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Free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

British-Iranian mum detained in Iran accused of trying to overthrow the regime

The British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised concerns about the mother of one with the Iranian president.

THE BRITISH PRIME minister Theresa May has raised concerns with Iran’s president over several cases involving dual British-Iranian nationals, including an imprisoned mother.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 37, was arrested at Tehran airport on 3 April as she prepared to return to Britain with her daughter after visiting family in Iran.

Her two-year-old daughter had her British passport taken away and is staying in Iran with Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s parents but is unable to leave the country.

Overthrow the regime

The dual citizen is being accused of trying to overthrow the Iranian government.

The BBC reports that May “raised concerns” about the imprisoned mother during a phone call with Hassan Rouhani.

Iran does not recognise dual citizenship meaning Zaghari-Ratcliffe will be considered an Iranian.

According to a statement from the Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was “identified and arrested after massive intelligence operations” as one of “the heads of foreign-linked hostile networks”.

Criminal activity

She was alleged to have conducted “various missions… leading her criminal activities under the direction of media and intelligence services of foreign governments”.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held in a furnished room in a prison in the southeastern city of Kerman, it added.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe said his wife had been held in solitary confinement for 45 days, and scoffed at the charges levelled against her.

He said he believes his wife and child are being used as a “political bargaining chip”.

Tom Clonan: Why it’s time to have an open and honest debate about our neutrality>

Read: Courts should hand down tougher sentences for crimes against businesses, say company owners>

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    Mute Sean Stevenson
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:02 PM

    Wow, a common sense initiative! Fair play.

    594
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    Mute Elvis King
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:08 PM

    @Sean Stevenson: common sense would be to close the bar, i dont know about you but when i get drunk i can make some stupid decissions, Any one who has read my posts can vouch that i allso make some when sober aswell

    417
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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:14 PM

    @Elvis King: may you have a few on board right now? ;-)

    44
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    Mute Elvis King
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:20 PM

    @Noel James Doherty: No i dont drink, smoke, take drugs ,swim or play chess any more as i am married , A word of advice to anyone thinking of getting Married ,DONT

    68
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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:24 PM

    @Sean Stevenson: In fairness it’s not “common sense” .
    If I drank in my local and went for months without paying for the drink , even after being asked , I’d be barred .
    More indulgence for a bunch of people who enact law , but think they’re above it .

    123
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    Mute Elvis King
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:35 PM

    @Elvis King: only joking i love

    15
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    Mute Rear Admiral
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:33 PM

    @Sean Stevenson: common sense would be a pre-paid system. they have them now called “credit cards”

    29
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    Mute Nek nedyah
    Favourite Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:20 PM

    @Rear Admiral: I also heard the banks are bringing this new product called “money” apparently you can use it to pay for things like drink .

    37
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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:43 PM

    @Sean Stevenson: it was bound to happen eventually.

    3
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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:04 PM

    Greedy b#$yards.
    We are really paying for it.
    The cheek of them.

    314
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    Mute Gary
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:08 PM

    @Gerry Fallon: You could say that about everyone. I had a plumber out last week so I paid for his few pints over the weekend.

    44
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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:13 PM

    @Gary: I bet he wasn’t drinking while he was at work .

    233
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    Mute Dj
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:24 PM

    @Gary: Did he turn up at your house with his tools and a bag of cans?

    63
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    Mute Nek nedyah
    Favourite Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:27 PM

    @Dj: Did he turn up , take some of Garys’ cans , and then refuse to pay for them , because that’s the only way I could see a comparison .

    75
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:27 PM

    @Dj: god I miss them Tuesday’s

    9
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    Mute Pablo Rojas Coppari
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    Apr 18th 2018, 11:22 PM

    @Gary: he probably never answered his phone. Showed up at whatever time suited him. Shouted around the house and charges €120 without ever issuing a receipt. Happy days. Best job in town.

    16
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    Mute courageous
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:06 PM

    Good example of the entitlement class each one of them should be named and shamed

    302
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    Mute Sean Stevenson
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:09 PM

    @courageous: That’d be some wall of shame
    “Danny Healy-Rae – failed to pay for 20 pints of the black stuff, the scabby b@$tard”

    111
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    Mute flabar oflabar
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    Apr 19th 2018, 2:19 AM

    @courageous: “Stubbs Gazzette” for everyone else, a law unto themselves!

    18
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    Mute Murf
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    Apr 20th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Sean Stevenson: Danny Healy Rae is just a BUM

    1
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    Mute Patty Cullinane
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:22 PM

    Elected officials are being paid to make policy and decide the future of this country. And they are allowed to consume alcohol while doing so. This explains so much. Shutter the Dáil bars’ doors…for good. Even if this doesn’t improve the state of the country…at least it will permanently solve the outstanding tabs problem.

    144
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    Mute Nek nedyah
    Favourite Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:19 PM

    Don’t use anymore glasses , just have a trough where they can dip their collective snouts .

    134
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    Mute Jack O'neill
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:10 PM

    I’m sure D O’B will cover the bills.

    104
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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:45 PM

    @Jack O’neill: Remove it
    Lead by example
    Replace with a juice bar .

    48
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:14 PM

    Some of them used to get their Dail Bar tabs picked up by a certain lobbying agency. No longer the case. Now they have to pay it out of their pockets. Hard times.

    106
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    Mute VeeryDrink
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:13 PM

    FFG and Labour are full of alcoholics.
    Anyone who watched or witnessed the late night sittings over the last few will years will know this.
    Close the alcoholics bar.

    124
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    Mute Andrew Giles
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:24 PM

    Now the recent €5K payrise makes sense.

    89
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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:51 PM

    I can’t operate plant or machinery if I am under the affects of alcohol , yet these people can consume alcohol and make decisions which affect the future of the country , and refuse to pay for it !
    Homeless crisis worsening , people lying on trolleys in hospital corridors and these muppets are drinking at the wheel , the mind boggles .

    103
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    Mute Murf
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    Apr 20th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @Nek nedyah: What a Joke of a so called government! The Rae’s talking through their Ar@#s thick as you get

    1
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    Mute ballbreaker
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:20 PM

    Maybe thats where the recent 1.5 million on expenses went recently …..not including their normal ballooned salaries and expenses

    76
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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:11 PM

    Wow , the politicians clamping down on themselves .
    Real headline should read , politicians who think they are the chosen people and shouldn’t have to pay for any drinks , now get taxpayers to have to pay for auditors and more paperwork .
    FFS , PAY YOUR BAR TAB , HOW HARD CAN IT BE .

    81
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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:21 PM

    I can’t believe that this is still going on. It’s totally illegal under Irish law to provide alcohol on credit – our government are happily breaking the law and nobody takes them up on it!

    8.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any licence holder to supply any intoxicating liquor for consumption on his premises or for any person to consume any intoxicating liquor on the premises in which it is purchased unless either—

    (a) the intoxicating liquor is paid for in ready money before or at the time at which it is supplied, or

    (b) the intoxicating liquor is ordered and consumed at the same time as a meal is ordered and consumed, and is paid for at the same time as such meal is paid for.

    65
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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:28 PM

    Have debit / credit card options been considered? Or would that be deemed too radical for 2018?

    52
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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:33 PM

    @Rory J Leonard: These are politicians , paying for things is for mortals .
    I can only imagine them rooting around in the shoebox under the bed for the exact change .
    Mortals have bank accounts .

    36
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    Mute Adrian
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:22 PM

    @Rory J Leonard: the gombeen politicians mightn’t understand it!

    15
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    Mute Jane Nic Conchradha
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:30 PM

    As if they don’t get enough as it is. They will probably figure out a way to charge it to their expenses.

    45
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    Mute flabar oflabar
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    Apr 19th 2018, 2:21 AM

    @Jane Nic Conchradha: Unvouched expense’ s and a 5k payrise! Always covering themselves

    8
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    Mute Doug Lucey
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:18 PM

    Should be charged interest for late payment and have that deducted too

    32
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    Mute Adrian
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:26 PM

    Minister naughten. “I did nothing wrong”. They never do! And that’s the problem because they can’t learn from their mistakes then.

    31
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    Mute Jack O'neill
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:43 PM

    @Adrian:I’m sure D O’B will look after him.Just like he looked after Lowry.

    20
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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:05 PM

    Politicians who don’t pay their bar tab should be shot

    73
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    Mute Mike Keane
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:31 PM

    @Noel James Doherty: Why don’t they pay for their drink instead of putting it on a tab?

    55
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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:52 PM

    @Mike Keane: They’ll be bringing their corgi’s into work next

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    Mute Nek nedyah
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:25 PM

    @Father Hody Commody: I hope the corgis’ carry cash .

    1
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    Mute June Rose-Sommer
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:16 PM

    Well!! High time they did so!! Why should they get away without paying!! They are paid too much money for basically doing a poor job of governing Ireland and expect the tax payers to pick up the tab!! Audacious!!

    30
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    Mute Alan Beirne
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:30 PM

    Should politicians have to do Garda Vetting? after all large sections of societies employees are required to do so, so why not politicians?

    20
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:41 PM

    No tick for the thicks.

    22
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    Mute League of shadows
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:36 PM

    Proper order, drink up now snakes the bar is closed.

    23
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    Mute Declan
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:59 PM

    What a spineless cynical attempt at not addressing the Real issues affecting people today, an absolute delusional ponse @CampaignForLeo Not one redeemable ounce of talent and his lack of experience is all to apparent, TDs and drink? Who gives a BIFFOS ball coks? Free loaders? Yes that’s new news, shocking stuff, get a grip. Deflect, deflect,deflect, Leo’s mantra…

    26
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    Mute DeFonz
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:22 PM

    Surely there should be a list of these thieves published, don’t we have a freedom of information act? This is our money ! Who are the thieves? It is recorded!’ Publish the list and fast!! We have a right to know..

    21
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    Mute flabar oflabar
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    Apr 19th 2018, 2:25 AM

    @DeFonz: “Stubbs Gazette” for everyone else

    2
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    Mute Alan Duffy
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:43 PM

    Name and ‘hic’ shame ‘hic’……….

    18
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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:43 PM

    Should they not wean the poor divils off the freebies gradually?

    It can be a traumatic experiance finding their access to the public trough is restricted too suddenly, they may never recover!

    15
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    Mute Shane Zerbe
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:45 PM

    Why would you give that lot a tab?!

    12
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    Mute niamh ryan
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    Apr 18th 2018, 11:03 PM

    If they can’t take it from the pensions of retired TD’s then sell the debt onto a debt collector. Its what happens the general public who don’t pay their bills

    12
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    Mute Neuville-Kepler62F
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:18 PM

    ……… isn’t possible to deduct it from people’s (TDs & Senators!)pensions for reasons you’ll understand.

    but these despicable TDs and Senators deduct the odious LPT tax on Family homes from pensioners …

    - pensions
    - pay
    - medical expenses refunds
    - on death of home owner …

    – with no allowance for inability to pay
    - no right of appeal
    - no exemptions

    https://www.change.org/p/abolish-property-tax-on-family-homes

    “The high, so called, “compliance rate” is due to “coercion” by Revenue (by your TDs) who take the LPT tax from your pay, pensions and medical expenses refunds without consideration for inability to pay, exemptions or right of appeal and take it from families on the death of the owner. ”

    ……. time to drain the swamp!

    19
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    Mute Dae Monicus
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    Apr 18th 2018, 9:19 PM

    I know it used to be common practice in many pubs, but is it even legal to run a tab anymore?

    9
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    Mute flabar oflabar
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    Apr 19th 2018, 2:24 AM

    @Dae Monicus: No, it’s not legal

    1
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:04 PM

    More drink, I won’t go into the Ta or Nil unless I get more drink, feck, arse .

    40
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:01 PM

    If they treat their workplace with contempt like this, imagine how they treat their home life and families….

    9
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    Mute Conchúr
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    Apr 18th 2018, 8:59 PM

    End of an era!

    6
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    Mute James Reilly
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    Apr 19th 2018, 2:10 AM

    Why is there a bar in government building in the first place

    6
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    Mute Pj Browne
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:43 AM

    Imagine having to pay your bill like the rest of us what is the country coming to

    6
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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:34 PM

    OMG a commission to examine… You cant be serious. Just announce intention to publish names with amounts and with detailed description what it was spent on in national newspapers. All will be promptly paid for I can assure you Leo.
    What is the most outrageous is that with wages they get and silly prices they are charged in this communist paradise like establishments they still manage not to pay???

    7
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    Mute William Kelly
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    Apr 19th 2018, 6:50 AM

    They have no problem stopping the LPT from pensions of non Leinster house people.
    What nonsense, when the entire system should be cashless, by charging debit cards & pre loaded pay cards for members.
    As for outstanding debtors, hand them over to debt collectors & list them as credit defaulters, even have them lifted into the clink, as happens licence evaders, etc.
    Trust them to complicate the solution, wonder why?

    6
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:58 PM

    So these clowns can’t look after 5.5k between them yet we are supposed to trust them to look after billions responsibly.

    10
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    Mute Des Doran
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    Apr 18th 2018, 11:24 PM

    It’s not as if they haven’t,screwed us over enough,
    They should be named and shamed

    6
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    Mute Annette Manning
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    Apr 18th 2018, 11:15 PM

    Better late than never I suppose..

    2
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    Mute Stonerpug
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:50 PM

    Bloody fookin right. If this was the case years ago. Brian Cowen would be living in a semi detatched in Leixlip.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:18 AM

    Great life

    1
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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Apr 18th 2018, 10:16 PM

    Good job

    1
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    Mute Andrew Byrne
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    Apr 19th 2018, 1:10 AM

    No such thing as a free Lunch
    Is this going a bit far
    Rewrite the saying to exempt elected representatives ?

    1
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    Mute Andrew Byrne
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    Apr 19th 2018, 1:02 AM

    I have heard that sometimes the invited guest or favour seeker has been told the Bill is on him . These guests pass on the due anount only to be pocketed by their host .
    Any truth in this ?

    1
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    Mute Liam Lally
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:19 PM

    Similar to serving drink after hours it is also an offence to serve drink on credit.
    Money is owed by people who are no longer members of Leinster House and they should be named and shamed.

    1
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    Mute Marie Gunbay
    Favourite Marie Gunbay
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:17 AM

    Ah Jaysus leave them alone they well deserve free pint for all their hard work, most of them are short of few bob anyway.

    1
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    Mute Marie Gunbay
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:19 AM

    @Marie Gunbay: a free pint………a few bob. Should have put my specs on !

    1
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    Mute Ian O Toole
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    Apr 18th 2018, 11:25 PM

    F@€kn piss heads

    2
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    Mute Lovely Man
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:56 PM

    Truly our TDs are above the law.

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    Mute Liam Fahey
    Favourite Liam Fahey
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    Apr 20th 2018, 1:02 AM

    Man walks into bar and shouts “Beer, quick before the trouble starts” he has the beer gone before getting settled in his seat, so says again “Beer, quick before the trouble starts”, this repeats for the next 3 beers until the barman says “are you going to pay for those?” And the man says “the trouble has started.

    If only he had become a politician he would have no trouble.

    1
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    Mute Jack Sparrow
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    Apr 19th 2018, 12:51 AM

    That’s some job they have up in Dublin.

    1
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    Mute Paul Bennison
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    Apr 19th 2018, 8:56 AM

    Of all the issues in this country, who gives a shite about overpaid politicians not paying their bar tab.

    1
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    Mute Andy Cross
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    Apr 19th 2018, 9:01 AM

    The politicians are not used to paying for anything just to taking ,wont put their hands into their own pockets .just into yours thinking of ways to screw more money out of you in taxes ,Yet people will still vote for these parasites

    1
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