I won't be dependent on SF to stay in power, says Ahern

[David Cochrane]

Another day, another accusation that Ahern needs SF to stay in power.....

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has insisted he will not form a government that is dependent on the votes of Sinn Fein TDs.

Delivering a riposte to accusations that he would cling to power even if it meant being reliant on Sinn Fein support, Mr Ahern told the Irish Independent his position was "very clear".

In a statement issued exclusively to The Irish Independent yesterday, Mr Ahern made his first comments on the controversy sparked by remarks he made last weekend. "I made the position regarding Sinn Fein post-election very clear. I have consistently said that I will not form a government that is dependent on SF votes," he said. - Irish Independent

[jjacollins]

Bertie wont ask for support because he knows that it will be given anyway.

SF detest FG as they have sold Ireland down the river naytime they were in Government.

Bertie knows this and knows that SF will want anyone else in Government but FG, i:e Him.

[JimHacker]

JJ either you are stupid or intentionally misunderstanding -

the Taoiseach said he wont for a governmetn DEPENDENT on SF - that means he wont RELY on SF - that means even if they do vote for him he wont RELY on them for power ie they will have no policy influence on him. That means he will need to make up ALL the 80+ seats necessary to form a govt WITHOUT SF.

FG have not made a similar pledge by the way.

[jjacollins]

Jimhacker I understand a lot more than you do it seems.

Numbers are required to make up a Government.

If FF have 70 Seats after the next election and Labour are adamant that thy wont enter Government with FF then SF hold all the cards.

Labour will either have to bite the bullet and reneige on their terms or FF will be a minority Government.

But Bertie is no fool, after SF vote on the Police issue in the NE. He will be lauding them and paving the way to make them acceptable by saying that we should encourage them into the democratic process etc etc.

In other words, I might need your support and I will make you acceptable.

[hiding behind a poster]

But Bertie is no fool, after SF vote on the Police issue in the NE. He will be lauding them and paving the way to make them acceptable by saying that we should encourage them into the democratic process etc etc.

In other words, I might need your support and I will make you acceptable.

Its not as simple as that. In the event of FF leading a minority government with about 70 seats, and effectively dependent on SF for survival, the Opposition will have an absolute field day - by introducing bills and motions that they know SF will have serious difficulty opposing, uniting to oppose any FF legislation that SF would have the slightest difficulty with, and thus forcing the Shinners to either bring the government down, or support it and lose their "party of protest" tag that's so crucial to them. And in return for supporting FF in those votes, what would SF get? Nothing. No ministries, no power, no access to the levers of government. There's no way either SF would allow themselves to be used in that way, or FF would contemplate such a scenario of paralysed government. So if they get together there'll be a deal - ministries, seats in cabinet, etc etc. And issues like SF's wish for higher taxes will be kicked to touch - a Tax Reform Commission, or something similar that will never report.

[PaddyDevlin]

But Bertie is no fool, after SF vote on the Police issue in the NE. He will be lauding them and paving the way to make them acceptable by saying that we should encourage them into the democratic process etc etc.

In other words, I might need your support and I will make you acceptable.

Its not as simple as that. In the event of FF leading a minority government with about 70 seats, and effectively dependent on SF for survival, the Opposition will have an absolute field day - by introducing bills and motions that they know SF will have serious difficulty opposing, uniting to oppose any FF legislation that SF would have the slightest difficulty with, and thus forcing the Shinners to either bring the government down, or support it and lose their "party of protest" tag that's so crucial to them. And in return for supporting FF in those votes, what would SF get? Nothing. No ministries, no power, no access to the levers of government. There's no way either SF would allow themselves to be used in that way, or FF would contemplate such a scenario of paralysed government. So if they get together there'll be a deal - ministries, seats in cabinet, etc etc. And issues like SF's wish for higher taxes will be kicked to touch - a Tax Reform Commission, or something similar that will never report.

Interestingly last weekend Bertie cited the preceedent of when Charlie Haughey relied on the support of SFWP in 1982. Pat Rabbitte couldn't cite this preceedent as he was a member of SFWP at the time!

Bertie voluntarily leading FF into opposition - can't see it. As for SF losing their "party of protest" tag that's well underway at the moment