The newly-elected members of the Dail are in something of a bind these days. The thrill of having been elected or re-elected has begun to fill a little flat, they’ve stopped congratulating or blaming themselves for their performance during the campaign, and they’re now faced with that trickiest of questions: what next?
A newly-buoyant Micheál Martin has decided the next thing to do is leap into action and push for Dail reform. You didn’t know that it was something terribly important? I’m not surprised. Not a single candidate mentioned it during the electoral campaign. There were no reports of householders greeting candidates on the doorstep and pleading “Reform the Dail or we’re all ruined!” The reason Micheál is bustling around calling for Dail reform is that it gives the illusion that he’s actually doing something. It happens in all sorts of fields besides politics: the new CEO, the new school principal, the new BBC producer. You must give off the aura of someone intent on Changing Things. Hence Micheál’s Dail mission.
And there were nominations for Taoiseach this week, with Fine Gael putting forward Enda Kenny, Fianna Fail putting forward Micheál Martin, and Sinn Féin putting forward Gerry Adams. None of them was successful – there just aren’t the numbers – so it’s back to the drawing board.
What are the options? a minority government led by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fail and a few others. Doubtful – Fianna Fail doesn’t like playing second fiddle. Such players end up screeching – ask Joan Burton and the Labour Party. Or you could have Fianna Fail supported by Sinn Féin and a range of Independents. Not a chance there either – the last thing Sinn Féin wants is to be a mudguard for Fianna Fail. The third possibility is that the newly-elected TDs give up and a second general election is called, on the grounds that the south needs a stable government. But nobody, apparently, wants that.
Or at least that’s what we’re told. Of course successful candidates don’t want one: they’ve just been successful, they’re settling into Leinster House, feeling at home – and now someone says they’re going to have to trudge from door-to-door, begging the electorate to vote for them all over again. Aside from the drudgery of marching door to door again, there’s a serious chance of a public backlash.
I’m sure that’s all true, and the fact that TDs, especially TDs who are Independent and have had to pay the cost of their own campaign – of course they don’t want to dip in their pockets and double their debt.
Personally I think a lot of people quite like elections. A poll on Claire Byrne’s RTÉ show last night showed a majority of people preferring a second election rather than any of the other options. Being wooed by oh-so-humble politicians feels quit nice. Even as a spectator sport, elections can be interesting.
And this year, we’ll have a lot of them. There’s the Assembly election coming up in May: that should be interesting, with the DUP warning against the perils of a republican First Minister as they eye the UUP recruiting people like the Rev Lesley Carroll and eating further into the unionist electoral pie.
There’s also the little matter of the EU referendum in June. If Britain votes to leave, there’ll be implications for us here in the snookered North East, and even more profound implications for Scotland, which will vote to stay in the EU and will call for a second independence referendum if England does a BREXIT.
And last but not least, there’s the US presidential election. Barring being hit by a passing meteor, Donal Trump looks like being the Republican presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton is likely to carry the Democrats’ standard come next November. In the meantime, both candidates will plough through a plethora of mini-elections as they try to garner delegates in state after state. And then in November, either Hillary will switch on her biggest eye-popping grin and wave to triumphant followers, or Donal will do his Mussolini impersonation, stick out his lower lip and lead the crowd in “All Hail to President Trump!”
Public debates and angry exchanges and fact-checks on wild claims– all these bring colour and controversy to our lives. The politicians don’t want it, but hey, they’re public servants. Nobody’s forced them to become candidates, so if the bugle sounds for another election, they’ll just have to get on with it.
On the other hand, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could save all the bother by joining hands and marching into a joint government, complete with rotating Taoiseach. Don’t rule it out.
“On the other hand, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could save all the bother by joining hands and marching into a joint government, complete with rotating Taoiseach. Don’t rule it out.”
Their differences are hardly as polarised as that between Sinn Fein and the DUP who have been working together in government for some years now.
Lets hope Fine Gael and Fianna Fail can show the same level of leadership and maturity, but there most certainly is now precedent for such an arrangement if they can overcome party politics in the interest of the nation.
FIANNA FAIL BETTER
No Fianna Failure can afford to remain static
If he wishes to avoid banishment to the attic
By Godot, and feckit
Fail better like Beckett
All hail ! Neo-Meehawl the Harris-matic !!
“The answer is blowing in the wind…”
The politicians and the pundits have yet to comprehend the wishes of the electorate. It is a nonsense to talk about the “the country” and the “national interest” given successive governments have produced policies which fostered inequality, economic migration, poverty, homelessness and despair. Despair is not an abstract term and may be quantified with the incidence of self harm and suicide throughout the country. It is not about who will be Taoiseach or which party will be in power. It has more to do with the choice of values that will underpin economic, political and social policies in the future. There are people waiting on medical care and homes Today.
The Irish diaspora is not amused. The ghosts of Pearse et al will view the irony of a shamrock bearing caretaker Taoiseach representing a disunited Ireland in the White House. Noses will be held as “rogues and renegades” rub shoulders with the Brexit Brigade. The refrain “Brits Out” is common currency again, albeit, in a more nuanced context. Ventriloquism will be elevated to an art form in the United State of America in 2016, with British sovereignty elevated and and Irish sovereignty denigrated, as the three leaf shamrock changes hands. Political unionism’s three priorities remain focused on pyres, pallets and burning tyres. Some members of the PSNI now act as bona fide advocates in certain loyalist funding streams given the recent revelations courtesy of BBC Spotlight this week. Mr Hook is satisfied that NAMA has no case to answer in relation to cross border business deals. Time will tell if the United States Department of Justice concurs with NAMA’s assertion that the loan book in the north of Ireland was sold for its full value “and not a cent less.” It may be a case that noses will have to be held for much longer as the scent of NAMA is fully investigated on behalf of Mother Ireland.
“The SDLP were led by teachers and there were probably many well-educated people within that party .That is how things developed .That is totally correct…John Hume and Seamus Mallon were teachers…but what of it? They weren’t rich people .What teacher is? Your very own blogmeister supremeo , Jude ,has been a teacher. What have you got against teachers? ”
Just to clarify, I have not got anything against teachers, in fact I agree that they were probably the best placed to lead politics as educated people.
I think they did lose touch and took their electorate for granted, not because they were teachers, they just did.
As for the comments on houses and cars, that was from memory and at a local level not national.
The ones in my own area did not live in the community but in large house which I do not begrudge by the way, I am not a socialist and am more conservative which is the ironic thing. Sinn Fein would not be my natural choice of party but as they are the only all island party I do not have much choice.
If unionist parties could drop the union and evolve into a new conservative all island party they would not only get the majority of votes in the north from both communities but could potentially become the largest party on the island as people get tired of FG and FF.
I agree with Wolfe Tone, Ireland is a conservative country or middle of the road at least.
no idea what will government will be formed “darn sarf” – but would expect a new election within 12-18 months in any case.
With regards to the Brexit referendum – whatever the outcome N.Irish and Scottish hopes of a border poll/indyref2 may well be dashed.
https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/brexit-no-ukexits/
I think in the long run Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will go into Government together, I don’t think they both have the bottle to face another election so early, especially Fine Gael. Sinn Fein would rather FF/FG just hurried up and formed a Government so they can be the main opposition party, a position which will bring immense benefits to the shinners at the next election, whether its in a year or 2 years or 5 years. I don’t think Sinn Fein would fear another election so early, except obviously for the newly elected TD’s who are only settling in and don’t fancy the anxiety of another election so early.
The Assembly elections is in May and already the DUP are doing their traditional scaremongering amongst Unionist voters. Martin McGuinness is being used as the Bogey man who might be First Minister (even though he already is and will be no matter what after the election…). I think most of the public was hoping that Arlene Foster would bring change to the DUP, move them away from “Keep them’uns Out” politics and focus on real issues such as more investment, more jobs and higher wages. But no. Arlene has resorted to the same old sectarian politics in order to spook Unionists to vote DUP in order to combat the resurrection of the UUP under MikeTV. (I think the UUP will gain MLA’s at the expense of the DUP, I think the DUP have reached their peak, hence one reason why Robbo flew the nest).
I was reading a Belfast Telegraph article on Arlene opening a mural to St Patrick in East Belfast, I believe. Arlene goes on to say that St Patricks Day is too “gaelicized”. Wow, imagine a day dedicated to celebrating an Irish Saint and a celebration of Irish culture worldwide being….Irish?…..
I’m sure we all listened to Chris Donnelly with Nelson McCausland on Nolan yesterday morning. Poor Nelson is already on the election footing and is displaying his bigotry. Its shocking that this behaviour from Nelson actually gets him votes. Nelson has an issue with the 1916 Easter Rising being taught at schools but has no issue with the Orange Order and 1690 being taught. In fact, as Chris pointed out, Nelson on his website said the Orange Order must ALWAYS be shown in a positive light. Very fair and balanced, eh Nelson? Nelson then goes on to attack the Irish Festival at Ardoyne. Of course this is the same person who shared a platform with UVF members and who supports the sectarian camp at Twaddell at a sectarian interface.
Nelson was particularly ruffled when Chris Donnelly mentioned the Irish news allegations of Nelson stopping houses for Catholics. Why hasn’t there been an investigation or calls for an investigation from nationalist politicians?
The best thing to do with Nelson is to laugh at him. A man his age to behave the way he does is truly pathetic lol but what IS worrying is the influence this individual has on young minds.
for Ryan and MT – here’s a non-gaelicized St Patrick
http://tyronetribulations.com/2016/03/12/st-patrick-to-be-re-branded-to-attract-all-communities/
“I was reading a Belfast Telegraph article on Arlene opening a mural to St Patrick in East Belfast, I believe. Arlene goes on to say that St Patricks Day is too “gaelicized”. Wow, imagine a day dedicated to celebrating an Irish Saint and a celebration of Irish culture worldwide being….Irish
“Gaelic” and “Irish” aren’t synonyms.
“I’m sure we all listened to Chris Donnelly with Nelson McCausland on Nolan yesterday morning. Poor Nelson is already on the election footing and is displaying his bigotry. Its shocking that this behaviour from Nelson actually gets him votes. Nelson has an issue with the 1916 Easter Rising being taught at schools but has no issue with the Orange Order and 1690 being taught.”
His issue, quite reasonably, was about how the 1916 “rising” is taught in schools. He wasn’t objecting to it being taught per se. While it wasn’t a great interview by McCausland, he did get Chris Donnelly to admit that the play in his school reinforced a republican narrative, and the playwright of the play in the Gaelic school also admitted the same.
Unlike our 2,000+ Orange marches, which of course reinforce a neutral narrative…
“Unlike our 2,000+ Orange marches, which of course reinforce a neutral narrative…”
Not sure why you think that. I’d say the opposite, although the difference is schools don’t take part in Orange marches.
You really feel schools should be neutral/objective, MT? You really should read a little more about education.
“You really feel schools should be neutral/objective, MT?”
They shouldn’t be used to reinforce or advance partisan political views, especially in a divided society like Northern Ireland.
Do you think they should?
I know that schools of any kind offer a particular vision of the world. Whether you think that’s reasonable instruction or vile propaganda may depend on your point of view. But of course they reinforce/advance partisan political views.Try thinking before you question what is patently obvious, MT
“I know that schools of any kind offer a particular vision of the world. Whether you think that’s reasonable instruction or vile propaganda may depend on your point of view. But of course they reinforce/advance partisan political views.Try thinking before you question what is patently obvious, MT”
In my experience (of non-denominational as a pupil and Catholic as a parent), schools do not reinforce partisan political views, and I think that is how it should be.
I must say I am.concerned that you say that they do, and even more so thst you think they should. Can you give some.more examples of partisan views being promoted in schools?
e.g. these pro-republican plays are the norm rather than the exception.
This reinforces the desperate need to end segregation in our education system.
Yes, certainly MT. Schools teach the notion of a liberal democracy (although not too liberal) as a given, and the values of a capitalist state (although not too capitalist) and the evil/absurdity of communism and maybe even radical socialism. These things are part of what used to be called the ‘hidden curriculum’ in every school in Ireland, I would say. Mind you, I’m wondering what the difference in ‘partisan’ and ‘convinced’ or ‘committed’ or…whatever, is.
“Yes, certainly MT. Schools teach the notion of a liberal democracy (although not too liberal) as a given, and the values of a capitalist state (although not too capitalist) and the evil/absurdity of communism and maybe even radical socialism. These things are part of what used to be called the ‘hidden curriculum’ in every school in Ireland, I would say. Mind you, I’m wondering what the difference in ‘partisan’ and ‘convinced’ or ‘committed’ or…whatever, is.”
Very clever, Jude, but you know that’s not what I was referring to. I was referring to unionism and nationalism.
Incidentally, though, when I studied A-level politics I was never “taught” that communism or socialism was either evil or absurd.
Were you taught that they were equally worthwhile alongside Western democracy?
“Were you taught that they were equally worthwhile alongside Western democracy?”
No. We were taught the theory, then left to draw out own conclusions about its merits.
You paint a rather concerning image of your own school, if that is what you are basing your understanding on of how history and politics are taught.
“This reinforces the desperate need to end segregation in our education system.”
I agree MT, we should have a single all island education system.
If those who think schools should be neutral etc then they should be clamouring to ensure the British army ceases recruiting kids on school property. No matter whether they are ‘legitimate’ or not people have to realise that their presence is extremely divisive. Added to that they glamourise violence and death and indoctrinate kids into accepting their very existence.
“Not sure why you think that. I’d say the opposite, although the difference is schools don’t take part in Orange marches.”
MT, as I pointed out to SF’s Niall O’Donnghaile and some Unionists when we were having a discussion, the 12th July is a public holiday here, so if schools were run in the Summer then kids would have the day off not only to learn about the 12th but to CELEBRATE it along with the Orange Order. Indeed many children (and adults…..) help towards building bonfires to CELEBRATE the 12th July, many of which are exposed to the most vile sectarian and racist material in the North of Ireland. Burning of Irish flags, Catholic statues, effigies of Catholic priests and racist comments wrote about Alliances Anna Lo on placards are just some of the things burnt on a yearly basis as an expression of “culture” and “tradition”……
Nelson has an issue with “how” the Easter Rising is taught but as Chris Donnelly rightly pointed out Nelson on his blog wants the Orange Order to be taught to children in a POSITIVE light, no debating, no other narrative, no neutrality, just in a POSITIVE light. That seems to be the approach by Unionism when it comes to the past here, only Unionism is to be shown in a positive light, there’s no other narrative except Unionisms.
I like to call this narrative the Unionist “it was all themm’uns fault” narrative…..
“His issue, quite reasonably, was about how the 1916 “rising” is taught in schools. He wasn’t objecting to it being taught per se. While it wasn’t a great interview by McCausland, he did get Chris Donnelly to admit that the play in his school reinforced a republican narrative, and the playwright of the play in the Gaelic school also admitted the same.”
So is this republican narrative inaccurate do you think?
Or do you mean it should be censored so not to give any children silly ideas that a republic of Ireland is a good thing and those who gave their lives for it were good and decent people?
“Or do you mean it should be censored so not to give any children silly ideas that a republic of Ireland is a good thing and those who gave their lives for it were good and decent people?”
There’s a reason why many Unionists and Loyalists want rid of Catholic schools and want one school system (under British control, of course…), Jessica…..
These same Unionists and Loyalists don’t support integrated housing though….
I wonder what their motives might be…..
As Fr Denis McFaul said integrated education is the British Trojan horse. Rosy words will be used by Unionists like “Lets teach our children together” but they would oppose it greatly if it was in Catholic schools (where Protestants, Muslims, etc can already attend).
BTW, I have no issue with Catholic and Protestant kids being taught together, none at all. My issue is the system and the people doing the teaching. That’s why Catholic schools must never be abolished, which they wont ever be anyway. But as the demographics change and Catholics are the majority, expect political Unionism to furiously push for integrated education. Its not for the good of children, its to pursue a Unionist agenda and it has to be opposed. Again, as I said, these Unionists, the likes of “George from the Shankill” who is never off the Nolan show, want integrated education but oppose integrated housing. Their agenda offers nothing positive to Catholics or Republicans.
Concerning words from Ryan (as well as Jude) about education. It seems that they view Catholic education as a means of politically indoctrinating children.
Oh dear, MT. I can’t speak for Ryan but I certainly haven’t discussed Catholic education with you, MT.
“Oh dear, MT. I can’t speak for Ryan but I certainly haven’t discussed Catholic education with you, MT.”
Ryan certainly has and appears to view it as a means to promote Irish nationalism.
I accept you haven’t said as much, ,but you appear to be arguing that schools *should* be teaching children from a biased political perspective.
Dear me, dear me, dear me. MT: it is impossible for a school to teach children in some ‘neutral’ way. Like it or lump it, they must offer, directly or indirectly, some vision of the world, and that includes its politics. It’s what schools do.
“Dear me, dear me, dear me. MT: it is impossible for a school to teach children in some ‘neutral’ way. Like it or lump it, they must offer, directly or indirectly, some vision of the world, and that includes its politics. It’s what schools do.”
So because pure objectivity isn’t possible, you think we shouldn’t strive for objectivity or balance, but instead accept and welcome overt attempts to promote partisan political narratives.
That’s not a very credible argument, Jude.
“So is this republican narrative inaccurate do you think? Or do you mean it should be censored so not to give any children silly ideas that a republic of Ireland is a good thing and those who gave their lives for it were good and decent people?”
Ideally, it should be taught from an objective perspective. If a “republican narrative ” is to be taught then it ought also to be critiqued. This is pretty basic.
Schools shouldn’t be used to indoctrinate politically, especially poisonous doctrines that legitimise unjust and anti-democratic violence.
You mean the views you don’t agree with, MT. Calling them names doesn’t advance your argument a great deal.
“You mean the views you don’t agree with, MT. Calling them names doesn’t advance your argument a great deal.”
I mean any kind of political indoctrination: unionist or nationalist.
Define ‘indoctrination’ (as well as partisan, of course). Then maybe the discussion could progress…
“Were you taught that they were equally worthwhile alongside Western democracy?”
Try a dictionary, Jude. They’re not difficult words.
Jude
MT says:
“Ideally, it should be taught from an objective perspective”
That seems reasonable to me. What is your objection?
Because there’s no such thing, gio…
Jude
That’s right it is an ideal.
To be aspired to, surely?
“Schools shouldn’t be used to indoctrinate politically, especially poisonous doctrines that legitimise unjust and anti-democratic violence”
That’s 9/10 of Unionist history out the school window then MT….
“That’s 9/10 of Unionist history out the school window then MT….”
What is “Unionist history”?
““Gaelic” and “Irish” aren’t synonyms”
MT, lets be blunt. Why don’t you and political Unionism just come clean and admit you have a problem with Irish culture? You have Unionists running around in Ballymena removing manhole covers because there’s an Irish word on them (all this whilst Irish Hollywood actor Liam Neeson put his voice and his fame behind a campaign to get Ballymena workers new jobs, a nice way to thank him….).
We have Arlene Foster refusing to represent everyone and refusing to respect the Easter Rising even though Martin McGuinness took the step to respect Remembrance Days (on a yearly basis). Now Arlene doesn’t like St Patricks Day because its too “Gaelicized” or Irish. I doubt it very much but will Arlene be lecturing Americans on 4th July celebrations when she goes to Washington this week? After all, George Washington did lead an attack on her United Kingdom….was George Washington not a “terrorist”?….
We all know Nelson has a problem with the Easter Rising being taught, lets not pretend. He then hit out at the Ardoyne Festival because its an Irish cultural event. This is the same Nelson that shares a platform with UVF members at Twaddell and supports a sectarian camp at a sectarian interface that has cost as much as 20 million to police so far.
Then we had Gregory Campbell mocking the Irish language, even when school children made a video pleading with him to stop but he continued. I like Gregory, hes a buck eejit who makes us all laugh. The attention he brought to the Irish language just caused Irish language classes to full to the brim but that’s not the point, the point is he has a problem with Irish culture in general but yet in lives in Ireland……
So, MT, what is your and Unionisms problem with Irishness? Again lets be blunt, if you have a problem then why stay in Ireland?….its weird to stay in a society full of a culture and people you despise. Its like KKK members choosing to live in Zambia and then complain about Black people and African culture.
(PS, yes I know we live in Northern Ireland but the clue is in the name: northern IRELAND, Its just as Irish as any other part of Ireland).
“MT, lets be blunt. Why don’t you and political Unionism just come clean and admit you have a problem with Irish culture?”
I can’t speak for “political Unionism” but I can’t admit it because it wouldn’t be true. I don’t have a problem with Irish culture.
“So, MT, what is your and Unionisms problem with Irishness?”
I don’t have any problem with Irishness.
“Again lets be blunt, if you have a problem then why stay in Ireland?….its weird to stay in a society full of a culture and people you despise.”
Why do you stay, then? You despise Orange culture, do you not?
“Why do you stay, then? You despise Orange culture, do you not?”
Orange culture is founded on sectarianism and bigotry MT.
“Orange culture is founded on sectarianism and bigotry MT.”
So why don’t you follow your own advice and leave the country?
“Orange culture is founded on sectarianism and bigotry MT.”
“So why don’t you follow your own advice and leave the country?”
I take it you mean why don’t i go to the part of my country free of unionist rule which is sectarian at its core.
Because, I have no other country MT. My country is Ireland which includes all of this island. I am also from Ulster and proud to be from Ulster, the greatest province in Ireland. I am also from Armagh, which I consider home.
I have Irelands best interests at heart, above that of my own.
Unionists do not have Irelands best interests at heart, but look to England and the island of Britain.
Just as I would do what is for the best of the free southern state, unionists would do what is in the best interests of the other island.
Eventually it will come down to how many here will be prepared to be economically disadvantaged in the north for the good of the UK, or if we are prepared to unify our country and join with the nations of the world as an independent nation and realise our full potential.
here’s a glimpse into what drives the Unionist mindset https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/convincing-unionists/
Some people who contribute to this blog seem to have strange ideas re how history should be taught in schools, or indeed what history is taught in the non-Catholic sector. I went to state schools for a total of 14 years and no attempt was ever made to indoctrinate me with either Unionist or Orange propaganda, or to persuade me that I wasn’t Irish.
If you’re teaching modern Irish history in a secondary school it would be impossible to ignore the events of 1916, but any history teacher worth their salt would made pupils aware that there are many interpretations surrounding the latter events and provide them with an extensive bibliography to illustrate these competing interpretations. The pupils can then read them and make up their own minds.
From what I heard on Nolan this play presents one, very partisan, interpretation of 1916 and if no other interpretations are being put forward, then it is clearly a case of the promotion of political propaganda, which should not be the case in any school of whatever stripe. I wasn’t overly impressed by the level of literacy displayed by the lady playwright, when she referred to the play that she “had wrote.” Nelson McC was dreadful, as usual, failing to challenge Chris Donnelly on what should have been the central issue, i.e. should schools be used to promote political propaganda?
I’m breathless at the number of people capable of passing judgement on a play they haven’t seen – or on a playwright because she said ‘wrote’ rather than ‘written’. Just as well Shakespeare wasn’t living in Belfast today…
Jude
Is Ernie Wise the author? ‘The play wot I wrote!’
The rising is not universally acclaimed as a good thing. Many people (not just unionists) have reservations about its justness and the success or failure of it.
Don’t you think children should learn those other views too?
Also I seem to remember you passed judgement on the Mairia Cahill documentary without watching it,as you explained at the time you had a pretty good idea what was in it!