Two more budgets left in this lot I'm afraid.....before Labour run for the hills.....the alternative.......(A) hung dail.....(B) FG/LAB (smaller scale)....(C)(FG Minority)or wait for it (D)FF/LAB/IND....Interesting times ahead

Originally Posted by Dolores Ibárruri

It's a real advantage for the Minister of Health to have raised a family.

Just try to imagine this horrible scenario, if you can:

'Minister of Health, Dr Leo Varadkar, has posed for yet another photograph at a primary care centre in Castleknock.'

The thing is that healthcare is a bit like providing for your family: it's unconditional - you give them whatever you can. It's as far from a business as you can get - you don't expect to make a profit from it. You just have to stay within budget (because you have to educate and feed and dress them, too).

You obviously consider people who are biologically unable to have kids as being unacceptable as Minister for Health?

Originally Posted by QuizMaster

Can some kind person please explain what alternative goverment is in waiting?

Perhaps we could convince the dream team out of retirement Bertie and Clowen. Although we are paying the 75% of Enda's salary so they might require an incentive.

Originally Posted by Mr. Bumble

Some were, are and will be. Some weren't, aren't and won't be. It's too early to tell how effective people are, especially Ministers of State as they tend to be given the long term projects while the Ministers tackle more immediate issues and have greater press coverage.

Indeed.

But you see, you were the one who bigged up her job here, not me.

Originally Posted by QuizMaster

Can some kind person please explain what alternative goverment is in waiting?

Easy peasy...there's no shortage of talent in the opposition...

Freaky Ming as Taoiseach, Healy Ray as Tainiste and Local Government, Baron Adams in Defence, Snoddy in PS reform,
Boy Barrett in Finance, Mewhole in Health , Pinkie Wallace in Justice, Red Joe in Europe....

Silly season well and truly in motion.....

Originally Posted by meriwether

Most people are functioning members of society.

Its not really a big deal.

Roisin still doesn't have the x-factor it seems.

Perhaps you'll be qualified to judge when you have raised three kids, got yourself elected and appointed Minister of State. Until then, you'll have to content yourself with continuing to toss out streams of pointless oneliners on a discussion thread.

Originally Posted by meriwether

Indeed.

But you see, you were the one who bigged up her job here, not me.

Bigged up her job? Jesus wept.

Originally Posted by QuizMaster

Can some kind person please explain what alternative goverment is in waiting?

It is evident that Ireland is rapidly becoming ungovernable ...

To counteract the rising tide of chaos ensuing from the apparent failure of the republican form of government, would it not be an appropriate time to give some consideration to installing one of the legitimate heirs of Joachim Franz Humbert von Hohenzollern (who was mentioned as a possible contender for the Irish throne in 1916) as a replacement for the muppets in Leinster House ?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Karl_Franz_of_Prussia

One possible candidate would be Prince Franz Wilhelm of Prussia a.k.a. Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich of Russia. Being a descendant of Wilhelm II, he is a great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria and a fourth cousin of Charlie Windsor so he could help with the cultivation of neighbourly relations across the water (either that or start another World War with them ...).

His Russian connections might also prove to be of valuable assistance in recovering the assets of rogue Irish oligarchs in foreign jurisdictions.

It is time to start thinking outside of the box ...

Originally Posted by meriwether

It doesn prove that being a Minister for State isn't particularly impressive though, doesn't it?

Originally Posted by meriwether

Most people are functioning members of society.

Its not really a big deal.

Roisin still doesn't have the x-factor it seems.

Originally Posted by meriwether

You obviously consider people who are biologically unable to have kids as being unacceptable as Minister for Health?

Originally Posted by meriwether

The vast majority of people raise children.

Its not really a big deal.

I wouldn't go appointing people as ministers of health on the basis of it.

Would you?

Originally Posted by meriwether

Some of Roisin Shorthalls achievements qualify Ivor Callely as Minister for Health.

I.e. they aren't very impressive.

Oh dear - are we about to witness another HBAP style implosion? It's the "words thing" that has them unhinged

Originally Posted by meriwether

Roiisn Shortall appears to be labouring under the assumption that she is as important as Reilly.

She's not. She's a Junior Minister. He is the senior minister. Thats how stuff works in real life as well, be it Vice president to President, deputy CEO to CEO.

Like all juniors, including FG juniors reporting to Lab senior ministers.

Maybe she's having trouble adjusting to the reality that Reilly is her boss, and was appointed by the actual bosses, Kenny and Gilmore.

I think someone needs to have a sit down with her, and perhaps draw a diagram.

Ya but maybe shorty does`nt speak with words.