Simon Harris Confidence Vote

[Statsman]

In response to Aontú's statement yesterday that they were going to table a motion of no confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris next week, the government have tabled a confidence motion in Harris for this afternoon.

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2025/1 ... -politics/

So, we'll go through the motions, everyone will say what we expect them to say, and that'll be that.

Peadar Tóibín's statement focused on Harris' failure to deliver on promises he made as Minister for Health some years back. While he's not wrong, and Harris is a poor politician, it seems to me that if we want to declare no confidence in failed Health Ministers, we'd need to dig up every one of them since the foundation of the state. The failure is more systemic than individual; we seem constitutionally incapable of running a public health service.

[midlander12]

In response to Aontú's statement yesterday that they were going to table a motion of no confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris next week, the government have tabled a confidence motion in Harris for this afternoon.

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2025/1 ... -politics/

So, we'll go through the motions, everyone will say what we expect them to say, and that'll be that.

Peadar Tóibín's statement focused on Harris' failure to deliver on promises he made as Minister for Health some years back. While he's not wrong, and Harris is a poor politician, it seems to me that if we want to declare no confidence in failed Health Ministers, we'd need to dig up every one of them since the foundation of the state. The failure is more systemic than individual; we seem constitutionally incapable of running a public health service.

As someone with decades of experience of the health service, public and private, first with my now-deceased parents and more recently myself and OH, I literally cannot stand hearing politicians propounding about it. Not one of them has a clue what to do about it (nor do I, though I would start with some local satellite clinics to keep people away from A&E for non-life-threatening issues). The fact that health as an issue has never determined an election tells it all - people do not believe any of the parties can sort it out. It's worth noting that from conversations I've had, the UK, Canada and France all seem to be down the same swannie.

Of course this is all about the inveterate attention-seeker Toibin keeping in the news and getting vingince for FF/FG spiking poor Maria's candidacy. The rest of them will use it as part of Connolly's campaign, even though it's yet another thing the President can't do anything about.

[Socthesecond]

Mr Tóibín said the motion of no confidence in Mr Harris was a lever to get justice for children who need treatment for scoliosis.

And that would be fair enough if it wasnt the week of a Presidential Election.

One wonders what proportion of Tobin's concern is about the scoliosis patients and what proportion is grandstanding.

I disagree diametrically with Tobin on most issues.

Harris IS a klutz.

[Statsman]

Mr Tóibín said the motion of no confidence in Mr Harris was a lever to get justice for children who need treatment for scoliosis.

And that would be fair enough if it wasnt the week of a Presidential Election.

One wonders what proportion of Tobin's concern is about the scoliosis patients and what proportion is grandstanding.

I disagree diametrically with Tobin on most issues.

Harris IS a klutz.

Tobín grandstanding? Well, I never.

[Brabantje]

Mr Tóibín said the motion of no confidence in Mr Harris was a lever to get justice for children who need treatment for scoliosis.

And that would be fair enough if it wasnt the week of a Presidential Election.

One wonders what proportion of Tobin's concern is about the scoliosis patients and what proportion is grandstanding.

I disagree diametrically with Tobin on most issues.

Harris IS a klutz.

I think this has been on the cards since that child passed away after "disappearing" from the waiting list. So early September. But the timing is not right. The following week would have been appropriate.

It's also far too early in the Dail term, so there's no "i need to save my seat" pressure on the indos and/or FF'ers who may be feeling the need to upset the apple tart in regards to their own leadership.

[Brabantje]

On the other hand, it would be objectively funny if he was to be the cause of a second government falling.

[Statsman]

On the other hand, it would be objectively funny if he was to be the cause of a serving government falling.

FF will want rid of MM and time for his replacement to bed in before a GE.

[Brabantje]

FF will want rid of MM and time for his replacement to bed in before a GE.

If there's sufficient discontent, that may not be in their gift. But that's a big if.

[midlander12]

On the other hand, it would be objectively funny if he was to be the cause of a second government falling.

And also objectively not going to happen, this time anyway.

[midlander12]

Tobín grandstanding? Well, I never.

Wembley, the Aviva and the Camp Nu combined couldn't hold his ego, which appears to have grown in inverse proportion to his political lightness of touch. I mean , you claim to be looking for a presidential candidate with broad appeal that will attract 20 Oireachtas votes, and then you propose Maria Steen.

I love the way he now has a little acolyte to join him on the Dail plinth, though of course seen only and not heard.

[Statsman]

Shockingly, the confidence motion was carried.

[midlander12]

Shockingly, the confidence motion was carried.

94 to 65, Gogarty abstained. Yawn.

[Brabantje]

The real trouble will be when the economy tanks. Again.

[Irish History]

I love the way he now has a little acolyte to join him on the Dail plinth, though of course seen only and not heard.

Aontu TD Paul Lawless was on RTE 'Late Debate' just a few days ago.

[Clanrickard]

The real trouble will be when the economy tanks. Again.

Yep. The warning signs are there and are being ignored.

[Brabantje]

Independent Ireland not being very, well, independent.

[Round tower]

though I would start with some local satellite clinics to keep people away from A&E for non-life-threatening issues).

Last Friday i had to attend the A&E with at the time a non life threatening issue at the time but within 12 hours it became very serious and the ICU was mentioned. Thankfully it did not get that far but it's unlikely that local clinics would have diagnosed the issue

[Brabantje]

though I would start with some local satellite clinics to keep people away from A&E for non-life-threatening issues).

Last Friday i had to attend the A&E with at the time a non life threatening issue at the time but within 12 hours it became very serious and the ICU was mentioned. Thankfully it did not get that far but it's unlikely that local clinics would have diagnosed the issue

Good to see ya RT. Glad your I'm better shape.

I think the point of the local clinics is triage. Of its anyway serious you'll go straight to A&E i would have thought.

[Round tower]

Good to see ya RT. Glad your I'm better shape.

Thanks, yes i am but it meant being on O2 for 35 hours

I think the point of the local clinics is triage. Of its anyway serious you'll go straight to A&E i would have thought.

My point was that local clinic would probably not have discovered it, that on stag last Friday night i thought i was being let home till they done one last blood test which discovered the problem thankfully

[Brabantje]

My point was that local clinic would probably not have discovered it, that on stag last Friday night i thought i was being let home till they done one last blood test which discovered the problem thankfully

Why would a clinic not do the same tests as A&E?

[Round tower]

Would not have the equipment for the test or the docters that would have raised the possibility of the need for the test,

[Socthesecond]

though I would start with some local satellite clinics to keep people away from A&E for non-life-threatening issues).

Last Friday i had to attend the A&E with at the time a non life threatening issue at the time but within 12 hours it became very serious and the ICU was mentioned. Thankfully it did not get that far but it's unlikely that local clinics would have diagnosed the issue

Good to see you RT, hope you're keeping well. (Despite the trip to Aand E)!

[Clanrickard]

Independent Ireland not being very, well, independent.

Was there ever a party (if indeed they are one) so devoid of any central ideology other than mé fein?

[Round tower]

Was there ever a party (if indeed they are one) so devoid of any central ideology other than mé fein?

Thanks, getting there, thankfully back to work on Monday, in the last 6 to 8 weeks i have only worked 3 days, first it was cellulitis in the leg which meant 8 days in hospital, and then the latest problem which resulted in 5 days in. In between i was off 7 days work with complaints all connected with he latest problem
I dont want to see A&E for a couple of years at the earliest

[Clanrickard]

Thanks, getting there, thankfully back to work on Monday, in the last 6 to 8 weeks i have only worked 3 days, first it was cellulitis in the leg which meant 8 days in hospital, and then the latest problem which resulted in 5 days in. In between i was off 7 days work with complaints all connected with he latest problem
I dont want to see A&E for a couple of years at the earliest

Hope you are fine now.