Micheál Martin

Micheál Martin: “I think there is a huge problem for Gerry Adams in a credibility sense”

Pete Baker on February 15, 2011, 6:23 pm

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The Sinn Féin president, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, Gerard Adams has taken exception to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin raising the credibility question in relation to the SF leader’s murky past. [added final link] From the Belfast Telegraph report “There is a fundamental problem for Gerry when he continues to deny his membership of the IRA,” said Mr Martin. “Because every time he talks in this debate during the election about honesty, about being up front and transparent, it jars …

Micheál Martin: I’m ready when you are boys?

Brian Spencer on January 28, 2011, 10:42 am

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Your captions please? Brian SpencerBrian is a writer, artist, political cartoonist and legal blogger. Actively tweeting from @brianjohnspencr. More information here: http://www.brianjohnspencer.com/ www.brianjohnspencer.com/

It’s Micheál!

Slugger O'Toole on January 26, 2011, 3:10 pm

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As widely expected, Micheál Martin T.D. has been elected as the 8th Leader of Fianna Fáil. The Finance Bill Committee Stage continues in the Dáil. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Is Micheál Martin the kernel of Fianna Fáil nua?

Mick Fealty on January 19, 2011, 2:38 pm

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Cute fox you might say. But Micheal Martin is undoubtedly a shrewd operator. He survived Bertie’s attempt to destroy him by giving him the politically murderous health portfolio earlier in his ministerial career. In this last passage of play, if he did anything at all that was right, it was to serve his resignation as Minster of Foreign Affairs and, crucially, go through with it. It contrasts markedly with the party’s shambling ‘we’ve had tough decisions to make, so don’t …

Fianna Fail: Crisis round to Cowen; next round to Martin…

Mick Fealty on January 18, 2011, 11:59 pm

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I’m a big fan of restating the bleedin obvious. It’s a much underestimated tool in the journalist’s skillset. So here’s Harry Magee with the first sentient post leadership crisis analysis after Brian Cowen won his intra party competition tonight: Obvious Conclusion One: The middle ground had not shifted. Obvious Conclusion Two: Nobody other than Brian Cowen has built up a support base in the party. From the evidence of the past week, the pretenders can each rely on only a …

Leadership scrap fritters away precious time for Fianna Fail…

Mick Fealty on January 18, 2011, 8:21 am

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Well, in the last few weeks we’ve had a very direct lesson in the peculiar politics of the Republic: two dismal heaves within Ireland’s two main political parties by insurgents who seem motivated less by personal ambition than by damage limitation at the polls. Of course in Northern Ireland we’ve had a few heaves of our own in the last year. In the first, the SDLP leader Mark Durkan anticipated any prospective move by his party rivals by helping to …

Micheál Martin shows his hand

Pete Baker on January 16, 2011, 9:50 pm

| Readers 6

Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s ‘back me or sack’ challenge to his party has drawn out his first serious challenger. The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin, has tendered his resignation and has said that Fianna Fáil should change its leader before the Irish General Election. From the RTÉ report [Micheál Martin] said that he has reluctantly concluded that Fianna Fáil should change its leader before the General Election. He welcomed the Taoiseach’s announcement this evening to table a vote of confidence in his leadership. However, …

Overheard this weekend…

Pádraig Belton on September 21, 2010, 12:13 am

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I followed Ian Paisley’s directions to see the Whore of Babylon. Very disappointed – expected some Iraqi babe, instead some German bloke in a white dress was there. Should we report the “Rev” to the ASA? – Confused of Shankill Road. In other news, tomorrow morning Micheál Martin kicks off alongside Hillary Clinton (about whose hair the Daily Mail has been only partly diplomatic), jointly hosting an event in New York devoted to infant nutrition and the First Millennium Development …

Irish inquiry calls for expulsion of Israeli officer

Aldous Duke on June 2, 2010, 8:16 pm

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The Irish Times reports that Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Zion Evrony postponed a planned appearance at an Oireachtas committee today to answer questions about the aid flotilla controversy, citing “unforeseen circumstances”. However it also reports today that a leaked report from an inter-agency group including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Garda has recommended the expulsion of an Israeli embassy security officer. It made the recommendation after concluding that …