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Updated at 7.30am
DECEMBER IS HERE.
And the first of the office Christmas parties are taking place.
Members of Fine Gael LGBT were celebrating in style at Dublin’s Pantibar last night — the Capel Street venue owned by Rory O’Neill, aka. drag queen Panti Bliss.
Amongst the VIP guests — a certain well-known Taoiseach…
Jerry Buttimer TD / Twitter.@EndaKennyTD @PantiBliss @FineGaelLGBT @FineGael delighted An Taoiseach joined us at our December event pic.twitter.com/KFEv0ixYgw
— Jerry Buttimer TD (@jerrybuttimer) December 2, 2014
Dale McDermott / Twitter.@yfg members with Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD in Pantibar tonight for the @FineGaelLGBT Xmas Party. That's a first! pic.twitter.com/TSxdX2xoLU
— Dale McDermott (@dalemcdermott) December 2, 2014
Chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael Deputy Leader James Reilly and a raft of other FG and Young Fine Gael members are also at the venue.
Buttimer set up the Fine Gael LGBT group back in 2012 — and said that when he explained to the Taoiseach that he was coming out, he had been heartened by Kenny’s reaction.
The symbolism of last night’s photo-op will be lost on no-one — Rory O’Neill was, of course, at the centre of the long-running ‘Pantigate’ saga earlier this year, which sparked a national conversation on homophobia.
A referendum on same-sex marriage is to be held in spring of next year.
And, though the Taoiseach’s refusal to state his own personal position on the issue caused some controversy in the summer of 2012, he has since said he will support it and will canvass for it.
In case you were wondering, Panti’s not there…
But she was tweeting about it.
First published 2 December
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Yes 2021 here and 1690 for some up north.
No screw the UK we need to stop letting them dictate how we run things, they will be the ones who look ridiculous enforcing a different timezone for the smaller region on the island.
Endless summer time sounds fantastic!
@Ian McNally: knowing them they’ll choose endless winter.
@Ian McNally: Portugal and Spain gave 2 different time zones, so what? no big deal.
@Ian McNally: Portugal and Spain gave 2 different time zones, so what? no big deal.
@Gus Sheridan: have 2 ……..
Time to get rid of it
@Dick Face: only the planters and the nuts.
@DartMcCart: And what about the other 78 people ?
If EU changes, UK will change too. 80%+ of UK citizens are in favour of getting rid of the biannual time change.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: I’m in favour of the biannual time change
The energy savings argument was always been rather tenuous. Germany introduced the change in 1916 in the probably mistaken belief that it would help reduce energy use, the U.K. followed suit not wanting to let Germany get the upper hand in war preparations and Ireland was instructed to follow suit. We didn’t even get to have an opinion. Farmers were bitterly opposed which is interesting because you often hear that they are the reason the clock changing tradition must be kept.
1916 in Dublin would be 1690 in Belfast and 1776 in Washington DC.
We are part of Europe or not simply!!
@Dizzy: not please
No one cares about Norn Iron leave them to it
We’ll be the same as Belfast for half the year
There is already two time zones in Ireland.
CET and Healy Ray’s Dark ages.
Our politicians are good at manipulating figures, I’m sure they’ll figure something out.
We should change the two economic zones as well
Another chance for those living in Ulcer land a chance to say No.
I’m definitely leaving Ireland if we won’t change with the rest of Europe. The U.K. Will make up their own minds anyway!!!!
Ah the poor government! Won’t bother them too much! It’s the workforce that pays their alarm calls who are going to feel it!
How can these cowards not even make the simplest decisions without someone holding their hand. Daylight savings time is an archaic ritual, the reasons for which have long since stopped being relevant. Who cares if NI keep it, it’s not as if we won’t be able to function. Not only do they want a team of consultants holding one hand but they want the brits holding the other. We’re doomed if this lot ever have to deal with a crisis situation, the country will fall apart around them while they ask consultants and focus groups what would be a popular course of action.
I’ve living in places where this is normal, like Australia and parts of the US. Everyone seems to be missing the bonus here – you can drink until last orders and then hop a taxi and five minutes later drink for another hour until last orders again.
have your say