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Leah Farrell/Photocall Ireland

The vast majority of staff in Enda Kenny's office are proud to work there

That’s according to a new survey that was carried out last year.

Updated 1.05pm 

DESPITE CONCERNS OVER how bullying and harassment are tackled in their workplace, 84% of staff at the Department of the Taoiseach are proud to work there.

That’s according to a staff consultation initiative 2014, which was published last month by RA Consulting and put on the department’s website on Tuesday.

The 95-question survey looked at a number of areas in the department.

It can be read in full here. In its conclusion, it says:

Results should be seen against a background of cuts, media criticism, corporate memory losses and increased workloads. Department should be seen to have made progress while ‘swimming against a particularly challenging tide’.

It showed that just 3% said they were not proud to work for the Department of the Taoiseach, which is up from 2% in 2007 and 1% in 203. Overall, 84% are proud, which is also up by 1% on the previous survey.

Bullying

Just 34% gave a favourable response to the phrase “I am confident that the anti-bullying and harassment policy is supported in practice”, and 59% gave a favourable response to “I have not experienced bullying or harassment of any kind in the Department”.

It showed that 75% said they are satisfied with the leadership displayed by their immediate manager, while 53% said the department is focused on effective leadership.

Just 29% agreed that good performance is recognised by the department.

The report recommended a requirement to “enhance commitment to dignity and respect (anti-bullying and harassment) through refresher training/awareness programmes”.

dept-of-the-taoiseach-2 The Department of the Taoiseach on Merrion Street (File photo) Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

However, in an information note published in response to media reports today, the report’s author, RA Consulting’s Peter Ryan, said:

It should also be emphasised that the extremely positive findings were largely absent from the media reports and importantly, these findings could not coexist if there was a culture of workplace bullying.

“In particular, the survey revealed that 84 per cent were proud to work for the Department, 72 per cent said that they trusted their managers (only 8 per cent disagreed) and 95 per cent said that they were able to work on their own initiative (only 2 people (individuals) disagreed) which would not be the case if bullying was an issue.”

Good place to work?

Asked if they would recommend the Department to others as a good place to work, 68% said they would.

Just over half, 58%, said they consider the culture within the department to be generally good. The same percentage said that they are encouraged to speak up “where we disagree with a decision”.

Just a quarter – 25% – said that employee morale has improved over the last number of years, with 35% giving an “unfavourable” response to this question.

When asked about communication, 52% said that communications within the department have improved over recent years.

Just over a fifth of staff surveyed – 21% – agreed that workloads are fairly distributed within the Department.

Some of the lowest favourable responses were in the development and career progression section, with just 12% giving “I am encouraged to proactively identify my T&D needs” a favourable response.

In addition, 30% said that the department provides good opportunities for career development.

Overall, the document concluded that work undertaken over recent years has “had a positive impact upon the workplace culture”, but that some improvements have been more modest, and satisfaction has fallen in other areas.

The department said that in response to the report a new human resources strategy is being prepared along with a new Civil Service-wide ‘Dignity at Work’ policy.

- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell 

Read: Enda pledges action on mortgage crisis (and calls Fianna Fáil ‘arsonists’)

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60 Comments
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    Mute Peter Slattery
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:47 AM

    Yup. Knew this wouldn’t be written by Hugh O’Connell. Cant be showing the leader in any sort of negative light.

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 12th 2015, 12:56 PM

    Enda gets his first report card – 84% – Not A1 Sharon !

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    Mute Joe Sullivan
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:12 PM

    Of course they are, Its always nice being smarter than your boss.

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    Mute ITechStore.ie
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:24 PM

    You are not suggesting that Hugh admires Enda, are you ??

    79
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    Mute Deaglán O'Ceirín
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    Mar 12th 2015, 2:01 PM

    ”The vast amount of those working in Enda Kenny’s office are” happy to have jobs!

    64
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    Mute markyg
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:06 AM

    He done a bit of bullying himself yesterday

    250
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    Mute ThE DucKz NuTz
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    Mar 12th 2015, 11:13 AM

    Yes he did and i think hos staff should be more worried about being unemployed after the next election…..

    69
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    Mute Amused Bystander
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:42 PM

    as if civil servants can be fired!

    32
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    Mute Setrakian
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:14 AM

    Culture in the office environment comes from the top so no real surprises there. This govt has spent the last number of years bullying the country – it’s all they are good at.

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    Mute Baz
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:25 AM

    And we’re off with the daily Journal.ie Bullsh*t stakes by the shinners

    44
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    Mute Sam Bartell
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:44 AM

    Wonder what the bill for this pr report is? More waste of public monies

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    Mute Con Manne
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:56 AM

    Closely followed by the well set up, fvck you I’m alright, Jack liggers.

    90
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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 12th 2015, 12:55 PM

    Baz – Take your Meds -You know you are having a Gerryphobia attack ?
    This is an article about An Taoiseach’s Department .
    SF isn’t in charge of that – yet !!!

    44
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:08 AM

    “Results should be seen against a background of cuts,” I take it this means Enda’s army of special advisor’s where not included in this survey.

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    Mute Andrew
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    Mar 12th 2015, 9:07 AM

    How many staff in dept.

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 12th 2015, 11:31 AM

    In total? No idea but I do know that Enda’s 5 special advisor’s were paid €581.236 in 2012 so I as I say I’d guess they were not consulted in this survey but then again when your boss is going around saying”because I’m worth it” when asked about his €3,500.00 a week who knows….

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    Mute Dot Com
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Someone in the Journal could give Juno McEnroe a call to update them.

    http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taoiseach-to-spend-900k-on-advisers-and-assistants-313395.html

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 12th 2015, 2:33 PM

    I guess the €50k being spent on his new mouth piece back in his Mayo patch to spin for him needs to be added to that total Dot Com?

    Close to million being spent by Enda who bring new meaning to value for money phase everyday….

    43
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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:12 AM

    We’re allowed comment on this nice one. The media portrail of the paudie mac and mairia girls cases has neen shockingly one sided and any thing but impartial. They were both victims it would seem. But the journal not allowing comments about these aligations, the indo running full length series in the sunday indo on thses aligations, rte giving lengthy interviews with its own staff and the two alledged victims and fg using parliamentary privilege. This is obviously a targetted campaign against SF where the public can have no opinion or say. Cant wait for the george gibney case to break in a few weeks.

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    Mute David HIggins
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:39 AM

    So you’re going to argue for the Rapists? What’s the other side?

    25
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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:40 AM

    Trevor, as was mentioned on the radio this morning, if you replaced gerry Adams and sinn fein with some bishop and the Catholic Church, would you still be crying into your cornflakes? The propensity of sf to assume primacy in the victim stakes is breathtaking. It would be far better to demand the same justice and resignations that maryloo insisted upon when dealing with the church.
    That gibney chap should be extradited ASAP. Whoever is proven to have covered up or assisted should face jail.

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    Mute Sam Bartell
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:46 AM

    Charles the gardai knew about him for years and so far have done nothing. Questions to be answered there too

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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:55 AM

    Couldn’t agree more Sam.

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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Mar 12th 2015, 10:04 AM

    Of course. The hypocrisy is amazing. So many shinners should be resigning. But they have zero credibility so they won’t

    16
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    Mute Ten Major
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    Mar 12th 2015, 3:11 PM

    So even questioning this very obviously orchestrated political hachet job makes you a rapist sympathiser now?
    Wow, all dissent shall be crushed.
    Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

    14
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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:04 PM

    Hi charles. My gripe is with the media. Not for or against any political party. Rte will be sold under my watch. The license fee abolished as it wont be needed anymore and political pensions reduced to.a maximum of 33,000 per year.

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    Mute Damian Moran
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:03 AM

    Do they have to speak Irish ?

    155
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 12th 2015, 9:53 AM

    Is cuma – ba chearrt doibh in an ann e a dheanamh in aon nos .

    23
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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Mar 12th 2015, 10:02 AM

    No but you would need a good understanding to get in to the civil service and I’m sure it’s a strict requirement for that office.

    Yes it is a job to be proud of. I’m sure with cuts they had to take and the flak they had to take in relation to other cuts everywhere else makes its not as nice a place to be. I’m sure they are told do more with less and don’t work extra hours but get this extra work done.

    I can see why there would be frustration in departments.

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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 12th 2015, 12:49 PM

    An Taoiseach himself, proved that he is nothing short of a cynical and arrogant Bullyboy , in An Dáil Éireann yesterday afternoon , by his shocking treatment of an Opposition Dail Deputy.
    It was probably the most cringeworthy and embarrassing episode , that I have ever experienced , from a supposed “Leader” of our Country .

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    Mute Pepper Brooks
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:17 PM

    Worse than covering up the molestation and rape of kids kerryman?

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:38 PM

    Nonsense. I was in the civil service for years and didn’t speak a word of Irish. They just have to have a few people in the building who can help out if somebody calls who insists on being dealt with through Irish.

    35
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:39 PM

    (In reply to Charles)

    14
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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:42 PM

    Need to join up. But the most bare understanding. I was in civil service too there was requirement for Irish. But perhaps it’s changed.

    Personally I don’t think it should be a requirement

    10
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:44 PM

    When I joined in 2000 there was an option to do an extra section on the entrance exam that tested your Irish for extra credit – i.e to put you higher up on the waiting list, but very few people took it.

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    Mute Ten Major
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    Mar 12th 2015, 3:03 PM

    You should know Charles seeing as you probably work in his office or one near it.

    22
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    Mute Gaeltán
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    Mar 12th 2015, 5:31 PM

    Ceart agat a Hermes.

    5
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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:17 AM

    Hopefully he’ll be gone within 12 months!

    117
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    Mute Jason
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:46 AM

    Culture of the office has little to do with who’s in sitting in the big chair. Office staff and top civil servants remain the same; and this is where cultural change is required, as in a lot if public service areas.

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    Mute Tony Le Blanc
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:20 PM

    Hit the nail on the head Jason.

    21
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    Mute jim bob
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:49 AM

    Hardly surprising given the depth of delivery of workplace is driven by the “Enda Agenda”

    83
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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:13 AM

    The figures are meaningless without a benchmark. A comparison with other Departments and private sector organisations is needed.

    74
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    Mute Chris Mackey
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:06 AM

    The face say’s it all. Just asking if there is something important or interesting coming up next year.?

    72
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    Mute Deco James Connolly
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    Mar 12th 2015, 10:24 AM

    Attention Team Taoiseach , all of you give me one hundred lines on my desk in 20 minutes of ” You’re the best Taoiseach ever ” .
    I’ve got a meeting with Hugh and I want to show the readers of the journal how much my team adore me .

    55
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    Mute Christine Downey
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    Mar 12th 2015, 10:22 AM

    Why wouldn’t he bully his staff. He bullies the rest of the country.

    49
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    Mute Gaeltán
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:11 AM

    Is aisteach an “scéal” anseo le ceannlíne thar a bheith contráilte. Tá daoine sásta agus míshásta – an tromlach sásta agus go leor acu bródúil. Diabhal mórán nuachta ag teacht isteach inniu?

    34
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    Mute Dziadek Uncaged
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    Mar 12th 2015, 8:47 AM

    Is mise sasta.

    8
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    Mute Gaeltán
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:51 PM

    Dziadek: Tá áthas orm go bhfuil tú sásta a mhac. Go maire tú amhlaidh i gcónaí. :)

    9
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:28 PM

    I think I would rather admit to being a water meter installer than admit to working in his office.

    34
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    Mute mfos
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:35 PM

    Who runs Ra consulting more fg spin

    26
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:47 PM

    Just 34% gave a favourable response to the phrase “I am confident that the anti-bullying and harassment policy is supported in practice”, and 59% gave a favourable response to “I have not experienced bullying or harassment of any kind in the Department”.

    So 66% or two thirds didn’t support “I am confident that the anti-bullying and harassment policy is supported in practice” and 41% did not agree with “I have not experienced bullying or harassment of any kind in the Department” or 4 out of 10, they are high numbers in any work place?

    22
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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Mar 12th 2015, 2:57 PM

    Anyone would be happy with the big wages and perks they get,what a stupid survey,and they got paid for it.

    13
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:43 PM

    Must be on a good wage or just Satanists, ok bad joke…

    12
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:51 PM

    53% said the department is focused on effective leadership or in other words 47% nearly half did not agree with it?
    3% said they were not proud to work for the Department of the Taoiseach, that is 97% that are not proud, so where did the “Overall, 84% are proud,” come from???

    12
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Mar 12th 2015, 6:31 PM

    Spin, spin, spin….

    8
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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:52 PM

    Abba – Money, Money, Money: https://youtu.be/ETxmCCsMoD0

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    Mute Andrew Halpin
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    Mar 12th 2015, 3:38 PM

    Reading this, the old chestnut ‘pride before a fall’ come to mind. Basically most of the staff don’t want to rock the boat but when it comes to people issues there’s an approval rate of around one third. That’s better than fing ale expect to get in the next election. Probably chuffed with that rating.

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    Mute Trevor Hayden
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    Mar 12th 2015, 6:32 PM

    Ha ha, Jesus that hypnotist worked wonders,now send them the f@@k home before they remember where they REALLY work.

    6
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    Mute Peter Higgins
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    Mar 12th 2015, 1:49 PM

    I hope they feel the same about Gerry next year!

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    Mute Alan Tormey
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    Mar 12th 2015, 2:29 PM

    *vast

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