I don’t accept it and I would robustly defend Fianna Fáil’s commitment to what is the existential crisis of our time.”
Elsewhere, the Fine Gael leader said his party had scored better than Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.
McDonald, defending her party’s position on scrapping carbon taxes, called them a “lazy” and “punitive” form of taxation.
Micheál Martin post-debate: pic.twitter.com/FWyWX8yV0x
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) November 26, 2024
Leaving Montrose this evening, Martin urged voters to read the manifestos before they make up their mind.
It’s good advice, as not much could be gleaned from tonight’s debate that would radically change someone’s mindset heading into the polling booth on Friday.
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I find myself in strange territory agreeing with kenny for the first time. Dont see it lasting.
Me too, I have a personal dislike for the man, his politics and his party but I agree 100% with him on this issue, at least someone is willing to stand up to the Pink Fascists!
Pink fascists? Please elaborate. I would like to join this party. Can we tell everyone how life should be lived and appropriate ways of being yourself? Yes please !
What if the parade banned women? How would you feel about that?
If the parade banned women I wouldn’t be happy about that. If it banned quasi political banners for feminist rights being carried however I would be in favour of that.
If you’re not already aware of this, gays aren’t banned from marching they just can’t March with banners displaying politically motivated messages etc. How have you managed to miss that difference? It’s not like gay rights and this god Damn parade issue hasn’t been done ad nausem at this stage.
Wondering if the boys up north on the 12th of july will be having the same problem for their march.
Exactly .. and there is plenty of lgbt proudly marching in their sashes who prefer not to flaunt their sexuality by way of placards and rainbow flags
@Al
I wouldnt be that knowledgable of the Marchers rules regulations etc but i would say AT BEST they would have a strict “dont ask dont tell policy” regarding the Gay members of their orders,,,AT BEST is being generous on my part
I have to laugh at the Americans “its tradition” attitude to St Patricks day!!!
If one is to look at the myths and fairy tales and legends surroundin this glorified “piss up” its infantile at best,,,
Kenny is a louse who will sing from whatever hymm sheet is put in front of him if it will get votes,
This to me bangs of the same Russian anti-Gay ehem “propaganda” (no its just the propaganda were against you know).
I back the Mayor , the idea of inclusive means you allow all Gays to march even the ones who feel the need to tell the whole world,Yes this is what “inclusion” means
I will say one thing for them AT LEAST THEY ARE GAY —-HOW MANY MARCHING THERE WILL ACTUALLY BE IRISH ????
And I would sincerely doubt that 5th generation plastic mick-Chuck O’Neill wont be too bothered by them while he pukes allover the street and starts fights on perfect strangers to celebrate this “Oirish” day
My suggestion for the head float a hugh HOSPITAL TROLLEY WITH A COFFIN ON IT – to celebrate our “free health care system”
Maybe a GIANT INFLATABLE BROWN ENVELOPE-to celebrate our can do attitude,,
At least with banning the Gays we are at least celebrating our HYPOCRISY also
Tura lura lei with a fiddle di didle dei,,…
Well they do have their own gay pride parade, he’s kind of right when he says paddys day is about being irish. But is Christmas really about Jesus? I dunno I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
If Paddy’s Day is about just being Irish then surely no groups should as separate unit? Just one big mass of Irish people marching as one?
St Patricks day is about St Patrick not been irish. The day has been twisted and turned intona marketing tool.
It must be the first time I’ve had this awkward feeling. “I agree with Kenny” there I’ve said it.
Now gay rights guys, go and enjoy the calibrations , join in the parade, join in the fun. And when you are prepared to join in the parade on equal terms as all the other participants I’m sure you’ll be greeted with open arms. There’s been a lot of unnecessary guff about this recently.
If it was just about St. Patrick, Declan, nobody would care about it. It’s about being Irish.
You mean gay people should join on equal terms like groups of police marching? Or soldiers marching? Or colleges marching?
I thought the parade was about being Irish and not flaunting your job or school?
It’s not about being Irish. It’s about being American Irish. That’s what the US parade is, and always was about. We completely miss that in Ireland.
For those in support of Kenny on this one, can i assume that you would support the removal of all banners etc from all groupings, Police, Schools, Churches, Army, Companies etc etc…
If all these groups can display their banners, why stop LGBT groups display their banners. Its a great opportunity to normalze peoples perception of LGBTs.
Russia also banned LGBT banners. Yet people were raging and complaining at the Russians for doing it.
Kenny should have done the honorable and right thing and absented himself from the parade unless the LGBT ban was lifted. People in this country would have rallied behind him (I know i would and i don’t like Kenny).
LGBT are free to march. They have always been free to take part in the parade. It is a total fallacy to suggest otherwise. They CAN march. They will march as members of the ” Police, Schools, Churches, Army, Companies etc etc…” just like everyone else.
What they can’t do, is march under their own banner or wear insignia. That same rule applies to everyone else too.
Sam, I thought this was about being Irish not the Army flaunting their job at everyone in their uniforms and promoting their ideology?
Sam … Guinness have their floats there … Jameson have their floats there …
If you are offended at a grouping showing support of the American/Irish (or Irish), why would you be offended at LGBTs marching past. You must be easily offended if you get irked by an LGBT pride grouping marching along side Guinness and Jameon :D
‘ People in this country would have rallied behind him’ But they are already rallying behind him on this issue.Most people agree with his stance.We live in a democracy and Kenny is clearly reflecting the will of the democratic majority on this issue,rather than pandering to a small but vocal militant LBGT lobby.
The police , army or self defence groups won’t start exploiting the march and turn it into a camp Mardi Gra . The extremist and camp lot will , as proven in the past , hijack an event to force their point.
The people say “no thanks” this time . Respect their wishes
Guinness and Irish whiskey are inherent symbols of Irish culture.Sexuality is a universal trait.
Well put.
The NY parade was started by Irish protestants and the first recorded parade was by the Irish soldiers in the British army, Dave. They started it.
So unless you were involved in starting the parade you’re not allowed to march as a group?
How far do we need to move the goal posts from Kennys “St Patricks Day isn’t about X it’s about being Irish” now?
No, you are allowed to march in the parade. But there are rules. All units must have two flags.
Irish and American flags only, NO EXCEPTIONS. American on the right – Irish on the left.
Gays are not excluded . All are welcome in the parade but not under the banner of their own choosing. There are no gun control groups, atheists ,vegans etc who walk in the parade under their own banner yet they are welcome to walk.
@ cal. What LGBT ban are you on about?
They are free to march like everyone else. It’s their banners and slogans that are not welcome
Sam, you’ve given a better answer than Enda. Fair play.
There are no floats in the st. Patrick’s day parade in New York. Just groups of people walking up 5th ave. Snoozefest at best
What about Alex White going to Moscow for the Russian Parade…Gays cant march in that also but I bet you wont see anything coming from the Labour party on that one….Also Jan O Sullivan went to Saudi Arabia last year and their laws actually make Gay sexual acts punishable by death..So come labour and be fair about this ….I could not care less what Joan Burton does or says
Where do you think the word Christmas came from????
It is essentially the RCC that control the parade these days though – and they have deep historical roots to it going back to the 1830′s or thereabouts. It is a Catholic American Irish parade. They make no bones about that. You must remember we are likely more liberal in Ireland the they are in the US on LGBT all in all.
Their are 44,000,000 Americans claiming Irish descent and 100,000,000 nominal Catholics. A lot of Amercians would see it as their right to exclude on religious freedom grounds. The parade organisers have that right in law.
@ Al: So education, fire fighting and military must also be inherently Irish. No they are not. They represent groupings in society that happen to have Irish people in them. These groups fly banners identifying themselves. LGBT groups also have Irish people, but they are not allowed to identify themselves as a group active within society.
@Cal
I agree wholeheartedlly with you but unfortunately this would have entailed our dear leader growing a spine and maybe a pair,, which lets face it ,,,isnt going to happen at this late stage,,,
Its exactly like whats happening in Russia “its not the Gays we hate ,its them damn PLACARDS”
Hypocrisy at it finest from one of its greatest purveyors
St Patrick was gay.
Maybe this might work……. build a very large closet on wheels…..Have them all go inside at the start of the parade along with their banners…..push the closet along the street along with the marching bands and then at the end of the parade…… yes you’ve guessed it…….they all come out of the closet……problem solved….. everyone happy.
@Pat
It’s their banners and slogans that are not welcome ??? Have you been drinking with Vlad Putin by any chance ,,,
I would for once love to hear somebody explain to me EXACTLY WHAT St Patricks Day is about without sounding like a 4 year old on School around the Corner,,,
You don’t have to ” normalise ” my perception of LGBTs, I can assure you that I am well capable of forming a balanced view without outside assistance. Such statements smack of arrogance and of a bullying attitude.
I cannot tolerate intolerance; try that for size. Whoops!!
It isnt about LGBT rights its fuxin St Patrick day.
It’s not about LGBT ‘rights’ it’s about taking the opportunity to promote a group/organisation/community.
I really hate to admit that I agree with Kenny. But I do on this issue, the lgbt groups hijack St Patrick’s Day parades to promote their own ideologies. Unfortunately only a few parade committees have the courage to stand up to them. No other groups in society are given the privileges they demand.
Strange how any other groups participation in the Patricks day parade is inclusion but a gay groups participation would like hijacking.
Because they will hijack .
How is it that there is an LGBT element to the Dublin parade and no-one complains about hijacking? They’re just another group of people celebrating the national festival. What’s truly disturbing is that you’ve got a load of religious right wing nuts running a parade that’s supposed to represent Irishness in a foreign country and our Taoiseach is going along with that.
Afaik, there’s a strict dress code in the NY parade. it’s unlike our parades here and elsewhere. I think marchers have to wear suits in fact.
Tim, there not religious nuts, maybe your an atheist nut? I’m not sure as I don’t think I should judge other based on their opinions, you call people religious nuts for basically not wanting the LgBT community to march (hijack) the SAINT PATRICKS day parade, it actual,y is to celebrate the irish national saint, why don’t the gays give us “religious nuts” our day and they march some other day
Call it Religious Nut Pride then. Leave us all join in with the St. Patrick’s Day celebration on equal terms.
Kudos to the Taoiseach.He seems to be the only politician talking sense on this issue,unlike the likes of De blasio,Walsh,Burton and even the unelected Bacik who are using this issue to increase their political capital amongst the militant LBGT lobby.
Its striking that you drop the word “militant” into every single sentence where you refer to the LGBT “lobby”. It evidences your general hostility to sexual equality, al shanem.
Well as a homosexual, I totally agree with him too. There’s a time and place for everything… Besides, We’ve got our own colourful parade to look forward to in June!
Life is way to short to be arguing who should march and who shouldn’t. Remember St. Patrick’s day will come and go. If I remember correctly it should be a day for families to go and enjoy a fun filled parade and not a day enshrouded in bitching. We left all of that behind us in the school yard. We are who we are and we lead the life that’s laid out for us. I for one have no problem with peoples personal orientation. I just don’t like seeing fun events used as a way of banging home a point when its not designed to do so.
I suppose you don’t like the US Army banners being displayed either then?
Guiness have floats at the parade … can i assume you would want them banned too … seing as children will be attending the parade?
Banning LGBTs is just another form of suppression of the LGBTs. What the hell is wrong in allowing them to parade along side all the other groupings?
‘Banning LGBTs is just another form of suppression’ This is factually incorrect.Nobody is preventing LBGTs marching in the parade.
@ Cal your missing my point. Your response is very argumentative. I simply pointed out that the day is for family enjoyment. You then brought in the U.S Army and Guinness floats into the equation. A little bit over the top maybe?
Just not under their own banners. Anti-abortionists, catholic lobby groups, or corporate bodies – no problem. Failed politician? Go right ahead. Gay organisation? Not a chance.
It is a Catholic irish American parade. LGBT have their own parade.
Cal mooney, I get the impression that you’re one of them pink fascists
@Al: Nice try Al. Here it is in bite-size chunks. Other groups active in society march and display banners. Lgbt groups, active in society, are being prevented from marching. Or, this group gooooood, that group baaaad. (Animal Farm ref.)
I too along with friends will not be attending this biased, intolerant parade … We also were prohibited from carrying – Heterosexual and Proud placards and flags -
Is Joan just going on a shopping trip at our expense then?
Politicians shouldnt be prancing around the world on st patricks day anyway. Surely if you want to celebrate being irish it would be better to stay in ireland and invite the foreign world leaders and investors over here and give them the vip treatment. Much cheaper and better marketing than our lot going abroad.
Forget about iiiiit
Why not just throw out all standards and have an S&M and swinger’s float too. Also some pole dancers.
Grow up lgbt lobby. You are just annoying everyone now.
Too often gay people are perceived as being only gay. Sexuality is important to an individual or group but it shouldn’t be solely defining.
Seems to be enough to push them
out of a parade!! Sure let it off it’s apparently boring as sh*t on a stick anyways! Just like the ones @ home :/
Brendan, most people don’t want to know about there sexuality in the parade, it’s them shoving there homo ideas on the rest of us that’s the problem
Hahaha as opposed to idiots like you shoving you’re hetero ideas on people like me? One of my earliest memories of a st. Patricks day parade was going to the one in Galway and I think it was the first year there was a gay and lesbian float in Dublin or LGBTs marching in it maybe 92/93 ! I remember a neighbour we met outraged at this demanding all those perverts be burnt or hung, and many people agreeing with him. So maybe including LGBT more would have helped a young child like me at that time understand not everyone was out to burn or hang us, for the offense of being different and not pandering to a bigots views. Can you not be Irish and gay? Why would it be so offensive to you to see an Irish, American & pride flag., just as you would see an Irish, American & maybe police or army banner?
Homo ideas. lol. Time machine
brought u here from the 70s.
Brenda the thing is we don’t go around shouting and spouting on about our sexuality in the St Patricks day parade, because quiet simply it has no relevance there, nothing sexual does, sexual orienteered parades will cater for the type of thing your looking for. Why not take a trip to dubling in June I’m sure the vocalists will be out in force pounding the streets, maybe a suitable time to wave your rainbow around the place
Brenda the thing is we don’t go around shouting and spouting on about our sexuality in the St Patricks day parade, because quiet simply it has no relevance there, nothing sexual does, sexual orienteered parades will cater for the type of thing your looking for. Why not take a trip to Dublin in June I’m sure the vocalists will be out in force pounding the streets, maybe a suitable time to wave your rainbow around the place
No not really I was only born in the late 70′s lol
Cowardly use of semantics and cowardly fence sitting.
Bell-Enda would do anything for another foreign trip and photo op. He knows his days are numbered and he’s milking it for all it’s worth while he can.
And yet LGBT people will walk in the ST Patricks Day parade behind a banner in Dublin without any fuss or problem
America wake the f”"k up
A they should leave them celebrate gay Irishness then technically they are celebrating Irishness
What about other rights organisations or political movements ? Are they allowed to march ?
That headline seems vaguely rude…. Or is it just me?
You turn if you want to. The Lady’s not for turning.
“I have made the point that this is about our Irishness, not about sexuality”
- Pure hypocrisy and double standards.
– Presumably it will not be about Nationalism either – no flags saying ” England – Get out of Ireland ”
— and no firms etc flaunting their wares ??
Lost vote
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