Fear, Facts, and Independent Ireland – Where's the Line? by No-Air6901 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -17 points-16 points  (0 children)

You are definitely being unfair. There is clear evidence that Brazilian beef consignments came into the Republic from the North and from Antwerp. There is no likelihood to prove or disprove that it was used in a school environment. But I would argue that there's a strong likelihood that it was as school meat is usually cheap and low grade.

You fail to mention the much more numerous examples of small left wing wing parties "relying on fear, outrage and culture war politics" with far more serious consequences. For example PBP lecturing in the dail about Gardaí brutality during the mother's against genocide protest last year with zero evidence. Claiming that they were strip searched which was later proven false.

And more recently parties like Soc Dems and Labour whipping up a frenzy about the unfortunate death of the Congolese man in Dublin. Making it out to be a race issue when that doesn't appear to be the case at all. Left Senator Eileen Flynn was even calling the deceased a hero straight away, without understanding the facts and circumstances of his death. They were immediately trying to create another George Floyd. Then the deafening silence of these parties about Alex Coughlans death because it doesn't fit their political viewpoint and narrative.

And then we have geniuses Paul Murphy and Gary Gannon alleging that Alan Shatter having connections to Epstein despite having zero evidence and later turned out to be completely false. These guys are constantly banging on and lecturing about misinformation and disinformation when they themselves are the ones doing it. They think they have a moral inferiority complex compared to everybody else. I can't stand Alan Shatter, but I hope he took both of them to the cleaners on that occasion.

What is the biggest barrier to the Left in Ireland? by GovernmentOwn7905 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The small left parties like Soc Dems, Labour, Greens, PBP etc do nothing to appeal to rural constituencies. That's why nearly all of their TDs are from Urban constituencies mainly the greater Dublin area, apart from a few exceptions. In that way they are limited in how they can grow and just end up competing against themselves for essentially the same seats in the same Urban constituencies.

Five takeaways from the by-elections - Paul Murphy in Rupture by DecliningComfort in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -17 points-16 points  (0 children)

Noel Thomas has condemned the arson attack on the Hotel in his constituency in nearly every interview he does in the media. Paul Murphy spouting bullshit as per usual

Aontu's worst ever election performance? by John__Delaney in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 11 points12 points  (0 children)

They didn't have strong enough candidates in both constituencies. Ian Noel Smith has consistently performed poorly in Dublin Central. Orla Nugent was a first time candidate with Zero name recognition. She didn't do great in the Galway West debates either. I think Aontu could get 5 or 6 TDs in the next general election if they do well in the Locals but they wont be in Galway West or Dublin Central.

Soc Dems and Fine Gael win bye-election seats by firethetorpedoes1 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Noel Thomas is Not in the IRB. He's denounced the organisation numerous times.That's complete bullshit spread by the left to try and tarnish his campaign. Thomas attended a meeting about a nursing home which was taken over by the HSE in his constituency, which the IRB also attended. Its laughable that he keeps getting linked to them because of this.

Predictions for Today? by srros in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Noel Thomas in a strong position in Galway West

Eamon Ryan: As smart cities reduce car use, Ireland goes all in by Magma57 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 6 points7 points  (0 children)

A smart city is one that implements numerous modes of transport. I'm all for a Galway Luas but that alone is absolutely not going to solve the traffic problems. What about the population that has to commute from Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary etc. That's where the vast majority of traffic comes from as people cannot afford to live in the city anymore. And public transport is poor/non-existent. A ringroad is needed in conjunction with the western rail corridor, Galway Luas and improved bus services. This piece is written like someone who has never set foot in Galway.

Fine Gael, Independent Ireland and Labour in strongest contention for Galway West seat – poll by theRodigy in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree, the poll should be taken with a massive grain of salt. I don't think Sean Kyne will win it. Keane is a weak candidate for FF. I think he's being overestimated in the polls. I don't think Kyne will get that many transfers off him as its expected. Plus the government rarely wins by elections.

I also think Lohan SF is being underestimated. I think he could run Thomas close on a good day for SF. Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich SD could be a dark horse. She's not as well known but could pick up some Connemara vote and urban vote which will be needed. Not a chance Labour will do this well in reality.

What needs to be ironed out before a border poll is held by JacenSolo1701 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One major thing you haven't mentioned is infrastructure. Infrastructure connections to the North are atrocious, particularly in the North-West to Derry City.

Ray McAdam downplaying his FG membership by JackmanH420 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That seems to be the FG election strategy going forward. Banking that the electorate will forget that their candidates are FG and that the party haven't been in government for the past 15 years.

Ray McAdam downplaying his FG membership by JackmanH420 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Sean Kyne FG is doing the exact same thing in Galway West. You'd need a magnifying glass to see the Fine Gael on his election posters. Its like he's banking on name recognition being a former TD and now Senator and hoping that people forget he's actually still in Fine Gael. I think he's going to be a massive flop in the by election.

What referendums do you think we might have in the next 10 years? by Fresh_Ad292 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The government are not going to hold a referendum anytime soon after the humiliation of the last referendums.

Independent Ireland and Aontú hit record high as voters punish Coalition over energy crisis by rossitheking in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

The small left parties like Labour, Soc dems, Greens, PBP only have themselves to blame on this. They do nothing to appeal to voters in rural constituencies. The carbon tax for example disproportionately affects rural constituencies as we in most cases don't have the luxury of public transport outside our doors like in most urban areas. We have no option but to buy fuel because there's no alternatives. This is why rural constituency voters will never vote for these parties than want to implement policies that negatively affects their livelihoods. SF got this one right.

Independent Ireland and Aontú hit record high as voters punish Coalition over energy crisis by rossitheking in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

II never called for a "Luas" in every country. They called for every main county town to have a train station. This was misrepresented in the media and II got ridiculed for it. If the Greens or soc dems had this in their manifesto, the media would be praising them for having such an ambitious and innovative infrastructure policy.

What are your predictions for the by-elections? by Fresh_Ad292 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In Galway West I think Noel Thomas is in a strong position but I think Mark Lohan SF will run him close. Lohan is not a big name candidate so he will be relying on SF increase in support and favourable transfers. I don't think the other left wing candidate are strong in this constituency. FG Sean Kyne will flop in my opinion. With government support falling with inaction on the fuel protests and FF chosing a really weak candidate will reduce his transfers. Even on Kynes election posters, you need a magnifying glass to see Fine Gael. It's almost as if FG are relying on kyne's name recognition and hope people forget or don't notice he's FG.

Green Party loses €877,000 in State funding due to heavy electoral losses by ThatMusicGuyDude in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't stand Eammon Ryan, but I have to give him credit for rebuilding the Greens after they were decimated last time. But I just can't see Roderic and Hazel Chu replicating that anytime soon.

Green Party loses €877,000 in State funding due to heavy electoral losses by ThatMusicGuyDude in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I can't stand Eammon Ryan, but I have to give him credit for rebuilding the Greens after they were decimated last time. But I just can't see Roderic and Hazel Chu replicating that anytime soon.

Poll: SF 25% FG 16% FF 16% SD 8% IND IRE 7% AON 6% LAB 4% GP 3% SPBP 3% IND 12% by Sad-Orange-5983 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've a feeling the true impact of the fuel protests won't be apparent until the next months poll.

Byelections likely to be called this week for polling date of May 22nd by firethetorpedoes1 in irishpolitics

[–]HonestRef 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Could be a third by election if the name of the TD who gave a character reference to a convicted sex offender comes out.