Will the people forgive the gov before the locals.

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

Seats in the Dail are the only power in this country. Council elections are a throwback to British rule as a means of keeping the plebs happy. For God's sake, the British drew up the counties. And decided which were the cities.
I'm suprised at you.

I don't buy the argument that councillors have no power. They are the ones that draw up the County/City Development plans.

[bogtrotter]

I think in this case FF made a massive blunder, they decided that the most vunerable in our society, the over 70's and the children would have to suffer and pay for the mistakes of those who made so much money in the Celtic Tiger years. The savings made could have been forced from the banks for bailing them out or a cent or 2 on the top tax rate.

This will last for a long time in our memories...even if they are forced to back down, we all know that the intention was there...We all remember Ernest Blythe for taking a shilling of the old age pensioners in the 30's and that John (brutal) Bruron tried to tax childrens shoes more recently.....We never thought that FF could stoop so low....We cannot trust such scoundrels to run our country.

The people will remember this for a long time! I think it is bye bye FF time....

[codology]

[QUOTE=Darren Mac an Phríora;1245773]FG and Labour of course.

SF peaked last time in 04. With the problems they have been having with their councillors they may very well lose some- if perhaps not many- of these.

Your party the SP will be going big time. You will be hoping to make an addition of one to your (I think) four councillors with Higgins standing in Castleknock. He won't get in though.

Darren a chara I don't know what your smoking tonight but I'd vote for Alex Higgins before all talk Joe Higgins.

[katy brock]

I don't buy the argument that councillors have no power. They are the ones that draw up the County/City Development plans.

I'm not saying they have no power. I'm saying they have petty powers.

[Big Bobo]

I often find that when it comes to the locals people votes for candidates rather than parties

[Keith-M]

Sinn Féin could be a beneficiary. Since 2004 we have had the 2005 IRA statement which has a slow release effect in terms of removing the upper ceiling on Sinn Féin support. There is also a feeling around that a party that is outside the establishment consensus - SF reps take only the AIW - would be more in tune with the concerns of the electorate.

Expect SF to make gains.

I would expect all the non government parties to make gains. The timing of the locals ensures that people get a chance to let off steam against the parties in government, without doing any real damage.

FF did badly the last time, but the way the economy is going, I think they could lose a few more and be overtaken by FG, who were very close to them in 2004. The PD votes may well go to FG this time out.

[codology]

Keith if the medical card issue is still a live one next June could we some some Grannies standing as indos.

[spidermom]

Agree with KeithM. FF,Green and ?PD(if there any left) will do BADLY.As Katy brock says whether in the big scheme of things it will make a difference we will have to wait and see.Local cllrs seem to be surplus to requirements but the effect of having the non government controlling a lot of councils will be good OPTICS when the real deal comes around

[spidermom]

Keith if the medical card issue is still a live one next June could we some some Grannies standing as indos.

How cool would that be!!!!!(except of course if they are like Brian's AUNTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

I'm not saying they have no power. I'm saying they have petty powers.

Petty in comparison with the power Govt. parties have in the Oireachtas but valuable nonetheless.