Ireland (All) Politicians Who Command(ed) Respect

[consultant]

I grew up in a traditional FF family but had the advantage(?) of enforced emmigration because of the economic situation that pertained in Ireland. I therefore lost the political influence that I might have been subjected to at home.

Overlapping my parents' years, I have identified Irish political figures who I believe(d) in and admire. In no particular order nor political allegiances, these include:

Sean Lemass
Michael Collins
Noel Browne
Paddy Hilliary
Erskine Childers
Garret Fitzgerald
Justin Keating
Peter Barry
Mary Robinson
Ray McSharry
Richie Ryan
Ruari Quinn
Michael D. Higgins
Ivan Yates
Ian Paisley
John Hume
Gerry Fitt

For me, these are the people who made positive differences. I am sure, if I thought longer about it, I might add some and indeed delist others. But, I reckon each and everyone on my list at least had the common characteristics of leadership ability and responsibility.

Who have we now (excepting Michael D) to match?

[Congalltee]

You left out one politician who broke down the treaty sell-out, founded the most successful party in Western Europe,drafted a user friendly Constitution which won popular appeal, freed our ports from the British occupation before a world war broke out, kept us out of that devastating war and who was the respected face, voice and statesman of Ireland.

But you include a man who was more successful as a terrorist than his ministry or as a negotiator.

And you say you grew up in a traditional Fianna Fail household.
Bizarre.
(The man who implemented the Programme for national recovery, held the Presidency of the Council at the time of german unity, established the NTMA and Ifsc, ensured women benefitted under succession acts, gave tangible benefits to artists, and abolished the death penalty is not included either).

I think you mean popular and subjective 'respect' as opposed to deserved respect for achievements which could be seen from a foreign perspective ie objective. haughey and dev are in the latter category, collins, browne and fitzgerald would not but are often cited by morons with a little understanding of Irish politics and history (WT cosgrave, and ernest blythe would also deserve honourable mentions as leaders and achievers).

[charley]

You left out one politician who broke down the treaty sell-out, founded the most successful party in Western Europe,drafted a user friendly Constitution which won popular appeal, freed our ports from the British occupation before a world war broke out, kept us out of that devastating war and who was the respected face, voice and statesman of Ireland.

But you include a man who was more successful as a terrorist than his ministry or as a negotiator.

And you say you grew up in a traditional Fianna Fail household.
Bizarre.
(The man who implemented the Programme for national recovery, held the Presidency of the Council at the time of german unity, established the NTMA and Ifsc, ensured women benefitted under succession acts, gave tangible benefits to artists, and abolished the death penalty is not included either).

I think you mean popular and subjective 'respect' as opposed to deserved respect for achievements which could be seen from a foreign perspective ie objective. haughey and dev are in the latter category, collins, browne and fitzgerald would not but are often cited by morons with a little understanding of Irish politics and history (WT cosgrave, and ernest blythe would also deserve honourable mentions as leaders and achievers).

you mean charlie?

[Edo]

Where the feck is Dev? - love him or hate him - he was Ireland to the rest of the world for over 50 years

[former wesleyan]

Who have we now (excepting Michael D) to match?

I'm not so sure about Michael D. Not so long ago he wrote an impassioned piece calling for a national debate/ dialogue. Then came the Lisbon Referendum and he was nowhere to be found!
So it was obvious that after a quick word with his inner shinner he decided that his position vis a vis Europe and Labours position were not on the same page.
So. Why didn't he open the much needed debate there and then? Then.

[consultant]

[quote=Congalltee;2420361]

And you say you grew up in a traditional Fianna Fail household.
Bizarre.
quote]

It was indeed. In fact, I would go further and say that it was dysfunctional.

Equally, I neither claimed my list was exclusive nor complete. In case you hadn't noticed (as is the case with most hyper-sensitive members of FF), I offered no analytical justification for any of my nominees. Purposely so. However, I have no problem debating any of my individual nominees, exclusions or alternatives. But, please, in proposing the latter, restrict choices to leaders, doers and achievers. Not brown envelopers.

[Congalltee]

[quote=consultant;2420412]

And you say you grew up in a traditional Fianna Fail household.
Bizarre.
quote]

It was indeed. In fact, I would go further and say that it was dysfunctional.

Equally, I neither claimed my list was exclusive nor complete. In case you hadn't noticed (as is the case with most hyper-sensitive members of FF), I offered no analytical justification for any of my nominees. Purposely so. However, I have no problem debating any of my individual nominees, exclusions or alternatives. But, please, in proposing the latter, restrict choices to leaders, doers and achievers. Not brown envelopers.

You clearly have too much personal baggage to discuss any matter objectively, especially when it comes to men of achievement, like dev and more controversially charlie, as opposed to people who are merely liked or fondly remembered by the Irish Times.
Btw I am not a member of Fianna Fail and will not be voting for them any time soon.

[consultant]

[quote=Congalltee;2420428]

You clearly have too much personal baggage to discuss any matter objectively, especially when it comes to men of achievement, like dev and more controversially charlie, as opposed to people who are merely liked or fondly remembered by the Irish Times.
Btw I am not a member of Fianna Fail and will not be voting for them any time soon.

My personal baggage, Congaltee, consists of my life, where I lived it and how I had to do so. Neither by my choice nor my parents. Nor, in fairness, by the designs of Dev's FF.

However, without the insight of Lemass and his single-minded conviction and leadership, Dev's FF would have succombed to failure.

Now, if you care to propose serious points or indeed, personalities, for discussion and analysis, please do so. My likes and early memories were founded on the Irish Press, Independent, Evening Press and Evening Herald. I only read the Irish Times after the ban on Dunleavy's "Ginger Man" was lifted.

[Half Nelson]

I have identified Irish political figures who I believe(d) in and admire. ..these include:

Ian Paisley

Tell us more.
(This I gotta hear.)

[Catalpa]

Dev was the greatest Irish politician of the 20th Century by a miile.