Election 2011 Offical Thread.

[Poc me]

The Welsh have a healthy respect for their own language as they are taught it by the fireside. It is also one of the only ways in which they can get in touch with their culture. Ireland is fortunate to have a rich array of cultural activities ranging from story-telling (English or Irish), dancing, Gaelic games, ceol, etc. etc.

The thing is though that many people don't seem to care about the language. It wasn't beaten out of the Irish like the English tried to beat Wlesh from the Welsh. Many Irish actually actively sought an English education in order to 'further' themselves. My big fear would be that Ireland would become a country smply of monoglots and the teaching of French/Spanish/German etc., would not change this in any way. People who are linguistically talented will tend to be good at all languages, so those who develop a good understanding of another language of the FG regime will be lost to their own language.

Tír gan teanga, Tír gan anam.

[Hardy]

"I've voted Fianna Fáil all my life, and will probably do so again on the day, but I'd like to see Fine Gael with an overall majority" (some elderly county Galway lad on Primetime there).

WTF! And we wonder how we're where we are!

Or consider the logic of supporting the progressive policies of Healy-Rae-ism: "yerra, since oo rang me up at dis hour, sure I'll give oo the number one".

This is worth another listen by every voter as they consider our predicament and how we got there before they deploy their "stupid oul pencils" ( (c) B. Ahern) tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVRYzqvRtww

[Hardy]

If the economy was a game and FF was defending and international speculators were attacking and Lenihan was the goalkeeper

[johnneycool]

found this on you tube, is it real?

[AZOffaly]

Yes it is real. There was a thread here about it too. It's quite sad really.

[Billys Boots]

the local Sinn Fein candidate voted in the city council, against the Cork Co board getting vital land to develop the centre of excellence and P Ui C. He is a director of Cork City Fc and loathes the GAA!

That's mad, and very Cork. 

[mylestheslasher]

Interesting newspaper poll in sligo see's Perry (FG), Colreavy (SF) and O Keefe (labour) getting in and both FF candidates missing out. Bit of a suprise result for me I have to say as I thought 1 FF and 2 FG would get in. Will be interesting to see whether this bears out in reality.

http://www.sligoweekender.ie/tabId/451/itemId/8629/Poll-shows-no-place-for-Fianna-Fail.aspx

[Shamrock Shore]

Moritorium on discussions kicked in at 2.00 pm

[An Gaeilgoir]

 The moratorium is not intended to preclude coverage during this period of legitimate news and current affairs stories that are unrelated to an election. However, broadcasters should avoid airing content (including breaking news stories) that the broadcaster believes is intended and/or likely to influence or manipulate voter decisions during the moratorium period.
Steps should be taken to ensure that overnight programme repeats scheduled during the moratorium do not contain material that would breach the moratorium. Broadcasters are advised to either edit programmes (if practical) or schedule an alternative programme so as to avoid accidental breaches of the moratorium.Coverage of news items such as the opening hours of polling stations, voter turn-out, factual reports on voting by political party leaders and other representatives of electoral interests etc., is permissible once it complies with the moratorium.Particular care should be taken around the opinions expressed by any programme contributors, during the period covered by the moratorium.The moratorium extends to all areas of programming including newspaper reviews, coverage of opinion polls, information announcements etc. Particular care is necessary when commenting upon or covering newspaper reviews as the print media is not subject to a moratorium.

It is important to also note the moratorium does not apply to websites or to on the ground canvassers. Canvassers are only banned from anywhere within 100m of a polling station on the day of the election so do not be surprised if a canvasser calls to your door on Thursday evening!

[Sandino]

I fear that FF will do better than they deserve in the election. I hope I'm wrong.

[Maguire01]

According to an opinion poll in the Anglo Celt paper in cavan, Sinn Fein are on track to win 2 seat although FG are making a fight for the  last one. O Caoliain is going to top the poll with a sizeable surplus which is predicted to go 80% to Kateryn Reilly.

Eh? Accoring to the story on their site it will be a "small surplus" which "could be higher than 1,000 votes".
http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/02/23/4003339-cliff-hanger-as-fg-and-sf-do-battle-for-extra-seats/

It also says "it is not an opinion poll in the absolute scientific sense." So i'd take it with a big health warning.
The poll was apparently conducted in Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet, Cavan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Monaghan. That's leaving out quite a few towns and all of the country folk (i.e. c.75% of the population).

It looks like FG's gamble might not pay off though. It seems that their vote management isn't up to much at all with the candidates going all over the constituency to canvass for votes and no real strategy for transfers.

I've also read in a few places that the SF vote is the least likely to actually turn out (not in a Cavan/Monaghan sense, but generally). I didn't really understand that myself and was surprised by it. Is that based on low turnout in working class areas or what?

[armaghniac]

've also read in a few places that the SF vote is the least likely to actually turn out (not in a Cavan/Monaghan sense, but generally). I didn't really understand that myself and was surprised by it. Is that based on low turnout in working class areas or what?

SF is probably with the non-working class, who often don't vote. They may not have the machine to get everyone out, but they'll probably bring a few extra into the democratic process.

[Rossfan]

Interesting newspaper poll in sligo see's Perry (FG), Colreavy (SF) and O Keefe (labour) getting in and both FF candidates missing out. Bit of a suprise result for me I have to say as I thought 1 FF and 2 FG would get in. Will be interesting to see whether this bears out in reality.

http://www.sligoweekender.ie/tabId/451/itemId/8629/Poll-shows-no-place-for-Fianna-Fail.aspx

Can't see o'Keeffe getting in .... but I've been known to get things wrong before 

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Well I hope that everyone who can vote will get out and do it tomorrow. I have a vote as I left after September, but due to work I won't be flying home. So if you can vote and are entitled to, use your 1 voting card in 1 const. and vote. Think about the future of Ireland not local or personal issues, whoever you vote for, vote.

[mylestheslasher]

According to an opinion poll in the Anglo Celt paper in cavan, Sinn Fein are on track to win 2 seat although FG are making a fight for the  last one. O Caoliain is going to top the poll with a sizeable surplus which is predicted to go 80% to Kateryn Reilly.

Eh? Accoring to the story on their site it will be a "small surplus" which "could be higher than 1,000 votes".
http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2011/02/23/4003339-cliff-hanger-as-fg-and-sf-do-battle-for-extra-seats/

It also says "it is not an opinion poll in the absolute scientific sense." So i'd take it with a big health warning.
The poll was apparently conducted in Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet, Cavan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Monaghan. That's leaving out quite a few towns and all of the country folk (i.e. c.75% of the population).

It looks like FG's gamble might not pay off though. It seems that their vote management isn't up to much at all with the candidates going all over the constituency to canvass for votes and no real strategy for transfers.

I've also read in a few places that the SF vote is the least likely to actually turn out (not in a Cavan/Monaghan sense, but generally). I didn't really understand that myself and was surprised by it. Is that based on low turnout in working class areas or what?

If a person gets elected in Cavan/Monaghan with say 5000 votes then id say 1000 is sizeable surplus. I did say it was an opinion poll which like any opinion poll could be wildly wrong.