Irish politics discussion thread

cross ref with the abuse thread, but feel like enda was strong today.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0721/1224301063509.html

I agree, I was very impressed by him and I've never voted FG in my life.

hadn't read the full thing until just now.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0721/1224301061733.html

booming imo

bout time people started using the word "rape"

abuse is far too kind to these guys

yep.

In one case, the abuser even officiated at the victim’s own wedding

pretty horrible

cant even process tbh.

v well written speech, credit enda's speechwriter.

party political stuff devalued it tho

bout time people started using the word "rape"

yes

xp maybe so, but tbf in context he's announcing a pretty radical departure in attitude towards dealing with the church on this and maybe other issues, and it's correct to note that FF have been complicit in the obfuscation of the church/state divide not just historically, but up to eg the agreement to indemnify the church against the cost of legal settlements as recently as 2002 and since then a marked reluctance to challenge clerical law as a relevant factor in any of this.

The previous govt failed to address these issues, and these issues are an intolerable disgrace. While noting that the state had responsibility for its failings, i think it's allowable and fair to point out that it was a previous administration that allowed the muddy waters to stay muddy for so long.

bout time people started using the word "rape"

that worked out pretty well, huh?

god help me but apts in dublin are beginning to look like half decent value

prime time going in on nama. Informative but not great analysis.

Has anyone been watching The Rise And Fall Of Fianna Fail?

Not sure how much light it sheds but its proving good value on the sniping and self-justification fronts. The brass neck of Bertie's 'nothing to do with me' routine is amazing.

that's not a new routine tbf, haven't seen this tho

ShariVari is not one of us, hence his astonishment at obvious lols like the Bertie routine.

I enjoyed Celia's digs, a lot.

It's on TV3's site but not streaming outside Ireland as far as I can tell.

ShariVari is not one of us

in what way is he or she not One Of Us?

I'm English so a lot of the politics is relatively new to me.

wtf

avaunt

avaunt ye sassenach i ses

Have won over gyac's mammy. Will win over the rest of you yet.

a displayname slagging peter crouch is, admittedly, a fine start

ira president?

lolling v hard and enjoying these disbelieving shutin pricks

poll

o'donoghue ahern mansergh

I see McGuinness has trotted out the "West Brit" insult directed at anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with one of the former Army Council chiefs as our* head of state.

*Not that I get a fucking vote, I bet.

he has? Wtg mairtin that'll show em

Yes. Apparently he's fine to answer questions about the past though, if the time period in question is restricted to the last two years.

keep it relevant, be fair

I bet he has loads of opinions about Jedward!

was kinda hoping he'd run an open and honest campaign, he has a lot to gain that way imo. Getting agg-defensive on day two makes this a pointless exercise

"vote for me and i'll tell the grieving families where their loved ones are buried?"

hahahaha

you'd want a promise that he'll not kill anyone during the term too

http://img.rasset.ie/000512cd-440.jpg

dana is an ugly, ugly person and even though she hasn't a chance it's not good that she's convinced enough councils that she deserved a chance at running.

Is michael d gonna walk this?

Will norris carry the urban centres? Will mcguinness the rural areas?

How does a presidential vote work anyway?

idk its been a long time since we had one

Still feel Michael D. will win on transfers as everyone else is objectionable to a majority of the electorate.

is dana just talking shit?

or she's actually mental

I HAVE HEARD WHAT IT IS.

dish!

it's such a fucking sideshow, at least she brings entertainment value

i am a bit wary of posting a potentiall libelous statement in a public forum, so I can just say that it is allegedly a criminal act committed by a relative of hers - so it is not really fair for her to be held account for it, as she is hardly responsible for her family members.

she's not being held to account for it she's using it as a stunt

fair enough re not posting, smarter move. i'm sure i'll hear soon enough!