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Minister's driver resigns from Irish Water

It emerged today that Paudie Coffey has hired an Irish Water board member as his personal driver.

Updated 4.30pm 

THE TAOISEACH HAS confirmed that Hilary Quinlan has resigned from the board of Irish Water.

Enda Kenny made the comments in the Dáil this afternoon.

Irish Water also verified the news, with a spokeswoman telling TheJournal.ie that the organisation had accepted his resignation.

Today the Irish Times reported that Paudie Coffey, the Junior Minister at the Department of the Environment, is paying Quinlan €665 a week to act as his persnoal driver.

Earlier Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin claimed there was no conflict between Hilary Quinlan being on the board of Irish Water and serving as Coffey’s driver.

Quinlan, a former Fine Gael councillor in Waterford, is paid an annual fee of €15,000 for sitting on the board of Irish Water, a role to which he was appointed last November.

Howlin told reporters this afternoon: “I can’t think that there would be a conflict between exercising the role as a member of a board and driving a minister.

 ”Are you concerned that they might be discussing board policy in the car? I don’t think that that would be the case.”

Resignation call

The appointment was approved by then-Environment Minister Phil Hogan. This morning, Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen called on Quinlan to resign.

Cowen said that there was “an obvious conflict of interest” and urged Quinlan to resign from the board “straight away”.

Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on the Environment said that his party would raise the issue in the Dáil “if needs be”.

Cowen stressed that Quinlan’s role as Coffey’s driver “compromises his position” with Irish Water.

“This decision is not one that is in keeping with the democratic revolution that was promised [by Fine Gael in the run up to the 2011 General Election],” he added.

Looking after their own

Quinlan told the Irish Times that he didn’t see any problem in holding both roles, noting:

You tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s politics.

TheJournal.ie has contacted Coffey, a former Senator, and the Department of the Environment for comment.

- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell 

First published 1.20pm 

Read: State of the Nation: Yet another Irish Water controversy for Fine Gael…

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    Mute Peter Slattery
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:04 PM

    WTF is a JUNIOR minister doing with a goddamn driver in the first place? Absolute nonsense going on in this government. No change from the last one.

    832
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    Mute Mark Bannon
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:17 PM

    What are any of them doing with drivers? Are they that incompetent that they can’t drive themselves? They must think they’re some diva up there!

    445
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    Mute Fluich It
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:41 PM

    Usually Directors HAVE a driver, they are drivers.

    Banana Republic.

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    Mute Fluich It
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:42 PM

    ‘they are*not drivers’

    44
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:48 PM

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/279741635509093/381842455299010/?notif_t=group_activity This to-day in north Dublin similar is going on in Limerick Moyross, in Killkenny in Donegal in Cork. why is this not news !!!

    87
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    Mute Dublinjonny_No.2
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:40 PM

    Peter sadly they are nothing like the last shower , at very least Bertie and Co. Had the scene to keep this rubbish on the Quiet

    68
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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:46 PM

    Why do we have junior ministers in the first place?

    136
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    Mute David Fortune
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Well you wouldn’t want them out driving after they’ve had a nice feed of pints in the Dail bar and voted in a few bills in between rounds, so OF COURSE they need a driver!

    141
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:02 PM

    Acording to DSN on facebook an Irish water worker knocked down a female protestor in his car and left the scene of the accident. No Gardaí took any witness statements.

    https://www.facebook.com/DublinSaysNo.DSN/photos/a.908978679128640.1073741840.850647988295043/971445572881950/?type=1&theater

    78
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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:29 PM

    €665 pw??? I want that job? Blueshirt b!&$tards!

    132
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:37 PM

    Dail bar would be empty if no drivers for the TDs

    58
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    Mute Ann Glasgow
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:28 PM

    the last few days we are sickened by the amount of money that has been thrown to Irish water, there is no transparency with this government, people are loosing their homes, their minds with worry as to how they will make ends meet, and we have drivers employed! it just gets better and better

    57
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:39 PM

    In response to me … I meant to add that targets be set by the owner. Thats your entrustment Mr Kenny. But I bet in 10 years time we will having the same conversation about IW as we have now about HSE. But this time FG and Kenny will be blamed.

    14
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    Mute Kane Abel
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    Sep 30th 2014, 8:05 PM

    Delighted someone derailed his gravy train…. Hope they emptied his pockets on the way out.

    - Shocked too that the tiny ickle Baby Ministers have a Driver – Thought they were Transition year students or something????????????????? (?)

    36
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    Mute Tony
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    Sep 30th 2014, 9:01 PM

    This junior minister has TWO drivers, I suppose he needs a spare because he has to get around during irish water board meetings

    19
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    Mute Tony
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    Sep 30th 2014, 9:06 PM

    More important, what qualifications did he have to drive a half minister around, do they not have Uzis under the seat any more, that’s probably a different job thesedays

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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Sep 30th 2014, 11:18 PM

    correction, 2 drivers

    4
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    Mute Trevor Flanagan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:22 PM

    Cronyism alive and well in Ireland

    638
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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:30 PM

    But FG style. Instead of doing it for the sort of eye-watering sums that the likes of Paul Kiely were pocketing, they do it for a few grand. Less damaging in money terms, but completely mad as a risk-reward proposition.

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    Mute Boganity
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:32 PM

    That’s a bizarre headline even by Journal standards

    25
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    Mute thetruth
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:40 PM

    Sure its a new way of doing politics. Same as the last lads but hopefully not getting caught

    167
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    Mute Pete Foley
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:52 PM

    They can stick there new water tax fu:king leaches.

    203
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    Mute Phil West
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:05 PM

    Shame, taking a job that would take someone off the live register.

    142
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    Mute VoiceOfVanguard
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:19 PM

    Just another day at the taxpayers’ trough.

    121
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:37 PM

    Jaysus a bad day for the FGaelers, Mcnulty fell on his sword now this lad.Enda next?

    94
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    Mute Mary King
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:45 PM

    Fingers crossed

    63
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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:31 PM

    We can hope Norman!!

    30
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    Mute Swanky Joe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:53 PM

    Gobsite Coffey should go as well.

    41
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:53 PM

    2 minions but what about the ministers who made these decisions. Who told Humphreys to appoint Mc Nulty. Who proposed this guy to Irish Water. And what were their credentials for those positions???

    24
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:45 PM

    Well the new minister is pointing fingers if not at individuals (sounds like a banking report) but back at HQ and at the chief if one reads between the lines.

    This will run for a while yet.

    Maybe Shatter could write a book on it? The boy from Mayo who has blisters after 35 years on the hard benches made easier by teaching pensions and his new mate. Beat seller I tell you.

    10
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    Mute Tony
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:46 PM

    I didn’t see that job as a board member for irish water advertised. Didn’t Enda guarantee that all such apoinentments would be by open competition

    346
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    Mute Conall McNally
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:37 PM

    Hilary Quinlan isn’t even listed as a board member on the Irish Water Website https://www.water.ie/about-us/company/the-board/

    138
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    Mute Notnews Justspin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:08 PM

    So who gets the drivers job now

    83
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    Mute Conall McNally
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:38 PM

    Eamon Gilmore?

    68
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:39 PM

    He keeps the drivers job I think, his resignation is from IW.

    33
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:28 PM

    Jeeeez I would be interested in the vacancie in Irish Water it would supplement my pension.

    29
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:45 PM

    ah Tony dont be cynical Joannie Burton says there will be Transparency in the future so everything will be grand

    23
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    Mute Tony
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    Sep 30th 2014, 9:08 PM

    The spare driver will just have to work a bit of overtime

    9
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    Mute Maire Ben
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:55 PM

    This really is a Banana Republic. It’s really depressing as nothing changes. This Gov needs to be booted out. They were elected on lies and now robbing us blind We need someone to erect a Guillotine outside Leinster House NOW! I really don’t think that I can take any more if this corruption

    283
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    Mute Dublinjonny_No.2
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:44 PM

    If someone tried to organise a coup would you support it is the real question ?

    91
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    Mute D H
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Yes johnny its time for a full on revolution in ireland to sort out the mess. If the people dont stand together these b@stards will continue to bleed the country dry and our pockets emptied. Its tome for ireland to become a true democratic republic and not continue down its present path of faux democracy like the usa has where the control lies with those with money. Fg said they would change and they turned out as bad as the last shower. We all know what will happen if we let either ff or fg back into power. Its time for a new party with no ties to these muppets as i dont think sf are the answer either although they mite be better than the rest of the lying c¥nts . A new party may be the long term answer but in ireland once they get to the trough most likely they will end ip the same as what came before

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:34 AM

    @DH Check out the concept of “Sortition”. It is a system of selecting public representatives by a popular lottery (in much the same way that Jurys are selected). The people selected are tasked with being a national legislator for a certain period (say 4 years) after which they are out. Being a politician becomes a civic duty and not the gravy-train golden ticket that it is now. Plus, any number of quotas can be applied to the process to make it truly representative (eg. half men half women, selecting people from different geograpical areas, different ages, different job backgrounds, even unemployed, and so on and so forth). The plus side of this system is that you do away with political parties, political dynastys, pandering to vested interests, cronyism and all that imbecilic loyalty to a “parteee”, and the best plus of all is that you do away with the biggest problem of the current system – the constant need of politicians to get re-elected at the next election, and all the bad policy decisions that that leads to.

    1
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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:37 PM

    In a time of catastrophic unemployment, double jobbing is A OK with Fine Gael? Right so. What does job bridge Joan think about this? BTW I have nothing against the double jobber, he is doing what he can for his family. However, I DO blame Fine Gael, and their incredible arrogance

    244
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    Mute David Burke
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:07 PM

    In fairness being a director on a board is a few hours a month kinda deal. It’s more is he qualified to be on the board. Which he might be but I have no idea who he is but probably not. Being on a county council does not qualify you to be on the board of a huge company.

    115
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:26 PM

    Sheik, sure isn’t she a DJ’er herself? Tainaiste and Min. for Unemployment and Welfare?

    52
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    Mute whynotme
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:38 PM

    This is an excerpt from this mornings Irish Times ..lol x 1,000,000,000

    While the Department of the Environment said Mr Quinlan’s position is usually co-terminus with Mr Coffey’s term, Mr Quinlan himself said he was working temporarily for Mr Coffey and also had other business interests to attend to, but later said he is unemployed. Asked if he is paid for his driving, Mr Quinlan responded: “I don’t think there is anyone working for free at the moment.”

    47
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:57 PM

    Ain’t he heard of job bridge then???

    18
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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:46 PM

    Is he on social welfare?Joan will be on the case.

    14
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    Mute Foreigneachfear
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:25 PM

    Unfu#king believable, I am so sick of these absolute con artists. Give them hell on the streets people, they don’t get the message otherwise.

    229
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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:25 PM

    Be doesn’t see anything wrong with it!
    Well I see a crocked government lackie

    215
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:42 PM

    Sadley Labour will see nothing wrong with it either as they have given a ex-councillor a leg up as well on to a state board…..

    161
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    Mute BC
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:54 PM

    The labour party is a myth, their only FG dressed in labour clothing.

    130
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:21 PM

    Yep. Hilarious that Quinlans only defence is ‘they do it too’….and almost an ‘expectantcy’ of some role cos here has been ‘loyal’ to the party!!

    114
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    Mute Jonnybannon
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:51 PM

    The spineless shower in labour know the gig is up at the next general election. They’ve consigned their party to history like the PDs. They don’t give two fu*ks now what Fine Gael award themselves .

    62
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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:39 PM

    Kerry, Labour are a disgrace! No principles any more, shame on them!

    26
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    Mute Tom Red
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:33 PM

    You actually couldn’t make this sh@t up….
    If you put half the sh@t that’s happening in this country into a book,it would be a best seller in the fiction section…..

    151
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    Mute D
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:32 PM

    The Muppet Show, just without any clever dialogue

    11
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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:09 PM

    This quote
    “You tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s politics.”

    Is a fully stackable offense.. It is lack of knowledge of wrongdoing that is unbelievable…

    132
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    Mute Neil Hynes
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:46 PM

    He is endorsing cronyism and saying that there is nothing wrong with it

    99
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:08 PM

    why then are you excusing this type of behavior above

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:51 PM

    I didn’t. I just don’t see how when Sinn Fein do exactly the same thing in Northern Ireland that they can be so smug.

    1
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 12:39 AM

    You said countless examples please give them if there are countless examples and please a little bit more reliable source than a tabloid

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Oct 1st 2014, 12:56 AM
    1
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:51 PM

    That is debatable the amount of drivel you post ….

    First link I do not see significance as it announces appointments to a State Board by Arlene Foster the minister at stormont

    Second link is appointment of all politicians from several parties

    the mind boggles perhaps you may need to refer to your Ogra manual a little closer and look up the words relevance and propotionality

    1
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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Oct 1st 2014, 10:01 PM

    I didn’t say that other parties didn’t do it but SF are the hypocrites saying they are above it.

    1
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 10:24 PM

    more dribble your links show nothing of consequence and I note you are still un willing to put up your name to validate your comments…….

    1
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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 10:27 PM

    and i note you didnt deny your party affiliations either

    1
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:30 PM

    FU-KING BANANA REPUBLIC

    125
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    Mute Tertullian
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Why do Junior Ministers need drivers? I can appreciate why some senior Ministers might need them, but Juniors? It seems to me that the driver perk is simply there give the Juniors a sense of importance out of all proportion to their roles. Nobody believes that it’s because they are so busy 24/7 dealing with important matters of State that they have to be driven hither and yon. More than likely they are in the back of the cars reading the sports pages of The Sun or Daily Star or else asleep (maybe after a feed of drink in the Dáil bar). It all smacks of banana republic posturing. The only thing they are missing is a military uniform festooned with medals.

    125
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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:18 PM

    Junior minister’s drivers are to ensure a development of a crony mindset going forward.
    They age and become senior politicians and will end up and corrupt and their predecessors.

    It’s all intentional. He said they look and ter their own and it’s politics. The rot has already set in on his way of thinking.

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    Mute Charles McCormack
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:47 PM

    Tertullian, I think more like in the back seat “reading” Playboy…as w**nkers do,!!!

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    Mute jack frost
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Wonder is he a holder of a p.s.v license…?

    19
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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:29 PM

    Snouts at the Trough of Taxpayers money

    116
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    Mute Peter M Buchanan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:24 PM

    How do say cronyism ? New politics… my ass.. kind of sad..

    116
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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:29 PM

    Paudie also claimed €2602 in expenses in July 2014, when the dail wasn’t sitting!
    I’d like to know the name of his second driver

    116
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    Mute Were Jammin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:29 PM

    Its not politics, its cronyism FF/FG/Labour style.

    If it were ‘politics’, it would be going on in every democracy, this is banana republic BS. Two cronyism scandals in less than a week, and nothing done.

    111
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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:53 PM

    is quinlen paying the mans wages from his own pocket or is he being paid out of the taxpayers pocket (either directly or by quinlen claiming his pay as a viable ‘expense and being re embursed for it) if it is the latter (and i wouldnt be at all surprised) then surely we have to ask why does a ‘junior’ minister need to employ a personnel driver at the expense of the tax payer ? is this yet another example of our political classes thinking above their station in life?

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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:30 PM

    @eric d. Quinlan is the driver/councillor/board member! He’s paying nobody.

    41
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:02 PM

    The earlier said Quinnlan was “one” of Coffeys drivers. How many does each minister/ junior have at over €600p/w ????

    7
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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:08 PM

    Paudie is also a director of a nursing home in waterford that was badly mismanaged.

    105
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    Mute Peter Derbyshire
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:02 PM

    Water Boarding Fine Gael Style!

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    Mute Mick McDonagh
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    Sep 30th 2014, 9:36 PM

    I’m robbing this. Brilliant.

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    Mute MyDreamEscapade
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:35 PM

    Councillor…..board member Irish Water and personal driver? Don’t get that at all

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    Mute UisceTips
    Favourite UisceTips
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:40 PM

    The Government are running out of sides of their mouths from which they can speak.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:58 PM

    That why most have been using their arses then. And Enid remains puckered til he has right paper in front of him.

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    Mute Dave J
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:24 PM

    a driver gets paid that much a week? why am i breaking my rear end going to university?

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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:35 PM

    This guy has no shame.

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    Mute Mary Donnelly
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:46 PM

    Perhaps Quinlan would let us have his views on that job being allocated to one of the hundreds of thousands who are unemployed and perhaps MORE capable than him, and willing to do that job, perhaps in turn preventing them from being turfed out of their home as a result of being unable to pay their mortgage. Come on Quinlan. – post your response to this suggestion, show some B…s

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    Mute Foreigneachfear
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:30 PM

    Full proof that all politicians are bent as S hooks

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    Mute Grim Reaper
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:35 PM

    Bring back the guillotine and off with their heads!!!!!

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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:11 PM

    I drive full time for a living & don’t earn that much. Yet I don’t have time for a 2nd job.

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    Mute Johnny Downes
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:38 PM

    FG and Labour are rotten to the core. I think they see the “writing on the wall” , and are lining their cronies pockets! One has to wonder also, about today’s capping announcement from the ” Independent” Water Regulator, and it’s timing close to the upcoming by-elections?

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:42 PM

    Won’t make difference in Roscommon anyway neither FG or Lab have a hope.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:10 PM

    They better not have. I renew my cry RESIST, OBSTRUCT, REFUSE. This is the Alamo, folks, if we don’t defeat them here we are lost. ALL PUBLIC UTILITIES to be controlled by the people – that is my desire. Eff, the “shareholders” let them go back to stealing beans and rice and coffee out of the mouths of the hungry, it will suit them better.

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    Mute Neil Hynes
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:42 PM

    ‘ you tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it’ – that right there is the most revealing comment you’ll get, or at least as close to explaining exactly how they do their business . Jobs for the Boys till the day they die.

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    Mute Paddy Hannigan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:04 PM

    In any other country that quote would be on every news broadcast and across every newspaper tomorrow with calls for him to go.The culture of cronyism is so ingrained they don’t even see themselves doing it.Ireland is not their personal fifedom and all tenders for jobs that the taxpayer will fund should be filled through a well advertised independantly assessed process.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:47 PM

    Agreed, Paddy. In any civilized country, with any semblance of democracy, the whole kit and caboodle of them would be out on the arses this very day, run out of the place by an angry populace. What the hell is wrong with us that we tolerate this?

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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:38 PM

    Sheik, the question is when will the Irish people get off their bums and spending half their time watching suite on Telly and DEMAND an end to this type of corruption! Demand that Enda and his cronies just step down?? We have to take power from these people!

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    Mute Danny O'Brien
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:01 PM

    More jobs for the boys is this how FG are changing things ? They are no different to FF

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:15 PM

    Lads,

    Can I say something. The alleged offense here was done by FG… If Labour continue to back them up then the complicit.

    FF have no the greatest history but they are not guilty of this offense. So please stop your usual tactics of lumping FF in with FG.

    If we want to look at Parties past lets look a SF supporting the murdering of children, mothers of children, bank robbing, inaction on child abuse, money laundering drug money… Will we continue… Danny your SF glasshouse is a very hard place to be throwing stones from… FF and FG may have there faults but compared to the SF past they a angels…

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    Mute Dave J
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:23 PM

    nonsense comment ted.

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    Mute Danny O'Brien
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:26 PM

    FF and FG did worst thing than the IRA ever did they had brother fighting against brother and FG great Michael Collins was running around Dublin shooting people to beat the band every Party in this country has a history that does not make it right but the past is the past the people of Ireland voted in favour of the Good Friday agreement so move on

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:43 PM

    Yet you took on yourself to dig up past when it suited you…

    Ala carte history Danny, don’t like it when the the murderous transgressions of your party are brought up.

    Did FF or FG bomb kids in the last 50 years?

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    Mute Dave J
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:01 PM

    Ted, please refer to my comment above.

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:04 PM

    nonsense comment Dave J…

    Look at Danny’s Twitter…

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    Mute Danny O'Brien
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:09 PM

    So history only goes back 50 years now in you view move on Ted if that’s your real name internet trolls always hide who they are

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:24 PM

    Danny,

    Your the one who started this by accusing other parties of cronyism..

    But lets look at Sinn Fein:
    http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/news-opinion/sinn-fein-cronyism-attacks-ring-3853998

    There is plenty examples of Sinn Fein are appointing member to boards in the north but you ask us to ignore that in the south…
    Even though you set the initial attack you call people trolls who seem to point out your parties hypocrisy.

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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:41 PM

    Ted you are too out of it to even bother debating!!

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    Mute Mick Early
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:42 PM

    Oh! I see, now you put a time frame on crimes! A time frame to suit your side!!

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:42 PM

    a troll is a person with an incognito name who uses anonymity to post vile attacks from behind their keyboards…its amusing see your source as the Irish Mirror…..

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:52 PM

    Ted FF are lumped together with FG as there is no discernible difference to the naked eye between them…They proved that after the Local Elections by joining up with each other up and down the country

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:03 PM

    Cowboy Ted what a suitable name for a ” partitionist Fianna Failer ” hidden there behind his keyboard in Incognito land…. Councillor O Brien is totally correct ” jobs for the boys “.only difference between FF and FG is one letter

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    Mute gerbreen
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:50 PM

    Had the Brits shot Dev ????

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:58 PM

    Danny,
    Has given up as soon as I turned the light on Sinn Fein’s behaviour…

    I accused Sinn Fein of hypocrisy. They are criticizing all the other parties for political appointees and cronyism but when I pointed out that they did it I Danny saying nothing and buddies Caoimhin accusing me of trolling.

    Are Sinn Fein using political appointees in Northern Ireland?

    If you are how can ye talk out of both sides of your mouth?

    And by the way it is lovely getting the sinn bot reds… It shows I am right.

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    Mute Danny O'Brien
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    Sep 30th 2014, 10:15 PM

    ted as a councillor you get appointed to different boards but you don’t get paid on the board of Irish water he got 15 grand a year witch is around the same as you get as a councillor and to bring Lynn Boylan in to it because she had an unpaid position were u got expenses for traveling to meetings is scraping the end of the barrel

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 12:44 AM

    ur some tool …. he is a county councillor who unlike you stands over his comments and doesnt hide behind his keyboard…. getting the reds bothers you I see….bit juvenile…go on put your name to your comments

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Oct 1st 2014, 1:27 AM

    Caoimhin,
    Insults now… Lovely….

    Danny,
    http://www.safefood.eu/SafeFood/media/SafeFoodLibrary/Documents/Publications/Corporate%20Publications/2012-safefood-Annual-Report.pdf
    Lynn Boylan received 10 – 15k… So you seem misinformed. She also received expenses.
    Why didn’t she do what Darina Allen(a person who seems far more qualified to be on this board) do and decline payment. Lynn Boylan had no experience in food safety when appointed, from what I can see.
    You seem to be caught out Danny by a bit of research.

    I noticed you ignored the appointees to Board of Foras Na Gaeilge and Intertrade Ireland too…
    Board of Foras Na Gaeilge is a paid gig(7k – 11k) +expenses
    Intertrade Ireland

    So it looks like your bullishness was hypocrisy all along. Danny are these the same ill informed lines you use with your constituents as well.

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:42 PM

    Cowboy Ted good name for you alright what exactly is your point about any of the above…are you living in a cave overt he last few days and months ? The appointment of Senate candidate McNulty as he was at the time was for part political purposes purely to make him in able to contest the senate by-election

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    Mute Cowboy Ted
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    Oct 2nd 2014, 3:26 AM

    Caoimhin,

    I have never said what is wrong or right with the present government. Actually you presumptions on my voting has has been pure speculation.
    The issue here is Danny criticised FG, FG and Lab for the exact things they have done themselves…

    I am called him out on him out on his hypocrisy, he then continued to actually lie about how much SF members were being paid to be on boards.

    Caoimhin, this might be hard to believe but SF are doing the exact same as the parties you criticise and on top of that a Cllr in your own party professing false statements about facts which he should easily know.

    I am willing to take a sincere apology and I would like to see what SF are going to do about Lynn Boylan taking this money. Is she to be be expelled from the party for taking a stance that seems to be against the party ethos or is there different rules for her.

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    Mute Sam Bartell
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:27 PM

    Cowen???? Is he taking the piss? His crowd development this breed of cronyism, ff were and still are who you know not what you know. Greyhound board anyone?

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:32 PM

    So that justifies it so?

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    Mute Roy Madden
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:33 PM

    FG said it would stop this carry on – a new type of government -.
    I guess that went the way of Endas five point plan.

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:46 PM

    is cowens brother not on the board of a certain petrol company run by th same guy who runs irish water? is the same ‘brother’ not also in reciept of a number of government pensions? pot ,kettle, black ,mr cowen, your all as bad as each other !

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    Mute BC
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:11 PM

    They couldn’t give a shite about what anyone thinks, they know now they can do what they want. They, like previous governments will take us for everything they can get then retire with permanent smirks and generous pensions. People voted for change and got a smoother run criminal organization than the last. Irish politics is rotten from top to bottom and i personally have had enough so much so that I don’t recognize Leinster House as the seat of my government anymore, it is and always was mafia HQ, f*ck them I’m downing me tools and ringing in sick for the rest of they week…

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    Mute Peter M Buchanan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:14 PM

    Blue shirt lackie

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    Mute Klark Quent
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:21 PM

    If a civil servant with a family of 4 on a wage of 25k per year who say worked in revenue was to do tax consultancy on the side but not provide any illegal advice or re breach data protection etc etc he or she would lost their job because you cannot have a conflict of interests. But if you are one of the big boys or their buddies your grand….. The neck of some politicians and their appointments.

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    Mute Niamh Leahy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:31 PM

    What’s the difference between the old politics and the new politics we were promised. Answers and fees in brown envelopes to any of the main parties !!!!

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    Mute Colin C
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:43 PM

    The difference is that FF would have brazened it out. In the previous administration, Shatter, McNulty and Quinlan would all still be there. And a compliant media who have shrugged it off as FF being FF.

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    Mute Glenn Caulfield
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:20 PM

    Junior Minister with a driver!! WTF. Buy him a bike.

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    Mute Rodney Monaghan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:21 PM

    Perhaps he could give up his role as Mr. Coffey’s driver…
    That way he’d cost the state less money and would allow Mr. Coffey to alleviate some of the homelessness scourge which has befallen so many, by offering the role of personal driver to a suitably accomplished homeless person….
    Just an idea.

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    Mute Tim Kearney
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:48 PM

    The Labour Party has no shame to be putting up with this crap from Fine Gael…..

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:20 PM

    Why wait for an election? Doesn’t that guarantee their pensions and golden handshakes? Overthrow the Dail and clean out our house!!!!

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:03 PM

    In the face of catastrophic unemployment it appears that Fine Gael are perfectly OK with double jobbing. Now just how disgraceful is this? I wish to make it clear that I am not criticizing the man taking the job – he will do what he feels he must do for his family. What I am objecting to is the naked, arrogant, two fingers attitude of FG to the public. There are endless posters on this forum vilifying the unemployed as “spongers, skangers and wasters”. THIS is what they are up against. Also, what does “Job Bridge Joan” have to say about this situation? Yours, Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:15 PM

    Apologies, folks, for the double post, but me phone went arseways in the middle of my rant, and I didn’t realise that part, at least,had posted.

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    Mute Dawn Adams
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:19 PM

    Feet on the streets is the only way to go… Maybe bring a sleeping bag too!

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    Mute Alex McDwyer
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:57 PM

    From Seaneadgate to this I really should be shocked but I’m not, Fine Gael despite promising new politics are exactly the same as Fianna Fail different cheeks of the same a rse. Indeed Quinlan summed it up perfectly himself with his “it’s politics” quote.

    Of course for 15k a year the Irish public would be crazy to expect some who is at least qualified to sit on the board to be appointed. It also shows yet again that Irish Water is a Super Quango merely to transfer funds from the taxpayers into as many connected fine Gaelers as possible.

    Fine Gael had a golden opportunity to change Irish politics for the better and have utterly failed to do so and like Fianna Fail will never get another vote from me again.

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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:54 PM

    These People still expect the people of this country to pay for Water while they milk the system.These parasites need to be removed from office now. They have forfeited their mandate a long time ago.

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    Mute Bert McCann
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    Sep 30th 2014, 1:42 PM

    You tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s politics.

    I actually don’t have to add anything further to this comment!
    except to say, please, no matter what recovery there (might) be by the time the next election comes along, these are the important things people need to remember…..

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:18 PM

    Bert, what are these important things that we need to remember? I am completely nonplussed by your post. I understand that you are saying that shitty, underhand dealings are part of politics in this country, (by the way, I oppose the same shittty, underhand dealings), but I don’t understand the rest of your comment.

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    Mute Colin C
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:45 PM

    He’s quoting Quinlan. Get up to speed, Sheik.

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    Mute Michael Farrelly
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:08 PM

    Quinlan told the Irish Times that he didn’t see any problem in holding both roles, noting:
    You tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s politics.

    This says it all. Its all about who you know and what you can do for them and they for you
    Similar to Rabbitt’s infamous quote about making false promises during election time is to be expected.

    Irish politics is rotten to the core

    New policy of “Transparency” – transparent as the manure they heap on the Irish public on a daily basis

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    Mute cnocánanmactíre
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:13 PM

    Sickening to see that Fine Gael are actually worse than FF in their pomp. Politics is for the people who matter, screw the plebs who work hard and fund them with their taxes. I despair when I see story after story like this and yet these same power hungry, self interested, self absorbed cretins are re-elected, year on year out. Kenny, Hogan, Shatter, Gilmore, Reilly and on and on it goes. Depressing stuff.

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:24 PM

    Why did you ever believe they were different ? Just because you can’t remember the last time they were in power – they did exactly the same thing- take a look at B Howlins record – in is pomp and self importance

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    Mute Sean O'Nilbud
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:17 PM

    I’ll drive the slob around for €500 a week.

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:58 PM

    480 and not a penny more

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:09 PM

    Have you a blue shirt and brown nose????

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    Mute Mark Bannon
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:21 PM

    What are this guy qualifications that allow him to be on the board? I want to know what he knows about sustainable water supply and management. Sure enough, he’s only qualified to drive a car for a JUNIOR minister, that doesn’t mean he’s equipped to handle board decisions for a water service!

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    Mute Bobby Marshall
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:49 PM

    He’s one of the boys……that’s all he needs…..apparently…….as well as a drivers licence.

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    Mute Paul Fanshawe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:11 PM

    Of course Howlin sees no conflict. The whole blinkin’ lot of them should apply for membership of The Blueshirts. Labour has ceased to be of any value whatsoever to either the working man or anyone else for that matter. They’ll get some kicking at the next election.

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    Mute James O'Sullivan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:03 PM

    Come back Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern all is forgiven.
    I’m reminded of Animal Farm when the pigs took over…………. 4 legs good, 2 legs bad…..unless you’re a pig.
    Hogan, Enda and Cmpy make up their own rules as they go along and we deserve ‘em cos we voted ‘em in.
    God save us all.

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    Mute Kevin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:39 PM

    This is shocking conflict of interest was the job advertised to other people of course it wasn’t so he’s knows what to do step down from his position .

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    Mute Kevin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Yes justice has been served he has stepped down from Irish water .

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    Mute Snorre Sturleson
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:04 PM

    “‘No conflict’ in junior minister’s personal driver being on the Irish Water board” off course not they are all in it for the bobs and will all feast off the tax payer with total distain for honour and integrity.

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    Mute Willie Penwright
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:13 PM

    The Junior Minister is paying the driver €665 a week.?
    I think that should read the citizens are paying the driver €665 a week.

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    Mute E=MC2
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:52 PM

    Shame on you Fine Gael, you promised to reform our public institutions, not replace FF cronies with equally repulsive FG cronies. And this comment from someone who voted FG in all recent elections!
    Is there no hope for Irish politics?

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:40 PM

    YES there is Sinn Fein

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    Mute Bobby Marshall
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:48 PM

    So basically Quinlan is saying it’s ok to “look after the boys”…..He needs to look up the definition of politics because what’s happening is NOT what politics intended function was!!
    As others have mentioned, there are more capable people on the dole who should have been at least interviewed for the job and subsequently hired according to their qualifications and experience.
    Again, we will rant about it but nothing will change. A nation of whingers but when it comes to it, the vast majority wouldn’t even consider getting off their holes to protest if the opportunity was there…….
    In one simple sentence……..”We need a revolution and we need it now. Purge the system and start again.”

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    Mute Shane O Mahony
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:47 PM

    As i said before. .This sort of corruption will continue until the people take to the streets and protest together. ..but naaaaa…thats not gonna happen

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    Mute Paul Fanshawe
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:28 PM

    The latest is that Quinlan has resigned as a member of the board of Irish Water, citing the “perception of a possible conflict of interest” as the reason for his resignation.

    So there you have it. Howlin ass-licking the Blueshirts at all costs even if Quinlan himself saw the perception of a conflict of interest. Labour are beyond redemption. Out out out, come the next election. I can’t wait to see them squashed.

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    Mute Paul McNevin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:03 PM

    The blind leading the blind.

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:20 PM

    You’re mistaken. They are not blind.

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    Mute Niamh Kenneally
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:29 PM

    ‘You tell me one party out there who doesn’t look after their own. I don’t see anything wrong with it. It’s politics.’

    It’s politics? It’s crony ism.

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    Mute Em Murphy
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:44 PM

    Damage already done. Resigning won’t make it better….nothing will. Just makes you wonder what else is going on that hasn’t been uncovered. Is there even one member of the dail that is working for the country, serving the people? I am completely disillusioned with the whole feckin lot of them. And I am ANGRY as hell!!!!!

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:01 PM

    Em

    A small hug and wee dram and you’ll be right as rain …… Until the next episode

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    Mute Daz Kelly
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:50 PM

    Disgusting that this kinda crap still happening. Should be dragged through the streets.
    On another note, Near €700 to drive a car. Where do I sign up. Talk about cushy. I read that ministers can hire two full time drivers on week on week off basis.do they get paid for their week off also?

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    Mute jack frost
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:49 PM

    Power gone to their heads.
    I do believe it’s history repeating itself.

    Ff + pd all over again..

    However !!

    How do you replace rotten apples when the other tree is just as rotten ?

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    Mute Dawn Adams
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:34 PM

    FEET ON STREETS people 11th oct garden of rememberance. I hope he’s not getting a pension from IW…

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    Mute Jack Kelly
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:06 PM

    Hilary Quinlan has just resigned from the board of Irish Water… A day of resignations! Will he keep his job with Min Coffey?

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    Mute Jonny Lennon
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:50 PM

    People need to remember all of this when there’s a general election, reject the mainstream party’s who are all but the same, independents and United left alliance are the ones who should be given a chance they are by no means perfect but never in a million years could they be as bad as the crooks we have now or FF before them.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Sep 30th 2014, 3:32 PM

    Does anyone we elect have an understanding of what a “Chinese Wall” is – or is supposed to be?
    The doozy for this government has to be The Chief Justice agreeing to liaise with the then Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter – which effectively brought an end to the separation of powers.
    This is beyond cronyism.

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Howlin sees nothing wrong in quinlan driving junior minister around while in receipt of €15k to sit on the board of a quango yet quinlan resigns…Howlin sees nothing wrong in Kenny conducting old school cronyism yet howlin sees nothing wrong..sums up labour to a tee.everything fg does is ok as long as they continue to milk the system……

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    Mute Charles McCormack
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:39 PM

    Oooh, I have driving licence for ALL classes of vehicle,(HGV,Bus,etc,) any chance I could be CHAIRMAN of this board,?

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    Mute Mark Dowling
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:42 PM

    The cannon fodder is pushed out, the generals remain…

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    Mute Science of beer
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    Sep 30th 2014, 4:17 PM

    Be intrested to know if he holds a PSV license or is that not considered necessary as a professional driver

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    Mute Ian Walsh
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:39 PM

    It’s time to stop this, get out and protest on the 11th October folks

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    Mute just readin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:05 PM

    Ohhh we are in trouble now, cant wait to see how FG kicks us for ‘hounding’ this guy ….

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:25 PM

    FF=FG as has always been as always will be….it is just us the people (gnath daoine an tir seo ) can see it clearly now…….SAME STROKES different folks

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:20 PM

    Coffey has to resign along with humpries – utter incompetence. Fergus Finley labour hack says we all wrong – look the other way

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    Mute Padraig Moc Ambrois
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    Sep 30th 2014, 6:33 PM

    Duckers and Divers!
    Directors and drivers!

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    Mute Sheik Yerbouti
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    Sep 30th 2014, 2:08 PM

    “Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.”FZ

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    Mute howzatme
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    Sep 30th 2014, 5:44 PM

    I remember posting a while ago about the matter of that mayo leader and what exactly he does all day
    It was obvious
    He sits on a large wooden seat with a large long stick in his hand directing his bagmen and leaches and ensuring that anyone with breasts is kept far far away
    Then I wonder to myself about the other party in this love in
    It’s a coalition in words but in reality labour are just more of his leaches and bagmen
    Then I remembered back to the last election where we voted out a party full of leaches and bagmen
    And then I see the light
    They are all outcasts from the real world with lots of vocals but absolutely no substance
    They are all charlatans poison eating away society and planning their cesspool politics on a bar in Leinster house with drink they never pay for

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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Sep 30th 2014, 8:19 PM

    This governments carry on is becoming more surreal & bizzare by the hour. The junior minister claims to have employed this driver because he was unemployed, whilst a nice gesture I’m left scratching my head how this chap, being unemployed could be a director of irish water which after all is a limited company. I wondered how he got on at is jobseekers allowance interview? This would take some explaining. I also wondered did the minister advertise this very rewarding position on Jobsbridge?

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    Mute Fergus Flanagan
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    Sep 30th 2014, 8:39 PM

    What a headline. Totally minimising the actual event.

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    Mute Tim Kearney
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    Sep 30th 2014, 7:40 PM

    I suppose he has a PSV licence.. after all he is getting a reward for driving a lacky around…

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    Mute Money Guide Ireland
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    Oct 1st 2014, 9:12 AM

    At least we know something about this ex director – what about the other directors – who are they and why were they appointed. What about this man – he seems to be invisible as far as the internet is concerned.
    Coleman Sheehy – property investor – who is he?
    http://www.water.ie/about-us/company/the-board/
    http://www.politicalworld.org/showthread.php?15469-Who-is-Coleman-Sheehy#.VCu3eijMuGI

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