CIAN NIHILL'SSideways Look At Election 2011
Assuming their RTÉ' positions, Kenny said to be centre stage
WHERE DO they stand? It’s what we all hope to find out after the leaders’ debate tonight on RTÉ. For the political parties concerned, however, it was a question they wanted answered beforehand.
Reports are that a seeded draw was done in RTÉ on Friday evening to help decide where the party leaders would be positioned during the first five-way debate. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny won the plum spot (or not) by drawing the centre position, with Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin and Labour’s Eamon Gilmore either side.
Predetermined to be on the flanks, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams was drawn beside Eamon Gilmore, while the Green’s John Gormley was picked to be beside Micheál Martin.
RTÉ could not comment last night, saying it was not announcing the position of the leaders because it was awaiting to hear back officially from all the parties involved.
It is yet to be seen whether any horse-trading goes on between the parties as Labour is said to be unhappy about being positioned so close to Sinn Féin.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ENDA KENNY
" I have ruled out doing business with Sinn Féin. I have ruled out doing business with Fianna Fáil. The Fine Gael leader on possible future government partners
ELECTION ONLINE: THE BEST BITS FROM YOU TUBE:
The guys from RTÉs comedy skit show Savage Eyehelp teach the youth of Ireland what really matters when it comes to electing politicians.
tinyurl.com/4hdhk4d
Warning: You may not be able to get this song out of your head. While it hasn’t hit the Hot 100 list yet, the song of Independent candidate for Limerick John Dillon is top of the general election charts heading into week three.
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NUMBER OF THE DAY
574
The number of duplicates of the Galway coat of arms that are visible if you zoom out on the website of Galway West Independent candidate Mike Cubbard
ONLINE
irishtimes.com/election2011
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