Enda Kenny calls for a general election

[lostexpectation]

worth a thread of its own, or is it.

RTÉ News: Mandate for new government needed - Kenny

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said he is appalled by the Government's handling of the situation at Anglo Irish Bank and that what is needed now is 'a new mandate for a new Government to take the country in a new direction'.

Mr Kenny said the people had lost confidence in the Government.

Fine Gael leader calls for general election - The Irish Times - Sat, Feb 21, 2009

Mr Kenny said a Fine Gael government would focus on four key areas: energy, education, enterprise and the environment.

“The economic crisis we are facing today was created not because Fianna Fail policies failed, but because they succeeded,” he said.

"We have moved away from the agile, innovative, export driven economic model that gave birth to the Celtic Tiger and have grown lazy and complacent as Fianna Fail invested all our futures in a property and developer led boom that was clearly not sustainable."
He added: "The response of the Government to the crisis has only made things worse. Denial, delay and indecision have been the hallmarks of the response to date and when action is finally taken it appears to favour the vested interests over the hard hit taxpayer."

[JCSkinner]

So did Gerry Adams.
I'm wondering if anyone didn't call for a general election yesterday.

[JCSkinner]

Dukes and Quinn were both closely connected to the banks. I wouldn't be rushing to them to solve the problem.
I'd rather see Richard Bruton and Joan Burton at the cabinet table myself.
But I frankly don't see any reason for anyone from Fianna Fail to remain in power at this point.

[peadarmc]

Stephen Collins writing in todays times also adovates an early election.

But failing that, he promotes the idea of a national government.

Any feelings on that? Might be advantages in bringing some of the big brains on the opposition benches to the cabinet table.

And no, I'm not talking about Leo Vadakar. Or Aengus Ó Snodaigh

More Ruari Quinn, Alans Shatter & Dukes. Guys who've proved themselves to have the right stuff in times gone by, could be relied on to knuckle down and not get lost in grandstanding.

Political suicide for FG to do that! (the national government idea!) didnt work for them in the Tallaght strategy, in fact the havnt been elected to government since!

and to be honest, while kenny is leading the charge calling for an election, id say deep down he's happy to leave FF stew in this for a while yet! The longer FF try to brazen this out, the more damage theyre doing to themselves!

[peadarmc]

Dukes and Quinn were both closely connected to the banks. I wouldn't be rushing to them to solve the problem.
I'd rather see Richard Bruton and Joan Burton at the cabinet table myself.
But I frankly don't see any reason for anyone from Fianna Fail to remain in power at this point.

true! theyre causing problems for the country short-term (and thats no small thing given the hardship people are facing!)

but... in the long term, the further they decimate themselves by staying in, the better it is for politics in Ireland in the middle to long term!

Catch 22

[PhoenixIreland]

This isn't news.

FG always call for elections, which amazes me considering how bad they are at conducting them.

[peadarmc]

This isn't news.

FG always call for elections, which amazes me considering how bad they are at conducting them.

might have something to do with the fact theyre always in opposition?!

[Ah Well]

This whole thing is a Catch 22
Let FF in power and ruin the country irrepairably
Turf them out, let the replacements in, to be subsequently delauded and FF get back in again

[spidermom]

A national government could be formed IF the muppets in FF realised that one was needed!


BUT

they haven't asked

SO why should FG( or anyone else ) offer?

[peadarmc]

A national government could be formed IF the muppets in FF realised that one was needed!


BUT

they haven't asked

SO why should FG( or anyone else ) offer?

Even if FF did ask, FG shouldnt be "bailing them out" (so to speak!) Unless Kenny demands position of Taoiseach and Finance for FG it would be completely pointless for FG (but i cant see it happening in reality!)

I think FG learned a valuable lesson from the Tallaght Strategy and wouldnt go back there again!