Fair play Mr Mathews. It’s refreshing to see a politation that is prepared to stand up and be counted.

Well done Peter. Tell the whip to f€?@ off !

To the Fianna Gael party faithful
This is the most qualified man on the Government benches in terms of economic matters
DOES THIS TELL YOU ANYTHING!

Ah yes, you’re not entitled to express your Democratic right now and they say it’s a Democracy?

What a country we live in, where elected representatives are admonished for expressing and sharing the concerns of their constituents.

Huge admiration for the bloke. It was Matthews that stated the promissory note could have its due date pushed back indefinitely, and he is of course correct. meanwhile noonan is trying to get a ‘deal’ which will convert the note into long term soverign bonds, thereby socialising the debt with interest for our kids and grandkids. Fine Geal will hail this avictory, and will be enjoying their ridculous pensions when it lands on the next generation.

And yet Michelle Mulherin was treated to no such summonses from on high for attending the vigil4life (Maybe she got the iPad!)!

I don’t know why I’m surprised that political parties indulge in such double standards. Well done to Dep Matthews. A FGer with integrity!

Being such a polite man I doubt Deputy Matthews will respond in the most appropriate manner, which would involve raising two of his fingers.

Peter Matthews is a nice guy & should not belong to a political party, especially one as devious as FG.

Mr Matthews came to Charleville and Ballyhea (which I consider a very courageous thing to do). While other TD’s were relaxing for the weekend he put himself out there and spoke very well. After all he is qualified to do so with years of experience in the Banking sector. He did not distance himself from his position in government or from FG. In actual fact he supported the position of the government and acknowledged their difficult task. He asked that we put the energies of our protesting behind the government to put pressure on Europe in securing a so badly needed solution. He did not play to the crowd or take the easy line considering his audience.

I’d have to say I respect him greatly for coming to speak, for not waivering from his support of government and to fully engage in what was a very interesting evening. He was an utter gentleman and professional

The Ballyhea Protest is not about any party and involves those from all walks of life and political interests.

I hope more like Peter Matthews express themselves and connect with the feelings of the country.

Its a shame the government is not interested to engage with those that want more for this wonderful country.

As a member of the Ballyheasaysno group I am not in the business of either villyifying or defending any politician but I take huge issue with the whip making an issue of a td attending an open meeting on an issue of importance for all of us.Mr Matthews attended the meeting and had an opportunity to speak as did other speakers from other sides of the political and intellectual spectrum. While he was clear about the prom notes and bank debt bailout he was also very careful not to act in defiance of his party.So what’s the problem? Freedom of speech/movement is a democratic right or is supposed to be. When we live in a society where attendance at an open public meeting is made an issue of , then we are travelling down a very dangerous road. This should be a time of political unity, when politicans stand together to represent the people, regardless of their personal beliefs, against the ECB and the odious debt that is being piled upon our shoulders and not a time of political point scoring and control.Peter Matthews was asked to take a message back to his party by myself and I certainly hope he will do so. That is his job as a public representative I hope?

He got my first vote last time…..sadly because of the rot in the rest of the bondholder party I won’t be voting for him again. Fair play to him for attending the protest but what’s the point? He is tarnished with the FG rust.

Fair play Peter matthews you are a man of your word ,the time has come to get rid of these self serving gangsters .

The guy is just about the most intelligent and articulate politician in the country. I’d vote for him if I could.

Mathews should be able to attend whatever he wants.

I agree, it’s close to dictatorial for him to be called in over this.

Oh dear, a free-thinking TD…….. what next?

I think the man is demonstrating quite clearly that he is politically inexperienced and a lightweight.

He is saying what the people are thinking ,stop letting asset management companies strip this country and impoverish us ,if this is a democracy listen to your people,STOP GIVING OUR MONEY AWAY TO WEALTHY GREEDY SOCIOPATHS,each of the asset strippers is managing about 200 BILLION euro,and there are many many many of them,cut pay and perks ,PROTECT the vulnerable,stand up to Europe ,and give us back our sovereignty,DEMOCRACY NOW !!

Ah good old Peter Matthews, took a bet off him when I worked in the bookies, backing himself to get elected, put a huge amount on, then paraded around the shop showing everyone his betting slip as part oh his campaign to the customers. Decency isn’t a word I’d associate with him.

What does the government have to fear from one of its members communicating with the electorate in an open forum?

I note the people from Ballyhea were prevented by the police from peacefully handing out leaflets at Croke Park last September. The day before, just up the road, the police did not intervene when guns were produced at Alan Ryan’s funeral. Peculiar priorities.

Although seemingly not reported by RTÉ, Last week it emerged that 42% of all Eurozone banking crisis costs are being shouldered by Ireland .

Two years on, this government have failed to get the false odious ‘debt’ substantially reduced. Equally they have failed to reinstate accountability – and Ireland has fallen 20 places on the international corruption index by Transparency International. What justification is there for Eamon Gilmore get paid more than David Cameron? So much for ‘austerity’ – seems more like Apartheid Austerity to me.

I believe the good people of Ballyhea are showing the way, and it is clear more of us need to follow their lead.

Peter Matthews is in my opinion an honourable politician. He should be a Minister.All TDs should be free to express their own private views and should not be forced to be under the party whip!

Another political hero to join the ranks of Roisin Shortall and Colm Keaveney,give me a break,he’s still a member of FG and still defends their policies. Have we become that starved and disillusioned with politics in this country,that when a politician seems to be “DOING THEIR JOB” they are held up as some kinda hero ??? All three of the above mentioned,supported the lies that came from their respective parties during and after the election.

It’s like some kind of a collective Stockholm syndrome people are suffering from,that’s the only reasonable explanation I can come up with.

Peter Mathews on Vincent Browne now,defending James O’Reilly….Yeah he’s a real stand up guy,alright!!!

I think most if not all of FG/Labour should do just what he’s done ….get out there AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED YOU….THE VERY PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING. Fair play to the man ….brave too in the current climate. Most are tucked away and are ony showing there faces for photo shoots to try and big themselves up, how many TD’s do you know from FG/Lab that are out there listening to us…not very many.