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Green Party 'don't know whether to laugh or cry' over Fianna Fáil climate proposals

The first day of the 2024 general election campaign is in full swing.

LAST UPDATE | 9 Nov 2024

THE FIRST OFFICIAL day of the three-week general election campaign is in full swing as parties start canvassing around the country.

Most of today’s events will be based around the south and southeast of the country but candidates will be canvassing nationwide all weekend. Some small canvasses and news conferences took place in Dublin yesterday evening.

Fine Gael kicked its campaign off with a pitch to businesses, promising to reduce the VAT rate to 11% for food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing sectors, introduce PRSI rebates for SMEs and new energy credits in its first 100 days in government.

Meanwhile, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has said Fianna Fáil proposal for a new junior minister position for energy and electric vehicles, reported by The Irish Times today, was “rich”.

O’Gorman said that he was surprised to see Fianna Fáil’s climate promises as, he claims, the party shot down its energy proposals during a cabinet meeting this week. 

The Journal reported this week that the final meeting turned sour over a block on green proposals.

Greens leader and candidate for Dublin West said: “Interesting to see their policy coming out today, but it does somewhat contrast with the approach that we found from Fianna Fáil over the last four-and-a-half years in government.”

minister-for-children-roderic-ogorman-speaking-to-the-media-in-the-courtyard-of-the-government-buildings-dublin-ahead-of-a-meeting-of-the-cabinet-picture-date-thursday-september-26-2024 O'Gorman accused his coalition partner of blocking Green legislation this week, Fianna Fáil minister Jack Chambers denied the claim. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

He added that it was “particularly seen in the last weeks” where he claims that Fianna Fáil blocked funding allocation proposals in the infrastructure, nature and climate fund to retrofit schools and hospitals.

“It’s a newfound interest in the climate and particularly this proposal to have a junior energy minister,” O’Gorman told reporters in Rathfarnham in Dublin. “I really don’t understand that,” he said, adding that any climate role needed to be a senior position.

A party statement, reacting to the proposal, later said the Greens “doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry” over the policy pitch.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin programme, Finance minister Jack Chambers said that Fianna Fáil’s full climate manifesto would be published next week but rejected the narrative from the Green Party.

“There were proposals set out to note particular expenditure items with which could be made. There was no decision point on spending the infrastructure, climate and nature fund,” he said.

Canvassing underway around the country

Sinn Féin were canvassing in the south east today, where party leader Mary Lou McDonald will join candidates in Waterford, South Tipperary and Kilkenny at the doors.

Sinn Féin, who are campaigning on a message to change government and oust Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, believe the region has been ‘let down’ by the current government. McDonald believes two Sinn Féin TDs can be elected in Waterford.

She told reporters: “We have to convince people of our case and we’re here in Dungarvan, Waterford and the south east to make the case for that change in government.” 

McDonald added: “I think it’s fair to say that the south east for a long time. We were out at the airport earlier and the case has been made for investment in that airport.

“Sinn Féin will certainly make good on that commitment because I know in this part of the country, for too long a promise is made and the withheld and made and withheld. And that’s not the way to invest properly anywhere.”

Sinn Fein GE 00009_90716515 Sinn Féin are campaigning on the proposal to oust the government parties. RollingNews RollingNews

In Cork, Tánaiste Micheál Martin is canvassing with all three constituencies throughout the day with Fianna Fáil candidates, TDs and ministers. He has said an issue that is frequently being discussed is crime in the city in Cork.

“There is a need for substantial more gardaí on our streets,” Martin said, promising that a Fianna Fáil government would employ 5,000 more members and invest and resource An Garda Síochána more effectively.

Left-wing government

Meanwhile, People Before Profit has called on Sinn Féin to rule out coalitions with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil after McDonald yesterday said she was willing to speak with ‘everybody’.

Though the party’s main priority is to get all of its 71 candidates elected, McDonald said she believes it would be insulting to the public if she were to openly reject the possibility of going into government with any party.

She said it was equally insulting to the electorate that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have now publicly ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin for the last two elections. Sinn Féin want to oust both parties anyways.

Speaking today, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said:

“The real insult that has been delivered many times in the past by Labour, the Greens and various independents is to campaign on the promise of change, and then use those votes to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.”

PBP Alt Budget-13_90713687 People Before Profit TD has demanded that Sinn Féin and Social Democrats commit to a left-wing government. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

He said it was “not too late” for Sinn Féin to rule out coalescing with the parties and urged McDonald and the Social Democrats to commit to a left-wing government. “That would inspire people to come out and vote to end 100 years of FF and FG rule,” he said.

Asked about the comments today, McDonald said: “We want a new government beyond Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Our proposition could not be clearer to the people.”

The Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik is canvassing with Dublin South West candidate Ciaran Ahern today.

There will also be plenty of political representation at a pro-Palestine march in Dublin, calling on the next government to prioritise the Occupied Territories Bill, which would block trade between Ireland and entities located on illegally settled land.

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:38 AM

    iPad is without doubt one of the best devices I have ever owned, I love it.

    175
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    Mute Mike
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:03 AM

    You love it? Wow.

    27
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    Mute Joe Jackson
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:38 AM

    I would guess most people had held out for the last 2-3 months on buying an iPad as the new models were being announced last week.

    86
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    Mute Cpm
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:02 PM

    iPad sales had seen a massive drop in their last earnings report too. It will be even bigger this time next year, people don’t own large-screened phones and use tablets too, it’s pointless. I could see the point of owning both when the iPhone screens were tiny, not now though.

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    Mute Chris Mansfield
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:10 AM

    I would imagine people change phones more often than they change a tablet, so the top-end of the tablet market may be suffering some saturation at the moment before it settles into a normal renewal cycle.

    I’m genuinely surprised how little iTunes contributes to their income.

    65
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    Mute Will Too
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:13 AM

    Android is still too buggy , there are too many cheap android devices that can’t perform basic tasks.
    Anyone can operate an iPad whether they are 3 or 83 , the older generation have embraced apple tech much easier than android!

    62
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    Mute Mike
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:22 AM

    Get yourself a Samsung. So much better. Ive used ipads before the Samsung. So slow. Im not surprised sales are falling.

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    Mute Ablitive
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:04 PM

    I would totally agree.

    The fact that you cannot add SD card memory was my turning point.

    The 10.1″ Galaxy NOTE 2014 would kick any IPad in performance.

    21
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    Mute Mike
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:27 AM

    I prefer using the Samsung. Haven’t used the ipad since.

    47
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    Mute The Doctor
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:12 PM

    Tablets are used more for watching TV on. Ipads are far too restrictive in what you can and can’t watch.

    An android with mobdro and you’re good to go.

    31
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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:53 PM

    Writing this on an iPad that’s 3 1/2 yrs old although it can’t be updated anymore it’s still one of The best bits of Tech I’ve ever owned

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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:39 AM

    I wish they’d change the iTunes interface, it’s such a pain in the hole.

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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:47 AM

    Is the large version of iphone 6 being used as an alternative to the ipad mini?

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    Mute Loop De Loop
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:18 PM

    Yes, I would imagine you are correct. Certainly wouldn’t be a massive difference now between the phones and the iPad mini.
    Great phone by the way, the Samsung killer I would say.

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    Mute richard fennessy
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:33 AM

    Is Apple the cult Tom cruise and John travolta are involved in. (Wrote on my iPhone)

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:54 AM

    Some people might be holding out for the new iPads, but Apple has been losing ground to Android-based tablets for the past two years: http://blog.globalwebindex.net/Android-dominates-tablet

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    Mute David Fortune
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    Oct 21st 2014, 3:50 PM

    I’d say they’re fine losing market share to the €100 Android tablets that you see knocking about, the people buying those were unlikely to get an iPad. I’d like to see a breakdown of the flagship tablet market.

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    Mute Thomas Quintis
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:55 PM

    Wasn’t Apple heavily dependant on iPod sales at one stage too…

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    Mute Kustin J Crush
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    Oct 21st 2014, 10:53 AM

    Love Apple computers, don’t like their phones!

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    Mute Denis
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:18 PM

    That’s odd in the last apple story there was a guy who’s friend worked in a mobile phone shop and apparently they couldn’t sell any iPhones at all.
    I was sure that was a reliable source for sales figures.

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    Mute Ciabhán Ó Murchú
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:25 PM

    Being a user of both, I can definitely say that Apple is to restrictive and therefore useless in a lot of ways. Once they have you, they want to enslave you into buying all their products. To many frustrations. Would definitely not recommended Apple. Don’t become an Apple zombie!

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    Mute Armonline
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    Oct 21st 2014, 2:01 PM

    Have both myself also , but do not find any real restrictions on IOS. Depends how you use them I suppose. Both are great, but if generally find Apple a better interface and build quality.

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    Mute faillandia
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:51 AM

    I haven’t come across an interesting new app for ages. It’s good to see the hardware improving but the software people seem to have hit a brick wall. It seems to me that the industry needs more personal information from us to develop but we are getting more careful and taking the privacy option where possible. The U2 album fiasco showed that what we want is not what they want to give us. We want to draw back from the always on connected world and to pick and choose how we interact.

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    Mute Michael cunnane
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    Oct 21st 2014, 12:34 PM

    Htc have a new range of tablets Comming out on November 3rd and if they are anything like the HTC One M8 phone They will storm the tablet Charts.Sd card will mean a lot more storage freed up on the tablet itself.

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    Mute Armonline
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:49 PM

    HTC One M7 & M8 are great phones but unfortunately they do not sell very well HTC made a big loss on the M7, have improved with the M8, but still nowhere near the likes of Samsung.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Oct 21st 2014, 11:45 AM

    Don’t really like Apple myself(except I-tunes, where theres no choice) think Sony is much better all round.

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    Mute John Heffernan
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    Oct 21st 2014, 1:07 PM

    I think the fizz has left Apple recently, it’s not big news anymore.

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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
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    Oct 21st 2014, 7:24 PM

    Always used iPhones but today i upgraded to an S5. Vodafone are out of stock with no date for new iPhone 6 handsets and it would have cost me 250 blips. S5 is free with the same if not better specs. Total no brainer

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