Irish Election - Coverage of Irish Politics, News and Current Affairs

Its is all eyes on Cowen now as Bertie signals the end of his time at the top with today’s events in the Boyne Valley. Most interesting will be the signals sent to those who were thought to be his competitors in the leadership race - Michael Martin, Dermot Ahern and, to a lesser extent, [...]

In a case that could prove very interesting, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy has had over £1.5 million worth of assets frozen and the Times Reports that there may well be £15 million worth of bills accruing. ‘Slab’ Murphy is a huge figure on the Republican landscape, described by Liam Clarke in the Times as “Chief of [...]

Sinn Fein are one of the most anti-EU parties in Irish Politics summed up pretty much by their numerous releases along the lines of Sinn Féin wants a Europe of equals not a federal superstate. But in the Irish context they had the Eire Nua document of a while back which with the rise of [...]

The overturning of the Monaghan Development plan by John Gormley has gotten increasingly tetchy as first Sinn Fein press released (three times in one day) to air their displeasure at the “anti-democratic” nature of Gormley’s decision to overturn the plan. The decision taken by Gormley lacked a mandate since his party only received 3% of [...]

Following their Ard Chomhairle meeting today, below the fold. Bottom line: assuming they can find someone will to take their support in government, health would be the only dealbreaker. In particular, no Mary Harney. Also interesting is that the statement was issued by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, indicating perhaps an awareness of [...]

So the votes have been counted. The Irish people have opted for a continuation of a third-world hospital system, schooling characterised by inequality and class over-crowding, and the perpetuation of a “cute hoor” culture with significant levels of background corruption and the protection of criminality and illegality so long as the perpetrators are party members, [...]

The following is inspired by the father of Magical Realism Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Rather than being a truly factual account of politics in the constituency of Cavan - Monaghan it should be viewed as a type of fable, containing elements that may be true.
The constituency should be a five-seater but through a rather desperate attempt [...]

Donegal South-West, not wanting to be left out the fun and games in North-East, has apparently seen a power play by FG HQ.  Joining the trend of unretirements, Dinny McGinley says he’s back on the ticket at the expense of Cllr Terence Slowey, who apparently has been persuaded to withdraw [UPDATED 2 MARCH].

From Breaking News:
Rory O’Hanlon, who is also a local TD, was jeered by up to 10,000 protestors who had gathered to show their anger about the planned downgrading of Monaghan Hospital.
This is part of a long series of protests about the long running Monaghan Hospital saga. From the Anglo-Celt, “Anger mounts as 2000 attend Monaghan [...]

Looking through the local papers for the local paper section I was struck by the amount of references to the cost of going back to school. Education is to me the most important thing for a country to work on and should be the most important priority for any party. So when I see parties [...]

So it’s Dublin West.  We noted a while back that the Census results had the potential for a tricky constitutional problem: that a constituency might have grown too quickly to maintain its constitutional minimum of 1 TD per 30,000 voters.    And it’s happened.

Local news round-up If there is any stories you have read please drop us a comment.
The Kingdom
Kenny moves to put stop to nasty FG spats
FINE Gael leader Enda Kenny is closely monitoring party activity in South Kerry where a new wave of internal feuding is threatening to destroy already slim chances of winning a seat [...]

If there is any news in your area. Please let us know and drop us a comment.
Longford Leader
New poll predicts election success for Peter Kelly and James Bannon
Its findings suggested that the four candidates elected to the Dail in this constituency will be: Deputy Kelly (FF), Senator Bannon(FG), Senator Mary O’Rourke (F F) and Deputy [...]

Some times the news can miss the stories from the local newspapers. So here is Irishelection’s top stories from the country.
The Meath Chronicle
Fraud Squad to probe purchase of Navan land
The “investigation will be conducted by Chief Superintendent Austin McNally of the Fraud Squad. The purchase of the land was made by local auctioneers and [...]

For an election that’s not supposed to take place until next year, it’s certainly generating lots of talk in early 2006. One aspect of this talk that deserves a little more attention is the possibility that some of Bertie’s less subtle hints to more long-standing TDs to shuffle off this political coil may have backfired. [...]