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ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT — BEFORE you even start reading this article, we concede that of course there are far more serious things to be talking about, and that perhaps the last thing we need in the Irish media is another article about Garth Brooks.
For instance, if you want to catch up on the latest international headlines you can always click to that section of our site. And for the latest science and technology news — yes, we have that covered too.
That said, this piece didn’t take that long to write, and well, you clicked on it — so really you’ve only yourself to blame for reading this far.
Last chance to leave the Garth Brooks article!!! Click here.
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Right.
We did the counting so you didn’t have to — and it turns out that, starting from 3 July, when Dublin City Council first announced that it would only grant permission for three of the five planned concerts by the country star, there were 103 individual mentions of Garth Brooks’ full name.
That’s across the Dáil, the Seanad and the various Oireachtas committees — and includes everything from off-the-cuff, off-subject interruptions like these….
…to the committee hearings later in the month at which representatives from Dublin City Council, Aiken Promotions and the GAA appeared to provide their accounts of the debácle.
The singer made cameo appearances in all sorts of places (insert your own Garth-based pun here), including debates on a number of important pieces of legislation, like these:
The National Treasury Management Bill 2014.
In fairness, Fine Gael’s Michael D’Arcy was trying to draw attention to something entirely different when he uttered the be-hatted superstar’s name…
There are 75,000 people in employment today who were not working this time last year. I am always amazed why there is not more comment about this wonderful news story, particularly when people can discuss Garth Brooks incessantly for almost two weeks.
- 15 July.
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Bill 2014: Second Stage
Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan making a similar point…
I wonder what it is doing for our international reputation that the national Parliament on several days this week has discussed Garth Brooks at a time when there is a homelessness crisis in the country and there are international incidents such as that referred to in Gaza and the abduction of hundreds of girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria because they want an education.
- 10 July.
Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage
I agree with Senator White about the Garth Brooks debacle but I do not think he was refused a visa to come to this country.
- John Kelly, Labour, 9 July… Click here for the full context.
Before we finish (and you get back to the real news) TheJournal.ie’s award for ‘Most Cringeworthy’ Mention of Garth Brooks in the Houses of the Oireachtas (2014 Edition)’ goes to Senator Catherine Noone of Fine Gael…
Yesterday was a bad day for Dublin, particularly, I suppose, if one was a Brazilian Garth Brooks fan. Not to be flippant about it in any sense, Mr. Brooks followed through on his threat to cancel all five concerts and it is a considerable blow to the Dublin economy.- 9 July.
PA Wire/Press Association Images
It’s wouldn’t have been a bad joke (if not a particularly original one) — if only she’d committed: it’s never a good idea to say something flippant and follow it up with “not to be flippant”.
It’s the first rule of comedy.
Probably.
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The UK will do nothing of the sort, or they’ll get hammered with trade sanctions. Just trying to quieten the unionists down for a while.
@Neil A Campbell: Teresa May correctly pointing out in the Commons today that the DUP voted against a deal that would remove the need for a border in the Irish sea. The DUP’s desire to see a hard border on the island of Ireland is palpable.
@Ian O’Donovan: true – and people seemingly passing over the fact that Donaldson objected to signing The Good Friday Agreement – they should call themselves the want their cake ear it party
“The current EU proposals….has left them without an Executive and with a threat to peace and stability”. No they haven’t. The DUP has left them without an Executive and the DUP threatens peace and stability.
@GrumpyAulFella: Jeffrey was never in favour of the GFA and even left the UUP over it. He has a history of not wanting to share power.
“ok ok ok i’m gonna do it guys, watch me watch me, this time i’m totally serious” never going to happen, to much to lose.
@Ian O’Donovan: Liz Truss is a wannabe Maggie Thatcher and will say anything to get noticed.
They’re still trying to find a scapegoat for the self-inflected damage of Brexit. Abandoning the exit agreement that Boris agreed would be an admission of their error. That will also trigger a worse-than-before situation for which they would again blame others. I look forward to participating in economic sanctions if that occurs.
UKG delivering on shadow promises made during Brexit vote, in spite of democracy.
@Rúraíocht: There will be no unilateral action by Boris, the consequences for the whole of the UK don’t warrant it.
No mention of this in the queens address to parliament yesterday delivered by big lugs. Which liz should we be taking heed of?
Like the cowardly antagonist that gets called out “hold me back, hold me back”
While the DUP threats grow bigger, the E.U. and Ireland say nothing of the consequences of the Boris bluff. If the E.U. were firm and said, for example, no trade agreement between E.U. and uk or put Boris in a situation where he had to choose between the ‘mainland’ and N.I. then the ‘mainland’ would win everytime.
What will Jeffrey do when the economic consequences of his actions begin to effect the mental health etc of his constituents?
@Barrycelona: We could see the “Plantation” of Scotland, Wales or England.
have your say