Democracy now!

[dahamsta]

I don't think so. I think we could actually be saddled with them again next time around unless the next government actually affects some change. Unfortunately we go around in circles in Ireland: FF destroys the country and puts us into recession, someone else starts cleaning it up but obviously has trouble with it, and FF get back in again on the back of that. We have short memories.

[Dodge]

I’ve said it before but FF will always have some share of the vote because they exist for one reason only; to get elected.

Despite their clearly right wing fiscal policies, Bertie tried to claim they were socialists. They call themselves the Republican party when it suits them. They’ll fight tooth and nail for every vote, until it looks like they’ll be turfed out and they talk about “national government”. – all to keep power.

As long as the parish pumpers keep the locals happy, FF will always be a power.

[Spudulika]

Listening to/half watching Cowen making a "passionate" speech in the Dail. He is a fraud and has been found out, he needs to be relieved of his duties and I think he'd be delighted with it. Joan Burton, for all her faults, made a show of him and Cowen is struggling. Until we get rid of family/clan leadership we're in an ever decreasing circle of misery.

FF will get a good vote in 2011, and be back fully in government because the country will be cowered into voting for "safe hands" by the bootlickers in the media.

[mypost]

The taoiseach's role is overplayed. Finance minister is more important now. The make up of the government is very, very much up in the air.

Next dail will have at least 7 parties represented IMO (FF, FG, Lab, SF, GP, Soc, PbP). A few indies too

The choice of government is either FG and Lab, or FG and Lab. As you can see, it's on a knife edge.

I don't think the Greens will keep a seat. The PD's lost 6 seats last time and are gone. In good times. So the Greens could lose all 6 next time. SF will increase from 5 seats, to join the other 3 parties. After that, it's Independents to make up the numbers.