Building for the Future.

[pinemartin]

When you get severe setbacks, like occurred in Dublin then you do have problems. Although the good result of Ferris in Munster seems to get overlooked for some reason. There were also signs of progress in other areas. But Dublin being Dublin it gets the most attention.

As I stated in an earlier post a lot of people who were formerly connected to the party in Dublin left to join Eirigi. It does take time to fill that void. Plus we have had the leaving of sitting councillors Burke, Minihan and Forde, all for different reasons. As all party apparachiks will agree, a good hard working councillor is the foundation for moving forward in terms of political advancement, especially at local level.

I was speaking to people from Dublin over the weekend and a lot of problems are being addressed in terms of allocating personnel and resources. There has also been a recruitment drive in the city in recent months and that has attracted a couple of dozen new people and I believe that initative will be intensified on the back of what is viewed as a very successful Ard Fheis.

Why do you think those councillors left the party? BTW im not assosiated with Eirigi either.

[The_Big_Fellow]

the main problem is the structure of SF. Any one with any knowledge of the party understood the top down nature of the authority within it. Maybe this worked during an armed struggle but things have changed. The party needs to be more open and more democratic but I believe this will not happen so you are left with a party that people feel cannot change for the good. The last GE was a disaster and they were lucky to not lose more seats. Next time around it could be a slaughter if things don't move. People in SF know the problems but cant do anything about it because the leadership doesn't permit open debate. I have many friends who despite their involvement in SF republican politics over the last decades are now disillusioned and marginalised.This should be a period when parties like SF should be hoovering up votes but they are struggling to stay afloat. SF should take a long look in the mirror because then next years might be barren ones in the south.

That certainly applies to the Dublin Cúige (or it did from my exp.). The party needs to be better at reconciling different political approaches.

It is not a insurmountable problem, but the dogmatic approach that many in Dublin take to Socialism can be off putting, especially to the target base. There are many idealogically sound people, who are letting it become a barrier to connecting with people, esp. voters.

Thats my observation as an ex-member.

[The_Big_Fellow]

When you get severe setbacks, like occurred in Dublin then you do have problems. Although the good result of Ferris in Munster seems to get overlooked for some reason. There were also signs of progress in other areas. But Dublin being Dublin it gets the most attention.

As I stated in an earlier post a lot of people who were formerly connected to the party in Dublin left to join Eirigi. It does take time to fill that void. Plus we have had the leaving of sitting councillors Burke, Minihan and Forde, all for different reasons. As all party apparachiks will agree, a good hard working councillor is the foundation for moving forward in terms of political advancement, especially at local level.

I was speaking to people from Dublin over the weekend and a lot of problems are being addressed in terms of allocating personnel and resources. There has also been a recruitment drive in the city in recent months and that has attracted a couple of dozen new people and I believe that initative will be intensified on the back of what is viewed as a very successful Ard Fheis.

Also there is nothing like bad news, and especially when it applies to SF.

[Pat Mc Larnon]

Burke gave his reasons here. Minihan gave her reasons here, and Forde gave his reasons here

[pinemartin]

Burke gave his reasons here. Minihan gave her reasons here, and Forde gave his reasons here

do you think they have a point?

[Pat Mc Larnon]

do you think they have a point?

Burke was a maverick and had clashed a number of times with the leadership in Dublin, perhaps being an independent suited him. Though he was there during the harsher times and did see it through on his own, for that he deserves credit.
As for Minihan and Forde I don't really know and care even less. I have read their statements and the counter statements of people who know them and who helped them get elected. You pay your money and take your choice there.
As it is, as far as SF are concerned, they are history and are now the concern of Eirigi and Labour respectfully.

[Lucan Lefty]

So back on track.

[pinemartin]

Burke was a maverick and had clashed a number of times with the leadership in Dublin, perhaps being an independent suited him. Though he was there during the harsher times and did see it through on his own, for that he deserves credit.
As for Minihan and Forde I don't really know and care even less. I have read their statements and the counter statements of people who know them and who helped them get elected. You pay your money and take your choice there.
As it is, as far as SF are concerned, they are history and are now the concern of Eirigi and Labour respectfully.

i dont know any of them well but met burke and ford and they seemed committed and loyal to SF when I met them . I think you should be concerned when people like this leave the party. AS I said before i voted for SF since I first could vote. Im a south Dublin lower middle class boy and have always remained loyal even when voting for them was akin to killing babies in many peoples minds.I helped out a lot on campaigns and generally, and like many people did this willingly and happily because I could see a party that was progressive and people oriented. I know this sounds like a script from an opposition troll but its the truth. Now I find myself in the position of for the first time ever of thinking of voting for an another party as number one. maybe its me thats changed.

[Kerrygold]

I remember well when long time Cllr. Billy Leen left the party in 1999, for reasons quite similar to Christie Burke. Billy had flown the flag for the party during the dark days and had huge respect amongst republicans in Kerry and across the country. People thought it was going to be a huge blow to the party. However, as things turned out, it was actually a good thing that he left and the party has grown from strength to strenght in North Kerry. People leave for various reasons and when they do we just have to move on without them.

We've taken our fair share of knocks in recent times, but I'm very confident, particularly after a very successful and positive Ard Fheis, that the party's future is bright.

[pinemartin]

Do people not think that a major problem with SF growing in the South is the media and people's pre-conceptions about them? The media has constantly portrayed them as scum and will continue to do so, this rubs off on the general public.
I know for instance here in Portlaoise, Brian Stanley is a well respected politician and in my opinion a good one but I have heard people say stuff like "oh I wouldn’t vote for him, sure if you did something his party didn't like they'd come and break your legs".
Now this is complete nonsense of coarse but how do you change people's pre-conceived notions?

I see you point but me and many like me would never have had that idea of the party but SF are losing our support, in Dublin anyway.