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TÁNAISTE JOAN BURTON defended the government’s position on helping homeowners struggling with variable rate mortgages and anyone hit by rents creeping up over the past year during Leaders’ Questions today.
But she also used the opportunity to call an opposition TD a baby.
Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen accused the government of inaction on bringing rates for variable rate mortgages down, citing that they are 2% above the European Union average.
“Minister Noonan said that he wanted to wait and see if competition between banks would decrease the rates,” he said, “This wait-and-see approach is obviously not working, and I will contend that it will not work.”
It is even harder to stomach that when people read that the Exchequer is enjoying unprecedented profitability with various windfalls when families are struggling to pay this €4,000 on top of what their normal mortgage as it should be.
The Tánaiste’s response immediately made reference to the previous government, sparking a boisterous exchange.
Burton agreed it has been difficult for families, but noted that a lot of banks have offered customers deals to “improve the interest rates”.
Things got a lot more rowdy from there, with Burton telling Cowen: “There’s enough histrionics now from you at the moment to fill the Abbey Theatre any night.”
“Get that man a little bit of music, he needs his afternoon nap,” Joan said.
It sounds like everyone needs a nap, to be honest.
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Sweet Jesus..they’re paid how much? to carry on like this….
A lot more than they deserve
is a Cowen in any position to condemn secret deals with the banks?
are SF in any position to talk about turning a blind eye?
iJoan never an answer, only blame.
What do you expect from a RNU/Labour/FG Government!!!!!!!
Why didn’t Sean Barrett give out to imoan for her derogatory remarks
Probably because that’s not Sean Barrett, its Michael Kitt
Does Michael kitt get an automatic seat as well in the next election? #ActuallyCannotVoteSeanBarretOutNoMatterHowUseless
Apparently he’s not running in the next election.
Poor Joan Dot and we are alll excited weree gettig 3euro from Joan in Cant wait ?? for Joan to be in oppisation in next Dail hope she gets her pension probally 100 K PER YEAR
I can only echo the caption on the photograph. This is what we pay big bucks for??
Hardly big bucks is it??
Oh dear Ann…..getting personal are we?? You seem to think I have some responsibility for corporate decisions like that? If you knew what you were talking about you’d see independent MROs in the Engine overhaul business are not doing well because the OEMs are cornering the market and doing it themselves. Tough decisions are made all the time. And the comment on big bucks stands. It’s not huge money that TDs are on hence the low quality of politicians we have. Anyone with talent doesn’t go onto politics. Low money and tonnes of public abuse. Who needs that?
Low money and tonnes of public abuse. Who needs that?
your chitting me cousins? aren`t you
“German MP’s shock at level of TDs’ pay”
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/german-mps-shock-at-level-of-tds-pay-26521920.html
And here is an interactive sliding scale of Every TD for the last 4 years
http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/01/26/on-your-dime/
The expression goes “pay peanuts, get monkeys”
Well we pay fortunes and get absolute Apes and neanderthals
how are them for apples ?- Still think they get low pay? if so, add in their UNVOUCHED expenses, just to fatten their wallets and purses –
What an ignorant statement form you once again, Kudos!
It’s not a fortune in terms of typical high achiever, or experienced professionals’ wages among contemporaries in IRELAND. It’s irrelevant what German MPs think here. It’s about politics being in the market to try and attract talented people. Clearly it doesn’t. The salaries are clearly not an incentive and you throw in then the army of whingers in Ireland who blame politicians for every ill in society and you have what we have. Former teachers and middling accountants or just career politicians who just fell into the job.
Big is an understatement
“the army of whingers in Ireland who blame politicians for every ill in society” – THEY MAKE the policies, decisions and Cuts ETC.
“Former teachers and middling accountants” – the ones WE VOTE FOR
How do Career politicians just “fall into a job” – The word CAREER denotes that they chose it.
Is good money for working 3-4 days a week and getting to only work a 35 week year
Here is another snippet for you Robert
Total cost of average TD in the Dáil:
Annual Salary (before Croke Park II): €92,672
Notional annual contribution to pension fund: €92,672
Travel and accommodation allowance (up to): €37,850
Public Representation Allowance: €23,130
Average staff costs (parliamentary assistant + secretarial assistant): €69,000
TD’s contribution: (€5,560)
Total annual cost of each TD to the state: €309,912
Still they get too little??
Loads more goodies to browse through here
http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-cost-td-ministers-pension-811180-Mar2013/
You’re missing the point Mother. Clearly the job is not attractive enough to the kinds of talented people who could change politics and give true value for money. It’s not attractive in salary nor for the job that it actually entails. When I refer to career politicians falling into a job, I’m talking about sons and daughters of former politicians who just inherit a seat it seems. And who genuinely of us would want this job?? It’s a hell of a lot more work than you think, you’re scrutinised in a way no other job is, in the age of social media you’re under attack constantly, no matter who is in power, it’s a good bet a majority of citizens will despise you no matter what you do…
Would you like to do the job Mother? And if not, why not? I mean you clearly think the salaries are good enough.
Its even questionable calling them high achievers Robert. High acheievers yes in terms of getting elected to the dail. High achievers definitely NOT in terms of having the ability to do their jobs to an acceptable standard. Therefore they are paid way too much.
That’s my point Adrian!! I’m not calling them high achievers, I’m saying the job doesn’t attract high achievers.
But that right there is your problem Robert, Politics should never be about Money, Politics should be about how driven you are to make your country better, make sure that your people are given the best chances in life that your country can afford, balanced, so the poorest in society, the aged,infirm, children are given the tools to help them have the best life possible,and that those who work hard are rewarded, without playing favourites like our shower always do.
Politicians should be Equality and justice driven with an overriding desire to make everything they touch better.
Our shower of self serving pigs voted ENMASSE to restore TD`s pensions to pre 2011 levels only yeaterda, while the country lies in ruins for. That is sickening, and shows glaringly what is wrong with our system – as soon as they get near the gravy train,all ideologies and pretence goes out the window for most of them
those that are somewhat different get called looney lefties and worse.
An no to answer your Question i wouldn`t go into politics,
1 reason being bad health, with a guaranted death sentence of an illness ans
2 I`d knock the bollicks out of half of them and possibly be barred from the Dáil or even jailed, lol
3.when i see people getting treated like this, i tend to shoot from the lip, dive in with both feet immediately and don`t care about the consequences.
Silly way of looking at it Robert. We need people who are in it to change our state for the better, rather than being in it for the money. There are many states in Europe where the politicians are earning the same or less than here who can provide its citizens with world class healthcare, free education and excellent childcare provision.
Well I’m very sorry to hear you’re ill Mother.
I’m not saying purely for the cash FC. I think we can all agree the standard of politicians here is very low and always has been apart from one or two exceptions down through the years. I’m not saying money can be the only factor drawing someone in, but it does play a role in attracting talent. I’d like to see more people enter politics who don’t just come from the same old same old pool.
Labour are beginning to feel the heat as the election approaches and realise they are doomed.
@ Brian doomed, doomed, doomed,
Brian I cannot wait to get rid of them. They are little selfish self serving idiots, Vincent brown show last night proved how interested Mr Alan Kelly is in facing the voters. Joan and Enda know they are doomed to be dumped in the next election.
@Robin, will be interesting to see If Alan Kelly retains his seat. The redrawing of his constituency means he very well may not be re-elected. Let’s hope the people of Tipperary do not feel pressured into voting for him. I personally find him very arrogant.
I don’t like any of these clowns, but don’t fooled into thinking SF/AAA/PBP ETC will do much different, THEY WONT/CAN’T. .
Joans lost the plot. Not a fan of anyone but cowan had a valid argument, joans response was woeful, horrendous, disgraceful.
Turns my stomach to think people will still vote for that witch!!!! Labour traitors
Think everyone is missing the point here – if anyone had made this same comment to a female T.D. the tweet machine would be lighting up with indignation. So why is it ok to insult a male T.D. in this way? Is Burton marking International Men’s Day by using unparlimentary and demeaning language?
Your dead right Brian, man insulting woman in same manner would be unacceptable. I think people are so used to seeing enda and joan dodging questions and replying by insulting the opposition that this has become the de facto response.
I’m surprised that joans advisors aren’t telling her that most people in the country isn’t appreciative of her behaviour and that shes making a total fool of herself. I’m sure FF and SF know her weaknesses during leaders questions now and might be irritating her intentionally.
Listened to the exchanges with Tanaiste / Barry Cowan and Thomas Pringle. Joan Burton was god awful, inane, idiotic and all that goes with it. It’s unbelievable what we are electing to Dáil Éireann. A Transition Year student would have more finesse. Plus it’s clear she doesn’t give a damn about or fishing industry.
It’s also clear that the criminal banking cartel has Joan Burton’s and the Labour Party backing. Irish banks are fixing interest rate charges at level well in excess of those pertaining in other EU countries. More of the Labour Party’s complicity with white collar crime.
Pringle once he pops hhheeeeee cant stop!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Another abysmal and undemocratic performance by joan burton. At this stage you would think somebody would take her to one side and explain to her that she’s not half as funny as she thinks she is. There’s a reasonable expectation that questions asked by elected public representatives get answered.
I think you’ll find that all politicians on this island perform abysmally and behave like spoiled children
Someone should take her to the side and have a word in her ear.”you are a C you Next Tuesday”
not to worry, we will be telling her ourselves pretty soon, the Knives are sharpening.
The realisation that her party will be wiped out is becoming to much for her.. She’s been putting on a face for quite a while, it’ll be just more lashes out of frustration from here on in, should be fun :)
She CHOOSES to put on that face ?!?!!! Jaysis!!!!!
Old Mother Burton.
And if one of them called her a hysterical woman there’d be uproar, she’s a double standards aul beeeatch – that’s total horse sh*te but all you’d expect from this shower
Joan beginning to falter under the pressure. Tick tock goes the clock, each second passing is a second closer to Labour Judgement Day and their deserved annihilation at the ballot boxes
It’s just a game they are playing. They couldn’t care less about they people who are taxed to the hilt! It’s just sickening
have they nothing better to do? pathetic and i’m ashamed of their carrying on… all of them are way in over their heads and act like a bunch of kids.
Show some respect please…
These people “represent” us.
That’s what people in other countries think we are.
Nappies and politicians need changing at regular intervals but Joan needs a permaloo.
I’m sure all the people on variable rate mortgages will think back on Joan’s hilarious antics and happily pay the extra 2% or so every month.
She seems like someone who has really lost her marbles these days. Doesn’t she realise that the electorate actually want to hear what her government are doing. Instead she harps on about 5 years ago you did this and that and then goes off on a rant about up north and Westminster. Dear God Joan , you are the tanaiste and you should be respecting the electorate waiting to hear your answer. But instead she acts like a 2 year old in the playground. Really pathetic.
The state of the Country and this sort of crap taking place with our money. School yard bickering.
It’s about time someone told Barry Cowen to shut up. He’s nothing but a whinging whining baby
In fairness looking at that iphone joan was the one who spat out the dummy.
One toe rag talking to another toe rag
Ahh now in fairness how many of us have wanted to tell a cowan to shut up….
Has Joan answered a question yet?
How insulting of our Tanaiste! Like no one has ever wanted to tell her the same. She should realise where she is and the example she is setting for those watching…..hang on no one was watching except one hack!
Robert Cousins, I think you missed Ann Reddins point. Once multinationals in Ireland close their manufacturing operations, inevitably the administration and customer services inevitably follow soon after
Tut Tut !
Oh man!
She never ceases to amaze with her lack of answers and twisting blame. She is useless, useless and lastly, useless.
“CAN I JUST SAAY”
One word…… Begins with a C has 4 letters and ends with a T….. C, C, C,…..
Joan Burton would sicken an elephant. There’s not an ounce of sincerely in her body.
Its a game they are playing ,a very costly game for the taxpayers,and people vote for these useless clowns ,if the roles were changed Cowen would be barking at that twittering hen Burton ,In reality the 3 main parties follow the same policies ,same circus just the clowns change places ..Meanwhile families face evictions from their homes with the support of the government to the banks ,But its ok none of the politicians on both sides will be affected and issue sound bites about how much they care for the citizens ,
I-phone joan in full flow nearly if not as bad as Cowen…..
have your say