James Reilly: the people have spoken
Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 12:00 Don't ask me to analyse the election results in Ireland.
As things stand it could be weeks before a new government is confirmed.
I'm sure the country will cope just fine (a few years ago Belgium 'survived' for 18 months without a government) but there are some interesting stories to report.
One is the fact that James Reilly, the former health minister who turned the war on tobacco into a personal crusade, could be about to lose his seat.
It's not been confirmed yet so the prosecco is on ice until it is but I'm sure Forest won't be the only ones celebrating.
For those with short memories (or no interest in Irish politics), here are three previous posts I've written about this odious politician:
Why Irish health minister James Reilly should resign
James Reilly: All mouth and no trousers
James Reilly: the face of Big Government wants war with Big Tobacco
James Reilly topped the poll in four-seat Fingal in 2011. Now it's a five-seat but he's about to lose his seat to a SF candidate. #ge16
— Colette Browne (@colettebrowne) February 28, 2016
Fine Gael people in the count centre in Dublin Fingal believe James Reilly will lose his seat. https://t.co/o4O9py1aeW
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 28, 2016
No fan of SF, but losing the arrogant and self-serving James Reilly is one of the best stories of #GE16 #dubf https://t.co/nLPzvpdwqM
— Keith Mills (@KeithM) February 28, 2016
Have you read our manifesto, @DrJamesReilly? 1 in 5 voters smoke. https://t.co/6RG7NwKc8g #SmokersAreVoters #GE16 pic.twitter.com/sDIkfCSIRD
— Forest Eireann (@FEireann) February 17, 2016
Simon Clark
James Reilly has lost his seat. It's been taken by Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly https://t.co/h39I6AEHF8 #ge16 pic.twitter.com/PJ8pCeV1zj
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) February 28, 2016
Reader Comments (3)
Let the celebrations begin!
Unfortunately Sinn Fein claims to be a "progressive" party, which in this day and age often translates as a grouping of self righteous bigots determined to press authoritarian legislation on the wider population "for its own good" irrespective of whether the wider population agrees or not.
Riley's defeat is indeed something to celebrate but, whilst I am delighted that Sinn Fein is disrupting the established order in Irish politics I am not sure that its influence will lead to greater personal freedom.
Look at what happened in the GE here. The worst of the smokerphobics were booted out - like Stephen Williams - and a new set of smokerphobics came in.
They cannot see the elephant in the room and there will be uncertainty and unhappiness until someone in power begins to listen to consumers and not overpaid political lobbyists and phobics with their own personal agendas to push.
I'm pleased Reilly has gone. I'll be watching what happens next. So far Ireland has made clear I am not welcome as a tourist because I am a smoker. If the climate begins to soften, and Ireland begins to learn the real meaning of equality, then maybe it'll be a country worth spending my money and time in.
At the moment, I'm about as minded to go there for a break as much as I'm minded to visit Syria.