Are the opposition in talks with minor government partners?

[yehbut_nobut]

I don't mean official negotiations or anything, but are are discreet channels of communication kept open? Just in case any of the independents or Greens get, you know, a little uncomfortable with continuously shovelling the dung in order to keep FF at the top of the heap.

Are reassurances being given that their concerns would be looked on favourably if the current government suffered the political equivalent of a nasty accident in a dark laneway?

[Universal_001]

I don't mean official negotiations or anything, but are are discreet channels of communication kept open? Just in case any of the independents or Greens get, you know, a little uncomfortable with continuously shovelling the dung in order to keep FF at the top of the heap.

Are reassurances being given that their concerns would be looked on favourably if the current government suffered the political equivalent of a nasty accident in a dark laneway?

If you mean is Kenny planning a 1990s style mid term change of govt thats nearly imposable because it would have to include SF and FG would rather be in opposition forever, they're actually a little scared of being in government now, they're so comfortable spewing righteous indignation from a position where they don't' have to take any decisions yet have the same policies as the government.

[Sidewinder]

I don't think a 1994-style formation of a new Government would be a good idea. There would be a certain lack of legitimacy that would prevent them taking the really hard decisions.

I'd prefer a fresh election and a good purge of all the useless waffler, greasy chancer, used-car-salesmen that make up so many of our TDs (across all parties).

If FG had any sense they'd be discreetly talking to the Greens and SF. They'll have to (excuse the pun) bite that bullet sooner or later, and what better time than "in these times of national crisis, difficult decisions must be taken to save the nation, blah blah". And all they have to do to silence the grumblers in their own right-wing is to point to 1948. CnaP then were in pretty much exactly the same position (in terms of the journey away from violence) as SF are now.

[joemomma]

More likely the opposition (Labour) are in talks with major government partners.

[yehbut_nobut]

More likely the opposition (Labour) are in talks with major government partners.

You mean you think they have suicide pact to go the way of the PDs?

[just_society]

I don't think a 1994-style formation of a new Government would be a good idea. There would be a certain lack of legitimacy that would prevent them taking the really hard decisions.

I'd prefer a fresh election and a good purge of all the useless waffler, greasy chancer, used-car-salesmen that make up so many of our TDs (across all parties).

If FG had any sense they'd be discreetly talking to the Greens and SF. They'll have to (excuse the pun) bite that bullet sooner or later, and what better time than "in these times of national crisis, difficult decisions must be taken to save the nation, blah blah". And all they have to do to silence the grumblers in their own right-wing is to point to 1948. CnaP then were in pretty much exactly the same position (in terms of the journey away from violence) as SF are now.

I think a certain further duration of current govt is required in order that people will never forget the FF/PD mismanagement of the past decade. The truth is there are a number of morons out there who still think Bertie was great, and even though any combination of FG/Lab/SF would be far, far preferable to the current shower of wasters, I think that it will be better for the country in the long run if FF (in it's current incarnation) reap the full brunt of voters anger that's only building up now.

If they briefly lost power, sat out the mess while others did the donkey work, they could easily sweep back in, take credit, and the cycle goes on. We want political extinction of FF, a la the progressive conservatives in Canada in the mid-90's. They deserve nothing less.

[Sidewinder]

I think a certain further duration of current govt is required in order that people will never forget the FF/PD mismanagement of the past decade. The truth is there are a number of morons out there who still think Bertie was great, and even though any combination of FG/Lab/SF would be far, far preferable to the current shower of wasters, I think that it will be better for the country in the long run if FF (in it's current incarnation) reap the full brunt of voters anger that's only building up now.

If they briefly lost power, sat out the mess while others did the donkey work, they could easily sweep back in, take credit, and the cycle goes on. We want political extinction of FF, a la the progressive conservatives in Canada in the mid-90's. They deserve nothing less.

A very good point, and they managed to slither away from the damage they did in the late 70s and pinned the rap on FG.

But if we leave Clowen in power for another year, will there be a country left to fix?

Tis a very tough call. This crisis is much worse than most people realise. It'll only get worse again if FF/PD are allowed to continue in power. I want them exterminated politically once and for all, but at the same time I can't advocate sitting by and letting them completely dismantle the Republic until the voters cop on, either. Aaaarrrggh!

[just_society]

But if we leave Clowen in power for another year, will there be a country left to fix?

Reminds me of a segment Jon Stewart had tonight about GW Bush's desire to leave a legacy, not as the best or even worst US president, but with enough determination and skill he could be the last US president!

All eyes are on the Greens. Will they achieve more of their agenda with the current govt running it's full term? Or would they be better off ditching them mid-term.

At the minute they are starting to look like the PD's with a greenish (or is that yellow) veneer.

[yehbut_nobut]

The greens would get more of their policies implemented quicker under a rainbow government. I just think the door should be kept open, in the event of the Governemnt losing an important vote due numbers not stacking up. Say, because of a Member's untimely demise, or a lenghty incarceration...

[VeryVert]

Not that it was ever going to have been a particularly stable affair, but the existence of a FG/Lab/GP/SF government was ruled out by one man alone: Enda Kenny (remembering that Pat Rabbitte did a deal with SF on Seanad seats). So talk now of an anyone-but-FF government, when the challenges facing the country are as great as they have been in decades, is utter nonsense.

Also, an alternative government is now an impossibility given Eamon Gilmore's passionate hatred for the shinners.