Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[muppet]

Think the SF leadership have once again shown real leadership.The first time an Irish President has been invited on an official visit to Britain the Northern SF leadership are represented on an equal footing as the other TDs from the south showing this is a visit for the 32 counties not just the 26.The tricolour flying and our National anthem being played alongside the flag and anthem of the country of the visit.The British establishment after visiting the Garden of Remembrance 3 years ago now saying they will join us in commemorating the 1916 rising.The times they are changing,in 4 weeks we could have SF representation in every one of the 32 counties of this Island something that has never happened before and they could possibly be the biggist party regarding votes in Ireland.Great times to be a Shinner and can understand why it must stick in the throats of the Anti men.

Like I said, McGuinness certainly has shown leadership this week.

Real leadership is more often about telling the troops what they don't want to hear, rather than the easy alternative.

[Kidder81]

They will be sitting in Westminster within 5 years.

[glens abu]

The Shinners know they are doing something right when,the free staters,the DUP!Jamie Bryson,Tebbit and the dissidents are all agreeing with each other.Sinn Fein Abu.

[Maguire01]

Think the SF leadership have once again shown real leadership

Given that Martin was so impressed by the Queen's visit to Ireland - a visit SF boycotted- and that this is what convinced him to accept this week's invitation, doesn't this make them followers rather than leaders? That along with the fact that they're the last of the Irish parties to meet British royalty, and that many of their supporters here sneered at those who went there ahead of them...
Still, better late than never... and great leadership to the extent that the likes of yourself is convinced.

[glens abu]

Think the SF leadership have once again shown real leadership

Given that Martin was so impressed by the Queen's visit to Ireland - a visit SF boycotted- and that this is what convinced him to accept this week's invitation, doesn't this make them followers rather than leaders? That along with the fact that they're the last of the Irish parties to meet British royalty, and that many of their supporters here sneered at those who went there ahead of them...
Still, better late than never... and great leadership to the extent that the likes of yourself is convinced.

Forgot about the Stoops,no big difference in being invited and doing it as an equal not running over and taking an oath of obedience to get £60k a year.SF decided on this for many reasons and as I said earlier the big change was the Queens visit 3 years ago and her honouring our dead at the Garden of Remembrance.Leadership is more than bowing the head when asked its about knowing when the time is right to make certain decisions but as a stoop you may find that hard to comprehend.

[Applesisapples]

I applaude McGuinness and SF for the way they have made this event about the whole of Ireland. In doing so they have shown Robbo and co up for the small minded stuck in the past biggots they are. It must be unsettling for Unionists though to see the Republic and UK governments co-operating as well.

[theticklemister]

Glens Abu, as you stated there Sinn Fein has shown leadership; however is it Republican leadership?

Take a look into your soul and stop following your leadership.If McGuinness has declined to attend this week would you have been supportive? What differences are there between now and three years ago? Did you support the Sinn Fein Mayor of Cashel meeting the queen of England three years ago? They have bent there knee on yet another occasion and sold every principle that they held dear down the tube. Everything they have done this week has flew in the faces of what being Republican is.

Showing leadership and showing Republican leadership is two different things.

[Rossfan]

however is it Republican leadership?

Everything they have done this week has flew in the faces of what being Republican is.

Showing leadership and showing Republican leadership is two different things.
[/quote

Have they become Monarchists or what?
Maybe you could enlighten us all as to what "being Republican" or "Republican leadership" is?

[lawnseed]

Delighted to be a shinner this week. Things in britain are going nicely with the state visit and marty has proved a leader and statesman putting his country before his own feelings. Meanwhile at home mary lou continues to excell in the media on her public accounts role. Plus john o dowd understanding and handling of eduacation makes him the most popular minister with teachers.

Roll on the elections hope this good work translates into votes

Incidently did I read that greece have sold government bonds at a lower interest rate than ireland  so much for endas "great work"

[Rossfan]

did I read that

Highly unlikely I would think

[ludermor]

Delighted to be a shinner this week. Things in britain are going nicely with the state visit and marty has proved a leader and statesman putting his country before his own feelings. Meanwhile at home mary lou continues to excell in the media on her public accounts role. Plus john o dowd understanding and handling of eduacation makes him the most popular minister with teachers.

Roll on the elections hope this good work translates into votes

Incidently did I read that greece have sold government bonds at a lower interest rate than ireland  so much for endas "great work"

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-10/euro-area-bonds-advance-before-greece-ireland-sell-securities.html
Greek 10-year bonds fell for the first time in thee days, with yields climbing five basis points to 5.94 percent after declining to 5.80 percent yesterday.
The Irish 10-year yield dropped three basis points to 2.92 percent after declining to 2.894 percent, the lowest level since Bloomberg began tracking the securities in 1991
Im sure you will be as quick to priase Enda for his 'great work'.

[johnneycool]

Delighted to be a shinner this week. Things in britain are going nicely with the state visit and marty has proved a leader and statesman putting his country before his own feelings. Meanwhile at home mary lou continues to excell in the media on her public accounts role. Plus john o dowd understanding and handling of eduacation makes him the most popular minister with teachers.

Roll on the elections hope this good work translates into votes

Incidently did I read that greece have sold government bonds at a lower interest rate than ireland  so much for endas "great work"

[lawnseed]

Delighted to be a shinner this week. Things in britain are going nicely with the state visit and marty has proved a leader and statesman putting his country before his own feelings. Meanwhile at home mary lou continues to excell in the media on her public accounts role. Plus john o dowd understanding and handling of eduacation makes him the most popular minister with teachers.

Roll on the elections hope this good work translates into votes

Incidently did I read that greece have sold government bonds at a lower interest rate than ireland  so much for endas "great work"

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-10/euro-area-bonds-advance-before-greece-ireland-sell-securities.html
Greek 10-year bonds fell for the first time in thee days, with yields climbing five basis points to 5.94 percent after declining to 5.80 percent yesterday.
The Irish 10-year yield dropped three basis points to 2.92 percent after declining to 2.894 percent, the lowest level since Bloomberg began tracking the securities in 1991
Im sure you will be as quick to priase Enda for his 'great work'.

Yeah great work gimp

[Maguire01]

Glens Abu, as you stated there Sinn Fein has shown leadership; however is it Republican leadership?

Take a look into your soul and stop following your leadership.If McGuinness has declined to attend this week would you have been supportive? What differences are there between now and three years ago? Did you support the Sinn Fein Mayor of Cashel meeting the queen of England three years ago? They have bent there knee on yet another occasion and sold every principle that they held dear down the tube. Everything they have done this week has flew in the faces of what being Republican is.

Showing leadership and showing Republican leadership is two different things.

I'm at the far end of the nationalist spectrum to you, and I don't know how you can objectively define what 'republican leadership' is, but that bit in bold is the nail on the head.

[Maguire01]

Think the SF leadership have once again shown real leadership

Given that Martin was so impressed by the Queen's visit to Ireland - a visit SF boycotted- and that this is what convinced him to accept this week's invitation, doesn't this make them followers rather than leaders? That along with the fact that they're the last of the Irish parties to meet British royalty, and that many of their supporters here sneered at those who went there ahead of them...
Still, better late than never... and great leadership to the extent that the likes of yourself is convinced.

Forgot about the Stoops,no big difference in being invited and doing it as an equal not running over and taking an oath of obedience to get £60k a year.SF decided on this for many reasons and as I said earlier the big change was the Queens visit 3 years ago and her honouring our dead at the Garden of Remembrance.Leadership is more than bowing the head when asked its about knowing when the time is right to make certain decisions but as a stoop you may find that hard to comprehend.

The SDLP take the oath affirmation as a requirement to take the seats their the electorate have elected them to. If it was optional, i'm sure they wouldn't bother. It's protocol - a requirement to sit in parliament and speak and vote on behalf of those who elected you. In the same way that standing for GSTQ and toasting the Queen is the protocol and requirement when dining at Windsor. You can try and make distinctions, but you're dancing on the head of a pin.