I think this piece is fairly balanced. It explains why Donoghue won’t go and why he shouldn’t while also taking the time to criticise Fine Gael for its ruthless culture of ditching politicians, some of whom were demonstrated as being not at fault.
Micheal Martin defends Fine Gaelers more than he defends those from his own party. What a wimp.
To use a comment I left previously on this, Donohoe is very important to Fine Gael, and the government generally. He has had an image as a solid and intellectual performer who brought the economic fortunes of the country back to “good times” levels in terms of the budget and employment, etc.
There’s a strong view of him among certain people, especially those who are well-off or expect that they will be well-off, that he is a “steady hand” and he to that extent represents in the minds of the public the economic prudence and ability of Fine Gael.
If he goes some of that perception goes with him. I don’t expect him to go, nor do the opposition I think. The realistic goal is instead to tar him the the same brush of sleaze and graft that Varadkar and others in government have been hit with, and thus reduce both his standing and effectiveness as a totem of what Fine Gael thinks it represents.
If Leo tried to sack him, he wouldn’t be leader anymore. There 100% be a coup, and I think Leo would loose the leadership to Paschal if there was a challenge.
And the country. Probably the most competent politician we have.
Even if there was a vote of no confidence, it wouldn’t pass. There was a vote of no confidence in the housing minister who said that housing wasn’t an emergency only for Micheal, then Taoiseach, to come out days later and say housing is an emergency, and he survived a no confidence vote.
Bar an insane scandal, this government will go the distance, and don’t be surprised when the next government has a similar look. Then don’t be surprised when probably sometime in the next 15-20 years, FF and FG merge and become one party. They’re basically the same party anyway, just one is more right wing than the other who is sort of centre/occasionally a bit left leaning.
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I think this piece is fairly balanced. It explains why Donoghue won’t go and why he shouldn’t while also taking the time to criticise Fine Gael for its ruthless culture of ditching politicians, some of whom were demonstrated as being not at fault.
Micheal Martin defends Fine Gaelers more than he defends those from his own party. What a wimp.
To use a comment I left previously on this, Donohoe is very important to Fine Gael, and the government generally. He has had an image as a solid and intellectual performer who brought the economic fortunes of the country back to “good times” levels in terms of the budget and employment, etc.
There’s a strong view of him among certain people, especially those who are well-off or expect that they will be well-off, that he is a “steady hand” and he to that extent represents in the minds of the public the economic prudence and ability of Fine Gael.
If he goes some of that perception goes with him. I don’t expect him to go, nor do the opposition I think. The realistic goal is instead to tar him the the same brush of sleaze and graft that Varadkar and others in government have been hit with, and thus reduce both his standing and effectiveness as a totem of what Fine Gael thinks it represents.
If Leo tried to sack him, he wouldn’t be leader anymore. There 100% be a coup, and I think Leo would loose the leadership to Paschal if there was a challenge.
And the country. Probably the most competent politician we have.
Even if there was a vote of no confidence, it wouldn’t pass. There was a vote of no confidence in the housing minister who said that housing wasn’t an emergency only for Micheal, then Taoiseach, to come out days later and say housing is an emergency, and he survived a no confidence vote.
Bar an insane scandal, this government will go the distance, and don’t be surprised when the next government has a similar look. Then don’t be surprised when probably sometime in the next 15-20 years, FF and FG merge and become one party. They’re basically the same party anyway, just one is more right wing than the other who is sort of centre/occasionally a bit left leaning.