Columns - Irish Examiner

Ivan Yates

Forget the false election promises, we’re out of cash and out of choices

WAKEY, wakey. The alarm clock is set early this morning for our new cabinet.

Thu, 10 Mar, 2011

Serious soul searching needed for FF to escape the political wilderness

GREATEST misnomer of the election was of any outright winner.

Thu, 03 Mar, 2011

Enda, only a coalition government can help you sort out the mess we’re in

DEAR Enda,

Thu, 24 Feb, 2011

Winners, losers and coalition capers: My predictions for Election 2011

JUST one full week of campaigning to go. Time to finalise predictions for the election outcome. Many undecided voters don’t finalise their preferences until the last few days. There is still time for variations and late surprises but the overall shape of the result is now apparent.

Thu, 17 Feb, 2011

FG and Labour’s master stroke will only sow the seeds for FF comeback

LET’S fast forward to Monday, February 28 … After a hectic weekend of counting, the last seats have been allocated. Voters have spoken.

Thu, 10 Feb, 2011

Now is the opportunity to finally demand more from our politicians

THE death of the 30th Dáil can allow rebirth of Irish democracy. An unnoticed aspect of Bertie Ahern’s tenure was the irrelevance of policy platforms within parties.

Thu, 03 Feb, 2011

The five lessons to be learned from political crisis and chaos

MOMENTOUS political events of such magnitude occurred recently that they will be recorded in the annals of history.

Thu, 27 Jan, 2011

In the blood sport of internal FF politics, my enemy’s enemy is my friend

THE late Seamus Brennan cautioned the Green party government negotiators that they were now playing All-Ireland senior hurling. Internal Fianna Fáil politics is much more brutal — it’s a genuine blood sport.

Thu, 20 Jan, 2011

Winds of change blowing for 2011 as we bury annus maximus horribilis

On the cusp of changing years, it’s traditional to acknowledge achievers and set out new aspirations. 2010 was no ordinary year. ‘Annus horribilis’ doesn’t come close — ‘maximus’ needs to be inserted.

Thu, 30 Dec, 2010

With the problems we have, the new government needs to be in top form

OUR politicians are so self indulgent. It’s always about them. Dithering over the timing of the election date reminds me of similar political paralysis in 2008.

Thu, 23 Dec, 2010