Dublin South candidates

[dotski_w_]

Incorrect. Under Bunreacht na hÉireann the government and Taoiseach get their mandate from Dáil Éireann. Cowen was supported by a majority in the Dáil and that was his mandate. It's a common mistake to think the government is elected by the people - it isn't. The legislature is elected by the people to choose the government. Hopefully this has cleared it up for you.

I think if you look at the FF and GP election manifestos, and indeed the Programme for Government they agreed when this Govt came to power, you'd see they have no political mandate for what they are doing.

That's not to say that its impossible to believe the policies are necessary, nor that there is something illegal in Cowen being Taoiseach. But it does mean they have no political mandate, rather important in implementing changes as drastic as they have, and the only way to get this is by means of an election.

Hopefully this has cleared it up for you.

[edwin]

I think if you look at the FF and GP election manifestos, and indeed the Programme for Government they agreed when this Govt came to power, you'd see they have no political mandate for what they are doing.

That's not to say that its impossible to believe the policies are necessary, nor that there is something illegal in Cowen being Taoiseach. But it does mean they have no political mandate, rather important in implementing changes as drastic as they have, and the only way to get this is by means of an election.

Hopefully this has cleared it up for you.

Actually I think you are confusing the ability, nay obligation, on a government to change direction in accordance with the wishes of the legislature with an assumption that they only have a mandate for what was in their manifesto. An extension of your logic would be to say that coalition pacts have to be presented to the electorate as surely each party's manifesto (and thus their mandate) will have changed from the election.

Our constitution is pretty clear on this. The people elct the legislature to serve for a maximum of 5 years. That body then has the mandate to elect whatever leadership they see fit and to approve whatever policies they see fit.

[Keith-M]

Dumping a leader mid-term through a parliament doesn't sit well with the electorate, and leaders who are appointed by the party in such circumstances doe not have any mandate. On thing FG can throw at FF is that Cowen has no mandate... so dump Kenny and...

I would agree, normally it doesn't normally play well with the electorate, but we're taking about Enda Kenny here, and man who's approval rating is ~30% and who is clearly holding the party back. FG have the perfect chance to be seen to doing something. Someone in the PP should put down a motion of no confidence if Kenny hasn't resigned by Thursday.

[Keith-M]

Jim O'Leary (FG)
Alex White (Lab)
Maria Corrigan (FF)

Agreed on all 3.

[Rocky]

I would agree, normally it doesn't normally play well with the electorate, but we're taking about Enda Kenny here, and man who's approval rating is ~30% and who is clearly holding the party back. FG have the perfect chance to be sen to doing some. Someone in the PP should put down a motion of no confidence if Kenny hasn't resigned by Thursday.

Out of curiosity Keith, who would you like to see replace him?

[Keith-M]

Out of curiosity Keith, who would you like to see replace him?

I would like to see Richard Bruton given a chance. He's not perfect, but given the lack of talent of the FG front bench, I think he would be the best choice.

I would like to see Gay Mitchell brought back from Europe to fight DS and every effort made to bring Shane Ross back into the party.

[Dunny]

Alex White, Jim O'Leary and Maria Corrigan. Unfortunately, Shay Brennan showed in the By Election that he isnt able for the political campaign trail.

[lostexpectation]

surely there somebody else been ff'er working away in the constituency for years, who isn't the son of...

[Dunny]

surely there somebody else been ff'er working away in the constituency for years, who isn't the son of...

Yeah Senator Maria Corrigan

DLRCC County Councillor for Glencullen 1999-2007
GE Candidate 2002 and 2007 where she was ahead of White at the end of the county
Senator 2007-Present

[KATHY]

O'Leary has to be in the running to take back that seat for FG . Remember he topped the poll in the locals and has earned the reputation of being a very hard worker with plenty of cop on. He handled himself very well on JD today.