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Replying To yew_tree:  "I really don't understand the "pothole" anology when describing local policies. If local politics means them keeping a hospital open, keeping the local factory open, funding for the local GAA pitch, cancer services, local public transport, broadband, bypass for a traffic choked town….then why do people think people should not vote for these valid local issues?"
Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3914 - 29/01/2026 18:03:31    2653954

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy."
Local politicians have very little power when it comes to serious infrastructure issues. That's not going to change anytime soon.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8737 - 30/01/2026 09:09:03    2653989

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy."
No while you have Constituencies.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 356 - 30/01/2026 11:01:09    2654021

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Replying To KillingFields:  "There hasnt been any change in the past 12/18 months. it was a bit of a misnomer that only the captain could approach the ref. The statement about bundee is hard hitting and theyre clearly trying to stop this any more.
Leinster players are very bad for yapping to/at officials and we've seen some get chastased for doing so but not enough.
Rugby does seem to be trying to stop more chat/abuse towards officials. hopefully this bundee ban will impact things for the better going forward"
I disagree there has been far more shouting on the field from players and this has coincided with a lot more younger refs coming on the scene in the URC, weather its a defibrate tacit from the management its hard to say but it should have been clamped down on a lot earlier than the Aki case. It should have been dealt with by the IRFU far earlier and now they are paying the price for it.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2161 - 30/01/2026 12:18:02    2654044

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Replying To yew_tree:  "I really don't understand the "pothole" anology when describing local policies. If local politics means them keeping a hospital open, keeping the local factory open, funding for the local GAA pitch, cancer services, local public transport, broadband, bypass for a traffic choked town….then why do people think people should not vote for these valid local issues?"
You worryingly ignored the context "Pothole politics" was mentioned under, about the unknown levels of influence that lobbying has on Irish TD's and Irish government policy, something that seriously needs to be investigated. There needs to be transparency around who is influencing Government policy or TD's in general, and also transparency over how much said lobby groups actually contribute to Ireland in real terms versus the benefits or favorable terms they receive.

Regarding the "Pothole" analogy, it was in reference to voters who will repeatedly vote for the same TD election after election, not based on the merit of said TD's work or even their Parties work in the Dail, but because said TD makes a few calls in the run up to a General election to get a few potholes filled on rural back roads they live along or with planning etc. Basically local stuff that isn't the TD's responsibility, but said TD is happy to sort it, because it keeps them elected without scrutiny of their actual job performance or who they really work for.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1603 - 31/01/2026 22:58:02    2654233

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Not a word about Greenland now!
Not that I would have any sympathy for Denmark...yes sympathy for Greenland but not the Danish.
Who do the Danes think they are with Copenhagen being most expensive City in Europe 8 euro Cup of coffee 12 euro pint of beer!
Yes I've been there, didn't like it and never again, had much better craic in Malmo when I got the train across.
Personality of a flip flop like robots they are but their Danish biscuits are nice!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2788 - 03/02/2026 12:27:47    2654759

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Prendercast is like a new born foal falling all over the place.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2557 - 05/02/2026 20:40:54    2655144

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Prendercast is like a new born foal falling all over the place."
We need to compile a shopping list, and head back down under for some players. Bundee, Lowe, Gibson Park nearly finished. Maybe have a look in Argentina for a few props too,

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4541 - 05/02/2026 22:12:57    2655150

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Prendercast is like a new born foal falling all over the place."
We badly need a 10 by the time the WC comes around. And I don't get why we kept kicking away possession when we looked ok with ball in hand. Think they were planning for SA rather than France. At least Farrell looks like he's trying to build a panel.
Maybe he is trying to build towards the next WC.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18257 - 06/02/2026 07:50:27    2655164

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Replying To Viking66:  "We badly need a 10 by the time the WC comes around. And I don't get why we kept kicking away possession when we looked ok with ball in hand. Think they were planning for SA rather than France. At least Farrell looks like he's trying to build a panel.
Maybe he is trying to build towards the next WC."
You might look ok with 'ball in hand', but Shane Horgan said we lack pace everywhere, and if you lack pace in rugby, you likely won't trouble top opposition. As any self respecting alickadoo will tell you, 'pace is to rugby as length is to golf'. I think we need new talent, and looking at the last decade impact of Bundee, Lowe, Gibson-Park, Hansen etc, at least we know now where to find talent for the Irish side.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4541 - 06/02/2026 08:35:39    2655166

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At least we will be spared months of nonsense about how they are going to win the World Cup.

Do they still award a Wooden Spoon?

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3985 - 06/02/2026 08:49:35    2655167

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Prendercast is like a new born foal falling all over the place."
The jest of your post says you're disappointed and upset with the result, can I suggest don't be as it's only sport, what goes around comes around etc, etc.

Wales will probably take a thumping from the yeo dling dandies tomorrow; if that happens, we will have new potential world champions in the making.

Sometimes you are best off to saynothing, it helps, etc, etc.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3352 - 06/02/2026 09:10:10    2655169

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "We need to compile a shopping list, and head back down under for some players. Bundee, Lowe, Gibson Park nearly finished. Maybe have a look in Argentina for a few props too,"
If only it was that easy Pope!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18257 - 06/02/2026 09:13:45    2655170

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Replying To supersub15:  "The jest of your post says you're disappointed and upset with the result, can I suggest don't be as it's only sport, what goes around comes around etc, etc.

Wales will probably take a thumping from the yeo dling dandies tomorrow; if that happens, we will have new potential world champions in the making.

Sometimes you are best off to saynothing, it helps, etc, etc."
I say what I see. Sat down to hopefully watch a close match and they got battered in first 40 minutes. I was crying out for more Advertising.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2557 - 06/02/2026 10:56:24    2655188

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Replying To Saynothing:  "I say what I see. Sat down to hopefully watch a close match and they got battered in first 40 minutes. I was crying out for more Advertising."
The first half was good to watch in fairness. French played with real flair and their first try of second half was brilliant albeit aided by Three Stooges like defending.

In fairness the guys did step up to the plate for a few minutes and managed to get two messy tries to take the bad look off things. I suppose they might beat Italy,

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3985 - 06/02/2026 12:11:03    2655208

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Replying To Viking66:  "We badly need a 10 by the time the WC comes around. And I don't get why we kept kicking away possession when we looked ok with ball in hand. Think they were planning for SA rather than France. At least Farrell looks like he's trying to build a panel.
Maybe he is trying to build towards the next WC."
They say Caspar Gabriel will overtake them all but at only 20 will the world cup come too soon. I personally have not seen him play but lads that have have about him.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2161 - 06/02/2026 12:22:49    2655210

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