General Irish politics discussion thread

I assume you are including old in the chronic condition bit.

I'm not sure they will. Their current level of popularity is only really based on protest votes, ideas that require magic money tree economics, and people in lower socioeconomic areas. IMO they pretty much peaked last time. A maintained % share with a few more seats would be a big win for them IMO.

It's a big jump from low to mid 30 percentage points to over 50 percentage points. They can't rely on a coalition of the left, and I really dont see FG going in with them. That leaves FF + SF as the only option and even at that I'm not sure FF would or could do it without a leadership contest. Furthermore, if SF get into bed with FF, you can guarantee they will be hammered by a lot of their protest votes.

I'm a FG voter, since 2011, was a FF voter from 2007 and before. I don't think any of the above is biased by my political view. I do agree that there needs to be a reform for social housing. HAP needs to go.

I was holding my nose voting FG in 2020. Come 2024 they won't get it. Neither will FF. For me that in practice gives me a choice of SF and not voting, which ain't great. Suspect many people are in same position.

Seriously thought it was going to be FF+SF last time and that MM was going to get dumped to enable it.

SF + others could come within a hair's breadth of a majority. Professional parties like Labour and GP will do business with anyone, subject to the right platform. The question is whether the SocDems and a few other independents will get off the fence and consider taking responsibility for actually doing stuff for a change.

It would be difficult for SF for sure, but the motivation of being the very dominant party in a government would be very strong. It would be a lot easier for them to control a few small parties rather than one decent sized party.

I don't think AAA etc are an option for government at all. They've stated as much themselves, they just want to sit on the ditch moaning.

What small parties though. Labour numbers are only getting worse and SD and Green voters are too middle class to risk a Sinn Fein coalition. Although the Greens might have a policy of backing anyone who gives them enough green policy.

AAAPBPCPSPSWP are nowhere near the numbers needed to help out and if SF run the number of candidates they should have last time the biggest casualties will be PBP.

Not sure how many independents they can count on but that's no way to run a government anyway.

PBP accused Sinn Fein of not seriously negotiating. Wrote an open letter which effectively said that they had a brief conversation with Eoin O'Broin and nothing else.

FF never opened the door to a coalition with SF, despite what some commentators desperately want to believe. In reality, Sinn Fein were never serious about forming a government after the last election. FG, intent on going into opposition, had to step up for the country's sake and form a government.

Labour, SD and Green specifically. They'll all have their challenges, but the prospect of a Ministerial post or two is very tempting.

TBH, if SF have to go into power (and they probably do at this stage), I'd be happier if they have some people with them who have been in Government before and know how things work.

I still don't think the numbers are there because none of the parties about are growing. Shortall is doing well at keeping the base happy, Zapone is useless and neither party have any young firebrands coming up.

The problem in Irish politics is summed up in this.

Maybe they need tutoring in what is 'credible'.

Here again, we have a senior government minister trying to shut down inquiry, when 6 opposition groupings want further clarification. They are doing that because what Paschal has offered so far isn't credible.

I just picked a round number in fairness. My GP is 60e and think that's amongst the cheapest.

Actually seeing your GP once a year for a checkup should definitely be available. Early detection of issues is important.

Don't forget this country allows PRSI payments for teeth checkups and cleaning but not more important parts of the body.

Notable abscence of FF TD's for Paschal's statement.

The stuff that has minor PRSI contributions is not tax deductible. Still doesn't work out as the same contribution towards costs though.

I don't think there's many edge cases who are not paying tax but also don't have a medical card - stay at home parents (or those working small hours) who don't want to fudge and have the other parent claim the refund possibly

It has been claimed before that the PRSI reduced/free optical and dental services are because there is no tax relief on them, and vice versa.

There is tax relief on doctors and prescriptions

The politics of outrage win out every day. Easy for the opposition to shout and roar about inconsequential issues that they don't have to offer realistic solutions for.