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GE2024RIRAFORMER FIANNA FÁIL minister and candidate for Limerick Willie O’Dea has claimed Helen McEntee was the “worst Minister for Justice in the history of the State”.
His claims came after Fine Gael leader Simon Harris told reporters that while he understands elections are competitive, he does not intend to take part in any so-called “ruaille buaille” between his party and Fianna Fáil.
A war of words has broken out between the two coalition partners over policy disagreements and political stances during the opening weeks of the campaign as the parties seek to distance themselves from one another ahead of polling day.
Asked if Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would end their public disagreements, in the context of a poll by the Irish Times today that found the majority of voters wanted to see both parties re-enter government together, Harris said what counted more was earning votes.
The Taoiseach said that while there was “only one poll that counts”, he was not interested in re-writing history during the campaign. He said that both parties worked well together in government and that he was proud of the coalition that they built.
“What I’ll certainly be doing for the next number of days is not engaging in ruaille buaille, but actually putting forward our policies and our visions,” he told reporters in Kerry, adding that he wanted to outline Fine Gael’s plans as a new leader in this election.
He added: “‘I’ m certainly trying to maximize the Fine Gael vote in this election, maximize the number of seats my party can win. I’m really excited about having a prospect of regenerating my party – that doesn’t come up that often.
“We have many new candidates, with lots of different backgrounds, running and then let’s see where the results of the people take us.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin shared the view that the only poll that counted was the results of the election but added that the public want a “strong government” that can last a full term.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the disagreements between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael was a “sham battle” and was not “fooling anyone”.
“It’s a bit laughable,” she said in Galway today. “I don’t think anybody buys it. I don’t think anybody buys the sham battle between Micheál Martin and Simon Harris.
“They’ve been bed buddies for a very, very long time – in fact, I think they were caught today kissing and making up,” she added, referring to RTÉ News cameras catching the moment that the two leaders met on the street in Co Kerry this afternoon.
Both parties have put forward very similar policies to increase pensions to €350 per week and to scrap the means test on the carers’ allowance. But candidates have clashed over financial policies and the justice ministry.
This week the justice minister Helen McEntee defended claims by Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan that the backbencher did the heavy lifting for her on particular pieces of legislation during the term in government.
McEntee dismissed the allegations and claimed she knew what it felt like for men to claim the work of women. She accused O’Callaghan of turning down a junior ministerial role in the department while McEntee turned up “day in, day out”.
Fianna Fáil are seeking to take over the justice ministry, if in government after the election. O’Callaghan said the country needs a “sense of urgency” to fix issues such as crime and justice, that he claims Fine Gael could not resolve.
In a social media post today, former junior justice minister Willie O’Dea said that he believed Fianna Fáil needed to take over the justice ministry and it was his opinion that McEntee was the “worst Minister for Justice in the history of the State”.
“Neighbourhoods have literally gone to hell with anti-social behaviour,” the veteran TD claimed, adding that the minister spent too much time on “woke issues” rather than protecting citizens.
Speaking yesterday, McEntee said it was her desire to return to her position as justice minister with Harris as Taoiseach. She added that anything beyond that was a matter for after the election.
“And I think anything beyond that is simply arrogant,” she added.
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This is an absolute scandal and all of the people who make up this Government should hang their heads in shame. Picking on the elderly like this is inhuman!
…… while Enda K had no problem giving his pal a E37k pay rise on top of an already E95k salary. No problem finding money for that & doing this to the elderly. Yes – they should hang themselves in shame. Shameful.
Wonder is this another cynical blue-shirt kite flying exercise? If it isnt how can they justify attacking the most vulnerable in society one again? and if it is I wonder do they enjoy worrying people for the sake of politics.
FG have always had a fetish for “taking the hard choices”, it makes them feel decisive and reforming. True to form they continue to protect the very top.
I neglected to add that they rarely consider the effect of their actions or if they are logical. They just have to take hard decisions, that always hit the least able hardest. I left it out because I presumed that it was obvious.
I remember reading a description of FG and FF that went roughly – A FF’ers only aim is to have the road outside his house in good shape, and will drive his kids to the boat while boasting about it and that a FG’ers only concern is that things stay the way they are, for good or bad.
FG’s ideology is too tied in with the old IPP outlook of maintain the status quo at all costs. FF – well FF don’t have an ideology apart from sell their country to the highest bidder. Saying FF’ers have a belief system is like saying the General was an Irish Robin Hood.
Beyond the pale by the Government.
@ Tom,
I am non political, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t comment on an issue that affects the most vunerable people in our society!
Trying to get off the subject matter won’t work and the fact that you are defending Fine Gáel means that you agree with closing nursing homes!
Like all of us, you too will be old one day and I just hope that whoever is in power then, will not be of the same mindset of either you or this Government!
Also remember this too…….The very people who are being treated like second class citizens from the closing of those nursing homes, are the very people who built up this Country and are not responsible for this current crisis, but they are being penalised for the people who did!
It’s an absolute disgrace to close these nursing homes and no amount of rationalising by you or anyone can change that fact!
Derek,
I believe that the actions of men are the greatest interpreters of their thoughts. In short, SF aren’t too bothered about human suffering. While you may think that they have the right to get precious about harsh measures, I don’t.
In short I think SF are hypocritical murderous scumbags. If they cared about human suffering there is no evidence of it. All evidence points to the contrary.
Have a good Christmas.
Caoimhin o’Caolan made this statement- not Gerry. If you want to tar people with the same brush i could mention th facist blueshirts of the past or the “murderous scumbags” of FF during the civil war… You will now say that thats in the past, so is the troubles (we’re even learning it in History!) So do tell who you prefer facist FG, murderous scumbags of FF, OIRA of Labour or PIRA of SF? Selective memory perhaps?
That’s your defense? SF should be excused their murderous past because FG have to break the bad news that the country is financial dire straits? Well, I suppose if you think that way, you’re probably not very rational.
Have a Good and (I appreciate the irony of saying to a Shinner) Peaceful Christmas:)
No Irony at all… Im 16 and probably the only political person in my school not a member of Ogra Shinn Fein so thats that out the window. I also love the fact you call SF hypocritical when you as presumably a FGer call Sinn Fein murderous bastards having committed some of the worst murders imaginable during the civil war (both sides Pro and Anti Treaty) but now trot a moral grandstanding while throwing the most vulnerable in society out of their homes. I attack FG for what they do in Government not their past, as facist so i advise you to do the same with all partys and not have such a selective memory of the past. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, sincerly not sarcastically to you ;D
Sinn Fein are just latching on to populist causes. Responsible media sources won’t fall for it and will not run any stories about the provos. They’re finished before they even begin. Might as well pack your bags and go back to Northern Ireland Gerry. You’re not wanted in THIS country.
He topped the poll so seemingly they did… Troll
Given that SF’s policy is to stop people reaching old age by killing them, I think this is quite funny.
Fiachra, given that FG comfortably brought home two seats in the constituency, I’d say that FG are a tad more popular than Gerry “It’s never the IRA’s fault NO MATTER WHO THEY KILL” Adams.
Nonetheless for such a vicious campaign against him he topped the poll and was elected by the people with one of the highest votes in the country… (to which you will now state some meaningless rant about the IRA). This is not populism to hit out against this and if it is im all for it because no matter what you brand something, if it is the right thing to do, then no amount of slurs should be able to stop it being made.
check mate
have your say