In The Name Of God, Go

at

90418031

Too soon?

How long will this useless government last?

‘sheet political analyst Shane Heneghan writes:

Fianna Fáil have put themselves on a tight rope trying to balance leadership of the opposition and prop up the government on issues of confidence and supply. The incentive for them to pull the plug in the event of them performing well in a few stray polls may prove unbearable.

Fine Gael may not be in too different a position to them and may feel the lure of another election in time if this arrangement starts to feel more and more like a hostage situation.

Unless, of course, Stockholm syndrome takes over and given how close the pair of them are ideologically that idea is not to be ruled out.

Sinn Féin probably stand to benefit the most from the situation as they can easily portray this deal as a cosy elite consensus that offers no real leadership. Only Gerry Adams’ twitter account stands between them and more gains.

Unless, of course Labour make a decent crack at recovery. It was interesting to see them vote against Kenny’s final nomination and it will be fascinating to see if any of their grievances from the last government are exposed or leaked in the coming weeks and months.

One of the issues Labour campaigned on was a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment. If they are wise and if they can, they should table a vote on the matter in the Dáil.

It won’t pass, of course, but it will be interesting for voters to see where certain members stand on the issue- particularly Sinn Féin who have been remarkably ambiguous on the matter.

With the appointment of Katherine Zapponne there are now two openly LGBT senior members of cabinet out of 15 – that’s 13% – a European/International record perhaps?

This is, of course, another small victory in terms of visibility and representation. But perhaps what’s more progressive still is that no one even bats an eye lid at this – it’s simply not an issue any more.

Shane Heneghan is a Brussels-based psepholig sepho  psiv  poltical scientist person.

Related: The 32nd Dáil: A Look Ahead

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24 thoughts on “In The Name Of God, Go

  1. They Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab

    @ ahjaysiz

    Heneghan puts the % gayness factor at 13% – controversial

    care to comment?

    1. ahjayzis

      I think all I said was ‘over 10%’ though right?

      i.e. they say gays make up about 10% of the population.

  2. pissedasanewt

    Why doesn’t Paddypower have odds on the first minister to walk in order to bring down the gov. My money would be on Shane Ross. He’s dying to stand on the steps of Leinster house with the camera’s on him and pontificate how he is leaving government because *insert stupid reason here*, can’t work in these conditions.. blah blah blah..

    1. Frilly Keane

      If he goes I reckon it’ll have sum’ting to do with Josepha getting sum’ting to announce or a call up

      My money is on Zappo who needs sum’ting going into an election

        1. A Certain Ratio

          Is there any chance we can get an automatic spell-checker for these moronic contractions “sum’ting” etc? Irritating beyond belief.

  3. Willie Banjo

    The parts in bold don’t seem to be links (pity) but maybe these are the bits he shouts?

  4. DubLoony

    There is a term called pink washing bandied about. Where showing your support for LGBT issues (after Labour championed them) shows how progressive you are.
    Ignoring issues such as erosion of steady work, low pay, income gaps, failing public services etc.

  5. jack johnson

    Seemingly if you play the LGBT card you can get away with being a total fascist – not only that but are lauded for it – great little country

    1. Clampers Outside!

      Nah, it’s just that there are just as many dicks in the LGBT community as there is in the non-LGBT community. And politics attracts dicks of all colours.

    2. some old queen

      Both of those people are there for reasons other than being gay and if you cannot see that then you really have issues to address?

      1. jack johnson

        I care that they are fascists and/or supporters of such not so much their sexuality – you seem to have issues yourself

        1. some old queen

          You are the one bringing sexuality into it, not me. Just out of interest, in what way do you think they playing the LGBT card?

          1. some old queen

            Deary?

            All Shane was state the fact that 2 out of 15 was a reasonable repsentation. He never mentioned playing an LGBT card, you did?

        2. ahjayzis

          They’re probably not fascists. They’re hardly going to gas themselves now are they?

  6. BlackRock Ronán

    Zappone will be the one to bring the lot crashing down. If she wasn’t gay there would be uproar over expenses. .
    But, no, instead the Irish Times middle class muffia concentrate their mid-morning coffee with the girls yummy-mummy angst on the Healey-Raes as a convenient distraction.
    Where’s Ronan Burtenshaw and the Centre for Progressive Change on this? Come on, let’s see Village Magazine cover Zappone’s expenses in the next issue. I suppose Ivana Bacik won’t be providing any more legal services for her now…

    1. jack johnson

      +1

      She has gotten away far too lightly with the whole ‘no story here’ angle she took. I’ll say something for her, she’s a quick learner !

  7. Rory

    The comments seem to have descended into a lot of mud slinging but I enjoyed the article!

    It seems like Irish politics is\or at least is possibly being forced to become as progressive as the people on the Island!

    The 13% make up of openly gay senior members of the cabinet is a great thing. I hope there’s at least some compromise forthcoming with the 8th amendment soon. At times of uncertainty such as now, it could be a great opportunity to start shaking things up!

    Also, excellent point about Labour proposing a vote. It would be great for it all to be put out on the table. Particularly ahead of the next vote.

    Keep up the great work, Shane!

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