nO THAT IS NOT WHAT i SAID pADDY AND YOU WELL KNOW THAT (Sorry about the caps, ) But you have helped me articulate what i am thinking. The threat of Loyalist Violence has shaped the political and social landscape of this Island for well over 100 years. Their first resort to armed resistance has actually given licence to nationalist Armed struggle. But those in power either side of the border seem to find it easier to oppose armed nationalists than Armed loyalists.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 27/09/2011 22:05:01    1043153

Well it looks like a rather crowded field for President, the only interesting candidates are Norris and McGuinness its going to be impossible to predict a winner which is great - looking forward to the mud-slinging fest from the Indo.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4954 - 28/09/2011 08:52:57    1043161

Nonsense Derryman and the fact that you seem to sympathise with republican terrorists says a lot. I don't differentiate between loyalist and republican paramilitary groups, they are all idiots.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 09:15:28    1043166

Drug dealing parasites, as are their republican equivalant. Lads i'd love to share your enthusiasm for the picture you paint but I don't see it. Don't forget that they still haven't been able to convince both sides of the communities to take down the peace walls for gods sake. There was huge media attention to one being taken down in North Belfast last week but the reality is a lot of the barriers are actually being strengthened. Yet you tell me that they will accept whatever is decided, dream on.

The only thing that divides this island is the constitutional issue, once it is permanently solved all this bulls**t will disappear within a generation (peacewalls et al). Neither I not you can prove our respective views so i'll guess we'll just have to wait and see and yes I will dream and work towards towards it cause the current reality both North and South stinks and always has done.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 28/09/2011 09:44:42    1043175

It wouldn't change my thoughts on Martin but he was on the radio this morning and didn't know how many T.D'S are in the Dail and he didn't know who the minister for the environment was. Now I am no political expert but knew the answer to both, should he not be up to speed with these things?

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 10:34:15    1043198

Its becoming impossible to predict a winner in this contest. Norris has now been confirmed as a candidate to I think its between him, Martin and Higgins. Before we go to the polls though, I have no doubt more revelations will surface about Norris and his shady past, or he'll make a few more controversial gaffes. His supporters bleat on about a victory for democracy, but what about a victory for decency? Although left wingers dont really understand the term decency.....Yesterday I see he compared himself to Daniel O'Connell, I mean what an insult to the great liberator, Mr Norris you most certainly are nothing like him, you never have been and you never will be. Comparing yourself to a true Irish hero and patriot, you have a brazen cheek to do so, and your comment should be retracted.

McGuinness will tap into the FF vote, especially the republican wing of the party's support base. He'll face stinging criticism from a media which is having hysterics at the thought of him being President. Tony O'Reilly will s*** a crow if Martin wins. I really think he has a good chance of winning this though, if we look at opinion polls since his candidacy was announced, he went straight into third place (second place in some). Norris's support will dwindle over the coming weeks as he is bound to shoot himself in the foot. Ironically I think the criticism in the papers will help McGuinness as he will also get a protest vote.


Michael D, he'll poll well but I doubt he'll win, too old anyway.

As for Gay Mitchell, well Im surprised really, there seems to be very few interested in giving him a vote, he has not made much of an impact in the race at all.

Thats it really, nobody else has a hope.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 28/09/2011 10:41:29    1043203

jonny1951
County: Mayo
Posts: 913

1043198
It wouldn't change my thoughts on Martin but he was on the radio this morning and didn't know how many T.D'S are in the Dail and he didn't know who the minister for the environment was. Now I am no political expert but knew the answer to both, should he not be up to speed with these things?



I wonder though johnny how many of the candidates would be able to answer the same question in the north. The job is president of Ireland after all.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 28/09/2011 11:07:07    1043220

The decision of both SF and Labour to support the Norris nomination confirms they view eachother as their main rival in this election.

artisan (Down) - Posts: 1794 - 28/09/2011 11:24:19    1043230

Derryledd I hate to bring this on you but officially they are 2 seperate countries as it stands and you could compare it if a minister from the south was running in the north and wasn't up to speed.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 11:38:17    1043242

Correct me if I'm wrong johnny but the job is not "President of the Republic of Ireland".

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 28/09/2011 11:44:26    1043254

The media here will keep a lid on further revelations. It's once it goes out the wider domain of the world media. They will put Norris under the microscope. This will include sending film crews and reporters to Israel, Nepal etc. They will dig out characters from his past, both those he knew and those he claims not to have. Unlike the media here they will put children's rights first.
I hope that those who were press ganged into supporting Norris for the sake of democracy have no issues with the democratic right of protest when this buffoon comes riding into a town near you. I won't hold back from letting him know what I think of him if he ever comes near my part of the country. Anyone who has children should do the same.

thistle_harps (UK) - Posts: 879 - 28/09/2011 11:49:26    1043262

I won't say too much on this but all I will say is that it would be a very sad day for Ireland if a member of a terrorist organisation gets into the park. Members of SF/IRA should not be allowed anywhere near a ballot box, they should be in courts and prisons alright but nowhere else.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 28/09/2011 11:50:02    1043263

Derryledd look I want the same thing as you but at least I can call it as it is now, so yes I will have to say you are wrong. The office is to do with the constitution of the Republic of Ireland, correct me if i'm wrong. I think if he gets elected he will have power in 26 counties, I may be wrong.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 11:59:33    1043273

jonny1951 what power do you believe the President of Ireland has?

It's a figure head role with no powers to speak off. she/he may "appoint" the Taoiseach but only after he/she has been voted in by the Dáil. Every decision they make has to be agreed by government first. They're not even allowed to leave the country without the governments permission.

Seems they have the same sort of power I have in my own house. I can do anything I want, as long as I get permission from the wife first.

spyboy (Antrim) - Posts: 343 - 28/09/2011 12:52:22    1043303

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn was pretty poor on Newstalk this morning.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 12:55:15    1043306

Its a president of the Republic of Ireland! even if McGuinness does get elected anytime he wants to cross the border into Northern Ireland he will have to get permission from the Government of the Republic of Ireland!

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 28/09/2011 12:57:35    1043307

Spyboy I am aware of the lack of power the post has, I was simply trying to get a point across that any power for decision making is restricted to 26 counties, some people on here don't seem to recognise that, do you see my point? Read derrys and you will see the problem

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 28/09/2011 12:59:46    1043309

I do see your point and recognise that any "decision" the president (no matter how pre-determined by the government) makes is restricted to the 26 counties.

And I find it beyond belief that McGuinness didn't know the answers to those questions. Even if he didn't know them before running for president he surely should have done some research when he decided to run. Everyone going for any type of job does some research into the position they are applying for and as one of the roles he would have is to "appoint the government" these questions are ones he should have known the answer to.

Although in Derry's defence the job title does state "President of Ireland", no "Republic of" or "Northern" prefix so the role although wielding no "power" in the north does include Northern Ireland.

spyboy (Antrim) - Posts: 343 - 28/09/2011 13:12:13    1043321

Its a president of the Republic of Ireland! even if McGuinness does get elected anytime he wants to cross the border into Northern Ireland he will have to get permission from the Government of the Republic of Ireland!

If Marty got elected I would love to see the government tell him that he was not allowed to enter the 6 counties, it would simply expose them as the partitionists alot of them are!

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 28/09/2011 13:13:06    1043322

To be fair Goodfella it does state that the President cannot leave the "state" without permission from the government so as much as it sticks in my throat to say it ... Paddy is correct.

spyboy (Antrim) - Posts: 343 - 28/09/2011 13:26:47    1043332