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Fine Gael TD hits out at people 'stacking up their trolleys with drink'

Catherine Byrne said people in society have a responsibility to pay their way.

Oireachtas / TheJournal.ie/YouTube

A FINE GAEL TD has questioned people “stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine” when they refuse to pay their water charges.

Catherine Byrne was speaking during today’s Dáil debate on Civil Debt Procedures Bill. The bill will allow a court to order that water charges – and other debts of between €500 and €4,000 – can be taken from people’s social welfare or earnings.

The Dublin South-Central TD was responding to criticism of the government measure by opposition TDs earlier in the debate.

Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the government was pushing the legislation through to give “tyrannical power to the shambles that is Irish Water”. 

But Byrne said people in society have a responsibility to pay their way and that some opposition parties “believe everything should be for free”.

She later said:

I go to the shopping centre at the weekend like most normal people. I try my best with my budget to fill it out and get what I need and I put extra things in my trolley for my children, who are all in negative equity, like many other parents out there. And I see people stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine and I can guarantee you some of them shouldn’t be stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine.

Byrne told TDs that a family of two with two children would only have to pay the equivalent of €3.07 per week to have clean water, and insisted:

Tell me that’s not value for money when I see people going into the supermarkets at the weekends and stacking their trolleys with beers and everything else and water. There’s no need for it.

Her comments were criticised by Sinn Féin TDs Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Dessie Ellis.

Ó Snodaigh, a constituency colleague of Byrne’s, said families had been “lumbered” with new taxes by this government. He said this made it very difficult for people to budget and some had ended up “in a spiral of debt”.

Ellis accused the government of trying to “scare the people into paying the water charges”. He insisted that the coalition had failed to dampen the opposition to water charges which, he said, had become part of a wider anti-austerity sentiment.

The debate adjourned at 4pm and is due to resume next week.

Read: Joan slams social welfare fraudsters for ‘giving two fingers to their neighbours’

Read: Mary Lou says Joan Burton is ‘giving two fingers’ to the public

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259 Comments
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    Mute C de Gallaidhe
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:36 PM

    ‘I try my best with my budget to fill it out and get what I need.’ Must be hard on €87,258 plus expenses.

    1727
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    Mute John Lennox
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:55 PM

    FG have never achieved 2 terms in office*, it is their pompous arrogance and their need to let people know how superior they are.

    You could do a Phd on misdirected insecurity and anxiety at a FG Ard Fheis weekend.

    866
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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:58 PM

    Yes the peasants are not allowed any luxuries out of their hard earned pay they shouldn’t be allowed spend their money as they see fit. So the Government has a right to dig into their pockets to pay for property tax and water . Only in Ireland would you get these gombeen politicians who think that as soon as they get elected they can dictate to the unwashed. Fine Galloway and Labour are totally delusional at this stage.

    971
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    Mute Cram Wood
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:12 PM

    She’s a sicko that wan.

    550
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    Mute TotalScrotal
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:27 PM

    Definite whiff of Enda and his mythical “man with 2 pints in his hand” BS here. Beautiful line about budgeting for grocery shops on a TD salary + expenses. How does she know the people stacking their trolley haven’t paid their bill,have they been made wear special armbands?

    694
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    Mute Jack Delaney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:30 PM

    Now you know why they are called the Nasti (nasty) Party! Beneath every blue shirt lurks a desire to dictate. They just can’t help it.

    519
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    Mute david garland
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:31 PM

    If FG and Labour went into Government and did what they promised us they would do they would of guaranteed themselves a seat in Government for the next 20 years.. Instead they lied and basically sold off the Irish people.. Now they won’t see Government for the next 20 years

    545
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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:38 PM

    Im sure the sitting TDs on the Sinn Fein side of the house were licking their lips the deeper she was digging that hole.

    426
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    Mute goo
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:40 PM

    She is TD for Dublin and claimed €9000.00 expenses last year for travelling to Dail and only attended 75 times cheek of her !

    707
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    Mute Fred Coloe
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:47 PM

    I work as a taxi driver and my annual fuel bill is around €6000! She must go via Cork to get to Kildare st

    572
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    Mute Aidan Baragry
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:10 PM

    Genuine question here- who are realistically going to replace them?

    107
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    Mute Stephen Cullen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:26 PM

    ever feel patronised?!!!

    209
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    Mute david garland
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:27 PM

    So she gets €120 extra per day just for showing up for work.. What an absolute disgrace and she has the cheek to question somebody who has a few bottles of wine in their weekly shopping..

    441
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    Mute James Delaney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:27 PM

    No thats Ivor C

    98
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    Mute John Bathe
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:28 PM

    Hi Goo Have you a link to expenses data? l would be interested in bringing a case against her to the fraud squad if I have the data to back it up..

    220
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:30 PM

    Genuine answer. Anybody except FF.

    125
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    Mute Aidan Baragry
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:35 PM

    Is that not how we are where we are?

    47
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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:36 PM
    89
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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:40 PM

    And I know that it is from 2013

    74
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    Mute whynotme
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:45 PM

    She got over €17,000 in expenses -bless her cotton socks .

    188
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    Mute von
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:28 PM

    Aidan you are being sarcastic yeah?

    57
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    Mute Darragh O Meara
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:56 PM

    Of course she knows who has and hasn’t paid, sure isn’t it only labour and finegaels crew who have signed up and paid.. hence we don’t get the figures :)

    101
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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:20 PM

    its safe to say their dismal after that crying match.

    61
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:07 PM

    I will a drain. I qualified to run the country and I am qualified by having empathy , sanity and never tell lies.

    Oops but to run the country you need to lie to get elected as Fine Gael did . I won’t bother then
    Let’s just listen to the liars running the country who say nobody else can run the country.

    Load of bullsh, t such ideology to write on a social media site.

    61
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    Mute Noirin Kavanagh
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:34 PM

    Who could be worse? The old reliables can only be relied upon to deliver the same so we have to vote for change. However the left unites they deserve a chance. If the one year in I at I’ve is taken on board people could have a much greater say and involvement in decision making and whoever we elect has to be made accountable

    51
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    Mute Kane Abel
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 11:04 PM

    This woman represents the worst and most stunted viewpoints of 1850′s Roman Catholic Ireland, who voted for her and why, I’ve more respect for the thugs and thieves than this privileged woman who could go this far in life and yet have learned so little….. Fool.

    101
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    Mute david dickson
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    Jul 4th 2015, 12:23 AM

    She could walk the two miles from Bulfin Road to the Dail and she claims an average €120 for each return trip. Disgraceful and then goes showing off at the supermarket with her full trolley buying stuff for people that do not live with her.
    Bet she walks around with a replica of her old Lord Mayor of Dublin chain.
    Hope somebody starts selling trolley covers to hide your purchases from her prying eyes. What has happened to her? Used to be so down to earth.

    80
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    Mute KMac
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    Jul 4th 2015, 12:34 AM

    “Beneath every blueshirt lurks a desire to dictate.”
    Thank you. Banking that.

    78
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    Mute Mick Cullen
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    Jul 4th 2015, 1:38 AM

    Mercs and percs alwys win

    49
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    Mute Francid Dooley
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    Jul 4th 2015, 9:56 AM

    Who voted for this nut case????????

    38
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    Mute James Delaney
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:48 AM

    @,Michael – That some reply Michael – well done. Nothing more needs to be said. Will Catherine Byrne now come out & address issues in this article. Will the Labour party make a statement on these issues. I very much doubt it.

    24
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    Mute una dunphy
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    Jul 4th 2015, 5:27 PM

    Would not rely on the media to follow through, has a complaint been lodged or a demand for a full investigation, any opposition TD will do? How they get away with things is the lack of teeth to follow up on blatant mistakes along with gross breaches of rules.

    21
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Aug 1st 2015, 8:35 AM

    What an out of touch Wagon

    2
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    Mute phil
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:36 PM

    Budget the best she can ?
    She can eat out and put it down as an expense, she can drive a car and put it down as an expense, she doesn’t have to go to work if she does not want to and put it down as constituency business. She puts extras in her trolley for her kids ? who own their own houses and still get mammy to do their shopping ?

    1180
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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:27 PM

    Great for her kids that they have the luxury of a mother who can afford to help them out. She doesn’t care about 460 Clerys employees, many having worked there for 45+ years who were left high and dry with no redundancy, or their children. She doesn’t give a flying fook about the 1000+ children and their parents,who are homeless in Dublin. She doesn’t give a second thought to OAPs who are feeling more and more isolated due to the decimation of their local communities, garda station closed, post office closed, Bus Eireann route gone, free phone – gone. Her children are living in negative equity so are hundreds of thousand of other peoples children. She’ll be able to retire on her very nice pension come next march when she is not re-elected, while our young people are being forced into unpaid internships, the slave labour that is jobs-bridge and zero hour contracts. The worst type of Fine Gaeler is an ex working class Fine Gaeler.

    943
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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:33 PM

    Jeez Ann your in flyin form.

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    Mute Kevin Mullen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:43 PM

    excellent comment, keep it up

    336
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    Mute chris
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:53 PM

    Great comment, I just wanted to add that it’s not as AN expense but at OUR expense

    389
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    Mute von
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:25 PM

    She did sound good tho shivery voice hands all over the place.
    And the Oscar goes toooo.

    138
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    Mute Mick Hannigan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:36 PM

    totally detached from reality this government is, once again totally screwed the people,

    226
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    Mute Peter Grimes
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:02 PM
    34
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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:06 PM

    I want to add to my above comment – at least the people who she sees filling up their trollies with drink are (a) paying for their alcohol before they leave the supermarket (b) not doing it on company time and (c) are paying for it with their own hard earned money. Unlike the politicians in the Dáil bar who (a) as has been reported, rarely pay for their alcohol, (b) don’t care that they are drinking on the job and (c) don’t care that they alcohol they drink is subsidised by people who cant afford to keep a roof over their childrens heads. Feckoff Catheine

    336
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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:17 PM

    @ Ann correct you are. i don’t think i need the figures from iw quarterly bill payments now, that crying match Catherine Byrne put on tells me it was pretty poor.

    135
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    Mute Francid Dooley
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:28 PM

    Surely she’s not the full shilling.

    127
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:59 PM

    Phil this is what is the droconian mantra of Fine Gael telling people they are not entitled to make life style choices but pay too much tax instead.

    Vincent Brown on Wednesday had Alan shatter on and other members of Fine Gael rejoicing in their wonderful cut backs and extended taxes.

    If you vote for these again expect these comments of the noises parkers members of the Fine Gael party running into the rail to state what people can still afford after paying extortion taxes implemented by them.

    May Fine Gael manual is written by Kim jo long and they want to copy him. Next thing Fine Gael like Kim jo long will be killing their relatives. Get rid of this lot in the next election and throw out their policies.

    98
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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:01 PM

    it the first dirge she is in mourning iw is dying.

    63
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    Mute Bren MC
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:21 PM

    I think she’s looking for an oscar with that teary eyed performance.

    56
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    Mute VinHeffer89
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:29 PM

    They think we work for them and can’t see that, in a functional democracy, it’s actually the other way around. Taxation levels in Ireland are already high for what we get in return; these people, and I include Kenny with his “pint in each hand” shtick, seem to think that if we have a few quid left over after the week once tax, rent, food, petrol, etc are covered we should be taxed more because we can obviously afford it. Nauseating stuff.

    635
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    Mute Itsthe Law
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:45 PM

    Is it any wonder the need a garda ring of steel around them,Pushing trough a bill to forcible deduct water charges from your income

    420
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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:59 PM

    Its not great value when we are paying for water already. I don’t know who would pay for their groceries twice Catherine ? What a stupid statement.

    340
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    Mute littleone
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:31 PM

    Oh the irony . a fg td moaning about what people spend their money on .. Then we have a subsidised dail bar . which had the highest bar bill the night of the water services bill.

    519
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    Mute littleone
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:33 PM

    It’s bit rich of a td accusing people of stacking up trollies with wine and beer.. How the hell does she knows this. Talking absolutely rubbish. Does she stand in supermarkets and watch.

    380
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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:54 PM

    Great value at the min for Carlsberg, cheaper then water. Enjoy!!!!!

    272
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    Mute molly coddled
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:54 PM

    If she does littleone, it’s beyond creepy. Catherine Byrne.. the trolley watching weirdo.

    244
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    Mute littleone
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:05 PM

    Ain’t that the truth and going by the comments on here agreeing with her,they too are extremely creepy. People watching other people 24/7 going by their remarks and know what’s going on inside peoples house’s. Extremely worrying behaviour by some.

    191
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    Mute little jim
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:13 PM

    Can’t believe people don’t buy cider anymore, wine how are ya!

    135
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    Mute molly coddled
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:32 PM

    @littleone. We used to call them nosey parkers or curtain twitchers, not worth wasting your time and energy on. I buy cider for my son of a weekend and a bottle of wine that I use for sauces, so therefore according to Ms trolley watchers assumptions I must be a raving alco that doesn’t pay their bills, utterly ridiculous.

    156
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    Mute Bill Jones
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:28 PM

    This “Civil Debt Procedures Bill” is completely sickening. I’m in a bit of debt myself and pay it off bit by bit every week with whatever I have, usually €15. Does this bill now mean that instead of doing that I’ll just come home one day, check my wages and they whole thing will be gone? FG have completely destroyed the working people of this county with Labours help.

    499
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    Mute In The Name Of....
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:35 PM

    I think you did a good job of destroying things yourself by not paying your own way it your bills.

    54
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    Mute Pepper Brooks
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:37 PM

    She’s dead right. I know loads of families who don’t buy proper food for their children or send them to school with no lunch – but the parents don’t work, always have a new pair of runners, smoke loads of cigarettes and drink lots of cans every day. Of course they are referred to as the “vulnerable and marginalised”. Give me a break please.

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    Mute calvin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:54 PM

    ” drink lots of cans every day”

    LOL,I can just picture you with a pen and paper, peering through your curtains each day,noting tallying each can

    318
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    Mute littleone
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:57 PM

    Pepper do you stalk these people and watch their every move. Do you peer through their windows , when their eating or getting their kids ready for school. Do you follow them to the supermarket. You must be extremely creepy if you are because how else would you know.

    255
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    Mute Sean McCarthy
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:57 PM

    Stop lying pepper, u don’t “know loads of people like that”. Stop blaming poor people for the state the country finds itself in, it’s ignorant and pathetic and makes you sound just like the bullies that are in government. Get a grip of yourself.

    263
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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:13 PM

    “Does this bill now mean that instead of doing that I’ll just come home one day, check my wages and they whole thing will be gone?”

    Nope.

    28
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    Mute Thomas Maher
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:36 PM

    No you don’t pepper.

    101
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    Mute Barry O'Connor
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:04 PM

    Are you ok with business men and politicians robbing you blind? Funny how there’s nobody telling DOB how he should spend his millions but people seem to be happy to hand over their money to him. Is it because he’s richer than you, that you feel you can’t give out about the way he robs us of money, but because you’re wealthier than somebody who doesn’t have a job you dictate to them on how they should lead their lives?

    151
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    Mute Elizabeth Mcgill
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:55 PM

    Generalizations are immoral

    63
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    Mute Deputydawg
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:03 PM

    You waste of space

    42
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    Mute Paddy Obrien
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:45 PM

    I used to know pepper when she worked for the Stasi, she was awarded the medal…hero of the Soviet Union for her work as a super spy

    57
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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:34 PM

    @bill it turning into a dictatorship

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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:18 PM

    In the name of ‘shite’

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    Mute Deskindo
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    Jul 8th 2015, 8:22 PM

    Pepper make’s me sneeze.

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    Mute graham galvin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:26 PM

    In other words. Don’t spend your money on yourself. Give it all to me instead.

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    Mute billy
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:42 PM

    Not looking as rosy in the garden for FG as it once did. Lots of this sort of ‘losing it for a few minutes’ type of comment to come I’d say.

    261
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    Mute sonny black
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:24 PM

    Oh piss off.

    460
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    Mute shane o malley
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:30 PM

    C.Byrne FG TD €499,918.91 this b her pay and expenses jan 2011 to mar 2015,well over half a million euro now, lotto type wages and gutter type statements

    547
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    Mute Stuart Keogh
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:41 PM

    “I try my best with my budget to fill out and get what I need” ffs, times must be hard on her wages poor woman, shall we set up a crowdfund to get her a bottle of wine?

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    Mute AN other
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:46 PM

    500k over 4 years, 125k/year? I make less than a quarter of that before tax but she criticises me for spending what little I have left on beer instead of another tax

    Bird brain!

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    Mute Blackwater
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:52 PM

    What does this “OLD BAG” NOT, understand?
    We already pay for water!!

    175
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    Mute Paddy Obrien
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:04 PM

    Lady Byrne? How dare the peasants drink wine and not pay the rent? Turf them out upon the roadside,the curs, or better stil subject them to a good trashing the buggers. By God in days of empire this behaviour wouldn’t have been tolerated for one minute

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    Mute Thomas Maher
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:18 PM

    I love that she is pointing out the cost of €3:07 per week but failing to point out that from 2018 it will be closer to €20 per week for a family of 4 if this monstrosity is not got rid of. I’m sure nearly everone here can do the maths. . Well accept our regular Irish water supporters.

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    Mute JakeTheMuss7
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:50 PM

    @blackwater. How do people on social welfare pay for water?

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    Mute TheLoneHurler
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    Jul 4th 2015, 1:46 AM

    Why is she complaining? The Govt get more tax in that trolley of booze than they do on the water?

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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 4th 2015, 9:09 PM

    My comment above is response to Jake.

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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 4th 2015, 9:10 PM

    2% of all VAT and 3% of all VRT goes towards water infrastructure. As people on social welfare need to eat and buy clothes, pay bills, things we pay VAT, makes them tax payers thereby contributing their fair share of the pre-existing water tax. I would normally post a link but seeing as you are a condescending eejit I wont – go look for the legislation that was brought in to facilitate this, yourself.

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    Mute John O Brien
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:40 PM

    Who elected that dummy. We will just hand all our wages up to you to pay down debt. These people that put a few drinks in their trolly don’t even go out. Shame on us for having a drink of a Saturday night after a hard week working for a very modest wage. Hold on here to I pay your overpaid wages and you nice pension and VHI that I can’t afford for myself. Sure it’s only 3 euro a week for water. Well add on all the other increases you put in when you came into power , no how much is it?
    Fine Gael circus of clowns.
    Get then out.

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    Mute david dickson
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    Jul 4th 2015, 12:39 AM

    And of course the trolley is full of drink. They are also buying for their negative equity children.

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    Mute Martin Hayes
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:51 PM

    I don’t drink, you interfering old bag, does that mean I should cut back on my food intake to fund this vehicle for manufacturing billions for your already filthy rich buddies?

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    Mute ChelseaLen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:50 PM

    €3.07 a week she reckons. What will it be when it’s privatised in 10.years? this is deflection and nothing more. most people protesting have the long game in mind and so they should.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:14 PM

    ChelseaLen……IW will be allowed to set their own charges after 2019 with no restriction, you won’t have to wait 10yrs, look at you bill now to see what the metered charge will be per quarter. What’s on the bill as metered is only the opening salvo before they even sell it.

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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:25 PM

    @martin you eat, well cut your calorie intake to 800 calories per day.

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    Mute Niall Donnelly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:28 PM

    It’s none of her business what people spend their money on. She gets most of her expenses if not all paid by the public. Why don’t we look into her expenses and see what she can cut back on and spend more on.

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    Mute In The Name Of....
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:36 PM

    It is if they don’t pay their taxes

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    Mute shane o brien
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:16 PM

    Just shows the disconnect between the high earners and peoples it’s less disposable incomes. Where a Dàil TD might see a cruise as a luxury, a person on the dole will see the bottle of wine or box of cigarettes as their luxury and are completely entitled to them without being made feel guilty or ridiculed.

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:17 PM

    on the one hand she wants people to pay their own way and in the next breath she says she’s buying her kids stuff. ??? how about she practicise’s what she preaches. so much misinformation as well. we already pay for water and have done so for years, so she’s wrong there. who the hell voted for this person.

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    Mute calvin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:33 PM

    Sweet Jesus, where do you even start? These people are so unbelievably out of touch. Many of them honestly have no idea why people are so angry.

    Clueless apolitical drones.

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    Mute Derry Seery
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:49 PM

    Exactly, clueless. I could probably afford to pay it if I wanted to, a lot of people could probably figure something out… the main reason for the protests is not that we can’t afford it (though that’s definitely part of it), it’s that we shouldn’t have to try to afford it and pay for it twice to a corrupt government and a corrupt organisation.

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    Mute Francis Sally
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:37 PM

    whatever I spend my wages on is none your business you ignorant woman. good god, is this the caliber of TD that’s in government???? who for heavens sake voted this woman in ????

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    Mute John
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:51 PM

    I think what she is saying is people are saying they haven’t any money to pay for water but have no problem paying for drink. We have a serious drinking problem in this country and especially among the poorer in society. People are living unhealthily and are a huge burden on the state who have to treat there avoidable health problems. How much are diabetics costing this state and the majority of them are diabetic because of laziness and bad diet.

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    Mute Derry Seery
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:08 PM

    John, i appreciate you’re probably trying to play devil’s advocate here, but that’s not what she was saying. She spoke about stretching personal budgets – not being a financial burden on the healthcare system. She made it clear that she thinks the protests are simply because people can’t afford to pay, but they turn around and buy alcohol abd cigarettes. Maybe if she listened to what the protest campaigns were saying, she’d realise that’s not the case. Just because somebody could afford to pay it doesn’t mean they agree with the principle of it.

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    Mute Carina Clarke
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:09 PM

    John, and clearly the fact that alcohol abuse is still a huge problem in this country shows that taxing the nth out of it isn’t solving the problem. But every year the tax goes up and up on it and every year we are fed the same crap about how higher taxes will reduce alcohol consumption. Where is the evidence of this? The fact is, the Irish people pay more than enough tax to have a 1st class system of everything. The government need to sort their housekeeping budget out and live within their means instead of milking the Irish tax payer every chance they get. In no way should a company be allowed deduct money from your wages. A person decides which bills they pay and if they don’t pay their water, Irish water should have to do the same as every other company who is left with an unpaid bill. Suck it up or off to the small claims court with them. FG know fine well there is going to mass non payment of the water bills and they scraping the barrel now.

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    Mute John
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:23 PM

    Carina if they started cutting off people’s water for non payment there would be uproar. With proper management of your usage the water bills will be tiny. I agree with the water charges because if something is free it is abused and water has been abused with lorry loads dumped on lawns over the summer and taps left running in winter. And please don’t say we’ve already paid for water because we haven’t. The infrastructure is crumbling because a top heavy over manned councils have spent their budgets on wages and not pipes. I worked on rebuilding gas network for 15 years and I’ve seen 7 man crews arriving to do a 2 man job. Money was provided but wasted. It had to change. Unfortunately most of these council workers have been forced on IW.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:31 PM

    ” I’ve seen 7 man crews arriving to do a 2 man job. Money was provided but wasted. It had to change. Unfortunately most of these council workers have been forced on IW.”

    So, you agree money was provided but wasted….in that case it’s a management issue to be sorted out and not a problem to be fixed by kicking the taxpayer again.
    Thanks for that!

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    Mute John
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:46 PM

    Management have sorted it. The government have taken it off the useless lazy councils and now the network will be rebuilt. The days of the 7 man crews are over. Most of the actual work will be done by non Union subcontractors leaving the unionised deadwood ex council staff scratching their holes. But they cannot be got rid of till retirement unfortunately. Thanks for that.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:10 PM

    That the same management that didn’t keep minutes for any meeting involving the establishment of a national utility, and paid €80 million on consultants in the first year who seem to have consulted them on how to leave leaks behind when they install meters that they conveniently left as the responsibility of the councils to fix, that sent bills to dead people, and wouldn’t even answer the phone when elected members of government called?

    Yeah, go ahead and trust that this management will make things better.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:11 PM

    So…if the ex council staff are still there and subcontractors are now doing the work, that’s twice the cost in wages……so management haven’t really sorted it out….they’ve made it more expensive.

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    Mute KMac
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    Jul 4th 2015, 12:40 AM

    Relax man! Jes! Have a pint for urself. It’s surprising you’re not buying by the trolley load, you’re that high strung.

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    Mute John
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    Jul 4th 2015, 6:46 AM

    These people don’t like to hear facts. Shut up and pay for you’re bloody water.

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    Mute Codge como
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:24 PM

    Didn’t Catherine Byrne have to repay €598.97 unvouched expenses in 2013 out of a claim of over €21000, that might buy u a few cans and fags or maybe a few pipes

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    Mute Stephen Cullen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:47 PM

    i’m waiting for the straw that broke the camels back, it’s due along any minute…

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    Mute Michael
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:13 AM

    The Camel ate the straw , it was dieing of starvation because of the austerity.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:44 PM

    Another earth shatteringly ignorant statement from a clueless overpaid politician who in all honesty should be nowhere near politics. Would someone please explain to her some basic economics and what happened in the last 10 years: ie: her fellow tds squandered the state finances, introduced a water tax to get everybody else to pay for the massive mistakes her fellow politicians made.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:58 PM

    They can say they were democratically elected, but there’s something seriously wrong with the democratic process in ireland. I think it may show that people were so much under pressure or disillusioned back in 2010 that they weren’t too concerned about who they were voting for as long as it wasn’t FF, and FGs canidate selection process must have been a shambes as a lot of these morons seem to be backbenchers in FG.

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    Mute North Korean General
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:15 PM

    The fine people of Dublin South Central will give her ar@e a good kicking….

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    Mute stopit
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:35 PM

    I’m fine with paying my water charges but this type of comment is just stupid, patronising, divisive and based on nothing more than an opinion.

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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:40 PM

    Stopit like paying more once do you?

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    Mute Search Eagle
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:30 PM

    It was a very stupid comment to make. But it won’t make water free, sadly.

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    Mute D H
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:39 PM

    Search water wasnt free before , it isnt free now , its just not going to be paid for multiple times. Idiots like this out of touch overpaid waste of taxpayer money will just strengthen peoples belief in not paying IW with statements like that. Herself and iphone Joan are clueless to the needs and worries of the irish people

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    Mute Thomas Maher
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:32 PM

    The mind boggles that the electorate elected idiotic people like this

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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 4th 2015, 3:00 AM

    Nobody would listen to me!

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    Mute cornflaker
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    What a weapon of a woman.here’s me thinking it was Joan Burton who was the queen of being out of touch with the people, stupid comments,ie “fancy camera phones”. Here we have a challenger to the Moron throne. How these people can’t see themselves through other regular people’s eyes is beyond me. Who on earth is she to be looking into strangers trolleys and making assumptions. A real life Mrs Bucket having a nose and a judgement.

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    Mute McCrory จิมมี่
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:59 PM

    And that ladies and gentlemen is politics in Ireland ….. Holy shit lol

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:37 PM

    I wish my shopping trolley was full of beer and wine. How dare she. Ireland has gotten itself out of recession by the sacrifice and hard work of the people despite its politicians and now we’re not allowed iPhones or a drink? Wow!!

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    Mute Brendan Luke Ferron
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:53 PM

    She must have those special glasses that lets her know if someone is unemployed – or is it that they happen to look poor that her judgement is based, she is a horrible oul bat who will very soon find for herself what its like to be without a job!!

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    Mute Denis Maher
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:37 PM

    What planet. Are there headcases on. I pay for water multiple.times already. Not a cent IW. Can pay, wont pay. I already do. I didn’t register with this “service” want nothing to do with. Now I’m I just finished my weeks work, off for a pint. And don’t give a toss what Catherine Byrne, fg or their labour lapdogs think. :)

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    Mute alwaysrightokay
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:26 PM

    who’s this bitch to tell me what I should have in my trolley

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    Mute Linda Whelan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:41 PM

    Who the hell does this woman think she is. I’m paying tax to the hilt on money I earn, why does she get a say in what I spend the rest of my money on!! The utter cheek of these people.. I’ll be making sure to add her to my “do not vote for” list!!

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:29 PM

    What she was saying was that people receiving state benefits are buying alcohol and bottled water and still refusing to pay for their tap water. Her point was about people willing to take generous state benefits while refusing to pay for state services.
    She wasn’t talking about how you as a worker spend your own money.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:34 PM

    Sorry Jack……how did she know they were receiving state benefits?…….have they brought in the wearing of coloured stars on sleeves again?

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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 4th 2015, 2:53 AM

    Tell me Jack Bowden – was she including the 450+ employees who had a job in Clerys up until 2 weeks ago? Do you think that these recently unemployed people who are now on “generous” state payments are not entitled to fill their trollies with booze to help them forget the fact that they gave 40 plus years service to a company only to be told one Friday afternoon, here’s your P45 and don’t be expecting any redundancy. You can also feck right off along with your mate Catherine.

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    Mute Jack Bowden
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    Jul 4th 2015, 3:19 AM

    Ann, wow, that was an emotional post. No, I don’t think she was referring to the Clery’s workers at all. I’m guessing she wasn’t thinking along those lines at all.
    She was talking about water charges and what she said has been twisted into something else.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:57 PM

    ["I go to the shopping centre at the weekend like most normal people. I try my best with my budget to fill it out and get what I need and I put extra things in my trolley for my children, who are all in negative equity, like many other parents out there. And I see people stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine and I can guarantee you some of them shouldn’t be stacking up their trolleys with drink and wine." said Catherine Byrne]

    Well isn’t it great for you to be able to load up your trolley with extra things for your children, not many children have parents who are on €90k a year and all expenses covered.
    Throwing in the ‘negative equity’ line to make out like your own children are suffering….nearly everyone who owns a house is in negative equity, so don’t feel special……and it don’t matter a damn unless you’re trying to sell.
    Still throwing out the €3 a week rubbish, we all know it will go up when the cap is lifted and IW have been given permission to up the charges to what ever they feel is justifiable when the cap is gone.
    We all ready pay for water services and all the talk won’t change that fact.
    You Catherine are a pocket stuffer riding the gravy train at the expense of your fellow citizens and like you’re FG buddies are a liar too.
    This Government want to privatise everything and would if they could, the race to wash their hands of responsibility for anything and be able to point the finger of blame to the private sector, until all that taxes pay for will be the Politicians themselves with no work or responsibility….mind you they appear to have done away with responsibility already.
    Politicians are disconnected from reality…even more so these days as they fear to walk the streets because they have been found wanting in truth and accountability.
    So feck off Catherine, you’re as parasitical as those you hold in contempt, it’s just your head is so far up your butt you don’t realise it.

    BTW Catherine…….did you get ‘ your’ Irish flags back?

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    Mute von
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:45 PM

    AlCa i hope the people that voted for her are reading this. That woman should be ashamed of herself, how does she sleep at night.

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    Mute OneTrueVoice
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:43 PM

    I think we should all re-evaluate our weekend shopping lists.
    all you really need is some porridge, a bag of spuds and a few pints of milk if you want to spoil yourself.
    we are all living beyond our means.

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:52 PM

    That you Enda?

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:04 PM

    It’s Charlie back from the grave ..

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:34 PM

    Tighten your belts you miserable peasants !

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:37 PM

    FG td knows the financial circumstances of everyone she sees in the Supermarket?Seems believeable.

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    Mute Thomas Mac
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:18 PM

    It’s like the lads that hang out at the street corners with nothing better to be doing with their time .

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    Mute James Regan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:46 PM

    A party completely out of touch with the people of Ireland.

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    Mute Tom
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:44 PM

    Still have no intention of paying.
    I don’t doubt that they will come up with some legalised theft scheme by changing the laws so they can take the money. But you know what it will be worth it in the long run, because if we pay without resistance there will be no end to these taxes and charges.

    Funny how they couldn’t change the law to take down fingleton, seany fitz, and avoid paying bond holders.

    The government see us as schmucks and easy marks. Well f##k them.

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    Mute Eamonn coughlan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:29 PM

    Oh my god where to start with this clowns statement it’s nearly as bad as that other clown in fine gael who said IW protesters were like ISIS. God help any fine gael politicians who come knocking on my door in a years time!

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    Mute Derek Poutch
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    Well said Martin, iw is nothing to do with providing a proper service.It is a quango that has been set up to be privatised eventually. I find it unbelievable that there are people who come on here and defend it. They are either just fg/lieb diehards or they dont want to face the truth. They must know by now this is dead in the water (pun intended).

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    Mute Ben Redline
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:46 PM

    So basically only Wineos don’t pay their water bill, that’s that sorted.

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    Mute why?
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:41 PM

    no – she means, anyone who doesn’t pay their water tax must be a wino.

    subtle, but divisive. well, that was the intent.

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    Mute Deputydawg
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:14 PM

    Catherine, as a politian I personally had a healthy respect for you. What in the name of God were you thinking when you let loose that verbal diahorrea. 3odd euro a week given to Endas buddies in IW. Look at the taxes your shower has brought in since you lied your way into power. Show the people something for their taxes, instead of giving it to the European bankers.

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    Mute Cillan32
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:01 PM

    Anyone who earns less than 50 k and votes for these numptys need their head examined. They are a party of the rich for the rich and it will say as such until removed from power . The rich always vote .. So the less well off had better get out and vote or the FG boot will never be removed from their necks .

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    Mute Seaghán Corcoran
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:33 PM

    Oh no she di’nt!!!

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:26 PM

    Oh yes she did !

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    Mute KMac
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:35 PM

    She’s absolutely right. I used to fill my trolley & get off my trolley. Nobody knew I was a drunk until I showed up 1 day sober. Hic!

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    Mute Willy
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:22 PM

    With minimum prices coming for that beer, and more tax from the poorest. Can you blame them missus Byrne? You are not short and can handle these bills after bills, tax after tax, cut after cut…
    Society is being destroyed. Emigration huge. Unemployment still high with most gone. Targeting lone parents is the bottom.. Have yee no shame..

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    Mute Barry Cooper
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:32 PM

    @willie carful now. David Doyle will be on spouting world fastest economy ireland is better now and fg we responsible for it all. and fg labour are the best. surprised he is not on thsi already agreeing wit her

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:42 PM

    Sorry Barry….it was David Doyle she seen in the supermarket loading up…..scarlet for him! ;)

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    Mute Bill Conlan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:03 PM

    When you are giving ME money you can dictate how I spend it Ms Byrne! Now as a tax payer I am contributing to YOUR oversized salary and your bottomless expense account and paying your water/gas/esb and your shopping bills!!
    Roll on the Election……

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:30 PM

    heres a link to the pay and expences of our lovely td’s turns out she claimed over 17000 just in expences in 2014, seems she cant survive on 60000 so she has to sponge off the taxpayer as well, i ghess its all right though as her kids need the help.

    http://www.rte.ie/news/investigations-unit/2015/0120/674364-no-expenses-spared/

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    Mute johnr
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:49 PM

    A friend used to load up the trolley with beer and 1 pack of nappies, when he got to the checkout he would be short a few quid so he would leave back the nappies. Reaction from some ladies working on the checkouts was priceless.

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    Mute Derry Seery
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:11 PM

    Wasn’t that an Ed Byrne skit?

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:14 PM

    Why don’t they throw 1.50 on top of every bottle of wine, and then when this hypothetical person throws 2 bottles of wine in their basket each week use the 3euro to cover the water!!!…oh..they’ve done that one already too….

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    Mute Darren the grouch
    Favourite Darren the grouch
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    Is she trying to say the water protesters are all dipso alcoholics. Nanny state.

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    Mute goo
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    Never heard of her she must be retiring after this Dail term to be making comments like that about her constituents

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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:45 PM

    what a load of shite. anecdotal story justifies copper fastening a national

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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:47 PM

    shakedown

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    Mute Juan Franc
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:05 PM

    You would need a good lock of cans in ya before you would even think about stacking her trolley.

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    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:47 PM

    OH GOD please make them stop.

    I’m starting to think I AM a waster, with all this valuable info FG/Lab and their cronies keep spewing. Maybe I am a scrounger? Maybe my strong belief that IrishWater is a vehicle for IMF led austerity/privatisation is indeed only a conspiracy theory? After all, I do drink cans every day and get through a load of Johnny Blue, apparently.

    Shut up Catherine Byrne. There’s only one Catherine I’ll listen to in that playpen of a Dail.

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    Mute Dave Byrne
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:31 PM

    Jaysus just when I thought aul fildelma couldn’t be out done with the wiffy this mad yoke comes along,I wonder was the man she met the same man inda keeps bumping in to?
    And her poor children in negative equity eh hello Catherine there are thousands of people in neg equity,But many of their parents don’t have 90k jobs and claim Milleage for going to work.
    Must show my Da the video over the weekend and see if I can get a few pints out of him,Like anyone else after working a long week be it nights /15 hour days etc I like to unwind with a beer.
    I often buy 2/3 boxes if there on special and that keeps me going for a few weeks,My Da had no time for FF but I think he got it right about the arrogance of FG being worse.

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    Mute Declan Hynes
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:04 PM

    They probably make more money from every bottle of wine that is sold than any price they put on water, so she should be happy, not complaining. Now back to my vino… (That I bought in the north)..

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    Mute Tinkers Toenail
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:31 PM

    Firstly, how dare you judge people you don’t know and try to dictate what they spent their money on. Secondly, id rather spend my money on a trolley full of wine and beer than on the scam that is Irish water. We have already paid for our water in general taxation and it was not free, we don’t want that Irish water mess that was created by you.
    FG, you are a disgrace and deserve locking up.

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    Mute Pantytoetoejam123
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:52 PM

    The peasants are revolting.

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:34 PM

    Let them eat cake ……

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    Mute Pantytoetoejam123
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:50 PM

    Good idea. Then they can bring in a cake tax

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    Mute goo
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:12 PM

    She has fetish of trolley watching noisy bitch !

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    Mute Bill Dunn
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:50 PM

    She’s expressing what the Government believes; that anybody “whinging” over water and more and increased taxes for the little people are holding out on them. See Noonan’s Sky Sports comment & Burton’s iPhone comment for other examples of this. FG represent the rich and powerful at their core and to them the lower orders have money that they’re entitled to grab at every turn to fund tax breaks for big farmers and whatnot. In their worldview the fact iPhones and a few cans and a few football games are popular “luxury” items it means they hold the moral highground when they introduce taxes that hurt more the less income you have. Water, VAT, minimum alcohol pricing, property tax. Flattening taxation. The bottom rungs should exist on subsistence level only. The fact this TD thinks there’s something wrong with people buying alcohol on a weekend with their disposable income when they could be handing it over to the State instead is proof of this. Just disgusting.

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    Mute Gombeen Island
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    Jul 4th 2015, 10:47 AM

    well said..

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    Mute Robert Lester
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:54 PM

    Well fine Gail are stacking people on trollies in corridors because the pump millions into Irish water yet have no interest in health. Take money off single mothers so they can pay Irish water. Fine Gail are an embarrassment to Ireland.

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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:16 PM

    Oh they have an interest in health all right, a private kind of interest, your health is their wealth.

    63
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:09 PM

    Considering what shes getting paid, around half a million, and considering we’re expected to pay these taxes to cover huge political mistakes, if they want a water tax, she and all the other politicians water tax bill should be 10 or 20 times everyone elses bill.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:11 PM

    Of course they’re all too ignorant and greedy to even think about making any sort of decent contribution like that!

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    Mute TonyC
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:50 PM

    This coming from someone who has access to a subsidised bar in her workplace ….hypocrisy at its best !

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    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:42 PM

    This lot are an arrogant greedy lot of pigs who spend their days at the trough…. im sick to my back teeth of them. why do they insist on this they’re up to their necks in it and it’s one lie after another. yo mama who still still shops for her kids in negative equity on €88k +++ back off!!!! as for only 3 euro/wk…to begin with!!!

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    Mute Brian Casey
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:30 PM

    How do you know they haven’t paid their water charges? Can we see that data please?

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:12 PM

    Enough is Enough Ms. Byrne. Ur not listening to your people or your Supporters. Under the Originally FG & Labour proposal, my bill would have been €600 + & I’ve no doubt thats what it will be within 3/5 yrs. Shame on U.

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    Mute Jack
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:24 PM

    I tried to post a comment but the journal wouldn’t let me because of its “offensive language filter”.so here’s the diluted version – who the F*@K DOES THIS FOOL THINK SHE IS TAKING THE TAX PAYERS MONEY HOME TO HER “KIDS” (WHO MUST BE OVER 40 JUDGING BY HER RIPE AGE) AND THEN LECTURE THE VERY PEOPLE WHO PAY HER SUBSTANTIAL WAGE WITH HER EMOTIONAL VERBAL DIARRHOEA! JASUS! YOU PEOPLE REALLY CANT HELP DOING YOURSELF OUT OF A JOB ! IM SURE YOUR NEIGHBOURS WILL LOVE YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. START LOOKING FOR NEW JOBS BECAUSE THE NORMAL PERSON ON THE STREET HAS HAD ENOUGH OF YOU FOOLS,AND THAT WILL GIVE YOU REALLY SOMETHING TO WINGE ABOUT WHEN YOUR IN THE POST OFFICE QUEUING FOR YOUR SCABBY PENSION.F@#*#NG PR@!KS!!

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    Mute Crom Cruach
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:46 PM

    How does she know that it’s the same people loading up their trollies with booze that are refusing to pay water charges? Surely an Irish politician would never stoop to sweeping generalisations to justify their own place in the world, would they?

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    Mute Derry Seery
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:27 PM

    Feck, I had an extra €20 left in my shopping budget this week. I suppose I should have handed that to my local TD instead of having a night off cooking and cleaning by getting a pizza and watching a movie?!

    Sure, if we all just hand over all our wages to the government they could separate it into food stamps, utility payments and clothing vouchers and keep the rest. Sound like a plan, Catherine? Not like any of us unwashed masses deserve to enjoy ourselves.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:37 PM

    You had pizza and a movie!…..I think you’d better turn yourself in before they come for you.

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    Mute Noreen Lunney
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:51 PM

    the Gestapo is on the way. joan was asking us last week to turn our neighbours in now this.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:54 PM

    I’d pay the IW water tax (again) if I could get a written guarantee that none of my taxes would go towards paying pointless bluesh!te backbenchers like Catherine Byrne and her 9k per year to get from Inchicore!

    62
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    Mute Des Doran
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:28 PM

    Don’t buy Drinks,
    Don’t have a new mobile phone,
    FG is enough to drive anyone to DRINK

    57
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    Mute William Mcgee
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:07 PM

    Another FG. Mouth spouting shite .

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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:27 PM

    Troll

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    Mute Baz
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:53 PM

    A beacon of maturity as always from ur good self.

    Have u ever said anything other then being condescending?

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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 4:55 PM

    You alright,chum ?

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    Mute whynotme
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:25 PM

    That will teach you to call out for one,Oggie .

    50
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    Mute West Cork Lad
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:29 PM

    This Baz lad comes on this morning talking about his “friends” in Greece ringing him up -Fool .

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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:39 PM

    Once Baz doesn’t log into his Patjoeyjoey123 account,I don’t mind ;) I did call him out,WNM ;)

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    Mute Denis Kiely
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:08 PM

    Who says those buying alcohol are on the dole, maybe they are hard working people who can no longer afford to go to pub for a few beers. What a wagon. I intently dislike this woman and her poisonous rhetoric. Wait till I see Enda on the ring of kerry tomorrow.

    53
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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:06 PM

    It’s not about how much it costs. It’s about who it’s going to.

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    Mute Stephen Mc Partlin
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:28 PM

    everyone should email her office and complain.

    49
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    Mute Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:39 PM

    What!….and let her know we have computers as well!

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    Mute Donal O Neil
    Favourite Donal O Neil
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:43 PM

    And can afford the tinternet and ESB. ……. She’ll want them back off us as well

    37
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    Mute Ian Flanagan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:36 PM

    Don’t forget an election is coming soon so remember for every politician who votes yes in this bill these are the TD’s NOT to give your vote to

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    Mute von
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:21 PM

    Get off the stage Catherine, you are starting to annoy me now, so you have decided that the people who will not pay their water bill are the very same people stacking up their trolleys with alcohol.
    Most of us could probably pay our water bill, but have you not been reading the Journal Catherine, a lot of people wont pay because we already PAY, did Enda tell you to get up in the Dail because the people might listen.

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    Mute Elizabeth Feehan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:47 PM

    Ah sure god love her. She is barley surviving on her 90, 000 salary. Well lady try and survive on a minium wage job or a pension social welfare. The water Charges are a charge that has been forced on the people of Ireland. We already pay for water or have you forgot that. Amnesia seems to be the no 1 disorder in the Dail. Over a million euro in pensions is paid to people every month who are not at retirement age . Are you kidding me , Rather that looking in peoples trollies and perhaps you should spend time representing and fighting for the people that elected you. Remember the election is coming and people have long memories but dont worry youll have a pension . So madam come off your high horse because come election time you and your party will hopefully assigned to history.

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    Mute Dave O Halloran
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:30 PM

    Maybe all the good Irish tax payers that paid their water tax should get a stamp on their foreheads , maybe a happy green thumbs up ? Would it be ok for these people to spend what’s left of their wages to sit down on a sat night at home with a glass of wine most likely cause they couldn’t afford to go out the pub ? . I’ll gladly have a red thumbs up tattooed on my forehead indicating I’m NEVER paying water tax

    39
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    Mute Tom Harvey
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:04 PM

    I have heard it all now she’s 0n €87000 + €9000 travel expenses and she has the gaul the contempt to say what she said. clearly she is not on this planet if she thinks all we do is smoke and drink and buy massive luxuries not me anyway. Most people are struggling week to week also we don’t have her massive salary. she says it’s our civic duty to pay cheek of her

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:34 PM

    People would want to wake up and see what is really going on with IW. There are two parallel agendas going on here.One is getting the resource ready for TTIP, hence the need for compulsory registration. The other agenda is loading IW with so much debt, borrowed money, that regardless of who gets into power next, and what their stated policy is regarding IW, they will be helpless to actually do anything about it, but raise taxes to pay off what is being borrowed, or increase the actual charge. It is why Kelly looks so smug and confident, and Enda can afford to waffle. We are being caught in a catch 22 regarding IW, and we will be able to do nothing about it. It may be that there will be no choice but to sell it off to pay the debts it is accruing under this government. There have been billions raised for this quango to date.
    The government have no mandate to do what they are doing re the resource, or the quango. We can call the government, and IW, as stupid an organisation as we want, but they know very well what they are doing. It has all been a well thought out and well run agenda.
    This needs to be stopped now, sooner rather than when it is late to do anything. What is being done amounts to criminality on behalf of this government. They must answer for this no matter what happens.

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    Mute Pol O Misteal
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    Jul 4th 2015, 2:59 AM

    That is terrifying!

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    Mute Gombeen Island
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    Jul 4th 2015, 10:45 AM

    sickening..

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    Mute james cullen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:24 PM

    Don’t worry Catherine in a few months u will have a lot of time to watch people put beer and wine into there trolleys when we vote u out.

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:14 PM

    This Woman deserves only one answer the dole que – roll on the election

    37
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    Mute Benny Dowling
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:41 PM

    Catherine we already pay for our water. are u blind stupid or indifferent to this fact

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    Mute Robby D
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:18 PM

    Out of touch T.d.Suffering from a bout of the P Flynns

    36
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    Mute John Donnelly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:35 PM

    Shattup you old witch we are already paying for water through indirect taxes and I would not drink Irish tap water if you paid me!! Nasty stuff full of fluoride on God knows what else!!

    35
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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:19 PM

    Does she have a chance of being elected again

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    Mute Adrian Connolly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:46 PM

    This is up there with Padraic Flynn and his statement on the late late show about how tough it is paying for cleaners for all his houses. Tough times for politicians indeed .

    31
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    Mute Martin Churchill
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:58 PM

    How dare she comment on what people spend hard earned money on, as a tax payer why do I have to pay twice, answer me that!!!! I have a budget she says….what on your wages that are over double mine…..ANGRY NOW!!! If I as a citizen want to have a drink at the weekend I should be perfectly entitled to do so…….and if anyone wants to again it is their own business. Feck off….the lot of the politicians and I include those that promise the Moon and the Stars, which they cannot deliver

    30
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    Mute Adrian Connolly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:03 PM

    She should give MABS a shout. I’m sure they’ll be able to help her with her budgeting.

    29
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    Mute declan leonard
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:40 PM

    budget? on 80-90k a year? is she living in the real world as she claims expense after expense?

    27
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    Mute mrmeade
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 10:37 PM

    what a stupid woman, can she not understand that we all have already paid and now we are being asked to pay again, what part of this do this government not understand, FFS

    25
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    Mute Shanti
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 10:52 PM

    Hold on, how does she know that the people stocking up on cheap booze in Lidl haven’t paid their water charges? Does she know these people personally or is she making sweeping assumptions about strangers as she casts a judgmental eye around the supermarket?

    25
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    Mute Matt Donovan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:09 PM

    Another Mary Whitehouse nanny state contribution. what she meant to say but couldn’t is that she feels these people she is generalising about are beneath here because they’re mere peons. sure she’s only a fukking yoke anyhow.

    24
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    Mute Charlie Fogarty
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 7:28 PM

    Who the uck came to Ireland on “holiday” and the greatest gift was water from the tap?……

    24
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    Mute Adrian Connolly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 8:52 PM

    Perhaps that person runs a restaurant or bar. My publicans buy their drink in supermarkets because it’s cheaper than cash and carry.

    24
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    Mute Maureen Stanford
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 10:05 PM

    What a mad bitch I bet she’s looking to be promoted to a ministerial seat . It’s none of her blasted business what people do with their hard earned money . Now isn’t her ma great to be able to pay her bills . She must be starving her self to do so . That’s women in politics for ya . Who let her out of her cage you bitch

    22
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    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:52 PM

    horrible creature .

    20
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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 11:22 PM

    Just goes to show stupid the people in power are

    20
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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 9:58 PM

    That woman is a total maggot.

    19
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    Mute Mary McMahon
    Favourite Mary McMahon
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    Jul 4th 2015, 1:27 AM

    Not everyone has access to a FREE bar in their place of employment.if people are putting alcohol in their shopping trolleys its because they can no longer afford to go out to a bar.

    17
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    Mute samuel conneely
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 10:47 PM

    Well that’s early retirement for this genius… She must have been a Clown in her previous employment

    17
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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Jul 4th 2015, 3:01 AM

    Carlsberg don’t do governments . . Such a shame.

    15
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    Mute Kevin M Smyth
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    Jul 4th 2015, 2:33 AM

    That woman isn’t educated, and she’s a hysterical busy body.
    Doesn’t she know the tax on alcohol? It’s more than the water charge. A stacked trolley of drink is great for the revenue. Stupid woman.

    15
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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Jul 4th 2015, 9:16 PM

    Ooh don’t underestimate our Catherine and her level of intelligence. She is a solicitor and when she was elected decided to turn one of the rooms in her practice offices into her constituency office. As politicians get allowances to run their COs to cover rent and bills, photocopying etc, she is now using that money to pay rent to herself.

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    Mute Ian O'Mara
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:10 PM

    This bill actually removes the possibility for courts to imprison people who don’t pay debts and was first recommended five years ago by the Law Reform Commission. But you wouldn’t know that from the side show debate about Irish Water it has generated. Would you prefer we still have laws that put people in jail for not paying their TV licence?

    14
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:10 PM

    Or they are sidestepping potential future legal minefields regarding non compliance with IW, or how it could be a key component necessary for making trade deals as profitable as possible. Or in the interests of not falling foul of Higgins freedom of speech bill, it could be, as you say, just a grand well meaning gesture to the plebs with no strings attached.

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    Mute Al Ca
    Favourite Al Ca
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:25 PM

    I rather go to jail than pay my hard earned money to IW……it’s about principles and there are many many people like me….the FG Government know this and understand that there is not enough room in the prisons for all those who will refuse to pay. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the television licence and everything to do with Irish Water.

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    Mute William Mcgee
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    Jul 4th 2015, 12:29 AM

    Why does she not hit out at Leos trollies and the shite health service .

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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Jul 4th 2015, 2:02 AM

    Geebag

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    Mute mary conneely
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:23 PM

    Friday and Saturday in my supermarket there are full trollies of drink at the check out. They have great deals and people travel to stock up. This evening the woman in front of me had 36 bottles of wine in hers, it does happen

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    Mute Eamonn coughlan
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:33 PM

    Maybe it does but thats there own business it doesn’t mean she doesn’t pay her bills or taxes!

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    Mute why?
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:46 PM

    is that woman with the 36 bottles paying her water tax?

    is it relevant?

    no.

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:52 PM

    so what if someone buys something out of their own pay. Really it just sounds stupid to try to make out like its a crime. how about Mary conneely gives sixty percent more of her pay to the taxman, she’s obviously been more careful with her pay so has more to give the exchecker, I think it’s selfish of her to deliberately hoard her cash.

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    Mute molly coddled
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 6:17 PM

    So what Mary? good good woman did you actually count the amount of wine in someone else’s trolley? that’s just very worryingly weird indeed.

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    Mute Jho Harris
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    Jul 4th 2015, 9:17 AM

    Okay Catherine Byrne I have a couple of questions for you and if I am allowed I will copy and paste these on your Facebook page. 1 what constitutes stacking up trolleys in your book? 2 how do you know that the people with wine and drink (is wine different to drink) have not paid their water bills? 3 How do you know that the people with no wine or drink in their trolleys (again is wine different to drink) have paid their water bill and cannot afford to buy drink ? 4 If you are subsidising your children’s shopping (which in turn means we the people are actually subsidising your children’s shopping, reports suggest you claimed € 9,000 travel last year to attend The Dail 75 times; that is € 120 for a round trip across Dublin by the way) back to my point; If you are subsidising your children’s shopping (which in turn means we the people are actually subsidising your children’s shopping because they are in negative equity and obviously need help to get by, how are they going to pay THEIR water bills?

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    Mute Stasia Morley
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    Jul 4th 2015, 6:37 AM

    When it comes to put your mark on the voting paper remember everything that has been throw at us , she makes me sick if I had her salary I could afford to pay for water and everything else they have threw at us this is my country I choose to live here not in Germany (so why do what Angela) tells us I have had enough of this let the rich get richer the middle class are gone were are all poor now. Fed up to the back teeth of politics in this country ( there only in it for what they personally can get out of it and are so so corrupt)

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    Mute Gombeen Island
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    Jul 4th 2015, 10:57 AM

    The most disturbing thing is, she’s basically implying that her constituents are just drunken, layabout, slobs who would rather ‘fill their trolleys’ with alcohol and cigarettes than pay a water bill..
    Most of her constituents are the working poor, but in Catherine’s world they should be glad that they have tap water, and pay through the nose for it…

    She is unbelievably out of order and out of touch with reality…

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    Mute Gombeen Island
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    Jul 4th 2015, 10:20 AM

    Really good performance by Catherine Byrne there, she deserves an Oscar for her faux- indignation. It’s so surreal that someone on close to 100,000 euros a year would be so enraged that – god forbid- someone on the dole ( on 9,776 euros a year) buys a bottle of wine of or a pack of cigarettes. That is of course, presuming, she is referring to people on the dole clear- she didn’t make it clear but that seems to be the implication. I have to say, I find it hard to believe that anyone on the dole could afford to stack their trolleys with beer, wind and cigarettes, so I think her script ventured into sci-fi territory there. However, along with her Oscar for her stunning Dail performance she should also perhaps consider testing her psychic abilities, because it seems that Catherine Byrne has the uncanny ability of being able to decipher who is on the dole and who isn’t while standing at a supermarket checkout. It also beggars belief to hear that someone who gets 2,000 a week would somehow struggles to do ‘the best with her budget’. I wonder how she would manage when some weeks you literally can’t afford toilet roll or a loaf of bread because that’s the reality for people I know who are on social welfare.. (that is of course assuming that Catherine is aiming her vitriol at that demographic- she wasn’t entirely clear, however it certainly looks hat way). She could also maybe think that perhaps she could help her poor sister out while she’s at it…

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Jul 4th 2015, 3:00 AM

    F ing idiot

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    Mute Olive Condron
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    Jul 4th 2015, 10:32 AM

    Why have The Journal stopped this article from being shared on FB and Twitter!

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:26 AM

    Copy and paste the address?

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    Mute Warai Aoi
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    Jul 4th 2015, 5:13 AM

    The Blueshirts are set to go out like every other Blueshirt government, tail between their legs after making themselves unelectable but seem determined to go out like Marie Antoinette.

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Jul 4th 2015, 3:00 AM

    Kenny out out out

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:20 AM

    Catherine Byrne in my view is NOT WITH IT AT ALL, She just wants to climb the F.G. ladder…
    Something to remember about her at the next election I think?

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:22 AM
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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jul 4th 2015, 11:24 AM
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    Mute Terry O'Dowd
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    Jul 5th 2015, 11:41 PM

    €25 on electricity, €15 on gas, €50 on food, €20 on phone, internet, and tv, and about €25 on bus fare going for job interviews.
    That leaves €53 for beer.
    I agree with this woman who makes over €2,000 a week for doing next to nothing.

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    Mute Pat Connolly
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:04 PM

    Would she ever fluck off and get a life.and thanks for the obscene language filter journal.ie.nice to see free speach is alive and well

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    Mute Alan Cullen
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    Jul 3rd 2015, 5:42 PM

    what a clown standing up and saying this goodbye to your dail seat next year o yeah how much do u get an year plus expenses.the figure’s she’s giving is bullshit about water charges

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