Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[Armagh18]

What were the actual deadlines on the SF?

Why not suggest amendments to something as simple as dates

[Snapchap]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

Is it also common for parties to find nitpicking excuses to oppose a bill which they would like to pretend they otherwise support?

That's called scrutiny. It's not "nitpicking".

So the idea that a party would come up with an excuse for not supporting a bill they'd otherwise like to say the'd support, is just fanciful? The sort of cynical thing that politicians wouldn't do?

Quite frankly, yes. Why would an administration tie itself to deadlines that may not be workable?

Like on housing, or building childrens hospitals for example?

Not a reason to continue setting unreasonable deadlines.

So this is the nudge they needed to see the light and they're now going to stop setting unachievable deadlines on things like housing and children's hospitals?

[Snapchap]

Yes. On a protracted timeline that may not be workable and then gleefully using it to undermine the bona fides of FF or FG as interested in a United Ireland.

FF/FG have spent decades undermining themselves when it comes to their interest in a UI. They hardly need help from SF or anyone else to show them up on that front. FFS Micheal Martin point blank refuses to say that he is even "a persuader" for unity.

[JollyGreenGiant]

Yes. On a protracted timeline that may not be workable and then gleefully using it to undermine the bona fides of FF or FG as interested in a United Ireland.

FF/FG have spent decades undermining themselves when it comes to their interest in a UI. They hardly need help from SF or anyone else to show them up on that front. FFS Micheal Martin point blank refuses to say that he is even "a persuader" for unity.

Have they? I do recall them playing a heavy role in the Peace Process.

[JollyGreenGiant]

What were the actual deadlines on the SF?

Why not suggest amendments to something as simple as dates

I would argue they don't need a bill at all. And without the bill becoming law it doesn't create deadlines considered unworkable.

[JollyGreenGiant]

If the SF Bill (or stunt) had been passed would that make Ireland united???

FFG were clear they aren't against the spirit of it, but were unsure about the strict timelines. It's common at national and local government level to be in favour of the spirit of something but oppose the substantive measures in a bill. That doesn't mean an opposition in principle.

SF and their fanboys will paint it that way, of course.

Is it also common for parties to find nitpicking excuses to oppose a bill which they would like to pretend they otherwise support?

That's called scrutiny. It's not "nitpicking".

So the idea that a party would come up with an excuse for not supporting a bill they'd otherwise like to say the'd support, is just fanciful? The sort of cynical thing that politicians wouldn't do?

Quite frankly, yes. Why would an administration tie itself to deadlines that may not be workable?

Like on housing, or building childrens hospitals for example?

Not a reason to continue setting unreasonable deadlines.

So this is the nudge they needed to see the light and they're now going to stop setting unachievable deadlines on things like housing and children's hospitals?

Well on houses they currently have a five year plan to run between 2025-2030
So it's hard to call that an unachievable (or unachieved deadline).

There is  also a difference between the delivery of a service which requires bricks, mortar etc, and a green paper etc.