Call a general election, Kenny urges Taoiseach

[NewsBot]

DÁIL REPORT:FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has challenged Taoiseach Brian Cowen to put the Budget “to the people” in a general election.

More from The Irish Times.

[JohnCallaghanWill]

It could save the Country 30 billion in tier 2 underwriting

[Digout]

We need an election now. The people have had enough of this government which acts for the interests of it property developer friends.

Fianna Fail are a bunch of thieves.

[White Horse]

Let the people decide.

[locke]

He can call for an election, but he won't get one.

If FG had any balls, they would organise a protest rally. One that had the backing of FG and Labour would attract massive public support and turn the screw on the government.

Instead, we may just get one organised by fringe groups; the general public won't want to be associated; turnout will be poor; it will be decided that apathy has reigned.

[the_law13]

A protest rally organised by FG and Labour would, at the very least, result in a coup. That would be smart!!!!

[Mr.De-Regulation]

I want a coup. i'm bored this morning.

[cyberianpan]

Enda Kenny is a failed leader of FG and has limited credibility

Irish Independent , March 21st
But, extraordinarily, while Fine Gael's ratings are higher, satisfaction with Enda Kenny is languishing at 29 per cent, trailing the star performance of Labour's Eamon Gilmore at 52 per cent.

He didn't go for the jugular with Bertie at the last election. He is not a leader. He is at best some sort of chairman figure who makes FG happy on the inside:

Irish Times commentary Friday, April 3, 2009
He has not, however, inspired the public, and, frankly, he is never likely to do so. None of this means, however, that he cannot be the next taoiseach.

A man can be chairman or chief. Kenny has neither the personality, nor the skills, to be chief; but he could be chairman.

His Dáil performances are – mostly, but not always – stolid, long-winded and sometimes aimless; and they could be sharpened immeasurably if they were cut in length by half.

I believe it highly irresponsible of FG to keep offering us this failure as a leader. It was a time of national crisis at the last general election and Kenny failed the people.

If he becomes taoiseach it will be by default through the voters turning from FF, they certainly don't warm to Kenny.

There is an election needed alright : for leader of Fine Gael.

Also FG need to set out their position on the next government , the Greens have turned out to be fiscally prudent, sound heads. Labour are anything but:

Eamon Gilmore: there should only be a €2.5 billion adjustment - is he credible ?

Unless FG indicate a willingness to go into coalition with FF, a FG/Lab government would be worse than the current (and remember I don't like FF at all)

cYp

[perprojustice]

I believe in order to restore stability and credibility to this country a general election is urgently needed.

Fianna fail, Fine Gael, Labour and all the other parties should be in unison on deciding on this.

For stability within the country the ruling party in this country should have a mandate to lead this country through this recession; whether this means electing a new government or reaffirming the present.

[slx]

I think the Greens will have to step down fairly soon. There's no way they can keep this charade up. Dan Boyle looked quite like he wanted to agree with Joan Burton last night on Prime Time, but couldn't.

You could actually see him looking very uncomfortable trying to defend the indefensible.

The reality is that the Greens would sit far better with Labour than with FF.

They are currently destroying the Green movement as a serious force in politics for a generation by bolting themselves to Fianna Fail, a party with all the environmental credentials of a Texan oil Barron.

They need to be made to see that they're just vegetarian, eco-friendly, cannon fodder that Fianna Fail are using to make up the numbers!

I would strongly advocate Labour and FG (and SF) running a rather more aggressive campaign against the Greens. Fianna Fail are a waste of time as they have no shame anyway.