Sunday, February 21, 2016

On Voting Sinn Féin In #GE16

I am old. Not quite old enough to be offered seats on public transport, but old enough to have finished secondary school in the last millennium. At 35 it seems I'm at the opening stages of middle age. There is much to recommend it.

One part of growing up in the eighties and nineties is memories of what we euphemistically called 'the troubles'. Bombings. Punishment beatings. Attacks that killed children. Kangaroo courts convicting mothers of being informants and not even allowing their children the dignity of a burial. The protection of pederasts. This was the context in which I learned of Sinn Féin and it has left me with something of a bias.

But a bias is not a thing to celebrate. In the comfortable safety of Dublin I was never directly affected by terrorist groups in Northern Ireland, and I recognise that many who suffered greatly have chosen to prioritise their region's future and work with former enemies. I admire their strength.

Calling this to mind I'm trying to evaluate Sinn Féin on the commitments made in the flyer I received from their canvasser and his wider comments. I'm fortunate in that I need only look north to see how Sinn Féin perform in government. I'll be contrasting their pledges for the Republic with their performance in Stormont to decide what preference to give them.

Below I write their commitments in bold and follow with comparisons to outcomes in Northern Ireland.

Increase the minimum wage to €9.65 an hour. By contrast the minimum wage in Northern Ireland is £6.70, or €8.67 at time of writing. The minimum wage in the Republic is €9.15, noticeably higher than up north.
End zero hour contracts. They have not done so in Northern Ireland. They did try.
Move to cap childcare fees by increasing creche capitation rates. Here it's instructive to contrast how Sinn Féin in government compares to England, Scotland and Wales. There's a full survey folks will likely find interesting, but a key table is worth including here. You'll find it on page 22. All regions receive comparable funding but by any measure Northern Ireland is the worst performer.


Entitlement to free early education for three and four year olds Entitlement to free early education for two year olds
England 570 hours per year for all three and four year olds, amounting to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year 570 hours per year for the 40 per cent most income deprived two year olds and certain other groups such as looked after children
Northern Ireland One year of part-time (12.5 hours per week) free early education for four year olds only, in the year before school and only during term-time None
Scotland 600 hours per year for all three and four-year-olds 600 hours per year for children in workless households, extended in August 2015 to take in children in families receiving free school meals and other benefits such as Working Tax Credits. This will cover about 27 per cent of the age cohort
Wales A minimum of 10 hours per week for all three and four year olds Part-time free early education for 36,000 disadvantaged children living in deprived areas delivered through the Flying Start programme

Reduce the third level contribution by €500. Fees in Northern Ireland have a ceiling of 3,805. That's €4,924 at today's exchange rate. In the Republic the ceiling is €3,000, nearly two thousand euro cheaper than what Sinn Féin have delivered in government.
Abolish the property tax in year one. There is still a property tax in Northern Ireland.
Deliver 100,000 social and affordable homes. But homelessness is higher in Northern Ireland than here or in any other Sterling area.
Introduce legislation to limit interest rates that banks can charge. This hasn't happened in the North.
Increase spending on healthcare by 3.3 billion. The NI health budget is up 1% on last year. A 3.3 billion increase to the HSE budget would be roughly a 25% increase. The comparison between HSE and NHS should, of course, not be viewed as simple.
We will reduce class sizes. The Sinn Féin minister for education is cutting 1,500 teachers' jobs in Northern Ireland.
We will recruit 3,000 gardaí over our government term. But in Northern Ireland the police budget has been cut by more than £200 million over the past five years. Their numbers are below resilience level, there are no plans to recruit, and morale could not be lower.

I could be flippant and suggest that they are pursuing different goals north and south of the border, but that would be unproductive. Some say they are hamstrung by coalition with the DUP. If this is the case then it's a strong argument against voting for them - their best case is to be junior coalition partner to a more right wing party here, and if they can't make it work in the North there is little reason to believe they could do so on Kildare street.

Others have suggested that they are hamstrung by Westminster's budget. I'll agree that the economy of Northern Ireland is performing poorly and that they are dependent on wider UK funding, but this hardly recommends Sinn Féin. They are also the party who claimed vociferously and at some length that they could negotiate a better deal from the EU. If they cannot get a better deal from London, why think they could do so from Brussels?

72 comments:

Unknown said...

Haven't SF ruled out being junior coalition partners? Which further reduces the reasons for voting for them.

Unknown said...

Haven't SF ruled out being junior coalition partners? Which further reduces the reasons for voting for them.

Sok Sareth said...

Hi all dear!
I like this page.
If you want play more online game, please check the link below:

บาคาร่าออนไลน์
goldenslot mobile

Thank you!!!

Paul william said...

www.mcafee.com/activate
www.mcafee.com/activate
www.mcafee.com/activate
roku.com/link

احمد مديو said...

صيانة غسالة سامسونج
صيانة غسالة ال جي
صيانة غسالة توشيبا
صيانة سيمنس
صيانة غسالة بوش
صيانة غسالة دايو
صيانة غسالة اريستون
صيانة سخان سيمنس


جوجو 2019 said...




LG صيانة
صيانة اريستون
صيانة فريجيدير
صيانة اريستون
صيانة امريكول
صيانة تكييف كاريير
aeg صيانة
صيانة وايت ويل


Unknown said...

Vist Kashmir with New Journey Travels. One of the Leading travel agents in Jammu and Kashmir We Customize Kashmir Tour Packages, Kashmir Holiday Packages, Ladakh Tour Packages. We Guarantee best deals for Kashmir Tour Packages , Kashmir Holiday Packages

Sofia Martine said...

I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people.
office.com/setup
mcafee.com/activate
norton.com/setup
office.com/setup

Lucia Mandela said...

Well, These are the best. Thanks for sharing such a informative content with us .
www.office.com/setup | www.norton.com/setup | office.com/setup|

mcafee-activate said...

Mcafee.com/activate - Protect and Secure your devices through Mcafee antivirus. visit the official McAfee site www.mcafee.com/activate. if need any help you can call us our Mcafee activate number.

mcafee.com/activate | Mcafee activate product key | Mcafee Activate 25 digit code | Mcafee login

customerservice said...

If you are facing issues like www.mcafee.com activate download you can contact us to solve you issues and concerns with our best techincian.


Call us: +1-888-845-6052


www.mcafee.com activate download

customerservice said...

We are here to help you in kaspersky download with activation code you can contact us to solve you issues and concerns with our best techincian.


Call us: +1-888-845-6052




kaspersky download with activation code

customerservice said...

ontact us
I am here to help you in 123.hp.com/setup 3830 you can contact us and for sure we will solve your hp printer problems.

Call us: +1-888-845-6052




123.hp.com/setup 3830

All Customer Service Number said...

We are providing online support to the customers for norton antivirus. Need help, just click on the following link.
Office.com/setup
www.norton.com/setup
Norton.com/setup

Jaxsonharry said...

McAfee.com/activate - Download and Install McAfee Antivirus today to protect your PC against threats. visit here mcafee.com/activate to download or install McAfee antivirus.

Golden Slot said...


Thanks for your sharing, it helps me a lot and I think I'll watch your post more.
…………………….
slotxo
สล็อตxo
ทางเข้า slotxo

customerservice said...

This kind of article is very informative and expressive throughout all the content. But apart from this if you are facing problem like hp printer showing offline then feel free just contact with us or visit our website.

Jerry Smith said...

All the blog which is provided by you is having valuable and useful content. Many bloggers learn many things from you and enhance their writting skills. As I also write blogs and in that blogs we provide information related to Norton Antivirus and also provide services to resolve problems of Norton Antivirus. If you have any query or need any help you can use norton.com/setup with product key or can contact to our experts.

The Integrity Webs said...

Your Content is impressive and attractive and our company The Integrity Webs are the best digital marketing agency in Delhi/NCR. We do seo, smo, and many more thing to grow your business on digital platform so visit our website or contact us.

Antivirus Customer Service said...

Content contains a good information for readers and at the other side we are providing Avg Antivirus services so if you need Avg customer service just contact us or visit our website.

mcafee.com/activate said...

It is very fantastic article , Thanks for sharing .

mcafee.com/activate
mcafee.com/activate

customer service said...

Hello I am so delighted I located your Page, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching Avast Customer Service on google for something else if you any problem of you can connect my expert teams. Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website.

wwwofficeoffice said...

We will purchase Download, present and dynamic Norton Setup from norton-norton-norton.com.

We will do Update and Upgrade of Norton setup arrangement for you. On the off chance that it's

required then we will remotely get to your structure and unravel the issues.
norton setup
norton.com/setup

customerservice said...

I read so many blogs but your blog is too good. Hope everyone like it, but I am here to provide Norton Antivirus support so if you are facing problems in your Norton installation with product key then just call us and we will solve your problem Or you can visit our website.

Unknown said...

I really happy found this website eventually. Really informative and inoperative, Thanks for the post and effort! Please keep sharing more such blog.

norton.com/setup
norton.com/setup
mcafee.com/activate
kaspersky activation code
norton.com/setup
pogo not loading
roadrunner email
aol mail password recovery

Toreto said...

McAfee Mobile Security Android is one of the most used antivirus plot suppliers,the far away believability that you have McAfee antivirus on your gadget.McAfee antivirus offers you differing unquestionable highlights to your gadget. In the event that you need to get the total of the highlights of McAfee antivirus, by then you ought to dependably utilize a Mcafee Mobile Security Android. It gives you a true blue McAfee Antivirus.And you can consider us on our cost free no. +1-888-266-1754. And you can visit on our website Mcafee Mobile Security Android

https://mcafeeactivate.info/mcafee-activation-key

Toreto said...

In case you have to get the total of the features of McAfee antivirus, by then you should consistently use a mcafee hard and fast confirmation thing key. It gives you an insisted McAfee Antivirus.Having mcafee all out assurance item key set up in your PC, immaterial, or remote can make your information 100% secure.And by at that point you should constantly use a mcafee total protection product key. Also, you can consider us on our cost free no. +1-888-266-1754. And you can visit on our website
mcafee total protection product key

https://mcafeeactivate.info/mcafee-activation-key

Deam jones said...

Norton security on your device but it shows some kind of error or just doesn’t install.Norton Security premium Individual, Multi-device and household for personal devices and Norton Small Business for your developing company.
norton.com/setup
norton.com/setup
norton.com/setup

Toreto said...

With the expanding cybercrime rate, the need of a trusted antivirus has expanded out and out. Enormous organizations and business for the most part face outcomes of

the digital assaults, regardless of whether it is money related or private. As a proportion of information insurance, organizations as well as each individual is

currently depending on McAfee initiate antivirus program. McAfee Activate in fact offers its free McAfee antivirus download with the fundamental arrangement of

infection expulsion highlights. However, to open propelled highlights, you should have McAfee.com/enact. Clients with no McAfee retail card or an online

McAfee.com/activate account shell go with the means underneath. McAfee security suite squares infections and different worms, malware, spyware and runs in the strike and doesn't cause any issue nor hinders the PC. It expels all current malware from the PC furthermore, gives the great state of PC People ought to download McAfee antivirus programming on their gadget to verify their information from malware. For additional help compassionately click on McAfee.com/initiate. Thus, you can consider us on our toll free no. +1-888-266-1754. And you can visit on our website McAfee.com/activate

https://mcafeeactivate.info/

Educational Information Blogs said...

mobile repairing course karol bagh

mobile repairing course in delhi

led tv repairing course in delhi

mobile software course in delhi

laptop repairing institute in delhi

mobile repairing course in karol bagh

mobile repairing institute in delhi

Andrew cruk said...

I appreciate your hard work. Keep posting new updates with us. This is really a wonderful post. Nice Blog Very interesting and useful information on your website. Thanks for sharing the blog and this great information which is definitely going to help us.
Regards : office.com/setup

Antivirus Activate said...

get the simple tips to install McAFee antivirus software using mcafee.com/activate.

antivirusguard said...

Go for the best services and devices to help yourself. Talk to the customer care executives with the free spirit if some kinds of issues stop you to make the necessary decisions. visit here avg.com/retail

McAfee-Antivirus All Protection Solution said...

Go for the best services and devices to help yourself. Talk to the customer care executives with the free spirit if some kinds of issues stop you to make the necessary decisions. visit heremcafee.com/activate

Norton Setup said...

Excellent info. I will spread the word to my friends to tell them to visit your site useful information norton.com/setup

www.norton.com/setup

Anonymous said...

Want to install/reinstall your office Product visit www.office.com/setup and enter your product key, then Get Started, still you are getting problem, directly chat with our experts.

How to protect your system said...

Very nice blog post, it is informative and i subscribed for all its future post. there are some useful links, i think i must share here mcafee.com/activate

Adam n Eve said...

Thankyou for Sharing The Awesome Blog Post I Found This Article
To Be Very Infromative and Helpfull, I am a Web Developer and
Graphic Designer From Canada and I Love to read and Write Blog About
New Techonology Trends.
Some Of My Web Blogs
Click to Process
norton.com/setup
www.norton.com/setup
login.norton.com
my.norton.com
norton.com/core
norton.com/enroll
norton support
norton com setup
norton chat support

Norton Setup said...

I found this is an informative blog and also very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this blog norton.com/setup
www.norton.com/setup

youtubecomactivate said...

Step by Step Guide How to Activate YouTube
You can get to this element on the off chance that you have a brilliant TV, which just a couple of the most cutting-edge TVs have.
On the off chance that you have a Smart TV, head over to the Smart Hub.
Go to Sign in and Settings and sign in.
Read more…

wwwnortoncomsetup.com said...

Nice post, you give the clear idea of the topic and I subscribed your blog, I have some links to share here norton.com/setup

www.norton.com/setup

Brukkevin said...

I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Jonas Kahnwald Jacket

mj said...

The Mobility Solutions Architect owns and communicates the architectural vision of the product or solution with which the professionals.

rokupcexpert said...

A user simply needs to download and install the app and activate it at www.pandora.com/roku on Roku. After that, you need to complete some steps and you are good to go through above link.

Adam n Eve said...


Its A amazing Post Thanks For Sharing
www.primevideos.com/mytv
www.prime.com/mytv
www.primevideos.com/mytv
www.hulu.com/activate
www.prime.com/mytv

andrewjackson said...

Our the purpose is to share the reviews about the latest Jackets,Coats and Vests also share the related Movies,Gaming, Casual,Faux Leather and Leather materials available Pied Piper Jacket

sasha said...

blog is very amazing and contents are intresting on the blog

mcafee.com/activate

james said...

The blog is very helpful and informative.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts..!!
office.com/setup

sasha said...

offering seat to someone in the bus refers to the respect for the person whom you are offering the seat.
mcafee security key

Nancy Angel said...

Visit Amazon Prime Video App icon which is located in apps. Note down the amazon activation code login. Using the system, I got to primevideo com mytv. Want to know more about primevideo.com/mytvvisit given link.

Alisha Roy Mumbai Escorts Call Girl said...

Call girls in Haridwar includes another measurement in the partner world who is offering a new and new call girls in Haridwar district. We accept that affection and sentiment have no restriction and it very well may be communicated anyplace. Love has no limits and try not to be closefisted while communicating your emotions to an amazingly excellent call girls. All the Haridwar escorts service have a place with a prominent foundation and their reasonableness and inspirational mentality persuade you for an euphoric and upbeat life.

Haridwar Call Girls | Vadodara Call Girls | Kanpur Call Girls | Visakhapatnam Call Girls | Vijayawada Call Girls

Green Kashmir Travels said...

Kashmir holiday Packages. Discover Kashmir with Green Kashmir Travels. One of the premier travel hubs in the state J&K. Green Kashmir travels is popularly known and it is being run by a team of highly qualified professionals from its establishment in the year 1998. We believe in developing a strong genial relationship with our customers. Based on Spirit Of implicit trust and reciprocity. We customize Kashmir Holiday packages, Kashmir Tour Packages, and Leh Ladakh Packages.

𝖇𝖊𝖙𝖘𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖌885♡ said...

whoah this weblog is excellent i really like reading your articles. 온라인경마

𝖇𝖊𝖙𝖘𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖌885♡ said...

There is definately a great deal too find out about this topic.

I love all of the points you have made. 토토

Muna said...

Sweet internet site , super pattern , real clean and employ genial . 먹튀폴리스

Unknown said...

"abrigos de pelo mujer lefties
bolsas de hule transparente
nike cortez prm
ladies summer shorts
gants si assault factory pilot noir oakley
diffuseur par nébulisation à froid amazon
filtre pour aspirateur samsung sc4780
chargeur hp ordinateur portable amazon
moufles millet expedition 8000 m
kimono long femme grande taille
pull training nike
chaussure de basketball nike zoom kobe 11 femme
soldes chaussures homme caterpillar hiver cafétéria
tabouret pour toilette amazon
niveau à laser amazon surligner escorte
kiabi bottine femme
zalando nike zoom fly
pull lacoste col montant activer
chaussure carla moreau
bermuda femme en lin dor
polo ralph lauren jeanshemd damen
nike tanjun damen weiß 44
timberland herren 3 eye
parka mit farbigem
jabo 2 futterboot amazon
nike shirt langarm
all star converse star player
brokkoli kostüm
panini fußball sticker 2016 amazon
jeansjacke mädchen 164
adidas nmd wildleder herren
air max 97 capitao america
adidas cal surf
moleton nike preço
puma calçados femininos desvaneça"

bedortheadora said...

adidas superstar purple
jogging fille 14 ans adidas
af1 louis vuitton
sandália rasteira bottero
zapatillas bimba y lola outlet
chinelo slide da melissa
leggings mit spitzenabschluss
cartera levis hombre
ropa de crossfit nike
camisa da ferroviária
jersey rombos hm
gucci forocoches
sudadera nike vintage
shirt mit schnürung am ausschnitt
gants si assault factory pilot noir oakley
hama stiftplatte einhorn amazon
outlet nike floresta
sacoche lv district
nike hoodie xxl ebay
timberland herren 3 eye
kit citofono terraneo amazon
nike presto extreme pas cher
gucci handbags uk
nike huarache kobe bryant
tight leggings adidas
bolsas de deporte nike negra hombre grande
style année 80 femme
adidas personalised shoes
sandalia rafaela melo
survetement adidas homme militaire
vestido de niña rosa palo
adidas noir doré
adidas rock climbing
adidas boost 350 black
magnum pi jeans
tenis adicolor adidas
nike air max 97 silber
nike neuheiten damen

eddielydon said...

Thanks for the best blog. it was very useful for me.keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. 4th Hokage Coat

taylor fox said...


Office is a set-up of applications designed to assist with efficiency and doing common tasks on a PC. to setup office enter Product Key and activate, kindly visit www.office.com/setup.

Unknown said...

This is a good blog post writing, you have done great job, I have subscribed to your blog for future post, please follow the below useful links too.:

เว็บพนันออนไลน์ ฝากถอน ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ
สล็อตออนไลน์ ฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ำ
คาสิโนออนไลน์ฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ํา
เว็บสล็อต ฝากถอน ไม่มี ขั้น ต่ํา
เว็บพนันออนไลน์ ฝากถอนไม่มีขั้นต่ํา

MURSALEEN ALI said...



Fantastic blog! What advise do you give for aspiring writers?
I plan to create my profile soon, however I am a bit
lost in total. Would you propose starting with
a free platform like WordPress, or should you go for the premium option?
There are so many alternatives that I am absolutely overwhelmed.
Any recommendations? Many thanks!
gstarcad pro crack
gstarcad pro crack
vmware workstation pro crack


SMS squad said...

Looking for a Business Expansion, send text messages with the leading SMS Platform. SMSSQUAD Provides you to send messages at a low price compared to other service providers.bulk sms services

suhaill said...

very informative keep sharing this type of information budget Kashmir tour packages

Haryana daily updates said...

Visit our ABCMIT training center in Delhi if you're looking for a school offering technical courses like LED TV, AC PCB, cellphone repair, etc. For a laptop repairing course in delhi, we offer comprehensive lessons. Our instructors teach our pupils how to build websites, programme Android apps, and fix electrical PCBs. The most influential individuals in Delhi are taught at our facilities. Call us at (9990) 879879 or visit our website for further details.

laptop repairing course in laxmi nagar said...

Do you require further details regarding the ac repairing institute? Visit our ABCMIT training center and sign up for a trial lesson. To assist you expand your technological knowledge and skills, we provide career-oriented training in mobile repair, hardware, and software. We promise to exert all effort to aid in your job search. The number to call us at if you'd want further information is 95-40-438-438.

jaatmonu said...



For the best laptop repairing Institute in delhi, come to our ABC Mobile Institute of Technology training centre. All types of education are given by our expert. If you're interested in today's trends, register in this course. You can use our advice to find work. We have contacts with Delhi's top academics. If you are an expert in laptop repair, you can start your own repair business. Call 9540438438 if you'd like to learn more about us.

jaatmonu said...



Visit our DIGI MANTHAN institute if you're interested in taking a class in laptop repairing course in delhi. This course's training is expertly provided by DIGI. Basic to advanced knowledge of this course is provided by DIGI'trainer. Take this course if technical subjects are of interest to you. We fully commit to helping you in getting jobs. The top trainers in all of Delhi are here now. This course's training is excellently presented by our institute

jaatmonu said...


Arrive to our ABC Mobile Institute of Technology training facility for the best laptop repairing course in delhi. Our staff offers instruction at all levels. Join this course if you want to learn about the most recent advance knowledge. You can apply our suggestions to help you look for work. We give them admission to Delhi's top academic institutions.

jaatmonu said...



Contact our ABC Mobile Institute of Technology location if you're really thinking studying in a mobile repairing course in laxmi nagar delhi. Numerous career options for this course. We're committed to helping you in finding work. Our work will increase your technical knowledge. The trainer for ABC manages the course material on all levels. Call 9540438438 for further details if you'd want information about us.

Charbonnel said...

Discover the decadence of chocolate truffle in Dammam, where velvety ganache centers coated in rich chocolate offer a luxurious indulgence, perfect for elevating any occasion or simply satisfying your sweet cravings in the vibrant city.

Anna Thomas said...

Embracing the wisdom of having finished secondary school in the last millennium brings a unique perspective to today's world. While not yet receiving seats on public transport, the journey continues with nostalgia and experience. Seeking to revitalize your living or working space? Explore the innovative solutions offered by Dubai interior fit out companies to bring modernity and style to your environment.

Road Bridge said...

It's a strange feeling, isn't it? Caught between the worlds of youth and elderliness, not quite old but definitely seasoned. Finished secondary school in the last millennium, yet still navigating the currents of modernity. Life's journey is a fascinating ride indeed. If you ever need a swift overhaul of your surroundings, consider reaching out to emergency demolition contractors in Edmonton.