EX FG voters, why have you stopped supporting them?

I can't remember a worse Cabinet, and that is saying something given our history.

McEntee and Harris look like/behave like they should be accompanied into work with their moms, they get very emotional very quick, I think the job is too much for them.

With everything that's wrong with FG politics, moaning about welfare just comes across as petty minded really.

Their policies of ignoring serious issues affecting people, especially younger people, which is setting up a generational timebomb of future difficulties is the main reason most FG'ers of a certain age are turning away from them. There are several early 30 somethings from dyed-in-the-wool FG families that I know that have fully rejected them because FG policy, especially with regards to housing, has left them in the dark as to where and how they're going to live in 20 years time.

And they're right too.

Quit your job and go the dole, if it's so great.

If you think you're going to be living the high life you're in for a big surprise. 😉

I know your form.

I won't rise to it.

You've attempted to bring in US politics into this thread a few times now.

And, there are plenty of other threads discussing American politics, I suggest you go there, I have linked a Fg politician addressing the very issue we are discussing here, it is beyond absurd you'd deny it's happening, but...on form for you!!! I've no doubt you'll accuse me being a far right anti vaxxer or some other nonsense, but like I said, I won't rise to it, I know your form!

I might still vote them as the best of a bad bunch, more likely to go local candidate.

Reasons why

Constantly throwing money at a problem and kicking it down the road with no effort to solve. Indeed an absolute neglect of understanding consequences in general

Naked populism, they might as well be Fine Fein at times

An absolute avoidance of hard decisions, and instead taking the short term "easier media ride"

A lack of discussion of important issues

Disappointment

A quote from the Irish times today really sums it up -

if people actually met Varadkar in person - nobody would vote for him....this says it all

I'm an FG activist and my biggest complaint for ages now, is the failure to shout achievements from the rooftops.

Is the Country going through tough times? Yes. Is the failure to galvanise home building a major social problem? Yes.

But...

• Ireland weathered a global pandemic better than almost any western nation, both economically and from a health outcome perspective.
• The work of Irish Governments for the last 11 years enabled an economic recovery of such magnitude, that the Govt of 2020 could start writing cheques for just about any Covid protection measure. This also ensured the bounce back was swift and strong.
• Ireland has full employment and very high incomes. This is a massive cushion against very many challenges.
• Thanks to successive Governments, Ireland has decoupled itself from British economic dependence and while Britain has been in Brexit convulsions and is basically circling the u-bend, Ireland has turned it into a colossal opportunity as the last remaining anglophone society within the EU.
• Ireland has become the most socially progressive society in the Western hemisphere in the last 10 years, with bodily autonomy and social equality being changed utterly, with the direct democratic assent of the people.
• Infrastructure: Universities, schools, motorways, national broadband, new hospitals coming, sporting facilities and arenas etc etc

I'm not saying the Government can take every bit of credit for this. There are strong lobbies and activism in Ireland too. The failings have been plenty too, mica, cervical check, hospital overcrowding, pay issues in major sectors. I recognise this.

But unless FG shout the good stuff loud and try to connect with the aspirational, liberal, working family; they will sleep walk into an era of SF led coalition, which they really have no right to inherit without a massive scrap from the centre right.

So the answer, is more unashamed Fine Gaelness

What the actual fcuk are you talking about?

Our economy is based on our ability to attract FDI. It allows offers our citizens well paid jobs they wouldn't ordinarily find here. The UK economy is much different to ours...they have a strong entrepreneurial culture that we simply don't have...it is of course standing to us now as the Global Economy and those companies that trade in it, have been doing very well over the last two decades.

Now, there are of course benefits to all that FDI, the problem is how sustainable is it over the next few decades, because our economy is a one trick pony, and if rent/accomodation prices remain high we won't be able to attract that investment like we used to!

We have the highest jobless households in the EU ( https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/higher-than-average-share-of-jobless-households-in-republic-1.4758066 ) at a rate of 12%, these people are not showing up in our unemployment numbers.

As for socially progressive??? We have always thought of ourselves as socially progressive....the ideology has changed, that is all....as far as I can see, we are just forcing the herd mentality on our people just like we used to...

We are deluded if we think our economy is booming, the Global companies that are here are booming, not us, we do benefit, we are not creating that boom!! So, with the youngest populations in Europe, we were always going to perform better than our European neighbours during Covid, Houlihan, Donnelly etc were no geniuses, quiet the opposite in fact...during the pandemic, many of those Global firms here boomed.

How anyone can suggest that our health bureaucrats are somehow more competent than those in other countries and keep a straight face is a complete mystery to me, our health service is shambolic,run by thundering incompetants.

I'm sure you'll fool a few at the doors come election time, just keep mentioning the word "science" in every sentence!!! Just run if they ask you to define what a woman is, or call them far right or whatever!

On the point of 'if the economy is booming'.

I came back from years overseas, I can tell you that Irelands local economy, while much better than recession day, and towns looking better, feels decidedly sub par and very far from booming. Not much exuberant spending out there cos most folks dont have extra cash.

Cars are getting older, dont see many flash cars. A lot of folks use escooters to save money. Plenty of empty units in the snubrbs, lack of decent restaurants in places.

High streets full of bookies , charity shops and takeaways.

Low unemployment but curiously not booming that is for sure Duin feels very busy , crowded , but also feels like a lot of immigrants are working in low paid jobs, they don't spend much either.

That’s true they give sweet fcuk all to anyone that actuality loses their job and is genuine. The system cushions the life spongers

Can you please explain how full unemployment is arrived at and what exclusions are applied?

We have a very low work intensity in households so not sure how both match up.

And this is only if you know, it's something I have struggled to find, and genuinely curious

The unemployed/bone idle should be worshipping at Leo’s altar. FG give them everything of the fruits of the supposedly amazing economy FG “create”.