FF/FG/Green Government - Part 3 - Threadbanned User List in OP

I'm sure the families of those who died in care homes and those who died due to "a meaningful Christmas" take solace in comparative stats.

You are correct, children's education suffered badly because of school closures, but if you remember correctly there was huge criticism of the government from the usual sources (populist opposition parties, trade unions, disgruntled posters) when they kept the schools open as much as they could.

I was wondering why we hadn't had a poll update recently from the resident experts and why this thread had gone quiet. So I had a look and I discovered that Red C had published a poll yesterday.

It seems that the recent increase in support for FG is moving outside the margin of error and they are now well above their general election performance. Seems strange when so many were predicting their demise.

Do they forget that its OUR money being spent on that hospital??? the arrogance telling us we don't need to know what they think its going to cost, between this and the shambles yesterday of ministers trying to defend the indefensible of the bankers bonus they have really really pissed off people in this country

Whilst not a fan of the current government I agree with this. I don't think government positions should be traded around. A change of Taoiseach should really involve a general election and a mandate from the people.

"it is difficult to see how Fianna Fáil would be attracted by the prospect of becoming the junior partner of Sinn Féin rather than the equal partner of Fine Gael."

I have been saying this for quite a while. A variation of the current coalition is the most likely option after the next election.

Next most likely option is the FF/SF government, but it would require a much stronger FF and a weaker SF.

Isn't it wonderful - Fine Gael taking the reins again and all basic services in a shambles and getting worse year on year. 2023 will be a very telling year.

Some headlines this week

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has expressed "dismay that the Government is on course to miss waiting list reduction targets for 2022 by a significant margin".

Hospitals under record levels of pressure as patient in one Munster A&E waits 5 DAYS for bed.

Scene of 'total chaos' outside Drogheda hospital as 11 ambulances can't leave due to lack of beds.

Hospital overcrowding: Patient waited 116 hours on trolley, report finds.

Health watchdog Hiqa has warned patients are not protected from harm in 3 out of 7 hospital emergency departments inspected with at least one patient waiting 116 hours on a trolley.

The housing crisis is spilling out into a social crisis for the education, health and business sectors, the Dáil has heard.

Various reports have highlighted that Ireland’s rents and housing prices are soaring amid a severe shortage of supply, with homeless figures reaching all-time highs for four consecutive months.

Rents have increased four-and-a-half times faster in Ireland than in Europe over the last decade.

Housing crisis threatens education system

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Well done FFG. You are alienating voters every single day. Long may it last.

Very interesting week actually. 2 things stood out.

Mary Lou did not get nominated for Taoiseach. Why not? SF are 'calling' for an election but they 100% do not want one. Who would want to take power now with all the problems FFG have created as interest/inflation rates rising and a recession looming in 2023. None of the opposition want an election now. And Leaky Leo is way more toxic than Martin - timing works perfectly.

FF have been trying to distance themselves from the housing disaster and FG's cuckoo fund love-in. I keep hearing this phrase from FF TDs - "we inherited a housing situation caused by 10 years of no building". It's always that word "inherited". I think they are sowing the seeds for their defence of the housing crisis in 2024. However SF's motion of no confidence has meant that O'Brien will keep housing which isn't what FF want.

Interesting times ahead.

I guess.

Although the volume of posts on the handover/reshuffle in this thread an the irish Politics one may reflect the level of interest in the subject even among the nerds on here...

That clown couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery let alone have the final decision on running the country.

He's the Irish version of Clark Griswold.