I don’t even know how to explain this one but here’s Mary Lou McDonald doing the Macarena in a community centre in Dublin this morning pic.twitter.com/lbvdjuO61M
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) February 17, 2020
This morning/afternoon.
Thorncastle Street, Dublin 4.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and newly elected Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews doing the Macarena during an event in the Ringsend Irishtown Community Centre.
Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin TD and the porty’s chief negotiator in talks to form a new government
This morning.
On RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland.
[Sinn Féin TD] Eoin Ó Broin said while Sinn Féin’s preference was a left-wing coalition with the Social Democrats or the Green party the numbers are not there and that became clear on Tuesday after the General Election results.
“On Tuesday morning the broad progressive left had 66 TDs and that is not enough for government… What we have been saying since then is we want a government led by progressive left policies.”
Meanwhile…
…He (Micheál Martin) has said various things and there has not been clarity. Yesterday he suggested he is going to put Leo Varadkar back into office. If last week he wasn’t going talk to Fine Gael and now he is then he clearly changes his mind.”
Impossible for SF to form coalition government without FF or FG – Ó Broin (RTÉ)
Earlier: 50 Ways To Form A Government
Fianna Fáil’s Darragh O’Brien discusses the prospect of government formation and the possibility of his party entering coalition with Fine Gael.#RTEPT | @mcculld | @DarraghOBrienTD | @fiannafailparty pic.twitter.com/fQ2doHU5QO
— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) February 13, 2020
Tonight.
It’ll be grand.
Earlier…
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he would not rule out another general election https://t.co/FdQudboSXX
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 13, 2020
Tonight.
Via RTÉ
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One, Mr Martin said forming a government would be difficult, adding that the view of his party was that there are “irreconcilable differences” between Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin.
“I wouldn’t rule out another general election – this is going to be so difficult,” he said.
‘I would not rule out another election’ – Martin (RTÉ)
Earlier…
This afternoon/evening.
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
From top: Fianna Fáil TDs Sean Haughey, Niall Collins and Dara Colleary leaving a parliamentary party meeting…
Limerick County TD Niall Collins told Reuters that the party was fully behind not going into government with Sinn Féin.
He also said a possible coalition with Fine Gael was not really discussed at the meeting, and added it may not be possible to form a government.
Sinn Féin TDs elected last week
How wrong?
Horribly wrong.
Ahead of the general election, RTÉ’s political team predicted how the vote would go in each constituency online.
Many of RTÉ’s staff based their predictions on the 2019 local elections, during which Sinn Féin lost 78 seats across the country.
Here are some of the State broadcaster’s predictions versus the eventual results…
Cork East – four seats
RTÉ predicted: 2, Fianna Fáil (Kevin O’Keeffe and James O’Connor); 1, Fine Gael (David Stanton); 1, Labour (Seán Sherlock).
Of Sinn Féin TD and candidate Pat Buckley, the station said:
“Buckley stepped in as a new broom and kept the Sinn Fein seat in 2016. But his profile on the ground is said to be not what it needs to be…”
The result: Mr Buckley topped the poll and was elected on the first count with 12,587 votes, 23.1% of the first preference votes.
Labour’s Seán Sherlock took the second seat, Fine Gael’s David Stanton took the third and Fianna Fáil’s took the fourth seat – all on the eighth count.
Dublin Central – four seats
RTÉ predicted: 1, Fine Gael (Paschal Donohoe); 1, Sinn Féin (Mary Lou McDonald); and a battle between Social Democrats (Gary Gannon), Fianna Fáil (Mary Fitzpatrick) and Green Party (Nessa Hourigan) for the final two seats.
Of Sinn Féin candidate Mary Lou McDonald, the station said:
“Political observers will be closely watching the Sinn Féin leader’s vote after a series of disappointing results for the party in last May’s local elections. On that occasion, Sinn Féin said the party had failed to get its vote out. But recent opinion polls point to improved prospects for the party.”
The result: Mary Lou McDonald topped the poll and was elected on the first count with 11,223 votes, 35.7% of the first preference votes.
Green Party’s Neasa Hourigan took the second seat, Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe the third and Social Democrats’ Gary Gannon took the fourth, all on the ninth count.
This afternoon.
Leinster House, Dublin 2.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy Party leader Michelle O Neill on the Plinth after a meeting of newly elected Sinn Féin TDs at Buswells Hotel.
Earlier: No Lee Way
Meanwhile...
Hello you.
Off to the barbers?
HINT, HINT.
Tense exchanges here between @leeofthemail and Sinn Féin reps as the Mail political editor tries to ask a few questions pic.twitter.com/hTkVvw4Mlm
— Hugh O’Connell (@oconnellhugh) February 13, 2020
The freak out continues.
This morning.
Buswells Hotel, Dublin 2.
Obstreperous Irish Daily Mail Political Editor John Lee (pic 2 left) challenges Sinn Féin’s leadership, including Mary Lou McDonald, (top), on the industrial wage and other matters at a gathering of the party’s newly-elected TDs.
Mr Lee outlined the possibility of a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green Party ‘Grand’ coalition in this morning‘s Irish Daily Mail.
Update:
Drama at the Sinn Féin press conference as Irish Mail on Sunday political editor @leeofthemail asks why Mary Lou McDonald won’t take questions from the media. “It’s a bit regal not to take questions…..Why would you bring us all here if we’re not allowed ask questions?”#GE2020 pic.twitter.com/Uib3UmjWXG
— Áine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) February 13, 2020
Another angle.
From top: Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, Independent TD Denis Naughten, Fine Gael TD Simon Harris and Former deputy leader of Fianna Fáil Mary O’Rourke
This morning.
Official Ireland’s freak out continues.
On RTÉ’s Today With Seán O’Rourke.
Mr O’Rourke spoke to a number of politicians and former politicians, including former deputy leader of Fianna Fáil Mary O’Rourke; Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher; Independent TD Denis Naughten and Fine Gael TD Simon Harris.
Listeners were also informed that RTÉ had requested someone from Sinn Féin to join the show but this did not happen.
The panel discussion followed Fianna Fáil taking 38 Dáil seats (which includes the seat of the Ceann Comhairle); Sinn Féin 37; Fine Gael 35; Independents/Others 21; Green Party 12; Labour 6; Social Democrats 6; and Solidarity/People Before Profit 5, in the general election.
Former deputy leader of Fianna Fáil Mary O’Rourke said:
“Now, the momentum right now is with the Sinn Féin party and its leadership as they go around to gather like-minded people…”
“My belief now is that when that day comes [the election of a Taoiseach], when, if Mary Lou McDonald will be put forward as the leader of her party for the role of Taoiseach that Fianna Fáil should not participate in that vote…”
“…But for me now, I’m quite clear and I want it, to say it, we stick with Micheál Martin because for me and for many of my ilk, he is the person who is still the best to lead us out of the electoral difficulties in which we now find ourselves. You didn’t ask me about that but I’m telling you that.”
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher said:
“The idea that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would find some small party and coalesce in advance of giving the process of the people’s will an opportunity to play out would simply be an affront to democracy. I mean, we have to accept that Sinn Féin has 37 seats. It’s the largest popular vote.
“Mary Lou McDonald has said quite clearly she wants to put together a coalition that would exclude Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and, you know, there’s an obligation on her to try and ensure…”
“…if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael somehow got together today or tomorrow, brought in a few Independents, and rammed through into Government, what do you think would be said by Sinn Féin and everybody else and the public at large…”
Independent TD Denis Naughten, who was re-elected in Roscommon/Galway on the fifth count, said:
“The reality is that no one’s manifesto got a clear mandate from the people whether it was the Sinn Féin manifesto, the Fianna Fáil manifesto, the Fine Gael manifesto or any manifesto.
“And I believe what needs to happen in this stage is to allow time for the parties to consult with their own organisations, that they should sit down, everyone, around a single table and negotiate a national programme for Government that would take in the best elements of the various manifestos.
“Because the one thing that I got on the doorsteps from people is that they’re sick and tired of the political bickering that has been going on. They want to see politicians collectively coming together and implement practical solutions in terms of health, housing, regional balance, agriculture and so forth…”
“…yes, this is a hung parliament so to speak that we now have as a result of the vote of the electorate but that’s what the electorate voted for. The responsibility is on us now to form an operational government.”
Former Minister for Health Fine Gael TD Simon Harris, who was re-elected in Wicklow last night on the 15th count, said:
“I agree with Billy Kelleher on this. That the process should be that Mary Lou McDonald is the leader of the largest party, who got the most votes in the election. She should now do what she said she was going to do.
“She made a lot of promises, a lot of commitments, let her off now and see if she can try and form a Government.
“I wish her well in that regard.
“…if she can’t, if she can’t, I do think there’s an obligation on the centre of Irish politics, which still won a hell of a lot of votes by the way. You would think from some of the media commentary that everybody voted Sinn Féin – 76% of people did not vote for Sinn Féin to be in Government.”
Asked if he thinks Leo Varadkar should step down as leader of Fine Gael, Mr Harris said:
“Absolutely not…our Taoiseach has performed extremely well, he performed very well as leader, he did extremely well in the debates…”
“…this was a very difficult election. It was a very difficult election for all parties but Sinn Féin. And Leo Varadkar is the leader of Fine Gael and will continue to be the leader of Fine Gael and whether in Government or in opposition, he’ll continue to promote our policies and values.”
Listen back in full here
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure Barry Cowen TD
This afternoon.
“I don’t believe 22 per cent of the vote is a vote of confidence in our ability to govern.
I don’t believe losing a few seats is an indication of success. [Sinn Féin] need to take their ambition seriously now and ensure we get a government from the left.
Her and the left leaning parties should get together, form a government, find the €22 billion and off they go.”
Barry Cowen this afternoon.
Earlier: Taking It Well
Thanks Politico
From top; Sinn Féin supporters singing’ Come Out Ye Black And Tans’ at the Generel Election 2020 count centre yesterday following Dessie Ellis’ success in Dublin North-West; Ruth Dudley Edwards.
This morning.
Via historian Ruth Dudley Edwards (More at link below)
Today I am ashamed of my country, a vast number of whose voters have intentionally or unwittingly just endorsed a fascist party.
This reminds many who know Sinn Fein as puppets of the IRA Army Council of Germany in 1932, when the Nazi party became the largest in parliament: Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 and wasted no time in establishing his brutal dictatorship.
Sinn Fein members and apologists, of course, are exulting in the Irish election results, some enjoying themselves insulting supporters of Breege and Stephen, the heartbroken but courageous parents seeking justice for their son Paul Quinn, savagely beaten to death by the Provisional IRA in 2007 and then slurred as a criminal by Conor Murphy and Gerry Adams.
…Those of us who are hated by Sinn Fein because we persist in telling the truth about the past and present are ridiculed and insulted regularly. Recurring themes are that we are hurting and exploiting victims and that everything we say just makes Sinn Fein more popular.
Well, it’s actually not true. Although most Irish journalists and organisations like RTE and the Irish Times avoid challenging Sinn Fein, last week Mairia Cahill, Stephen Nolan, Bryan Dobson, Miriam O’Callaghan and others slowed its gallop by giving the Quinns the chance to tell their terrible story and show up the heartlessness and mendacity of Sinn Fein and its determination to keep the bodies of IRA victims out of sight….
This afternoon.
RDS. Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
With her party heading for 30-36 seats, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald (left) with Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill arrives at the Generel Election 2020 greater Dublin count centre.
More as we get it.
Earlier: Sinn When You’re Winning
Pic: Vanessa Foran
