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Column Living with the legacy of corruption

Young Dublin Fianna Fáil councillor Paul McAuliffe says the corruption revealed in the Mahon report makes it difficult to repair public’s trust in politics.

BEING A CITY councillor has many challenges, but the role is made all the more difficult by the actions those who were involved in corrupt payments.

Their actions have fundamentally undermined the confidence which people have in our political system and it is a legacy which new people in politics are forced to live with.

As a politician, each week I get to see the amazing work taking place in local communities. Elected representative are warmly welcomed at these events and our presence is seen to lend support to particular causes.

Also at an individual level, people respect the effort put in by those politicians they are familiar with but when we are considered as a collective, the word politician is more often used as a term of abuse or derision.

The release of the final chapter of the Mahon Tribunal report again outlines a series of payments which it determines as corrupt. It will reinforce the perception that politicians are all ‘at it’, that they are feathering their own nests and willing to participate in corruption to better themselves.

The actions of the corrupt make it difficult to attract good new people to politics

The reality of course is that these corrupt payments were limited to a small number of councillors but their actions have tarred the reputation of good councillors who have served in the past and makes it all the more difficult to attract new people to politics. When I read the names of those mentioned in today’s publication, from my own party and others, they are people who, in the main, I don’t know and refer to incidents which took place many years ago – and yet their legacy permeates today’s political culture.

How we can repair the trust of people in politics is a difficult question and there is no doubt that corruption is not the only reason for public cynicism. Overly generous payments to some and broken promises by others all play their part but corruption undermines the very credibility which elected representatives have and therefore undermines their ability to persuade on important issues.

As the Mahon Tribunal rightly said, corruption is a deeply corrosive and destructive force which undermines social equality and perpetuates unfairness. The changes over the past decade governing donations and campaign expenses have made it far more difficult to engage in the blatant cash for votes type corruption but the Mahon report also identifies another potential source of corruption – ‘conflicts of interest’.

Conflicts of interest are a root cause of corruption which according to the report “arises where an elected or appointed public official has a private interest which is likely to be affected by the exercise of his or her public powers”. In my experience the system of regulating these private interests is too loose and in the main is self-regulated.

Declaring a conflict of interest

As a councillor I have on a number of occasions exempted myself from discussions because the outcome could benefit either myself or a ‘connected person’. On those occasions that decision was one largely left to me and I have no doubt that if I had not exempted myself, there would have been no repercussions. In fact by declaring a conflict and removing yourself from a vote, you can often attract the ire of local residents who may be relying on you to vote in a particular way.

The very nature of local government which pays councillors an allowance rather than a proper salary is also problematic. Councillors, many of whom have a much-needed second job, are exposed to the pressure which comes with that. Could a councillor who holds a certain political view freely express that view without jeopardizing their regular employment? Could a councillor working in the insurance industry speak freely about reducing the cost of insurance? No one wants to create a political class removed from reality but the reality of combining two roles has lead to something far worse, ineffective local government.

Our current system of local government is broken

Our current system of local government is broken and the government’s proposals ‘putting people first’ does little to change it. In fact in Dublin, where they have added 53 extra councillors, they seem to have made a bad system worse. International experience tells us that in a city like Dublin, we actually need fewer councillors who have more of their time dedicated to running the city and scrutinising the decisions of unelected officials.

Unfortunately the current government’s failure to fully implement the recommendations of the Mahon Tribuanal coupled with their failure to really reform local government means that while the corruption of the past is unlikely to be repeated in such a blatant way, the system is still vulnerable to those who wish to corrupt it.

Paul McAuliffe is a Fianna Fáil Councillor on Dublin City Council where he represents Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin and Santry.

Read more about the publication of the final chapter of the Mahon Tribunal’s report>

What WOULD it take for a politician to lose their pension?>

How to prevent corruption in the future: Mahon’s recommendations>

24 events that have changed our world in the time it took Mahon to conclude>

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63 Comments
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Aug 1st 2013, 7:39 AM

    The problem with corruption within the political heavyweights and movers and shakers in Ireland is they always slip away from being severely punished plus unfortunately some people here still love the cute hoor /gombeenism that goes with it.

    116
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    Mute Paul Gibbons
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:08 AM

    True indeed!

    Let’s continue to keep an eye out for the overt attempts by wanna-be politicians to brown-nose their way into the hearts and minds of the voters who they hope will get them onto the very same gravy-train they currently criticise!

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    Mute Niall
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:10 AM

    Exactly Martin. Bertie ahern being a prime example

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:55 AM

    “unfortunately some people here still love the cute hoor /gombeenism that goes with it.”

    A large portion of the population it seems given that the likes of Michael Lowry and the Healy-Rae’s, not to mention others, have kept on getting elected time after time after time again.

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    Mute gumbridge
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    Aug 1st 2013, 10:16 AM

    The rot started with Charlie.

    21
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:16 AM

    Every country has corruption. There is corruption in every government and political system. The differences between the countries and corruption are their safe-guards against corruption. This means systems created to combat corruption. Systems being, laws governmental groups, non-profit groups, police sections and whistle-blowing, legislation that would combat the corruption that exist in our government.

    Sadly… I don’t have much hope that such will ever happen in Ireland. Our political and banking elites, the same people/families who replaced Ireland’s original occupiers, have corrupted and maligned our laws to suit their needs. As we stand corruption and white-collar criminals are untouchable there is nothing in our laws that will affectively hold the corrupters and criminals accountable. Further, we cannot expect this body of elites to pass laws to protect us and punish themselves.

    Are there any ideas as to how we… As a people, as tax payers, as hardworking individuals can force the political and banking elite to pass laws that will bring laws into being that will bring honesty and integrity cultural norm in our government and in the Oireachtas?

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    Mute Michael Fagan
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:12 PM

    Marlon major, transparency, is one way of dealing with corruption, and looking outside the Anglo Saxon world, copy some of the political systems of Scandinavian countries, who are consistently the least corrupt in the world

    8
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 3:03 PM

    Michael Fagen, I’ve spent a great deal of time in Norway and I agree their system seem to work. During my time in Norway I never saw the type of new stories about government and politicians there as we have here. I never heard people speak negatively about the integrity or dishonesty of tbe government or politicians. I believe transparency is key…. But more importantly such behavior isn’t tolerated.

    It seems like there is a type of social pride that exist that causes each citizen to police each other and share the good and bad.

    It’s a cultural thing. Here’s a Scandinavian anecdote which the differences in our countries. In Norway, Denmark and Sweden their mountains are dotted with huts that has basic comforts: a couple of rooms with blankets, shower, wood for the fireplace and wood burning stove, refrigerator, chairs , kitchen table and an outdoor trash bin.

    People who hike and cross country ski use these huts all year long for shelter. You may come onto a but were 4 different sets of strangers are sharing the accommodation. The use of the hut is on the bonor system and people take pride in leaving the hut in a better condition than they found it. There’s a particular amount of fredoom, trust and pride that surrounds the use of these huts. The question is…. How would hats as I described work here in Ireland? Could we use such a system work here without abuse or misuse?

    The differences in how the two cultures see the world influences their perspective governments

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    Mute Peace for All
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    Aug 1st 2013, 3:45 PM

    First line of the article should read …
    BEING A CITY councillor has many challenges, but the role is made all the more difficult by still being completely unaccountable.

    Then the second and final sentence should then say,
    “And nothing will ever change that , but vote for me anyway”.

    4
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Aug 1st 2013, 3:50 PM

    Marlon – That kind of sharing and caring resources (like the huts in the mountains that they have in scandinavia would sadly never work here.

    Could you honestly imagine the wicklow way having this kind of amenity without them being destroyed?

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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 4:21 PM

    Sad but true… However, we could strive for a country that bound by honesty, integrity, accountability, respect and transparency by all.

    We are a small enough country where we can reinvent ourselves. Just think of the positive financial influences that would bolster our economy. Tourists would feel it, see it and experience it!

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    Mute Dagda
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    Aug 1st 2013, 7:09 PM

    The bankruptcy of the state through systemic failures within our government wasn’t enough to motivate us to change how we govern ourselves. What makes you believe that we would now stand up and demand reform?
    The Irish state was bailed out to the tune of approx €100 billion. It can be hard to comprehend such fantastically large numbers so think of it this way.
    1 million seconds is 11.5 days.
    1 billion seconds is 31.5 years.
    That is the difference between €1 million and €1 billion. Now try and imagine the real world cost of €100 billion. Let that sink in for a moment. Think about how much that bailout has and is going to cost the Irish taxpayer for decades and decades to come. Yet, despite all of this, despite all that has been inflicted on Irish society by the catastrophic failure of our system of governance, we have done nothing. Hell, we haven’t even managed to hold a banking inquiry yet. Do you honestly believe that enough people are going to care about corruption that they will actually try and force their political representatives to address it? I admire your optimism, I wish it were true but the sad reality is that the political class can carry on doing what they like and we’ll carry on accepting it. It’s all we know how to do.

    4
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:30 PM

    Dagda… Thanks for your comment. I’m trying to get my head around this…. Why do you believe there is inaction?

    1
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:30 PM

    Dagda… Thanks for your response. Where I come from there is always action. Good or bad there is action when people feel they have been wronged. The Zimmerman/Martin Case is a prime example.

    I’m trying to get my head around this…. Why do you think there is no grass roots community action against the broken inequitable system, bad goverment and corrupt politicians?

    1
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    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
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    Aug 2nd 2013, 8:45 AM

    Mountain Meitheal have provided several huts on the Wicklow Way and thankfully they’re respected and in good shape!

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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 2nd 2013, 8:48 AM

    This is awesome and good to know. I will probably make use of thi rental in the next year! Thanks!

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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:08 AM

    Haha. The barefaced cheek of the man. He comes on here lecturing us about the evils of corruption, yet he’s a member of the most corrupt political party in this state. Just when we thought we’d heard it all!!

    69
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    Mute Steve Hardy
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    Aug 1st 2013, 7:39 AM

    Hurrah for Ireland.

    I have nothing positive to say about this man, his column or his ilk. Best I can do is is admire his brazenness.

    68
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    Mute John Campbell
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:05 AM

    Another pathetic attempt at rehabilitating a totally corrupted regime.
    Our country is in ruins because of them.
    We read this morning about corrupt developers walking away with millions even though found to be
    Involved in corrupt deals.
    The whole thing beggars belief.

    62
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 1st 2013, 7:46 AM

    Like all politicians, he pays lip service to the break down in trust between us and them. They still don’t get it do they? The utter apathy and indifference that so many people have towards politicians. They still don’t get the level and scope of mistrust we have toward them. The past 5 years have opened our eyes to what they have been up to and I’d be fairly certain there are another few Mahon type situations that we haven’t heard about. My own faith in the body politic on this country has totally evaporated and I’ll be very hard pushed to put on the coat and go vote in any future elections.

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    Mute Gearóid Ó Murchadha
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:30 AM

    It would have been simple to deal with the trust issues. All it would have taken would have been for people to be punished. Its not rocket science. The problem isn’t just the corruption, its the fact that they get away with it 99% of the time.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:53 AM

    As per The Last Word yesterday – nothing has changed to convict people if another Mahon situation happened tomorrow. Take a bribe and walk away – don’t have a tv licence……prison.

    38
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    Mute JakkiB
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:40 AM

    How can we as parents rare children and teach them right from wrong while the sysyem and those running it are corrupt? ???
    No punishment, No jail time, No accountability, It seems that society is breaking down from the top
    F.F as a party should be banned

    50
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    Mute Scarr
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:50 AM

    Lies told by rabbitte, Quinn and Gilmore make it difficult to trust politics. So do late night, rushed legislation by half cut politicians, so does reillys stroke politics, so does Quinn shutting down investigations as it might reflect negatively on his son, so does the lack of bankers in jail, so does the convenient collapse of the trial related to Mahon, so does the Garda commissioner whispering info to shatter…….

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    Mute werejammin
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:04 AM

    “The release of the final chapter of the Mahon Tribunal report again outlines a series of payments which it determines as corrupt. It will reinforce the perception that politicians are all ‘at it’”

    No councillor, it reinforces the FACT that fianna fail/fine gael are opposite cheeks of the same brown envelope brigade ar$s. But kudos on attempting to make it about ‘all politicians’.

    No mention of bertie, or haughey, or cowens/lenehans actions which have destroyed our economy, or of the fact that your current party leader was front and centre in that administration.

    You want the public to trust you councillor, than leave fianna fail or admit corruption runs to its bone.

    42
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    Mute John Kelly
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:08 AM

    Yep, as others have said, the pure brazenness of this piece is staggering. That a member of probably the most corrupt entity in this country (and that’s saying something when you have the likes of the Catholic Church here as well) comes out with a hang-wringing piece about what corruption has done to the country. But yet he is happy to don his shiny suit every day and go out to bat for “de Partee”. And when a high profile member of “de Partee” like Michael Martin, or O’Cuiv rolls into town, people who were up to their necks in the last government, you can be sure to spot Cllr. McAuliffe standing on their shoulder, wearing his shiny suit, nodding fervently in agreement as Martin pontificates out of his many orifices.

    Paul, if you and your fellow members want to do something meaningful about the issue of corruption, then tell Fianna Fail to go eFF off and go independent, or set up a different party. Otherwise you’re just the same as the rest of them.

    40
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    Mute peter king
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    Aug 1st 2013, 1:07 PM

    Couldn’t agree more. All these young guys who join up and say “Well we weren’t there when that happened” annoy the hell out of me. You picked FF, You support the leaders of FF who were up to there neck in it but somehow its unfair to ask you to defend them. You picked them that means you have to defend their past actions.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:30 AM

    The risk is toocushy at the moment for the wannabe corrupt.

    The only way to stem corruption in Ireland is to hand down harsh prison sentences and fines for all involved, asset strip them while they are in prison so they can pay the fines.

    37
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 4:48 PM

    Martin I agree… However, the way the system works now… The corrupt must intiate the laws to imprison and fine the guilty.

    As I see it, the political elite as slowly taken away tbe people power and voice… To the point, where democracy is only a ghost.

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Aug 1st 2013, 7:49 AM

    Still no squad of untouchables, in the Gardaí and tough laws to combat corruption? You’d wonder why, sure we love these characters don’t we!

    35
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    Mute Frank2521
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:29 AM

    It is more corrupt today than ever. What’s happening in Ireland is shameful. The lack of ethics as shown by politicians and bankers is 10 times worse than during the boom. People are taking their lives at a higher rate and those people responsible are the politicians, bankers and developers who are doing better than their victims.

    33
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Aug 1st 2013, 5:04 PM

    The French did it in 1830 and 1848. Hungry did it in 1956. The Chzechs did in 1968… And it was done here in 1916. Maybe it’s time to get rid of the old furniture and raise the house. We need new furniture and a newly built house.

    Any builder will tell you building on a broken, derelict foundation that has no integrity will eventually tumble. The question is when will it tumble. Currently we the people are bracing the inevitable. .. This is being done at a cost to our happiness, well being and dignity.

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    Mute Tommy Gunz
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:13 AM

    There are none odder than young FF members.

    27
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    Mute Ossi Fritsche
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    Aug 1st 2013, 10:51 AM

    After 14 years of corruption from FF and he has the balls to say this SHITE! FF will you please go away.

    26
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    Mute Oliver Golden
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:30 AM

    Not happening, sorry to disappoint you!!!

    6
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    Mute Blinky
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:45 AM

    You and Paul McAuliffe look like you were separated at birth – the whole lot of you are bad seeds!

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 1st 2013, 1:33 PM

    You’re right Oliver. Like alcoholism, unemployment, child abuse and corruption are a staple of Irish society, so are Fianna Fail.

    Face it, because of people like you,we’re perpetually stuck with full faced, smug FF gombeens with their snouts in de party trough built on the back of brown envelopes and brown nosing those that destroyed this country through their greed and ambition.

    15
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:24 AM

    Repair trust in politics? What trust.

    16
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    Mute Harry Price
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:56 AM

    Its time to take our country back even if that means war and not a word game, for its out of control and the common honourable citizen is being treated with contempt by the gang cartel that only cover up and arrange the money for themselves

    15
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    Mute Nicholas Barry
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    Aug 1st 2013, 8:46 AM

    Well so…it appears most people have read the first two paragraphs of the article and then decided to comment…I think this man going on record saying this, particularly in this country, is very tough and possible political suicide. I must say the mans conclusions are spot on and were summed up well in the first comment. The fact that the Mahon tribunal has report, but there has been no resolution or clamp-down regarding the ease at which a polition can corrupt a situation or use it to their advantage. The opt out declaration of conflict of interest is an archaic system, there needs to be closer checks on the political process…become less american and more german in terms of politics…a real democracy.

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    Mute Michael O'Connor
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:10 AM

    Actually, I read as far as paragraph 7. “The reality of course, is that these corrupt payments were limited to a small number of councillors” Given that that the title of the piece was living with the legacy of corruption, where is Bertie Ahern, Ray Bourke, Padraic Flynn, Lowry mentioned. Talk about paying lip service to the latest news and sugar coating the rest of recent history. Incredible that you could even attempt to justify his stance.

    28
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    Mute Mal
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    Aug 2nd 2013, 5:36 PM

    So this guy decided he wanted to make a difference, wanted to serve the people…… then joined Fianna Fáil.

    It invalidates anything he could possibly say, relevant or not.

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    Mute MrKnow
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    Aug 1st 2013, 9:58 AM

    The downside to all this corruption is it encourages the next generation to follow.

    11
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    Mute Dermot Purcell
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:18 AM

    totally agree with that and the reason this will happen is we have no justice system and these criminals call this democracy .

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    Mute jackass ireland
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    Aug 1st 2013, 12:03 PM

    For a minute I thought I was reading a parody article on The Onion. Then I realised this guy was serious. Frightening.

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    Mute Lisa Chambers
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    Aug 1st 2013, 10:03 AM

    Well written and reasoned price with excellent points regarding local government. It is unfair to tar everyone with the same brush and new politicians should be given a chance.

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    Mute Tommy Gunz
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:10 AM

    Thank you Lisa but do you want to declare yourself as being the vice president of FF before giving this article such a glowing review.

    22
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:16 AM

    New politicians who hitch their wagon to the corrupt Fianna Fail star should be sent away with a flea in their ear. FF’s rotten legacy won’t easily be forgotten, despite attempts by Mr McAuliffe to whitewash it. People like him, happy to be funded and supported by the party machine perpetuate the cycle, rather than work to break it.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:20 AM

    @Tommy, I think that was fairly obvious given the professional headshot.

    Nothing like “de party” mullahs circling the wagons in support of one of their own!

    12
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    Mute John Kelly
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    Aug 1st 2013, 11:26 AM

    @Lisa Chambers. I’m all for giving new young politicians a chance. But you and Cllr McAuliffe choose to be associated with one of the most corrupt organisations in this country (and some of you even go so far as to elected Vice President of said organisation). You choose to go door to door and attempt to garner support for said corrupt organisation. You choose to go the Ard Fheis every year of said organisation and you lap up and enthusiastically applaud everything that comes out of the mouths of the people who were are very much responsible for the situation the country now finds itself in. Outside of your FF Cumann bubble, do you have any idea of the level of contempt for your party held by the majority of normal people in this country? And yet you expect goodwill?

    You may believe that you’re a “patriot” and you’re in politics to do good things. But I’m afraid your membership and promotion of Fianna Fail makes you VERY much part of the problem.

    19
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    Mute jackass ireland
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    Aug 1st 2013, 12:09 PM

    The day FF throw one of their own under the bus will be the day they start to repair relations with the people. We’ll never see it though. Not one of them have stood up and denounced Bertie Ahern or Brian Cowen for their actions. That in itself speaks volumes.

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    Mute Alain O Donaile
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:11 PM

    What a load of pure tripe. People still live with the legacy of Fianna Fail corruption. The fact that Fianna Fail think sure it was a mere blip and we’re all fine now does not mask the fact that FF presided over the worst of the excesses of corruption. Shame on those who nail their flags to shamful mast !

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Aug 1st 2013, 4:21 PM

    Paul why are you still a member of Fianna Fail, you do know that this party is run by criminals and corrupt people. You choose to be a part of that corrupt political criminal organisation and expect to be taken seriously. Politics are not the problem here it is the criminal element that masquerade as politicians.

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:42 PM

    He looks like Brian Cowens Lovechild….. On a serious note, where do these people come from? People of his Ilk are not needed and make me despair further for Ireland.

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:57 PM

    They are rejects from other professions, If they were any good at teaching etc.? They’d stay in their jobs, but it’s easy money for idiots and conmen/women!

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    Mute Seán Marlow
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    Aug 1st 2013, 4:04 PM

    FFailure McAuliffe claims “The release of the final chapter of the Mahon Tribunal report again outlines a series of payments which it determines as corrupt. It will reinforce the perception that politicians are all ‘at it’, that they are feathering their own nests and willing to participate in corruption to better themselves.”

    But it was virtually all FF and FG (+ 1 Lab) cllrs who were trousering the brown envelopes.

    FF & FG: different snouts, same taxpayers’ trough.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Aug 1st 2013, 1:47 PM

    This arse is talking about the actions of a ‘few’, well if its only a ‘few’ why cant he bloody name them. If these weasels clean up in the local and european elections then its definately time to emmigrate, dont care if I find a job by then.

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    Mute Dissisus Corr
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    Aug 1st 2013, 10:28 AM

    What can we do people of Ireland.you have no power on your own our system is broken those in power know it is … And a not accountable when found guilty . Can anyone make this wonderful country up from its shame ,I wish i could …. De old saying… If things don’t change , they will stay the same ..

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:55 PM

    How many on here, have sat in front of their incompetent TD and demanded a White collar crime force be set up?

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    Mute Nelly Bergman
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    Aug 1st 2013, 3:48 PM

    Our laws are not fit for purpose, that’s been noted by the academics in legal. The question that everyone should be asking is why it is difficult-to-impossible to make people accountable for corruption, white collar crime etc. And in particular – what has law reform committee been doing about it all this years and what are they doing now.

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    Mute Diarmuid Brennan
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    Aug 1st 2013, 10:00 PM

    We should remove every politician in the dail and all politicians in local councils. Then we create a model used in switzerland. Committees where the power is always in the peoples hand. If i don’t like a bill then i object and get 100,000 signatures and the we stop the bill. It goes to a referendum. The power is held by the people. The model we have now is where people have power every 4 years! Not good enough and it will stamp out corruption.

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    Mute David Higgs
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    Aug 2nd 2013, 11:44 AM

    Even the communists in Russia turned their backs on Stalin….

    In Spain – they’ve jailed the treasurer of the party who collected millions of corrupt payments

    In Ireland? We have
    ….Charles Haughey (how did nobody note that he had an island in the 1980s??? Stole money from a dying colleagues sick fund – but still regarded as a hero by the Soldiers of Fortune -
    ….Bertie – a poor fella who wasn’t able to manage his finances without a handout from his friends – another proud Soldier of fortune.

    any member of FF who talks about corruption makes me sick

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    Mute Vincent Power
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    Aug 1st 2013, 2:45 PM

    Your arguments are all very well but ignore the reality that the level of representation at local level is so high that to pay councillor s would be a fiscal impossibility.
    While I wholeheartedy support a greater roll for local elected officials as the reality is that the closer to the electorate decisions are made then the greater the acceptance of unsavoury albeit necessary measures.
    Since I don’t know the figures in detail I wonder could you work out the cost of Dail, Seanad and all the councils around the country and divide this by the working population I think the figure might be high enough to demonstrate the need for a significant reduction in the level of representation we currently enjoy.
    With current numbers of our Dail Deputies they find themselves as little more than local representatives in any event.
    If we had half the Deputies is is likely that a level of Deputy would be elected who would be far more capable and energetic than exists at present.
    In my own Wexford area we have 5 and only 2 are of any value in terms of national contribution. People need to think more

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