Talks between the Greens and Fianna Fail are proceeding along amiably enough - but the real crunch issues have, as always, been left to the last for resolution: that is, of course, if they can be resolved. (more…)
Labour TDs gathered in Leinster House today did not look like a bunch of people who have any hope of being in power in a few weeks time, either with Fianna Fail, or Fine Gael and a conglomeration of other parties. (more…)
Newly-elected TDs, and those who were up to so recently TDs, have begun to gather in numbers in Leinster House for a series of meetings to debate the fall-out from the election. (more…)
The Mahon Tribunal’s declaration today that it can find no record of a £30,000 sterling lodgement into Mr Ahern’s accounts from Manchester businessman, Michael Wall has placed a new ingredient into the coalition mix. (more…)
The mating ritual has begun, so disbelieve almost everything that you hear about Fianna Fail’s coalition options. Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath this morning cleverly raised the prospect that FF is just playing with them, while they talk to Labour on the side. (more…)
Somebody would really need to tell the Greens to be quiet for the next 48 hours until they get a better handle on how serious Fianna Fail is about trying to do a deal with the Progressive Democrats and the Independents. (more…)
Bertie Ahern is clearly setting his sights on bringing the Progressive Democrats and Independents such as Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath on board to form a new government, following FF’s stunning victory. (more…)
If one was under any doubt about Bertie Ahern’s current hatred of the media it was clearly on view for those who stayed up late to watch his television interview with RTE’s Mark Little. (more…)
It has been a hectic, and extraordinary day, and it is far from finished. Fianna Fail could end up winning between 75 and 80 seats, far more than even their most partisan supporters would have imagined a few days ago. (more…)
Every election holds surprises, and this one is proving to be no different, given indications from Dun Laoghaire that local campaigner, and anti-war activisit, Richard Boyd Barrett has polled extremely well. Up to 10%, if early tallies are right. (more…)
Fianna Fail has had a pretty dreadful day, following difficulties with the party’s proposal on hospitals and, later, a pretty awful performance by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on tonight’s RTE Six One News, which is well worth watching on the web for those who missed it live. (more…)
Twenty four hours on, Fine Gael and Labour continue to insist at headquarters level that The Irish Times poll giving Fianna Fail a five percentage point rise is a rogue finding that will be contradicted on polling day. (more…)
Fianna Fail today in Treasury Buildings were keen to maintain a sober display on foot of the latest Irish Times poll, as they privately expressed some doubt that the 41% first preference figure is correct. Instead, they believe it stands at, or around 39%. (more…)
Left downcast for much of the campaign, Fianna Fail’s humour this morning in Treasury Buildings was much improved on the back of positive poll findings from the Sunday Independent and The Sunday Business Post. (more…)
Given the latest polls, if confirmed on election day, the role of Sinn Fein looks like it will become increasingly significant in the final moments of this race, which is surely one of the most exciting in years. (more…)
THE LEADERS DEBATE: A full transcript of the RTE confrontation between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny on Thursday evening (more…)
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were both, predictably, insisting their man had won last night’s television debate, which attracted 1 million viewers - an audience comparable only with the Late, Late Toy Show, according to people in Montrose. (more…)
If you had not gathered it by now, many in Fianna Fail are deeply annoyed by the media’s coverage of the campaign, believing that journalists want a change of faces to report on over the next five years. (more…)
On second viewing, Michael McDowell most certainly scored several decent “hits” on Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams in last night’s RTE debate, though whether he actually did himself any good remains in question. (more…)
Bertie Ahern:
Today’s historic agreement marks a new beginning for all in Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and all on these islands. It’s a day we should treasure, a day when agreement and accommodation take the place of difference and division. Today is about the promise of a bright future; a day when a line is drawn under the bloody past. (more…)
It may be colourful, but the new Suzuki Splash causes few ripples