I wanted to dive into the political fire that is Michael Lowry’s latest power play. Let’s set the scene: Lowry, the ex-Fine Gael golden boy turned political pariah, is now the kingmaker in Ireland’s latest coalition drama.
After the recent election, Fianna Fáil got 48 seats, Fine Gael trailed with 38, and they needed Lowry’s bunch of Regional Independents to make up the numbers work. The coalition deal? A couple of cushy jobs, some junior gigs, and Verona Murphy gets to play referee as Ceann Comhairle. But Lowry, ever the opportunist, wants more. He’s demanding speaking time during Leaders’ Questions while still propping up the government. And the political geniuses agreed!
Optics Check: A Hot Mess or Hidden Genius?
Now, let’s talk optics. On paper, Harris and Martin could spin this as some kumbaya moment of inclusive politics. “Look at us, playing nice with the independents!” But here’s the rub: Lowry isn’t just some quirky indie TD; he’s a walking, talking political scandal. Handing him a microphone while he’s holding your government together? That’s like giving a pyromaniac a box of safety matches and calling it fire safety.
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald’s already out there calling it a “stitch-up” – and for once, I can’t say she’s wrong. The public’s not stupid. They see this for what it is: Harris and Martin bending over backwards for a guy they used to rubbish. Optics score? About as effective as plastering yourself with aftershave while muck spreading.
Spin It, Not Screw It Up
The move’s defensible – barely. You hit the air waves with, “Coalitions ain’t pretty, but stability’s the goal. Lowry gets a voice, not a crown.” Tie it to results – jobs, roads, whatever – and you might dodge the heat.
Problem is, these two are fumbling the bag too hard. Martin’s out here mumbling about “balance” and “he’s not in cabinet,” while Harris just shrugs like, “Voters wanted this.” Weak sauce, guys. You have half-assed the spin. Every time Lowry talks in the Dáil, it’s a flashback to his baggage. They needed a preemptive strike: “Yeah, we said some shit before, but governing’s compromise.” Instead, they’re stuck dodging arrows from a united opposition, who’ve got this on repeat: “They slammed him, now they’re his megaphone.”
What the Streets See – And It Ain’t Pretty
Here’s the real problem – public sentiment matters more than Dáil rulebooks. Most people won’t care about speaking time details, but they are smart enough to see the sleaze. Lowry on the mic, tied to a coalition that tweaked rules for him? That’s a really bad look. Protests outside Leinster House, opposition threatening walkouts – it’s visual ammo for the “they’re so desperate” storyline.
Could it work, though? Sure – if they drown it out with wins. Push some flashy policy ideas, and this might fade to background noise. But if the economy tanks or Lowry stirs up old ghosts, this speaking time crap becomes Exhibit A in “they sold out.” They’re banking on short memories, but the people in Ireland don’t forget that easy.
Legacy: Playing with Fire
PR’s about the long haul, and this could really torch their reputations. Harris and Martin want to be seen as steady hands, not desperate deal-cutting eejits. Hooking up with Lowry, especially amplifying him, risks that. Every Leader’s Question he pops off in is a roll of the dice – does Lowry shine, or does he remind everyone why he’s a liability?
Their old stances make it worse. Martin’s Moriarty-era fire and Fine Gael’s Lowry breakup are public record. I think they should’ve owned it upfront – “Times change, coalitions don’t care about feelings.” Instead, they’re playing coy, and it’s a mood and confidence killer. Legacy’s on the line, and right now, it’s looking like “these boys would do ANYTHING to give Lowry a mic.”
How To Fix This Shit
This is coalition realness – everyone should get heard, end of story. Harris and Martin need to be out front, delivering, not hiding. Lowry? He talks, but is kept low-key – no hero moments. The rule tweak gets buried in a bigger “reform package” narrative, not a solo spotlight.
And flood the zone with feel-good wins to shift the conversation. But, they ain’t doing that – they’re letting it fester, and that’s turned it into a PR nightmare. Martin should be owning his past statements, framing this as necessary compromise for the greater good. Keep Lowry on a tight leash, and for the love of all that’s holy, prep for every possible scandal resurrection.
Bad Look, Sloppy Execution
So, bottom line? This speaking time fiasco smells worse than week-old fish. It ties Harris and Martin to Lowry’s stink, muddies their message, and lets the opposition run wild. The optics are rubbish – power over principle, plain and simple.
Could they salvage it? Yep, but right now, they’re flailing, and it’s a slow bleed of credibility. They handed Lowry a megaphone – let’s see if he sings or sinks ’em. This is politics unfiltered, folks, and it ain’t going to be pretty. This rollercoaster’s just getting started, and from where I’m sitting, it’s all downhill from here.
