FF to form govt with PD/Ind

[FutureTaoiseach]

Looks like hospital co-location will (thankfully) continue:

Link:

Fianna Fail will seek to form a government with the remnants of the Progressive Democrats and with the support of Independent TDs in a repeat of the arrangements of the 1997-2002 administration, according to senior party figures.

Independents Beverley Flynn, Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry, Finian McGrath and Tony Gregory are likely to be approached by Fianna Fail in the coming days with a view to securing their support for a five-year period.

On the Greens:

‘‘They’re just too flaky,” said one, who added that the Greens would ‘‘annoy our farming vote’’.

And on Labour:

Senior sources say that, while such a coalition would have the benefits of stability, it would involve the ceding of too many cabinet places and junior ministerial jobs to Labour.

[markmchugh]

the irony of it all just kills me, remember bertie saying he does not trust the rainbow cos of the different colors etc? now we will get FF,PD + 2 other colors.....

[Coles]

Ah stop it FT... it's over... there's no point in kidding yourself...

[gaelach]

the irony of it all just kills me, remember bertie saying he does not trust the rainbow cos of the different colors etc? now we will get FF,PD + 2 other colors.....

Hardly, Grealish and Harney can't be considered a party. It's FF plus 6 indos.

[markmchugh]

Gregory wont go for the hospital plan. Independent lads will walk when FF get caught messing again, and they will get found out for something sooner rather than later

[billy skills]

If FF go into government with Michael Lowry I will personally blow myself up in front of Dublin Castle, Baghdad-style .. i mean can u imagine.. the only morally digestible choice is an alliance with the Greens and a solemn promise to the electorate that they will stop effin' things up.

[markmchugh]

in fairness, the messin Lowry got up to before is stuff that most FF lads would be pretty proud of, very supprised they did not make him an honourary member

[MacEHaVelly]

can't see it working. Gregory is shrewd enough to hold his nose to deliver for his area, so to speak. Finian Mcgrath, would personify the creeping jesus act, and pull out on a whim. the others? cant see it..

[FutureTaoiseach]

This option could work as follows:

Rory O'Hanlon to resign as CC, bringing FF to 79.
Tony Gregory becomes CC.

FF-PD then only need 82 TDs. They collectively have 81. Healy-Rae and Bev Flynn vote for Bertie as Taoiseach.

Even if one of the Independents refused to become CC, Finian McGrath has indicated he is open to a deal.

On balance I think Harney finally fixing the health-service in time for the 2012 election is vital to the party's recovery prospects.

[the-analyst2007]

I spent a while looking at the 1992 and 1997 results.

This is more like 1992. FG/LAB/GRN are not that far off......because there's only 2 FF gene pool indos.

Finian McGrath & Tony Gregory = Labour
Lowry = FG


So, in summary, this is not the 1997 result.

By the way, that Hospital co location plan has no chance, considering a FF/PD gov will rely on two left indos.

Throw in 2 by-elections, and if Enda isnt elected Taoiseach in 2 weeks he'll be in 2 years a la rainbow one.