The real negotiations

[McCool]

While Seamus Brennan & Co have being locked in much publicised talks with the Greens, the real negotiations with the Indos & PDS have been continuing apace out of the spotlight.

Bertie's programme manager Gerry Hickey has been negotiating with Finian McGrath, while more of his 'special advisers' spent the past few days in Thurles, South Kery & Mayo. Bertie himself has kept Mary abreast of developments.

All will be sorted well in advance of next Thursday.

Ruari Quinn will be in the chair.

[QuietKerryman]

Bertie is very much in the driving seat here, whether Enda likes it or not.

Remember, he has started negotiations with the PD's, whom he has said would be his first choice.

An FF/PD alliance would give Bertie 80 votes, Lowry, Jackie HR and Beverly would bring the total to 83.

Ruairi Quinn takes over as Ceann Comhairle, reducing the opposition numbers by 1.

The Greens and Sinn Fein abstain in the vote, Bertie is home and dry by 83 votes to 71.

[bryannavaro]

and why would the greens abstain?

[rockofcashel]

because if they realised that Bertie was going to win anyway, why would they bother voting for Enda, when they can continue to assert their "independence" by abstaining.

While I think the Government wil pan out like this, it's a pretty unsteady ship is it not ?

[bryannavaro]

yeah, and 83 still isn't a majority... and would a labour CC vote for bertie?

[rockofcashel]

yes..

the CC traditionally votes for the Taoiseach

plus, you don't need to have more than 83 votes to become Taoiseach, you simply need to have more votes than any other candidate.. and then form a minority Government

[KeithM]

yes..

the CC traditionally votes for the Taoiseach

plus, you don't need to have more than 83 votes to become Taoiseach, you simply need to have more votes than any other candidate.. and then form a minority Government

You need to have more "yeas" than "neahs".

[doheochai]

because if they realised that Bertie was going to win anyway, why would they bother voting for Enda, when they can continue to assert their "independence" by abstaining.

While I think the Government wil pan out like this, it's a pretty unsteady ship is it not ?

Voting against Bertie would assert their independence, abstaining is more a case of we want to vote for him but can't do a deal - SF would probably abstain, they have a habit of doing that on crucial votes and doing deals anyway.

[rockofcashel]

please doheochai... bitterness will give you a wicked heartburn

[doheochai]

I haven't a bitter bone in my body