Fine Gael battles for votes

So. Near to half-way through the south’s general election, how are Fine Gael doing? ‘Trying hard but could do better’ might be their report card judgement.

First there was Michael O’Leary – you know, Mr Ryanair, the man who shoots from the hip. He was at the campaign launch for Fine Gael Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke.  Michael’s line on Burke.  was that he was “from the private sector, which is absolutely vital”. “The Dáil is full of teachers. There is nothing wrong with teachers…but I wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done.” His Fine Gael audience giggled and clapped. Exit thousands of teachers throughout the state, clutching their votes and swearing softly.

Then there was the exchange on Capel Street in Dublin. Professor of Sociology Kieran Allen broke in on Simon H’s baby-kissing to suggest Simon Harris address more pressing matters: “Let’s hear your explanation of why there’s homelessness in this country.”

Simon swallowed hard and responded. “There’s homelessness in this country because there’s an emergency situation where we built no homes for the best part of a decade, because the banks.”

It’s not clear just what “Because the banks” means, but it’s probably that the banks occupied all the homes. Or something.

The sociology prof responded: “And you’ve been in power for 14 years.”

Here, quick, give the Taoiseach another baby for kissing, I said quick.

And then there was that John McGahon, who’s running for the Dail as a Fine Gael candidate.

Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly delivered with both barrels.

“Today an interview has been published with the victim of a violent assault by Fine Gael general election candidate and Senator John McGahon. It is clear to anyone who saw the photographs that this was a serious assault with the victim requiring hospital treatment. Footage of the assault is also in circulation and it is deeply shocking. Previous attempt by the Taoiseach to depict this as a ‘scuffle’ are false.”

So false that it cost Mr McGahon some  39,000 euro.

Expensive and embarrassing, but maybe McGahon can promise his constituents that he’ll fight for their interests in the Dail. The pictures at the top, by the way, are of Senator McGahon and  Breen White after McGahon had scuffled him. White’s the one not smiling.

I’m guessing Simon Harris is hoping for better days, with fewer gobby profs, fewer dicey FG candidates and more simply adorable babies.