Kenny & O`Donoghue

Grissom

I have to say I was dissappointed, but not surprised, to see Enda Kenny not coming out sooner in asking for John O`Donoghue`s resignation. He has had many opportunities over the last 11 weeks to do so but stopped short every time. Yet today Labour and Sinn Fein called for it, and only then did he endorse it. Is the man who would be Taoiseach capable of making tough decisions? I wonder......

Sully

With regards to Sinn Fein - they probably were a bit sneaky, as they would have known thats what Gilmore was planning (as per his letter) so decided to make the call in advance. Not sure on the Kenny matter tbh, but I think the call shocked most people. Kenny has been very vocal on this issue for sometime now, probably more then Gilmore etc.

Rebelheart

Grissom wrote: »

I have to say I was dissappointed, but not surprised, to see Enda Kenny not coming out sooner in asking for John O`Donoghue`s resignation. He has had many opportunities over the last 11 weeks to do so but stopped short every time. Yet today Labour and Sinn Fein called for it, and only then did he endorse it. Is the man who would be Taoiseach capable of making tough decisions? I wonder......

I agree entirely with you. In fairness, though, they were all far, far too slow. Kenny was just the slowest of the slow.

When it comes to keeping their unvouched for, receiptless expenses - expenses which frequently surpass their salaries - all members of the Oireachtas are in this together. Don't kid yourselves about this reality.

lugha

I get the impression that there was an understanding amongst the opposition parties to hold back until Lisbon II was out of the way They did pretty much get stuck in almost as soon as the last vote was counted.

Sully

lugha wrote: »

I get the impression that there was an understanding amongst the opposition parties to hold back until Lisbon II was out of the way They did pretty much get stuck in almost as soon as the last vote was counted.

Indeed, plus wait until he had a chance to explain. I think this sudden call from Gilmore was in response to Sinn Fein - someone needed to step up to the mark, and they decided to be the party backing them. Id have assumed the calls would have waited until after the gathering, and I guess Kenny didnt want to call for his head so soon. Id have prefered he was given a chance to respond before doing that.

spongeman

Its no small matter to do what Gilmore did today. Fair play.

Fair play to SF as well.

Enda bringing up the rear.

Pride Fighter

Gilmore is a leader, Kenny is not. It is that simple. If the Greens pull out of government the electorate will remeber today and give Labour a big bounce. Where FG were looking at getting 67-75 seats, they are now looking at 60-67. The latter figure means they will definitely have to go in with Labour. Had Kenny showed the balls and Leadership necessary he could have cobbled together a government without Labour with some independents and maybe the 1 or 2 Green TD's that may survive.

Kenny is inept, a useless leader, he constantly snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

Banter Joe

Kenny was saying this morning that all he wanted was for JOD to pay back the money, and sack the additonal staff.

Kenny took a bit of a jump from that stance to asking him to resign in the same day.

It definitely makes him seem a bit spineless in my estimation anyway.



Tuesday Morning:

"Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has demanded Mr Collins' sacking in return for supporting Mr O'Donoghue's continued presence in office."

- Irish Independant 06-10-09

Tuesday Night:

"Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also claims his position is no longer tenable and is calling for his resignation."

- Irish Independant 06-10-09

namloc1980

I would never have been a Labour supporter but I think Gilmore has really come on in the last few months and is definitely now showing good leadership qualities. What he did today was not an easy thing to do when you are a fairly small Dáil party with big ambitions calling for the Ceann Comhairle to resign. Kenny just looked inept and dithering on Six-One news earlier. Gilmore was much more impressive.

old boy

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Gilmore is a leader, Kenny is not. It is that simple. If the Greens pull out of government the electorate will remeber today and give Labour a big bounce.

Kenny is inept, a useless leader, he constantly snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

if we had a half decent opposition, f.f. would have been in the opposition benches long ago, i.m.o. rabbite and kenny were just bumbling along, this week kenny was like that clown cowen, bumbling along, kenny is like a sunday afternoon driver in an old escort holding the middle of the road, trying not to harm anybody, full of his own inability, BUT upsetting everyone and everything.

the groutch

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Gilmore is a leader, Kenny is not.

well said, the sooner Gilmore becomes Taoiseach the better (6/1 with paddy power to be next taoiseach if you're a betting man)

jank

Thing is though with Labour you will never get Public Sector reform. I like Gilmore but his economic polices are no good.

the groutch

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Where FG were looking at getting 67-75 seats, they are now looking at 60-67. The latter figure means they will definitely have to go in with Labour. Had Kenny showed the balls and Leadership necessary he could have cobbled together a government without Labour with some independents and maybe the 1 or 2 Green TD's that may survive.

can't agree with those numbers tbh, if labour's dublin support in the locals is replicated, they'll make sure FG get more like 55-60, and I can see Sinn Fein, PBP, SWP & Independents taking alot of last seats at the expense of FF/FGs 2nd candidates

Pride Fighter

the groutch wrote: »

can't agree with those numbers tbh, if labour's dublin support in the locals is replicated, they'll make sure FG get more like 55-60, and I can see Sinn Fein, PBP, SWP & Independents taking alot of last seats at the expense of FF/FGs 2nd candidates

I'd disagree with you there. I think Labour will get 2 seats in several Dublin constituencies and some gains in Leinster/Munster. They will do nothing in Connacht/Ulster. Labour will get 35 seats, FG over 60. FF 40-50.

Darragh29

Kenny again coming across as incapable of calling a spade a spade and calling for the man to resign. More evidence, if any was required, that the man is speaking out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to accountability and people being held to account in public office...

He is clearly unfit to run the country, at least Gilmore had the guts to hold the man to account to his face and call for him to resign or else tell him he would be booted out, that's the way we need to do business now when you have disgraced yourself and the office that you hold, either resign or be sacked, you choose which way you will be going, but either way, if you have disgraced yourself and the office you hold, then good luck to you...

av8rirl

Kenny is gutless and spineless... he should have been replaced a while ago. I know Leo Varadkar is both young and only new to the Dail but he seems coherent and not afraid to speak his mind when allowed. He seems to be very good with his facts too... Not saying he should replace him but he is a future FG leader IMO.

Gilmore has been doing a pretty good job since becoming leader of Labour... today he wasn't afraid to stand up and call for JOD's head!

Like others have said, I wouldn't be a Labour fan but they seem to be heading in the right direction popularity-wise due to their leader.

I wouldn't be a FG fan either...

Really not sure how I'd vote anymore! They all have plenty of faults!

Darragh29

av8rirl wrote: »

Kenny is gutless and spineless... he should have been replaced a while ago. I know Leo Varadkar is both young and only new to the Dail but he seems coherent and not afraid to speak his mind when allowed. He seems to be very good with his facts too... Not saying he should replace him but he is a future FG leader IMO.

Gilmore has been doing a pretty good job since becoming leader of Labour... today he wasn't afraid to stand up and call for JOD's head!

Like others have said, I wouldn't be a Labour fan but they seem to be heading in the right direction popularity-wise due to their leader.

I wouldn't be a FG fan either...

Really not sure how I'd vote anymore! They all have plenty of faults!

I had dealings with Leo Varadkar recently and I can tell you from experience the man is worse than useless, he has no grasp of entrepreneurship or business strategy. He hasn't a clue of his brief and is basically full of hot air, rattling off the usual soundbytes and waffle, with no substance behind his opinions...

av8rirl

I stand corrected so... have only seen his appearances on TV where he does talk a good show... seemed to be a good up and coming candidate to future leader of FG

P. Breathnach

av8rirl wrote: »

I stand corrected so... have only seen his appearances on TV where he does talk a good show...

It seems that way -- until you listen.

Darragh29

av8rirl wrote: »

I stand corrected so... have only seen his appearances on TV where he does talk a good show... seemed to be a good up and coming candidate to future leader of FG

Ah yeah, like the rest of them he comes acorss as semi-credible, fond of the bullsh*t and the sexy soundbytes, unfortunately the guy hasn't a acorn between his two ears.

ednwireland

never mind the gov. how long can kenny last, Surely FG have to ask him to stand down and put bruton in (cant see leo getting the gig hasnt been there long enough)

like another poster says, he keeps snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

partyguinness

Darragh29 wrote: »

I had dealings with Leo Varadkar recently and I can tell you from experience the man is worse than useless, he has no grasp of entrepreneurship or business strategy. He hasn't a clue of his brief and is basically full of hot air, rattling off the usual soundbytes and waffle, with no substance behind his opinions...

Of course he doesnt...he was elected in 2007 as a 28yr old MEDICAL DOCTOR....ffs.

What a joke...whatever happened to putting experts into their respective fields?

No wonder this country is a mess

Dail Eireann is full of auctioneers and teachers....:rolleyes:

I think the whole system needs to be over hauled like in the US...Barack Obamas advisors and cabinet are drawn from experts in their fields not beacuse they were the biggest bull****ters at the local Committee meeting...:mad:

Floppybits

I have to say I find Kenny gutless and not at all ruthless. If he is going to be a leader of the country or anything really he needs to be ruthless. This whole thing of giving JOD a chance is a farce, he should have been calling for his head when this first broke.

On another topic I think Gilmore call for JOD's resignation was not in response to Sinn Fein but I think it was more in response to Cowen refusal to meet with the party leaders to discuss the position of the CC. I think Cowen was calling Gilmore's bluff by refusing to meet party leaders and I think forced Gilmore to come out and do what he did. Would Gilmore have done this if Cowen had agreed to the meeting of party leaders? I think Cowen refusing to meet the party leaders as requested by Labour backfired and I dont think Cowen thought that they would actually call for him to resign.

Well that's me own two cents on the matter.

the_syco

ednwireland wrote: »

Surely FG have to ask him to stand down and put bruton in

I'd also like to get Bruton in, or at least someone with a spine. I miss the time when there was an opposition, although I may be thinking of another country: after 8 years, I'm unsure if there was ever a decent opposition...

Aidric

In many respects Kenny reminds me of a bumbling George W Bush. This country is crying out for a coherent strong opposition to cling on to, with a leader who has the pulse of the nation. I wonder sometimes if Enda has a pulse.

rasper

partyguinness wrote: »

Of course he doesnt...he was elected in 2007 as a 28yr old MEDICAL DOCTOR....ffs.

What a joke...whatever happened to putting experts into their respective fields?

No wonder this country is a mess

Dail Eireann is full of auctioneers and teachers....:rolleyes:

I think the whole system needs to be over hauled like in the US...Barack Obamas advisors and cabinet are drawn from experts in their fields not beacuse they were the biggest bull****ters at the local Committee meeting...:mad:

Too true, we need to take control out of the hands of "local politicians" who are incapable of making national decisions only parish pump politics, sickened my stomach to hear of the electorate in Caherciveen moaning about how JOD was scapegoated and I know he'll be guaranteed his seat in the upcoming GE either way all because he was able to mis allocate funds to buy him votes, I wonder is there any hope in this corrupt little island of ours at all.

dlofnep

Sully wrote: »

With regards to Sinn Fein - they probably were a bit sneaky, as they would have known thats what Gilmore was planning (as per his letter) so decided to make the call in advance.

What utter tripe. It hurts that Sinn Féin was on the ball on this issue. Nothing to do with being sneaky. Just a righteous move. Fair play to Gilmore too.

Sully wrote: »

Not sure on the Kenny matter tbh, but I think the call shocked most people. Kenny has been very vocal on this issue for sometime now, probably more then Gilmore etc

Kenny is a gutless coward. that's about the sum on it.

Sully

dlofnep wrote: »

What utter tripe. It hurts that Sinn Féin was on the ball on this issue. Nothing to do with being sneaky. Just a righteous move. Fair play to Gilmore too.

I generally found Sinn Fein down here pretty useless, so it would be a shock if they did something right. Labour seemed to call for this before Sinn Fein - they just spoke out much quicker, not waiting.

Kenny is a gutless coward. that's about the sum on it.

Come to think of it.. I aint heard much from Gerry Adams recently!

the groutch

Sully wrote: »

Come to think of it.. I aint heard much from Gerry Adams recently!

that's because Mary-Lou is the new party leader in all but title

dlofnep

Sully wrote: »

I generally found Sinn Fein down here pretty useless

Oh really? That's a bit of a flip-flop on this statement you had to say about local SF councillor, David Cullinane:

Sully wrote:

Dont know him personally but agree he does seem to do a lot of excellent work for Waterford. More so then other candidates from other partys I must say.

(Link: http://www.face.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=58707411&postcount=59)

So which is it Sully?

Sully wrote: »

so it would be a shock if they did something right.

Reactionary opinion tbh.

Sully wrote: »

Labour seemed to call for this before Sinn Fein - they just spoke out much quicker, not waiting.

At least Sinn Féin accepted Gilmore's invitation and I commend Gilmore for taking an initiative. SF had been asking for clarity on the issue for weeks.

Sully wrote: »

Come to think of it.. I aint heard much from Gerry Adams recently!

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin acted on behalf of the party, as leader of Sinn Féin in the Dáil. Your point is moot.

av8rirl

Sully wrote: »

Come to think of it.. I aint heard much from Gerry Adams recently!

Hardly anything at all since that dreadful night before the last GE when he was on the leaders debate with Pat Rabbitte, Michael McDowell, and Trevor Sargeant. What a dreadful letdown GA was that night... and almost disappeared since!