2 More Years now = 2nd term in opposition ?

[SilverSpurs]

2 years is a very long time in politics. FF showed during Lisbon that they have plenty of favours that can be called in, Lisbon also showed that FG/Lab dont have the killer instinct required to wina tight election. I expect that in early 2012 FF will call in every favour they have and FG & Lab will have plenty of gaffes.

[Toland]

Lisbon also showed that FG/Lab dont have the killer instinct required to wina tight election.

No comprendo. I thought both FG and Labour were on the same side as Fianna Fáil on Lisbon. Did I miss something?

[Victor Meldrew]

On balance, Fianna Fáil are better off staying in government as long as they can get away with. That way, they have half a chance of sitting on the lid of the dustbin that contains the Lost at Sea scandal, etc.

I love the " sitting on the lid of the dustbin " analogy...

[Toland]

I love the " sitting on the lid of the dustbin " analogy...

Thanks.

I'm contradicting myself now. They may be deciding at this very moment to cut and run!

[libertarian-right]

RTÉ News: IDA aims to deliver 100,000 jobs by 2014

IDA Ireland aims to deliver 100,000 new jobs by 2014, under a strategy to attract and maintain foreign companies investing in this country.

Extra 250,000 jobs to boost 'white collar' force by 2015 - Irish, Business - Independent.ie

HALF of all employees will be 'white collar' workers in five years' time, says an influential report which predicts that an extra 250,000 jobs will be created between now and 2015.

BBC News - Ireland's recession 'to end in 2010'

The Irish Republic should exit recession in the second half of 2010, the country's central bank has said.

This continued spin of recovery in late 2010 and the amount of bull coming from Fianna Fail increases my suspicions of an election looming. There are also landmines left for the next government, such as:

http://www.ntma.ie/GovernmentBonds/D...utstanding.pdf

Nearly 10 billion owed in principal to the investors for the 15/01/14.

Explained on this page: http://www.politics.ie/economy/81846...-clock-15.html

[MookieBaylock]

For so long as FF's best electoral weapon is still alive & well, as it obviously is as demonstrated by your post, they will always be in with shout at election time.

Here's an interesting question. How does 80 years of elections with a 75% first time failure rate & a 100% re-election failure rate engender a sense of superiority?

er, Cosgrave was re-elected in 1927

[tonic]

er, Cosgrave was re-elected in 1927

Good for him and what party was he a member of at that time?

[Toland]

Good for him and what party was he a member of at that time?

Ah, so you were referring to Fine Gael!

I am not nor have ever been a member or supporter of Fine Gael. I have never given Fine Gael so much as a third preference in my history as a voter.

[The_Big_Fellow]

The idea of a 2016 centennial with an FG president and an FG Taoiseach must be driving FF up the wall.

Very much agree that a 2011 or 2012 election can only be worse for the soldiers of destiny than 2010.

Things can only get worse.

FG no doubt have many members that are uncomfortable with 1916 and what is conatined in the Proclamation. Let us not pretend that FF are anything but an awful insult to its memory as well. There maybe many in the party that would feel otherwise, but they are the ignored cumann workers rather than the top.

[tonic]

Ah, so you were referring to Fine Gael!

I am not nor have ever been a member or supporter of Fine Gael. I have never given Fine Gael so much as a third preference in my history as a voter.

No, I was referring to all the parties in opposition.