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THE GENERAL ELECTION outcome was disappointing for Fianna Fáil and members across the country have been trying to come to terms with why it happened and where the party goes now.
There is anger – much of it directed at the failure to engage the organisation in policymaking and the poor national communication strategy employed during the campaign.
There is also support for the cross-party unity during the current crisis and a realisation that ultimately, a government must be formed. Among members, there is no great enthusiasm about entering into a power-sharing arrangement with Fine Gael, but there is an understanding that responsible political parties must step up to the plate.
The real challenge for the party is that we are struggling to clarify our identity and there is a fear that it may be lost in any new arrangement. In decades past, the party could work as a broad church, accommodating different views, while self-confidence was never in short supply. Those were the days where at least two in five voters backed the party and the strong ground campaign of Fianna Fáil was rarely bettered. With the more fractured political system, such as we have now, with less traditional party loyalties, new forms of campaigning – a traditional catch-all party was always going to struggle.
A new voter needs a new party
What is of particular concern is that Fianna Fáil’s voter base is ageing. It is strongest among the over 65s. It is portrayed by opponents (and some in the media) and seen by many younger voters as older and conservative.
In spite of strong door-to-door canvasses, Fianna Fáil generally fails to register on social media or communicate to those who consume their news in non-traditional forms.
I am fully braced for the barrage of negativity that will fill the comments section on this opinion piece.
It is not that the party is not diverse – Fianna Fáil has the youngest TD in the Dail, James O’Connor, and many other younger representatives (the oldest of our seven councillors on Louth County Council, for example, is 43). The party has several councillors who identify from ethnic minority or LGBT backgrounds. More needs to be done on promoting women but the party of Constance Markievicz is more inclusive now than in the past.
The challenge is around where we stand. In spite of efforts to label otherwise, the majority of Fianna Fáil representatives and members would identify themselves as centrist or even a little centre-left. We believe in an open economy and the free market, but crucially, we believe that where that fails, the State needs to step in to support our citizens.
This drove the party’s commitment to investing in areas such as housing and education, often with radical policies, over the party’s history. Members are rightly proud of those achievements (from massive home building programmes to free second-level education, to expanding third level opportunities, to support for those with special needs).
Political identity
The party’s role in building our European Union membership and driving the Peace Process is really important to the organisation, though not shouted about as much as others. The smoking ban came into force 16 years ago, driven by a progressive Health Minister, Micheál Martin.
The party membership believes we have always stood for the ‘ordinary person’ and of being creative, even radical to provide opportunities. There is a fear, particularly at senior levels, of talking about the party’s proud history, because in bringing up the past, a focus will inevitably turn to the economic policies of the late noughties and the mistakes made then.
This fear has blunted the party’s radicalism. We need to campaign for the future, not for history.
There are very few in Fianna Fáil who would identify with the neoliberal policies that increasingly underpin Fine Gael philosophy. That and yes, history, make coalition-building difficult. Nor would much sympathy be found for the ‘woke liberalism’ of some of those on the high moral ground who claim to be of the left but are afraid of the responsibility of real decision-making.
Sinn Féin, a party formed in 1970, is resented for trying to steal Fianna Fáil’s Republican heritage and identity as well as being seen as opportunists who are anti-business. Fianna Fáil is pragmatic. That should be seen as a good skill in politics but in today’s divided world, is derided as not standing for anything.
The Confidence and Supply Agreement entered into in 2016 was a responsible act but the view among members is that there was no electoral reward for this happening. There is a greater fear that coalition with Fine Gael, especially where Fianna Fáil does not clearly set out red lines in advance, will do further electoral damage.
A different party to some
An 18-year-old who voted in February’s election was born after the Good Friday Agreement and September 11th, 2001. They will have no memory of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 though their teenage years would have seen Ireland’s economic recovery as well as the failure to tackle challenges in areas such as housing or health. For them, it is less the case that Fianna Fáil is toxic and more a question of the relevance of the party to the current debate.
This age cohort will face some of the biggest global challenges in history in the decade ahead – how we respond to the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis, climate change, and the rapid pace of technological transformation.
In addition, there will be challenges such as urbanisation and the sustainability of rural areas; food security; global migration; an ageing population. We will require a global and national set of responses and a combination of the State and enterprise to provide these. We may also be considering the shape of a new agreed Ireland, unifying North and South.
Before we enter into any government formation, Fianna Fáil needs to set out our red lines as to how we want to deliver on these as well as addressing existing challenges in our public services.
Dealing with the current public health crisis must continue to be the focus of our political system and public services for the coming weeks and months. An incoming government will face unprecedented challenges dealing with the fallout. People are scared. They are worried about losing loved ones, losing their jobs, their businesses.
We need a radical strategy as to how to deal with the social and economic fallout of the Covid-19 crisis and the tough decisions that will be required, as well as how to address the other major challenges of the 2020s. Fianna Fáil members want to play their part but at the same time, ensure that the party does not lose our identity.
A new government in which Fianna Fáil will take part has to be one energised by Fianna Fáil values and policy, shaped by our membership, not simply one involving Fianna Fáil personnel. Mechanisms to ensure that happens will be vital.
Malcolm Byrne is a Fianna Fáil Senator.
You won your seats on foot of a lie. A pledge to not go into coalition with FG. None of you are fit to take or hold office if you do so. Democracy depends on elected officials following through on the prmises made to their constituents.
@The Risen: A reasonable, albeit firm, comment. Leaving aside the huge margin of first preference votes the Shinners got ahead of FF, the Shinners won their seats fair and square, FF had to spoof their way to winning the same number. They are not fit to govern. Michael Martin throwing the party under the bus of his own ambition
@The Risen: You could argue that they also won their votes by pledging not to go in with SF as did FG. The pledges not to go in with SF were far more dominant in the campaign. If everyone kept those pledges, two of many more made also, then its stalemate. In a situation like that compromise must be found. I guess whether we like it or not this is the compromise. If SF hadn’t believed their own hype about winning the election and had started to try and build bridges, instead of continuing hostilities, they would have had a far better chance of been part of the coalition. Espically considering how weak MM was after the election and there was an appetite in the FF parliamentary party to talk to SF. Had things been done differently MM may have been heaved out in favour of talking to SF.
@Diarmuid: You clearly don’t understand how our electoral system work. First preference means nothing once the count moves to the second count and onwards. Every seat is of the same value. I would agree with you about MM throwing the party under the bus for his own ambitions though. They will pay for that in the future.
@NotMyIreland: Why is the ‘compromise’ not a national unity government, reflecting the election result, rather than blocking the most popular party so FF and FG can stay at the trough?
@The Risen: A national unity government would simply not work. To many different opinions and political egos to deal with. It would be far from the stability we need at a time like this.
@NotMyIreland: Passing your opinion as fact? Not a good look. No reason why it wouldn’t work during a national emergency, with an election when the dust settles.
@The Risen: I don’t think that outcome would work, SF are too different from FF and FG it wouldn’t last
@The Risen: it would work during this crisis because the focus is all on the same thing, keeping people healthy and saving lives and after that would fall apart
@The Risen: Anyone with any sense of how politics and more specifically politicians operate could see a national unity wouldn’t work. I also never claimed it as fact, merely stated my opinion on the matter. Clearly an opinion held by politicians too or we would have a national unity government already.
@The Risen: yes and Mary Lou begging FF and FG to enter coalition with her after the election. The short memories and hypocrisy is astounding. Government for real change is what she said.
@The Risen: Judas Martin wants so badly to become taoiseach that he is willing to sell his soul. FF & FG and just opening the door wide for SF to win the next election. Then Leo and Micheal will go off to the EU or UN to work.
@The Risen: get over yourself, its a new world
@Diarmuid: rubbish
@The Risen: SF lost…get over it.
@John Meade: the greens , labour etc are also out of step with ffg the way the future govt is setting up I give it 6 mth before they are at each others throat….
@JarryWasNotInTheRA: FF and FG in a coalition! Dev must be rolling in his grave! SF are going in one direction, FF is going the opposite way. This is thd last sting of the dying FF wasp.
@NotMyIreland: “A national unity government would simply not work. Too many different opinions and political egos to deal with. It would be far from the stability we need at a time like this.” What if the smaller parties refuse to go into Government, then it will be down to the Independents. How would that fit in with your above statement?
@The Risen: your a SF supporter and you call other parties out for lies.
Yet gerry was never in the RA and your happy with that
@NotMyIreland: Wait until it takes four parties to form a government. Stability and democracy according to FFG.
@The Risen: just say a unity government made a decision that SF like, can we afford 3 years of no government like they did in the North.
@Peter donnelly: it’s hard to see any combination working long term alright
@Jack Cass: yeah I one hundred percent agree. It doesn’t fit well at all. The outcome will be the same. It will fall apart pretty quickly, especially with the tough economic decisions which will need to be made. Lets hope a smaller party goes in.
@Chris Mc: The reason the Assembly collapsed was because of a financial scandal. Financial scandals now the norm concerning that F.F./F.G made a national past time when in government. Jesus the jails are full of corrupt F.F./F.G. politicians..Only problem is they investigated each other and found nothing. Haughty Ahern that mafia must be in awe of them. Not forgetting Garret Fitzgerald.
@The Risen: So is Dessie Ellis fit to be a TD as he fought elections on the basis of taking an average industrial wage but he has been trousering the full whack of 98 thousand plus exes for years. Vast majority of his constituents are on minimum wage.
@NotMyIreland: Cant reason with a cult. Their way or the highway
@The Risen: Because when the Greens suggested it SF ruled it out… stupidly.
@Donal Desmond: The cash for ash with farmers heating empty cowsheds and coining it . The inquiry report that took 3 years and was published / buried a few weeks back with SF collusion when covoid news predominated.
The Irish language act was the other excuse.
@David Glynn: Gullible Glynn at it again.
@Conan Campbell: Yep at it again! The mans a delusional fruit cake FFG Bot.
He got lashed out of it last night. Everyone sees he for what he is!
And the good journal removed most of them as he’s a FFG bot.
@NotMyIreland: ah I see
@Chris Mc: have you proof he was?
@The Risen: they made things work, made compromises, nothing wrong with that. SF for all their bravos couldn’t make anything work.
@NotMyIreland: the writer said, SF was established in 1970 and set out to steal FF’s republican credentials. the problem for FF and its leader, is they probably believe that false history.
Did FF split from SF in 1926, or was it the other way around?
Sf was not a newly formed party in 1970. It already existed, but split from other members over differences of policy- namely abstentionism.
funnily enough- Abstentionism was also the reason why FF was formed after it split from SF.
If FF really wants to know how to get voters back, they might begin by going back to school and studying their own history, first and that of other parties! Not the makie-uppy stuff!
Zero enthusiasm in the country with the prospect of the weasel Mehole Martin being Taoiseach.
@Ronaldo Blanc: Oh yeah that’s what has ruined the countries enthusiasm, not the fact we are all locked inside due to a worldwide health pandemic!
@NotMyIreland: we have enough threads to discuss the pandemic. Martin would sell his granny to be the gaffer. This coalition will bring both parties together and they will be seen as one, SF will be seen as the main opposition. Come next election FF and FG will stand collectively over the joint decisions made. This coalition will change irish politics and the standing of these two parties forever.
“Fianna Fail values….” That gave me a good laugh. Right up there with Fine Gael being a “compassionate party”.
Look at them all walking in the photo like a bunch of hillbillies from deliverance
@Keith O Hanlon: that’s a bit harsh on the hillbillies pal…..
@devils avacado: that’s true look at your man in t he photo on the left he has no neck pmsl
Nope, FF are struggling because people have found out there true identity. Both themselves again FG will always put what’s best for their parties instead of what’s best for the country. Shameful from both of them.
@devils avacado: *and
@devils avacado: nailed it. That’s everything that’s wrong with those parties.
Mr Martin not allowing the membership vote on this coalition with FG is the end of the FF party
Propaganda piece from an unelected wannabe politician. They should be renamed ‘we do the opposite to what we say party’.
Fianna Fail like Fine Gael are well past their sell out date.
Bet the grassroots power Fianna Fail are over the moon about Martin going cap in hand to Vareadkar to form a government and become a part time Taoiseacht. Especially when they will have no vote to ratify it. It took six counts to elect him for the second seat in a constituency the he topped the poll in . It will tell you what the electorate thought of him in his own backyard. Like Simon Harris disappeared during the election. Martin disappeared during the pandemic to beg Leo for a part time Taoiseacht’s Job.
@Donal Desmond: He is the only party leader to bring in a running mate though so it was a successful election in his constituency for FF.
@NotMyIreland: True but my point was Martin thought he had a god given right to top the poll.. Martin second McGrath third Coveney fourth. The look on Martin’s face said it all. The man has done more U Turns than a joyrider.
Wanna destroy the country again. How could anyone forget ….
@Gary O CONNOR:
When the people told them to f -off they teamed up with the other unwanted.
I give them 12 months before they utterly destroy themselves.
Labour had better move over and make room for more compost .
Ff’s days are well and truly numbered..the new labour party lol ..be doing well to get anywhere near 10 seats at the next election
Hopefully the comments haven’t disappointed you Malcolm. You see the challenge ahead is this: young voters are highly intelligent. They know their history. They are voting for SF in their droves and as more and more pass voting age, more and more will do so. They do not care about the election time articles in the Indo that attempt to link modern day SF with atrocities carried out in the 1970s and 1980s. They care about their future and their prosperity and they know that FF and FG have repeatedly failed their parents generation. Maybe SF won’t be any better, who knows? But they sure as hell can’t be any worse.
@Johnny 5: johnny 5 theres nothing i could add to that comment to make it better…well said
@Johnny 5: the problem is SF’s manifesto was all free free free spend spend spend. This state will be bankrupt in 8 weeks time. They’ve nothing to offer right now.
@GrumpyAulFella: Did you actually read their manifesto or do you just believe that because it’s something you read in the journal comments section?
@Johnny 5: yes I read it. Do you think that plans to tax big corporations is now going to work and pay for abolition of lower end USC, free GP service, deliver free transport and childcare subsidies, deliver 100,000 houses at cost of €6bn, abolish LPT, reinstate state pension eligibility at cost of €400m, abolition 3rd level fees…..? This giveaway costs billions. It was fantasy in the good times, now it’s comical.
@Johnny 5: “They are voting for SF in their droves”. You obviously haven’t been listen to the young voters in recent weeks. They are running quickly from SF.
@GrumpyAulFella: According to Veradkera and Martin When between them they spoke of the magic money tree that Sinn Fein had. Recently Simon Harris threatened striking nurses with fines if they did not return to work when on strike. Vareadkar stated there was No Money Patients on Trolleys No Money. Amazing the money splashed out in the last few weeks by the caretaker government. Perhaps there was a magic money tree after all. The last time Martin was in government they brought this country to it’s knees because of F.F. economics.
@Johnny 5: You say attempt to link present day SF with past atrocities.
Bomber Murphy did time, Ellis was good on the electrics for bombs, The Kerry gunrunner, Gerry Kelly and on and on.
Maybe like Adams they weren’t in the IRA
@GrumpyAulFella:
The country is broke now and will always be this way when the politicans look after themselves and pay themselves first.
@For Goodness Sake: where did you read that
@David Glynn: Wonder why Martin hates the Republican movement. After all Martin served under Charles J Haughty. Charlie along with other F.F. grandees financed the setting up of the PIRA. Martin never had a problem with that .Did Martin resign…No..When Charlie robbed the country blind did he resign..No. Martin is a Hypocrite. He is well suited to be a Blueshirt.
.
Sinn Fein was founded in 1905, not 1970 as you say. You need to get your basic facts right
@Eamon Guilfoyle:
The current SF was created in 1969/70 when the Offical I.R.A. split and the provisional I.R.A. was formed.
I have never read such a pile of tripe. Its crystal clear FF are clueless and completely removed from reality.
Oh I don’t think the people will have too much trouble identifying them.
Sleeveen, deceptive , untrustworthy, multifaced liars that give anything to get their piglike snouts back to the trough.
@Justice Mickey: sure mehole was looking at the prospect of going into coalition with sf when it looked like thet were going to reign; all he wants is power, doesn’t matter with who.
Michael Martin putting his ego and fear of being the only FF leader in the history of the state not to be Taoiseach ahead of the will of the people. He is an utter ego maniac who would do anything to sneak into power.
A party full or wind, Matin knows he is a failed politician, he is that afraid of Sinn Feín he would join with anyone, remember his words I will not go into government with FG, they will youse the virus like they did with Brexit, the country needs a stable government at this time, yes MICHAEL Martin a Sinn Feín government who will work for the people, not the bankers or developers, but working class people.
I always read the entire article before commenting but not this one. You sold the country out, you sold yourselves for one last sniff at the trough. Just go away, nobody wants you.
I still can’t believe FF backed out of their rent freeze promise during the campaign. It was a home run election victory just waiting for them and they backed down on the electorate’s top concern at the most crucial moment.
If you’re not going to provide an alternative to FG on the crucial issues then it’s really difficult to see both parties surviving at their current size for much longer since the identities are so closely intertwined and now being connected to two different governments together. We’re probably at a point where FF and FG are better considered together as like-minded parties and some others step up as a genuine alternative for a healthy democracy.
@Rochelle: I’d imagine if they haven’t merged into one by the next election they certainly will have by the one after.
@NotMyIreland: That would make sinn féin the biggest party in opposition on a full time basis, I doubt that’ll ever happen. They’ll cosy up to each other when needed but never fully amalgamate.
Ten years after nearly bankrupting the nation, FF can go at it again.
Did their glorious leader Mehole ever fully explain how a cheque from a Cork property developer ended up in his wife’s bank account?
MaFFia!
The only identity crisis that I can see is whether Ireland’s biggest party will be called Fianna Gael, or Fine Fail.
@Logan Shepherd: Fianna Gael Fail
@Brian Madden: They should be called One Fine Fail. I truly hope this will be the death knell of the 2 parties.
@Ian Breathnach: Theyll be in government and the cult won’t .
Fianna Fail has an identity? I thought it was pretty obvious by now that it was a party for people with vague notions of going into politics, but no actual ideology. The party for the sneaky lad who’ll fix the road and get your medical card once he gets his nice pension and a few brown envelopes.
FF just have to look at FG and they can see themselves………
For the last 100 years these 2 parties have been bitter enemies but now they have seen the writing on the wall and basically amalgamated. They are terrified of SF and the new political situation we now have. Deep down they know the young have kopped on to them. It will be all downhill from here on in.
FFG, the all exclusive party, the challenge will come hopefully sooner rather than later.
You were never up to the challenge before ,what’s changed ???
Charles Haughey must be turning in his grave.
If this were a struggling company, you would employ a rebrand, refocus the offering and find a new charismatic leader.
From the outside looking in the solution to success is obvious.
Malcolm, FF need to do the following in order to stem the tide of decline. 1. Cut anyone associated with the crash loose. Michael Martin first and fast. 2. Start running candidates in the north – return to your roots. 3. No more dynasties. Pick candidates based on their merits. No one cares who their father was. 4. Star making decisions to benefit the citizens and not big business – the farce of saying a rent freeze was unconstitutional shows you’re still not looking out for citizens. 5. Pick sides and stick to them – enshrine ownership of Irish Water in the constitution. I’m sure others will think of more.
While any Fianna Fáil unelected politician is entitled to have an opinion it is not the opinion of many people in the country. The reason for Fianna Fáil doing badly in the recent elections is that they as a party betrayed the public trust.We are now in the 21st century but Fianna Fáil are still in the 20th century. They (Fianna Fáil) want the glory days back. The truth is they were only glorious for some. Corruption was rampant, public funds were squandered(the Bertie Bowl, computer voting, etc.)and corrupt Fianna Fáil politicians lined their own pockets. So, now once more you are telling the public you are going to go into government for the sake of the country. Fianna Fáil members should be aware of the fact that the public have spoken and their time has passed.
Whoever goes into government now will be wiped out at the next election as there are some very very tough decisions to be made and it’s not going to be pretty. Those left on the sidelines this time will be left to pick up the baton next time, likely a left leaning coalition of sorts which should make things very interesting.
Being stuck at home now for a while I realise what it’s like to be a left wing supporter.
@David Wells: The problem in this country, and similarly in Britain, is that working class people have been led to believe that they are middle class because they have a 40 year mortgage and a car. They vote for parties who time and time again shaft them, including Labour, a party that is supposed represent them but sold them out. Plenty of hard working people are left leaning as you well know. Hope you get back to work soon, wouldn’t like to see your ivory tower repossessed.
@Johnny 5: Johnny you’re right. Can’t argue with any of that. I haven’t got a pot to p in myself.
@David Wells: Sorry to hear that. Out of work myself and trying to keep myself sane by spending as much time with my kids as possible, they’re too young to realise that everyday is groundhog day! Keep the chin up.
@Johnny 5: The 57% of adults up North who have 100 quid or less in savings to cope with any crisis.I wonder who do they vote for.
@David Glynn: Alliance, UUP, DUP, TUV, PBP, Greens, SF, SDLP, Conservatives or Independents. What’s your point? Oh that’s right, you haven’t a clue about the north.
FF is FG they have been sleeping together for a very long time now.
@Michael Maher: thanks Michael – real intellectual argument. Anything else to add?
@Ro-your-nan: Gob….
The FF identity is corruption, theft, and fraud saved you a long read.
Time for New FF. McGrath should lead instead
Watched Bertie tonight and he explained why he was right and all the begrudgers were wrong so hard done by , this is once in our lifetime that politicians must act in the public interest nothing to do with party politics , National government now , unity get us through the next 12 months ye can’t agree on everything but please do what ye think is best for everyone , freeze out sf you lose the things that keep us united as a society 25 percent of the electorate blindsided you cannot and will not keep the social cohesion we need
Well said Malcolm.
Time to rebuilding Community s both Urban and Rural.
@Tom O’Callaghan: FF have been saying something like this every time they do bad in an election. Its just the same circus but with different clowns.
Fianna Fáil was once a great party, the party of de Valera which actually stood for something! Fianna Fáil has been weakened in recent years by moving to the left and by it’s cowardice. Mícheal Martin’s support for the corrupt, incompetent Fine Gael government for 4 years on the excuse of “scary brexit!” was immoral and stupid and FF got what it deserved in this years election for it. Mícheal Martin will go down in history as the weakest FF leader in history. The party ought to have principles and should return to social conservatism.
You’re signing your own party’s death notice. Better to have a national Govt than just this ff/fg stitch up
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Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
Non-TCF/GVL Vendors
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