Comments on: … get up them stairs, Johnny

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:06:21 +0000

A fair comment on the Dail proceedings. No apology from the Ceann Comhairle for all his wasteful expenditure and no indication that the taxpayer would be reimbursed. The arrogance on the one hand and the whinging bleatings about fairness on the other hand leave me lost for words.The actions of the Labour leader are to be commended and Ihope that we have reached a watershed in Irish public life and that from here on in the parsimonious attitude by politicians to the spending of tax payers money that was the hallmark of the early years of the State will once again prevail.

By: Eoin O'Mahony

Eoin O'Mahony — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:03:17 +0000

“a sense of entitlement that appears to have polluted parliament ” and almost every other aspect of our society as well. That’s what happens when you substitute cheap money for solidarity.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:33:45 +0000

Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out, Johnny Cash.

By: Edward Sheehy

Edward Sheehy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:55:25 +0000

In his speech John O’Donoghue exposed all that’s wrong with Irish politics. He confuses the fact that he (and his wife and staff) could claim extravagant un-vouched expenses with the notion that he (and they) should do so, at every available opportunity. In the absence of any decency or moral compunction their greed exposes them as parasites on the public purse.

His justification that as Minister he, personally, could take responsibility for numerous arts and sports facilities funded during his time in office demonstrates how the Cabinet is merely a gathering of overweening egos dispensing Departmental largesse as if it were from their own wallets.

It goes without saying that their decisions are very often politically motivated (Dept of Arts decentralised to Killarney, etc.) rather than based on principles of good governance.

I am heartily sick of O’Donoghue and his ilk and there is little sign that any of them will stand up and say that what they have been doing was wrong, in principle, and that they are going to make restitution to the Irish people.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:25:49 +0000

This is an excellent description of the laughable events in the Dail yesterday
The crux of the matter is that no lessons were learned by Junket Johnny
As he desperately tried to justify his position
This is endemic within the walls of the Dail and we should expect to see more of this grandstanding soon
However I would like to pose the question what promises did Junket Johnny receive from his mates to go quietly (Maybe the European Commissioners Job?)

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:39:13 +0000

Holding no torch for FG but I did find JOD’s bleatings about the actions of Eamon Gilmore a bit rich considering how he made his name in Politics shadowing Nora Owen as Minister for Justice. I am not sure I can see a huge difference between the two episodes of Hounding. But maybe I am missing something!