SBP Confirms FF facing armageddon. October 24, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, Politics.Tags: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Opinion Poll, Red C, SBP
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Tonight’s Red C poll commissioned on behalf of the Sunday Business Post has confirmed every Fianna Fáil TD’s worst nightmare- whitewash. The poll placed the republicans on just 18%, the lowest percentage ever recorded on a Red C poll. The poll leaves the party shattered and in serious trouble. If the party received support levels like these in a General Election, it would leave the party with only about 30 seats. That would be a loss of about 40 seats and with very little TD’s left in Dublin.
Fine Gael top’s the poll at 32%, up 1% since last month. The party will be pleased that it is regaining support and momentum after a challenging Summer. If the party received this level of support in a General Election, it would result in the party returning to the Dáil with at least 60 seats. Fine Gael would be the largest party with Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. This poll more or less saves Enda Kenny’s career. For pressure has been mounting in recent weeks and it was highly speculated that if this poll failed to impress it would end Kenny’s time as leader of the most popular party in Ireland. However to be fair to Kenny, I do believe he is underrated. There is no doubt he will bring honesty and integrity back to Irish politics. There is also little doubt, that he is aware of how serious a crisis we are in. He is also ready for election “ The coming months will be the most exciting time in Irish politics in my lifetime. It will be a time for truth,for honour, and above all, for courage.” Fine Gael and Enda Kenny must now build on this percentage and continue to offer an alternative to the current Government.
Labour find them selves on 27%. This percentage will be decisive, for unless Labour push above 30%, they will struggle to win the second seats where they wish to do so. Nevertheless, they will be relatively pleased with this poll. However, the breakdown of Labour’s vote, shows that they have the greatest undecided voter who may potentially swing anywhere. This must be a worry for the policy-less party who may struggle to keep these voters if a General Election was upon us. If Labour did manage 27%, it would leave them with about 50 seats.
As expected, this poll suggested that Sinn Féin will win a seat in both Donegal Constituencies but will struggle elsewhere. The poll placed them on 9% nationally. However in Donegal South- West, where a Bye-Election is looming, it placed them on 31.8%, ahead of Fine Gael on 31.1%. Fianna Fáil were on 25.3%, well down on 2007 figures which returned Mary Coughlan and Pat Gallagher to the 30th Dáil. Labour were on just 8.6% and will not win a seat.
Overall, it leaves Fianna Fáil truly in crisis, with Brian Cowen facing into what will be the worst election the party has ever faced. Perhaps, he should call a snap election to stop the party sliding any further. For, how far more can Fianna Fáil fall?
Eugene Regan: The End of The Road? April 25, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, FG, Topical.Tags: Bertie Ahern, Blasphemy Law, Ciaran Cuffe, Dermot Ahern, Dun Laoghaire, Eugene Regan, FF, FG, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Goldman Sach, GP, Green Party
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It is now widely rumoured that Fine Gael Senator Eugene Regan will not stand in the next General Election for Dún Laoghaire. This is a massive disappointment (If true) for many people. Its believed that his wife is unwell and that this is the principle reason for him not to stand. If this is true then naturally I wish him all the best in the future.
However it still is a blow to Fine Gael in the Dun Laoghaire constituency. He would have been widely expected to get elected alongside Sean Barrett at the next election, hence gaining a seat for Fine Gael, wining a seat off probably Ciaran Cuffe of the Green Party. It leads one to suggest that John F Bailey will more than likely be on the ticket with Barrett, as he already ran in 2002 and 2007.
Not only is it a blow to Fine Gael, it is a blow to Irish politics. Regan has been a moral compass in the Seanad for some time now. During the scandals involving Bertie Ahern, he always demanded that the then Taoiseach came out and revealed the full facts. He has also been a torment to the Green Party, accusing them of cronyism over their idea to rotate cabinet positions- declaring it nothing more than giving jobs to the boys. He was also critical of the fact that Green Party candidates have been appointed to FAS and other state bodies- showing the Greens are no better morally than Fianna Fáil themselves.
Regan also placed himself firmly against the now famous Blasphemy Laws introduced by Dermot Ahern, claiming them to be “a step back in time” He also declared that the Seanad should be abolished, due to the fact that the house wasn’t given time to scrutinize several important pieces of legislation including the Enforcement of Court Orders Bill.
Regan’s background is somewhat impressive to say the least. He worked in the European Commission during the 70′s working with Patrick Hillary’s cabinet and later as a member of Peter Sutherland’s cabinet. He later worked with Agra, a firm which helps firms who trade oversea’s in difficult locations. Regan had to negotiate with traders in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s regime, in Algeria during its civil war and with pre- and post-Communist Russia. This in itself highlights the remarkable achievements he has made during his life. Today he is mainly known for being a non-executive director with Goldman Sachs- naturally providing a watchful eye over the investment bank.
Regan has been an excellent public representative and will be missed if he does in fact not run for the next Dáil.
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Irish politics reaches a new low? April 20, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, Topical.Tags: Deirdre de Burca, FF, FG, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, George Lee, GP, Green Party, Politics
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Deirdre de Burca: Morally, could walk the walk, but couldn't talk the talk?
The current political year has been something else. The end of the Dáil term approaches so it is fitting for one to take a step back and ponder the happenings of politics in this country. This probably has been one of the most stunning Dáil terms I have ever seen.
Earlier this year we were stunned by George Lee. He entered the Dáil with the country believing he could move mountains, the problem was, he thought so too. It’s no surprise that he soon got fed up with the lack of action in opposition and quickly departed Leinster House to return to his well remunerated package in RTÉ. Why work longer hours for less pay anyway? Who wants to be dealing with Mary’s pothole issue or Johns planning issue when you want to be dealing with fiscal policy? The harsh reality for Lee is that he was actually more effective in the media then he was in the Dáil. There, he did a great job of locating the massive holes that exist in Government banking policies etc. I wonder how many people can name the new RTÉ economics editor? (Its Sean Whelan and he doesn’t hold any economic qualifications)
This year also saw the final steps of demise if the Green Party. The party who claimed to be this nations moral compass were found out to be what they are, corrupted by power. They talked the talk in opposition but once they got their hands on power they become as bad as Fianna Fáil themselves and failed to walk the walk. I must say its a massive shame. I had a great respect for Trevor Sargent, he was a man who made the Green Party seem less like a crazy far left bunch of shrubs and more like a party that could actually bring morality and decency back into Irish politics. Then he goes off and totally destroys that image by doing such a heinous act. Naturally, the Green image is far from the holy grail it once was. John Gormley started his speech at the Green Conference praising the fact that he now got a new job for one of his boys (Mary White). Then of course you have Deirdre de Burca walking away from them because she didn’t get a job!! This year has seen Green followers appointed onto state boards, Fás and so on. In fact arguably they are no worse then Fianna Fáil, for we knew what to get from them, they never denied they would find jobs for ‘the boys’. For the Greens it is a new all time low.
