26 'New Irish' candidates to contest June 5 elections.

[YesSireeeBob]

I have no hard views on this myself, but it's grates me the way the way the media make such a big deal out of it, y'know we're becoming more modern.

If an Irish person moves to China is he 'new Chinese'?


FF hopefuls fear party is facing local poll wipeout - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

The four main parties have confirmed 26 'New Irish' candidates -- Fianna Fail (9), Fine Gael (7), Labour (4) and the Greens (6). They come from countries as diverse as Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia and Poland.

Fianna Fail has selected its first Muslim candidate, Pakistan-born Shaheen Ahmed who has been living in Ireland for 28 years and is contesting the Lucan/Palmerstown ward. "The real challenges facing my campaign will be the strength of my policies and not the background I am from. We have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others and to craft a community that is, instead, integrated and all-inclusive," he said.

In Limerick, Elena Secas, a former journalist from Moldova, joined the Labour Party in 2006. She chose her party because of its "core values" and is of the opinion that voters will look for a candidate who can deliver, irrespective of nationality.

"I think people are looking for a change, for new voices and there are some good immigrant candidates. These people came to Ireland, settled, integrated and are now facing the same problems as the rest of the community," she said

[stewiegriffin]

"I hate"



Hate is such a strong word Why do you hate ?

[YesSireeeBob]

alright scrub hate, replace with grate.

[nonpartyboy]

I have no hard views on this myself, but I hate the way the media make such a big deal out of it, y'know we're becoming more modern.

If an Irish person moves to China is he 'new Chinese'?


FF hopefuls fear party is facing local poll wipeout - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

The four main parties have confirmed 26 'New Irish' candidates -- Fianna Fail (9), Fine Gael (7), Labour (4) and the Greens (6). They come from countries as diverse as Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia and Poland.

Fianna Fail has selected its first Muslim candidate, Pakistan-born Shaheen Ahmed who has been living in Ireland for 28 years and is contesting the Lucan/Palmerstown ward. "The real challenges facing my campaign will be the strength of my policies and not the background I am from. We have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others and to craft a community that is, instead, integrated and all-inclusive," he said.

In Limerick, Elena Secas, a former journalist from Moldova, joined the Labour Party in 2006. She chose her party because of its "core values" and is of the opinion that voters will look for a candidate who can deliver, irrespective of nationality.

"I think people are looking for a change, for new voices and there are some good immigrant candidates. These people came to Ireland, settled, integrated and are now facing the same problems as the rest of the community," she said

You'd have to think the FF ones are a bit mad,it would show poor judgement to me.It's akin to rowing out to the titanic just after it's pulled away from the pier.

On another note i've had election material in the door from 3 seperate potential FF councillors and not 1 of them knocked on the door.I can't wait to chew the arse off 1 of them,i suppose i might have to settle for a green.

[draiocht23]

I have no hard views on this myself, but it's grates me the way the way the media make such a big deal out of it, y'know we're becoming more modern.

If an Irish person moves to China is he 'new Chinese'?

I think Clifford Hilliard, an Irish Times letter writer, summed it up on Saturday -

Madam, – Where did this “New Irish” codology come from? (Page 1 headline, April 9th “New Irish win top Garda awards”). When I emigrated to work in England in the 1960s, I would have been outraged if I had been described as “New English”. I suspect that most, if not all of the immigrants in Ireland would have similar feelings about their nationality being usurped. – Yours, etc

[FutureTaoiseach]

I hate such terminology aswell. It would make more sense were the elites who love the term so much consistent. There is no consistency in on the one hand singing the praises of so-called "multiculturalism" (which supposedly wants each cultural group to retain its separate identity), while onthe other hand calling all foreign-nationals in the country the "New Irish". Make up your minds, elites - do you want them to become like us, or to remain different? Because it's getting very confusing listening to you. For my part, I do not regard anyone as Irish if they do not either have Irish citizenship or Irish ancestory. I think the confusion of the elites on this question reflects the usual problem in this country - the absence of forward-planning. It was true of the mess our economy now finds itself in, and it is true of immigrant integration-strategies by the political-class - or the absence thereof - aswell. Personally, I would be more comfortable with the term if it was in a context of a general push by the govt towards assimilationism, which disowned multiculturalist policies of every group being encouraged to be outwardly different from a cultural perspective. But when the high-priest/esses of multiculturalism go on about the "New Irish", from my perspective they are just demonstrating their confusion how they haven't thought this thing through.

[Herodotus]

The four main parties have confirmed 26 'New Irish' candidates -- Fianna Fail (9), Fine Gael (7), Labour (4) and the Greens (6). They come from countries as diverse as Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia and Poland.

Zanu FF seem to be linking up with their Zimbabwean friends in having a candidate exchange.

[Horace Horse]

I can't see many of them getting elected. There would be a Nigerian quota around Blanchardstown, I supppose,and also in Balbriggan, but elsewhere I doubt if they'd have the critical mass and voter registration to get many people elected.
In the case of Eastern Europeans, it is unlikely that Poles will vote for Latvians, etc., as they have as little in common with each other as they have with us.

[Trans-Siberian]

Its intereting to note that Sinn Fein are the only party who do nott have a non-national on their ticket.
It dispels the mit that they are pro mass imigration.I admit a few of their public reps get carried away at times latching on to certain causes but i think the grass roots are finally been listened to on this issue.

[Trans-Siberian]

I can't see many of them getting elected. There would be a Nigerian quota around Blanchardstown, I supppose,and also in Balbriggan, but elsewhere I doubt if they'd have the critical mass and voter registration to get many people elected.
In the case of Eastern Europeans, it is unlikely that Poles will vote for Latvians, etc., as they have as little in common with each other as they have with us.

Portlaoise has an independent Nigerian candidate running.He got elected last time to the town council from mainly middle class parts of the town.He did not get a big non natioal vote.He wants to be the first Nigerian to win a seat in the Dail.So they could be elected this year!

The irish electorate and the word dumb,and phrase 'cutting of your nose despite your face' go hand in hand!

On another note if you check out the thread on laois local elections you can see that this former Nigerian mayor of Portlaoise has close ties with a convicted child rapist serving a long sentence in ireland.This guy was his main canvasser and elction worker last time around.Its public knowledge and I have provided the link to the case.Yet he is still getting a good reception on the doors.This guy is the greatest political opportunist you ever met!