27th February 2011 The political map of Ireland has been redrawn after a dramatic rout of the ruling party at the polls, amid voter anger over the crippled economy. Centre right party Fine Gael made an historic breakthrough with its best ever showing, ousting rivals Fianna Fail (FF) in a vicious electoral rejection sparked by the recession and taxpayer bills for the banking crisis. FF had been in power for 60 of the last 80 years, but suffered the most devastating political collapse since the early years of the State following a campaign dominated by the economy and jobs crisis. Victory: Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (centre) arrives to address supporters in Dublin with his party poised to form a coalition Fine Gael, headed by Enda Kenny, now looks on course to form a coalition with Labour following Friday's election. Mr Kenny vowed not to waste any time pulling together a strong and stable government and then to force Europe's hand on renegotiation of the 85 billion euro IMF/EU loan deal. 'The people have made their choice. This was a democratic revolution at the ballot box,' he said. Mr Kenny also fired a broadside at the defeated Fianna Fail party, which has been in power for the last 14 years. 'I give you my guarantee that the incoming government is not going to leave the people in the dark about what is happening whether it is good or whether it is bad,' he said. 'Paddy likes to be told.' Mr Kenny plans to make the opening attack on the IMF/EU deal on March 4 when the European People's Party, to which Fine Gael is affiliated, meets in Helsinki. He will follow that up with a charm offensive on the European Council in Brussels the following week. Woes: Former FF prime minister Brian Cowen said he took 'full responsibility' for the decisions taken in government On the IMF/EU bailout, Mr Kenny repeated his mantra that it was a bad deal for Ireland and a bad deal for Europe. 'We are not going to cry the poor mouth, other than to say the reality of this challenge is too much. 'I don't want to talk about difficulties, I look for co-operation, consensus and support across Europe,' he said. Mr Kenny also pledged to probe deep into the heart of the Irish banking crisis which has left the taxpayer saddled with crippling debts which some analysts believe could ultimately cost closer to 200 billion euro. And he said by 2016 - the centenary of Ireland's Easter Rising - he wanted to make Ireland the best for business, for raising a family and to grow old with dignity. 'It's not about being popular, it's about being effective,' he said. 'We want to restore our pride at home and abroad. Our country is back in business.' Final numbers for the Dail parliament will not be decided until later today, but as it stood last night with around half of the 166 seats filled, Fine Gael had 37, Labour 22, Independents 9, and Fianna Fail just 8. Fine Gael is on course for about 75 seats, just a handful shy of majority single party government. A strong left wing influence also emerged with Sinn Fein on course to treble its vote to 15 seats, while former coalition party the Greens were wiped out with none of their sitting representatives returned. Count; An election official sorts ballots in Castlebar, Ireland as the country waits for a new government Labour leader Eamon Gilmore accepted his party appeared destined for the junior coalition role. 'That is the most likely outcome, there's no doubt about that,' he said. Among the high profile casualties were some of Ireland's notable political dynasties, including the name of Haughy which will also be absent from the Dail for the first time in 54 years. Outgoing Taoiseach (prime minister) Brian Cowen, who has retired from politics, said he accepted responsibility for decisions taken in while in power. 'From my point of view as Taoiseach and as minister in the past I take full responsibility. I've never quibbled or suggested otherwise,' Mr Cowen said. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin put on a brave face and said he believed that Fine Gael had managed to secure support from floating voters. 'There's a soft vote there for Fine Gael and Labour, just as there was for us for years,' he said. 'I tend to be optimistic by nature so I look at this as an opportunity as well.'Ireland's ruling party suffers catastrophic defeat as incoming leader pledges new era of openness - and to renegotiate Euro bailout
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361030/Irish-elections-Ruling-party-suffers-catastrophic-defeat-Enda-Kenny-pledges-new-era-openness--renegotiate-Euro-bailout.html#ixzz1F9pwrIc9
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Posted by Britannia Radio at 11:26