Ireland's Sinn Fein demands place in government at Dublin rally

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Ireland's Sinn Fein demands place in government at Dublin rally

By Conor Humphries

 

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald speaks at a public meeting Liberty Hall in Dublin, Ireland February 25, 2020. REUTERS/Lorraine O'Sullivan

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish left-wing nationalists Sinn Fein demanded a place in Ireland's next government on Tuesday at a packed rally in Dublin, saying the country's two dominant centre-right parties were trying block voters' demand for change.

 

Sinn Fein shocked the Irish political establishment in an election earlier this month by securing more votes than any other party for the first time, almost doubling its vote to 24.5% on a vow to fix the country's housing and health systems.

 

But it has been frozen out of government talks by centre-right rivals, Fianna Fail and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael, who have both refused to contemplate sharing power due to policy differences and Sinn Fein's history as the political wing of the Irish Republican Army.

 

The two parties, who have alternated in power for 100 years, on Tuesday held talks about possibly sharing power for the first time.

 

"They are doing everything they can to keep people who voted for us out of government," Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told a packed hall of 500 people, with a couple of hundred more waiting in freezing wind outside. "Sinn Fein wants to be in government and we want to deliver."

 

"To the parties that have decided they do not want to speak to us, I say this: We respect your mandate. Now it is time that you respect ours," she said.

 

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Sinn Fein does not operate to the same democratic standards held to by every other party and that McDonald had praised units of the IRA.

 

McDonald, who took over from Gerry Adams in 2018 and has no direct link to the IRA's role in the three decades of violence in Northern Ireland that ended in 1998, rejected the statement and said Martin was "exuding bile."

 

Varadkar has described the series of rallies Sinn Fein is holding across the country as part of a "campaign of intimidation and bullying," a statement ridiculed by the party.

 

Asked if Sinn Fein planned to take their fight to the streets, McDonald said her focus was on talks with other parties. "The numbers will stand or fall within the Dail (parliament)," she said.

 

Fine Gael won 35 seats in the 160-seat house to the 37 each held by Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein.

 

Sinn Fein's best chance of entering government appeared to be a tie-up with Fianna Fail, whose opposition has been slightly softer than that of Fine Gael, but Martin has repeatedly ruled that out. Most observers agree a government between Sinn Fein and several smaller left parties and independent members of parliament is unrealistic.

 

All sides predict it will take several weeks to form a government with the risk of a second election if talks fail, with analysts predicting Sinn Fein would be best placed to increase their seat numbers.

 

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Tom Brown)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-26

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[melvinmelvin]

 

Interesting that a left-wing congregation gains traction in fairly conservative Ireland.

 

Most countries in Europe are presently experiencing right-wing dominance.

 

 

[bipper]

17 minutes ago, melvinmelvin said:

 

Interesting that a left-wing congregation gains traction in fairly conservative Ireland.

 

Most countries in Europe are presently experiencing right-wing dominance.

 

Not really if you know the history. There are extreme housing and health crises that successive right wing governments failed to tackle along with the highest growth in the EU for 3 years running and 13 years of austerity. People are sick of it.

 

Edited February 25, 2020 by bipper
Grammar

[DefaultName]

If they don't get what they want, we know what will happen.  Nobody wants a resurgence of The Troubles in Southern Ireland, but how could anyone cooperate with these people.  If I called them what I really think of them, I'd get banned and I like this forum.

 

I'm Scots and knew several people who got killed in Northern Ireland by these people, so forgive me if I appear harsh.

[joebrown]

1 hour ago, DefaultName said:

If they don't get what they want, we know what will happen.  Nobody wants a resurgence of The Troubles in Southern Ireland, but how could anyone cooperate with these people.  If I called them what I really think of them, I'd get banned and I like this forum.

 

I'm Scots and knew several people who got killed in Northern Ireland by these people, so forgive me if I appear harsh.

"If I called them what I really think of them, I'd get banned and I like this forum."

Me too. I was in New Street, Birmingham. about 100yds from the Tavern in the Town when the bomb exploded. Forgive and forget? NEVER.

[sawadee1947]

That's the right move! 

They should opt for PM post. 

Rule Ireland and go for reunification ????

[Brigand]

Nothing wrong with a united Ireland if that is what the Northern Irish want. Problem is, who's in charge? If it is this bunch of mafia criminals hiding behind a female that claims to be left wing then folks are pretty deluded. The Army Council of the old IRA is still in control and calls the shots ...this woman is just the PR puppet that is being told to walk a tightrope so she doesn't upset either the snowflakes that remember nothing or the dark side that still lurks everywhere having hidden once the US decided that terrorism isn't OK (that's why a peace deal came around really). 

[Baerboxer]

8 minutes ago, Brigand said:

Nothing wrong with a united Ireland if that is what the Northern Irish want. Problem is, who's in charge? If it is this bunch of mafia criminals hiding behind a female that claims to be left wing then folks are pretty deluded. The Army Council of the old IRA is still in control and calls the shots ...this woman is just the PR puppet that is being told to walk a tightrope so she doesn't upset either the snowflakes that remember nothing or the dark side that still lurks everywhere having hidden once the US decided that terrorism isn't OK (that's why a peace deal came around really). 

 

I agree. The only reason the Provisional IRA were even prepared to discuss peace was because the USA declared it's War on Terrorism. As a terrorist organization the IRA would have been targeted and the NORAID funds ceased.

 

 

[Scot123]

5 hours ago, DefaultName said:

If they don't get what they want, we know what will happen.  Nobody wants a resurgence of The Troubles in Southern Ireland, but how could anyone cooperate with these people.  If I called them what I really think of them, I'd get banned and I like this forum.

 

I'm Scots and knew several people who got killed in Northern Ireland by these people, so forgive me if I appear harsh.

Your not the only one. I read this last week and my first reaction was lol! Why you may ask yourself? Reap what you sow!!! I have to shake my head when I hear but they are politicians..... NO THEY ARE NOT! They are MAFIA who use terrorism and SHEEPLE follow them. Martin I hope you are having a great time RIH but don't worry Gerry will join you soon. 

[Nigel Garvie]

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

I agree. The only reason the Provisional IRA were even prepared to discuss peace was because the USA declared it's War on Terrorism. As a terrorist organization the IRA would have been targeted and the NORAID funds ceased.

 

 

Maybe the US should cut off Israeli money and then we might see some sense from them also.

 

But to topic:- Just to give a little bit of balance, If people are busy doing so much remembering they should remember the UDA (Still hand in glove with the DUP) and the UDF, as well, let alone the Derry massacre and the bloody hands of the British government. What the RoE establishment really don't like about Sinn Fein is that they are left wing, and could damage the embedded interests of the two other parties, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The IRA link is moribund, and just a stick to beat them with. People are fed up with the status quo, rather like the band which only knew 4 chords!

[bipper]

5 hours ago, joebrown said:

"If I called them what I really think of them, I'd get banned and I like this forum."

Me too. I was in New Street, Birmingham. about 100yds from the Tavern in the Town when the bomb exploded. Forgive and forget? NEVER.

Know how you feel. Back at you the same about the Paras who murdered 13 innocent civilians marching for civil rights on Bloody Sunday and was the main reason for Provo recruitment up until internment.

 

The fact is horror happened on both sides and it'll never change until people accept that and move on.

[melvinmelvin]

interesting the exchange of views here;

several are obviously opposed to SF getting into power positions, like the cabinet for example

 

fair enough

but we are talking about roughly the largest political party on the island

keeping SF out of any power position and just pretend they do not exist may be viewed

as kind of democracy deficiency

just ignoring all the voters that ticked SF ain't gonna bring about anything good

 

Sweden is currently facing similar problems

Germany also does

Norway has had similar problems in the past

 

Italy face different problems, they have taken the extreme guys to their heart

 

[evadgib]

2 hours ago, melvinmelvin said:

interesting the exchange of views here;

several are obviously opposed to SF getting into power positions, like the cabinet for example

 

fair enough

but we are talking about roughly the largest political party on the island

keeping SF out of any power position and just pretend they do not exist may be viewed

as kind of democracy deficiency

just ignoring all the voters that ticked SF ain't gonna bring about anything good

 

Sweden is currently facing similar problems

Germany also does

Norway has had similar problems in the past

 

Italy face different problems, they have taken the extreme guys to their heart

 

None of whom have had MP's assassinated in the car park, at home or in a hotel by disgruntled muppets claiming to be at war until they get caught & expecting the Geneva conventions to be followed to the letter in the other direction. 10 mins ago during PMQ's a question to that effect was raised in the house...

[melvinmelvin]

well

both Sweden and Germany has experienced some killings,

Sweden; on the street and in a shopping mag.

Germany; don't remember

 

[evadgib]

22 minutes ago, melvinmelvin said:

well

both Sweden and Germany has experienced some killings,

Sweden; on the street and in a shopping mag.

Germany; don't remember

 

I was well aware of that but as it was a one off dismissed it as not relevant to my point. SF/IRA were at it for 38 years and (to quote Adams); "They haven't gone away you know!"

Edited February 26, 2020 by evadgib

[melvinmelvin]

14 minutes ago, evadgib said:

I was well aware of that but as it was a one off dismissed it as not relevant to my point. SF/IRA were at it for 38 years and (to quote Adams); "They haven't gone away you know!"

well

but SF is what voters opted for --- ignore it or honor it?

 

who will take on the role; "I know better than the voters - I have determined that SF ain't good for you"

 

bit like if the Cons in UK had determined that Brexit ain't no good for you and no good for UK,

we stay in EU

 

 

[Bluespunk]

Respect the vote, enough of project fear...

[evadgib]

48 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Respect the vote, enough of project fear...

What a pity you & your fellow hypocrites didn't do same re the 2016 Brexit result or Boris's comprehensive thrashing of labour last December in the neibouring state on which ???????? largely depends.

[Bluespunk]

6 minutes ago, evadgib said:

What a pity you & your fellow hypocrites didn't do same re the 2016 Brexit result or Boris's comprehensive thrashing of labour last December in the neibouring state on which ???????? largely depends.

Really please quote where I called for a new vote?

[evadgib]

A predictable deflection that doesn't change your posting history.

Edited February 27, 2020 by evadgib

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, evadgib said:

A predictable deflection that doesn't change your posting history.

Typical deflection from someone who makes claims they cannot back up. 

[evadgib]

Baiting won't change your posting history any more than the virtue signalling did in #17.

 

Link of peripheral interest seen elsewhere:

 

Appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Edited February 27, 2020 by evadgib

[Bluespunk]

23 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Baiting won't change your posting history any more than the virtue signalling did in #17.

 

Link of peripheral interest seen elsewhere:

 

Appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

I’ll take that as an admission you are making false claims. 

[evadgib]

11 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

I’ll take that as an admission you are making false claims. 

Quote

Baiting won't change your posting history any more than the virtue signalling did in #17.

HTH

+

[Laughing Gravy]

SF demand and if we don't get then we will kill and terrorise women and children as that is what we have been good at doing.  Yes let them be part of the government. If that's what democracy is. I do like it when they get kicked in the 'ging gang' when a united Ireland gets kicked into touch.

 

Those sprouting democracy will be running for the hills like they normally do.

[evadgib]

4 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

SF demand and if we don't get then we will kill and terrorise women and children as that is what we have been good at doing.  Yes let them be part of the government. If that's what democracy is. I do like it when they get kicked in the 'ging gang' when a united Ireland gets kicked into touch.

 

Those sprouting democracy will be running for the hills like they normally do.

Col Richard Kemp has waded in on SF/IRA in the first 20 mins of this interview today:

 

Edited February 27, 2020 by evadgib

[melvinmelvin]

28 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Col Richard Kemp has waded in on SF/IRA in the first 20 mins of this interview today:

 

 

and so?

 

 

[metisdead]

A post using a trolling meme has been reported and removed. 

[evadgib]

13 hours ago, melvinmelvin said:

and so?

Confirmation (if any was necessary) that SF/IRA are one and the same ruthless organisation whose spots remain clearly visible...

[melvinmelvin]

2 hours ago, evadgib said:

Confirmation (if any was necessary) that SF/IRA are one and the same ruthless organisation whose spots remain clearly visible...

 

sweet jeez and double gosh

 

one shall read a lot of weirdities before the eyes fall out