The origins of Fine Gael/Cumann na Gael

[Big Bobo]

"The Government is composed of opportunists, “men of transition,” who are patriotic Empirists in England and who become Nationalists according to the shade of their audiences in Ireland. They floated into power when the country was sick of war, and now they depend upon England and upon finance for support. Their policy is to keep things as they were before the Treaty, while parading all the forms of change. At the last election their position did not improve; they secured the return of sixty-three candidates as against forty-four definitely anti-Treaty deputies. Because of the strong opposition in Ireland they are forced into greater dependence upon England and their Republicanism has evaporated. They rely partly upon the anti-national elements in the south of Ireland, and they dare not insist on an Ulster Boundary Commission for fear of losing this support.


In the days before the Free State, the middlemen, small business men and capitalists were nationalists, and supported the parliamentary party led by Redmond at Westminster. W. M. Murphy, who headed the Dublin employers in the 1913 lockout, was typical of these. To-day they support the Pro-treaty Government and urge economy, freedom from taxation, facilities for trade and all the usual business cries. Their attitude was stated very well by a Mr. Shanks, speaking recently as President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He found fault with the green flags, green pillar boxes and green telegraph forms which had been introduced, saying that he had been informed that blue was the true heraldic colour of Ireland. Anyhow, he saw no profit in the change. But, and here he came to the crux, he had been assured that these things were necessary to make the people loyal to the Free State. The business people were terrified during the civil war, when private property was treated without reverence and the business of the country interfered with. They are afraid of the people getting out of hand again, so they slavishly support the Government in its most ferocious exhibitions of “strength” such as the long imprisonment of 15,000 untried prisoners. Most of these prisoners have now been released, as they had become more of a disturbing factor in prison than outside. "

Written by Ralph Fox (english journalist) in 1924

[bradán feasa]

No change there then other than seat numbers!!

[drbob1972]

ah yes.... its dumb and dumber

[múscailte]

"The Government is composed of opportunists, “men of transition,” who are patriotic Empirists in England and who become Nationalists according to the shade of their audiences in Ireland. They floated into power when the country was sick of war, and now they depend upon England and upon finance for support. Their policy is to keep things as they were before the Treaty, while parading all the forms of change. At the last election their position did not improve; they secured the return of sixty-three candidates as against forty-four definitely anti-Treaty deputies. Because of the strong opposition in Ireland they are forced into greater dependence upon England and their Republicanism has evaporated. They rely partly upon the anti-national elements in the south of Ireland, and they dare not insist on an Ulster Boundary Commission for fear of losing this support.


In the days before the Free State, the middlemen, small business men and capitalists were nationalists, and supported the parliamentary party led by Redmond at Westminster. W. M. Murphy, who headed the Dublin employers in the 1913 lockout, was typical of these. To-day they support the Pro-treaty Government and urge economy, freedom from taxation, facilities for trade and all the usual business cries. Their attitude was stated very well by a Mr. Shanks, speaking recently as President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He found fault with the green flags, green pillar boxes and green telegraph forms which had been introduced, saying that he had been informed that blue was the true heraldic colour of Ireland. Anyhow, he saw no profit in the change. But, and here he came to the crux, he had been assured that these things were necessary to make the people loyal to the Free State. The business people were terrified during the civil war, when private property was treated without reverence and the business of the country interfered with. They are afraid of the people getting out of hand again, so they slavishly support the Government in its most ferocious exhibitions of “strength” such as the long imprisonment of 15,000 untried prisoners. Most of these prisoners have now been released, as they had become more of a disturbing factor in prison than outside. "

Written by Ralph Fox (english journalist) in 1924

CNG/FG was an establishment party from day one and the Catolic church greased the way for them. They managed to liquidate many of the most capable Republicans and weaken Irish Republicanism to the extent that the dominant voice within it was inherently and increasingly compromised by gangsters, gombeen men and incompotents. The Bertie chapter might just be the zenith of the criminalisation process.
The differance between FF and FG: The corrupt element in FF will sell the country; assets, resources, sovereingty, moral decency,anything but the corrupt element in FG would offer it up in tribute.
Either way, the Irish people continue to lose.

[Big Bobo]

Where have all the smug FGers gone? There were all over this board like rats only 3 months ago.

[just_society2]

Jeez.....What did FG ever do to you Bobo?

FG have entered govt with Labour, National Labour, Democratic Left and Clann na Poblachta throughout it's history. None of these could be labelled as Tories!!

The 1948 govt were one of the most proactive govt's in setting up the IDA, and the govt very effectively tackled TB (All credit to Noel Browne, but he was supported by FG and others). It's demise over the the mother and child scheme was most unfortunate.

The 1965 election was fought by FG adopting the just society manifesto (as penned by Declan Costello), they narrowly lost.

The 1973-77 govt had a wealth tax, on the super wealthy with a Fine Gael finance minister making the decision.

The 82-87 govt did it's utmost to ensure the poor did not bear the brunt (Not easy as everyone suffered, at the hands of mindless vote buying FF policies from 1977)

Are they really that right wing? Would you not prefer at least a capable party in preference to a corrupt, incompetent, look after our own and f&*k the rest of ye attitude from FF?

FF have presided over a widening gap between rich and poor, and a transfer of wealth from young to old. They wish to introduce co-location in the health service, a byword for privitization. remove medical cards from over '70's and reintroduce third level fees (introduced by FG/Lab/DL).

Who's the real enemy Bobo? There are none so blind as those who do not see....

[just_society2]

Where have all the smug FGers gone? There were all over this board like rats only 3 months ago.

Very few people in FG are smug, That's FF you're thinking of. We want to get back into power before FF bankrupt the country (again). FG have taken hard decisions throughout history, and paid the political price......

[Big Bobo]

Jeez.....What did FG ever do to you Bobo?

FG have entered govt with Labour, National Labour, Democratic Left and Clann na Poblachta throughout it's history. None of these could be labelled as Tories!!

The 1948 govt were one of the most proactive govt's in setting up the IDA, and the govt very effectively tackled TB (All credit to Noel Browne, but he was supported by FG and others). It's demise over the the mother and child scheme was most unfortunate.

The 1965 election was fought by FG adopting the just society manifesto (as penned by Declan Costello), they narrowly lost.

The 1973-77 govt had a wealth tax, on the super wealthy with a Fine Gael finance minister making the decision.

The 82-87 govt did it's utmost to ensure the poor did not bear the brunt (Not easy as everyone suffered, at the hands of mindless vote buying FF policies from 1977)

Are they really that right wing? Would you not prefer at least a capable party in preference to a corrupt, incompetent, look after our own and f&*k the rest of ye attitude from FF?

FF have presided over a widening gap between rich and poor, and a transfer of wealth from young to old. They wish to introduce co-location in the health service, a byword for privitization. remove medical cards from over '70's and reintroduce third level fees (introduced by FG/Lab/DL).

Who's the real enemy Bobo? There are none so blind as those who do not see....

The only criticisms FG have of FF is they did not make enough cuts in spending. FG want wage cuts all around for workers just to keep profits up for the bosses.

And if u know ur history you'll realise it was FG who brought down Noel Browne

[múscailte]

Jeez.....What did FG ever do to you Bobo?

FG have entered govt with Labour, National Labour, Democratic Left and Clann na Poblachta throughout it's history. None of these could be labelled as Tories!!

Who's the real enemy Bobo? There are none so blind as those who do not see....

DL were made up of people who pretended that the rampant criminality of the 1980s OIRA/WP was Provo propaganda until the state media outed the links. They have now oozed into the Labour Party.
How much less gangster and opportunist laden is a FG/Lab coalition going to be than a FF coalition of the craven?

[just_society2]

The only criticisms FG have of FF is they did not make enough cuts in spending. FG want wage cuts all around for workers just to keep profits up for the bosses.

And if u know ur history you'll realise it was FG who brought down Noel Browne

Right, and Dev would have acted differently.....

Browne's own leader abondoned him, I know FG did too, but under pressure from McQuaid, who was a pretty powerful guy in early fifties Ireland.

Few of us have difficulties with paying for public services, but are you really suggesting that all civil servants deserved every pay increase of the last 5-6 years, while private sector wages in export industries were stagnant by comparision? This has reduced our competitiveness massively. My girlfriend is a civil servant, and while her salary ain't fabulous, I think pay rises without performance reviews are a terrible idea.

Yer a sleveen FF'er in disguise. All you've done on p.ie is attack Fine Gael.