First 100 Days of this Government. Now almost 250 Days. Next 50 Days. Opinions?

[revereie]

I was struck by posters defending the referendum results by harking back to the failures of Lisbon I. The failure of that referendum does not absolve the present Government (or future Governments) of incompetence in waging refenda. I use the term 'incompetence', as there is a blame-game happening in Government so they themselves abhor their result.

I digress ...

I rated this Government first 100 Days very highly. Essentially, they gave the country a boost and everyone wished them well. FF collapsed due to incompetence towards the end of the last administration and the new Government was like a breath of fresh air. In the main, they were following policies of the last Government too which I largely agreed with. I also noted Chopra in Kenmare saying this present Government has only tinkered with the edges of the agreement reached.

The next 150 Days. Started well but we have had results from the Presidential election and two referendums. I believe Higgins will make a fine President and do us proud. But what are the overall results telling us about FG?

The next 50 days will bring the Budget.

Opinions ?

[Gimpanzee]

The presidential election has nothing to do with the government or how it is perceived to be doing.

It's all about the budget and making the cuts without making blunders. The changes to the budgetary process are positive, but the way they will affect public opinion will be interesting. They've done well to this point, but it is really only starting.

[nonpartyboy]

I'd agree, they started off well and have been going backwards since, going from poor to dreadful....senior civil service running rings around them. What happened to the spending review ?, not a quango touched, the esb laughing at them and as for Nama and the bankers.....enough said.
Now fg/lab people can come on here spouting rubbish, but if they don't start acting for the people very soon they are going to get it in the next election.

[Radix]

Ground gettin a bitteen soft around the wheels of de ould classy ferguson, what with the people and their no to more power for the poor taracóir.

Damn pesky people not puttin their shoulders to the wheels of the ould tractor...what are they like the ungrateful wretched yokes.....

Will have to tread warily from here on in, we don't want to be found out; look what they did to Mitchell. And the Special Kolympian!!!

We could go out quicker than a candle in the wind, if we are not careful....

The new President will keep them occupied for a while hopefully, until we turn the corner.

[Keith-M]

So far all the have done is implement the FF budget from last year, with one or two minor tweeks (maintaining minimum wage at an ridiculously high level). They have made limited progress on getting a better deal on the payback of the bailout and instead committed to further re-payment for Anglo bondholders after saying they wouldn't, so what we gained on one side we lost on the other.

Now comes the interesting bit. FG & Labour committed to no increase in tax rates or cut in welfare rates. It will be interesting to see how they do this. I suspect we'll see several new tax raising measures (some may be welcome if the get around he current loopholes) and a removal of any welfare payment to people who are earning the AIW (also welcome).

The BIG test is how the crippling level of public spending will be reduced.

[damus]

Reilly also seemed to have completely rolled back on his promise to make major improvements, so that major A&E overcrowding will not be repeated this winter. Now it seems that the measures necessary to solve long trolley waits will not be implemented till next year. Surprise, Surprise...

No guarantee on A&E trolley cut - irishhealth.com

[Vote_No_on_Everything]

_ The Tax Exiles are still scamming away, the bankers and their friends in Nama being well looked after. Fine Gael came to power on a pack of lies, and are know pushing for slave labor. The Presidental election may be the early signs of their demise, a 'popularity bubble'.

[Freedom front]

FG & LP as useless as FF

[greengoose2]

FG & LP as useless as FF

with a tad more arrogance.

[nonpartyboy]

with a tad more arrogance.

but a little less corruption.