Irish Government Falling Apart - not much interest?

[youngsyr]

Perhaps I've overlooked the thread, but it seems that the Green party withdrawing from the Coalition and the PM's resignation as leader of his party, thereby signalling the disintegration of the Irish Government hasn't had much comment on here - surprising considering how closely other aspects of the economic/political situation are followed on here.

What are people's thoughts on it - will it be business as usual after the next election, or are Ireland in for a decade of misery whilst the country self-destructs under a massive debt burden?

(I tried to find the "First PIIGY to the slaughter thread" to add this too, but again the PH search engine, or lack thereof, failed me).

[Gargamel]

I think the election is only a few weeks away, They would have been destroyed at the election so the Greens are looking to sistance themselves from the mess, before the polls.

Look like intruding on private grief from here in the UK.

[youngsyr]

Gargamel said:

I think the election is only a few weeks away, They would have been destroyed at the election so the Greens are looking to sistance themselves from the mess, before the polls.

Look like intruding on private grief from here in the UK.

The election is provisionally on 11 March (around 7 weeks away), but it's looking likely that there will be a failed vote of confidence followed by an election before then.

As for the Greens wanting to distance themselves from the mess, from what I've read in the papers and seen on tv over the past couple of weeks, they've got no chance. Firstly they have been in government with Fianna Fáil since 2006 and did nothing to combat the meltdown. Secondly they haven't helped matters by bringing in very unpopular green taxes.

I read today that the Green party's approval rating is in single digits (8%?), only marginally better than Fianna Fáil's (2%?). They're stuffed either way.

It's interesting to see how the situation unfolds though (from an outsider's point of view, obviously). I imagine it could be a template for what would happen elsewhere if the economic situation gets worse.

The lack of interest (confirmed by this thread) does surprise me though - perhaps it's just not that well covered in the UK media?

[ringram]

Quiet Schadenfreude?

[youngsyr]

ringram said:

Quiet Schadenfreude?

Christ, I hope not. I'd rather that people are hoping that Portugal and Spain don't go the same way as we will be well and truly fked if they do, whether we default or not.

[Eric Mc]

It was a highly likely development - so I don't think anyone was surprised. The Irish Greens had hinted that they were going to pull out back in November.

[JuniorD]

youngsyr said:

Gargamel said:

I think the election is only a few weeks away, They would have been destroyed at the election so the Greens are looking to sistance themselves from the mess, before the polls.

Look like intruding on private grief from here in the UK.

The election is provisionally on 11 March (around 7 weeks away), but it's looking likely that there will be a failed vote of confidence followed by an election before then.

As for the Greens wanting to distance themselves from the mess, from what I've read in the papers and seen on tv over the past couple of weeks, they've got no chance. Firstly they have been in government with Fianna Fáil since 2006 and did nothing to combat the meltdown. Secondly they haven't helped matters by bringing in very unpopular green taxes.

I read today that the Green party's approval rating is in single digits (8%?), only marginally better than Fianna Fáil's (2%?). They're stuffed either way.


It's interesting to see how the situation unfolds though (from an outsider's point of view, obviously). I imagine it could be a template for what would happen elsewhere if the economic situation gets worse.

The lack of interest (confirmed by this thread) does surprise me though - perhaps it's just not that well covered in the UK media?

To me its like watching a wildlife documentary where the vultures have finally left the rotten carcass leaving only bones and flies. The situation feels like it is beyond redemption.

Fianna Fáil
Greens
Fine Gael
Progressive Democrats
Labour...

the lot of them, including their parliament predecessors from the last 10 years, should be taken from the Dáil, marched to Kilmainham Goal, lined up and shot. That would be most fitting.

[Blib]

Is there anyone or any party in the Irish politic untainted by the collapse of the economy? Someone who could offer a credible alternative

[JuniorD]

Blib said:

Is there anyone or any party in the Irish politic untainted by the collapse of the economy? Someone who could offer a credible alternative

I would dare say Sinn Fein however a credible alternative...I don't think so

[rudecherub]

Daniel Hannan blogged about this at the Telegraph, his line was that there wasn't a choice as all the main parties are for the bailout and continued colonial rule.

[Globs]

The interest in the death of Irish finance and politics was a few weeks ago when it happened. After the ECB and EU in collaboration with their politicians had killed the country we moved on. We are just seeing the natural decay progress now.

[ewenm]

Isn't this a common end for coalition governments? So not especially shocking or unusual. I'll be surprised if the UK coalition makes it to a full 5 year term.