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GOVERNMENT MINISTERS HAVE hit out at the Public Accounts Committee for questions over an annual €317,000 allowance given to the President of Ireland.
Yesterday it emerged that the allowance has been paid to the Office of the President since 1998, and that the Comptroller and Auditor General has no oversight over it.
The payment was described as “bizarre” by Fianna Fáil TD Marc McSharry, while Catherine Murphy of the Social Democrats asked why the Office of the President does not come under Freedom of Information legislation.
However, Minister for Health Simon Harris claims the committee’s line of questioning was a “cynical political attack” designed to derail the re-election of President Michael D Higgins.
“I think there’s an attempt by some, probably some who aren’t supporting Michael D Higgins, to try to suggest that there’s something inappropriate, improper or unexplained in relation to this,” he said.
“I think this real yearning to try to create something at the PAC to link it to President Higgins … the electorate will see right through that.”
Harris also clarified that the Public Accounts Committee did important work and agreed that “full transparency” was important, but queried the timing of its inquiries.
He warned that Oireachtas committees should not “rush to judgement” and “plant the seed” that the money was personally benefiting the President.
“He’s not getting double his salary, that’s just not true,” he said.
“It’s important we have watchdogs, but it’d be really good if those watchdogs didn’t just bark at every passing car.”
Harris’ comments were echoed by Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy, who suggested the committee was “potentially trying to damage the incumbent” in his campaign.
“[It's] a separate question that should never even have been asked because people are trying to link it to Michael D,” he said.
“Another risk … would be reducing a very important national debate over the next coming weeks to more trivial issues that aren’t worthy of the types of things that we need to be talking about.”
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Ya have to admit, “The Regina Monologues” is quite clever
It’s clever ..in a childish way – but also somewhat unprofessional for a Senator speaking in the Seanad chamber.
Imagine if a female TD/Senator said something like:
“here’s Senator Norris quoting from ‘The Peni$ Manologues’ – talking out of his boll0cks”.
I suspect people would be quicker to accuse a female TD/Senator of being “smutty”.
I do like Norris – but saying stuff like “you’re talking out of your f@nny” whenever he disagrees with someone does not really do his debating skills any justice.
It’s more like something you would hear in a primary school playground.
I agree Dave. He should have said “clank”.
I like ‘manalogues’ too. That’s even better than mansplaining.
Good thing David Norris isn’t a Northsider or she’d of been talking out of her hoop!
Are we talking about “The **gina Monologues” where someone is talking through their “f***y?
That’ll take a *hole we*k to explain.
Norris is a Northsider.
Ha ha, class.
If he had said hoot, do you think we’d all be commenting on it now.
I just choked on something I didn’t eat. Skittin
He may live on the North side of he Liffey now but he is not a Northsider. Please don’t insult the North side people.
Did he mean the American meaning of the word which means “arse”?
He did Dominic, from now on he shall have to use Drumm instead.
We all know that means arse.
I agree, Drumm is an arsehole.
Well he is known to have confused the two!
I like the way Thejournal.ie has blanked out f***y BUT has included the actual word in the URL of this page…
Spotters Badge for you Ignoreland!!! haha!
I also think somebody with more technological and musical talent than me should re-mix David Norris saying “You’re talking out of your f***y” to the tune of Daft Punk’s “We’re up all night to get lucky”.
And release an “…out of her funky” version for the pre-9pm audience.
I personally would love to hear that and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter!
“.she stayed up all night to get Drumm.. ”
really sorry about that one..
Can I be the first person to call this “fanny-gate”?
I’m only waiting for a national controversy over a gate.
Gate gate doesn’t really work does it?
Cowangate was good :)
A drunk politician – locked gate? (maybe confusing outside of cork or limerick?)
A Jewish guy named con caught out up to no good with a verb. Con Jew Gate?
Im up all night to get fanny.
No change there then!
Up all night to get fanny?
That happened on the comment section of Yahoo news on an article about Cannabis. It had it in the headline but wouldn’t allow the word to be used in the comments.
He’s 100% correct in fairness.
Is F***y a swear word now that has to be censored?
Well I was never a fan of it…
Fanny isn’t a dirty word…COCK is a dirty word
Since the 2008 crash, “Fanny” followed by “Mae” has been a very dirty word.
Talkin out of your Drummer.
Now that’s dirty.
EXCUSE ME! I have a ‘dirty word’ and it’s always perfectly clean!!!!! ;-)
It is in it’s fanny.
I know a girl named fanny.
That is perfect.
Is it Fanny May?
Funny thing is Begrudgery, RTE news app is spelling out the entire f***y word in it’s report on the Seanad shenanigans. Maybe time for The Journal to report the news factually rather than asterisking…and while I’m at it..what’s with the ban on commenting on foreign court cases here at The Journal?
The seanad needs to be reformed not abolished .. here is why I think so –
The irish electorate will alway vote a massive amount of ‘parish pump politicians’ in to the dail, this will never change. As we have seen since the inception of the Dail a massive proportion tend to be teachers, doctors, career politicians and union officials. By its very nature the Dail will never be a house of elected ‘experts’ .. but more so a flavour of the mood of the electorate mixed with hereditary seats and vested interests.
A well run second house / Seanad can counteract this. I would contest that the Dail can propose and write legislation to its hearts content and then present it to a reformed Seanad which would comprise of experts from outside of politics – something like 3 Senators for each government department, who can look at the workings of the Dail and give informed debate, referrals to the Supreme Court etc
Prospective Senators would have to apply to an independent panel (something like a council of state) who would then put them forward for election by the entire electorate along side a general election. They wouldn’t be allowed membership of any political party, it wouldn’t be a full time position.
We need a mechanism to keep the Government / Dail in check
It’s interesting though that when Fidelma Healy-Eames introduced an amendment in the Seanad today to block the abortion bill she was roundly castigated for doing so by most commentators on Journal. But in reality she is simply doing what you are asking for here, keeping the Government/Dail in check.
It would seem that people only want the Seanad to keep the Dail in check when it blocks bill they don’t like.
By the way, with regard to your concept here the idea of a Senate of experts is a bit dangerous. Who decides who is an expert? You say an independent panel, but who appoints members to this panel? And what have they to be an expert in? It’s a little wolly if you don’t mind me saying so.
Poor old Jim–both pro life and pro shinners and pro Seanad cos it keeps him in lolly for very little work–bye Jim –you might have a chance of the Dail.
@Jim Ky – If that’s aimed at me then it’s the funniest comment I’ve read in a long while. You clearly don’t know me at all because I’m actually pro-choice, will never be a SF supporter and in favour of the abolition of the Seanad. Better luck next time with the insults!
Interesting. Wouldn’t mind seeing this in action
Is that not what we have at present with different panels?
If as Jim says, we reform the money spinner, I say why not have the elections on the same date as Dail elections- a real general election- the Taioseachs nominations must be named in advance of the election, this would mean that the Seanad isn’t used as a dumping ground for those who failed to get elected, we should also abolish the term Senate and called it Teach Uachtarach (Upper House), (hopefully I am right with this translation), this would rid some of our grandstanders of the notion they are Plato.
David knows American English…I hope.
If not, Regina has a great future as an after-dinner speaker if she ever loses her Dáil seat….
The phoenix ran an article on her some time ago and it seems she has enough issues to deal with without making herself busy with senate abolition !!!
Not IF but WHEN
Well said as always David, its a pity we don’t have a people like you in the dail
What so they can be sexist in there as well?
How about Emmet Stag?
Oh Debby pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee–we already have enough funny men there
Of course he wants to keep his ‘job’, sure its money for old rope.
Get rid of it it’s only jobs for the lads waste of taxpayers money .
What sort of language is that out of a senator?
Funny language
Wait … how did you get to type “funny” without the asterisks?
American English..
Colourful & brilliantly witty.
would he have plucked the words out of his arse after listening to the Anglo tapes?.
to be honest for all his done for this country he can talk what ever way he wants.
The fact Doherty said the Seanad is “shockingly undemocratic” and does not play a meaningful role in Irish democracy is in itself contemptuous. Senators have been calling out for reform for decades and each successive government has done nothing about it.
Look at what he said: “The idea that someone who has been a member of this house… has to listen to ‘The Regina Monologues’ from somebody who’s not a wet week in this house, talking through her f***y, I object on the strongest possible basis.”
These comments were not meant to be sexist. David Norris has fought tooth and nail on behalf of people’s rights his whole life. Including the rights of women. He is a gentleman and a brilliant and admirable parliamentarian. And surely, looking at what was said, Doherty clearly was talking a load of bull.
well he could hardly say talking through her dick–of course its sexist.. She certainly does have more balls than many of her male colleagues.
David Norris is not a sexist. And Doherty is talking crap. As Norris said during the debate the other day:
“I say to any Member who votes in favour of the Bill and for the abolition of the Seanad that I could accept it if they thought the Seanad was rubbish and no use, regardless of whether they were parachuted in or they got in through the rotten boroughs of the councils or whatever other bloody way they got in, but if they vote for this Bill, they are not worthy to be in this House. They are not fit to be in this House and they should not be permitted to perpetrate a fraud on the people by drawing a salary for being in a House that by their very vote they have said is not worth a damn.”
And he’s dead right, too.
Disgusting comment. Will he be condemned for it? No, he won’t. He’s David Norris & everyone makes excuses for him because the trendy liberals love him.
lol ‘the trendy liberals’ where would they be now?
The types who love him because he represents an Anglo-Irish identity they think is so superior.
I completely agree and I’m probably someone who would get classed as a trendy Liberal.
If Ronan Mullen had said it, people would be up in arms about it and someone would be describing the comment as disgustingly misogynisitc.
We can’t have separate sets of value judgements just based on who made a comment.
I am bemused, I would like to meet a trendy liberal.
You wouldn’t, Barry. Trust me, you wouldn’t.
Damn those trendy liberals! Will they ever just allow people to get on with their lives!
Agree, sexist and disgusting. Lost a lot of respect for Norris after that one. I have to say I can’t really see the ‘trendy liberals’ staying quiet about it.
Tim — Norris wrote a character reference for a sex offender and the hipsters stood by him. Doubt they’ll be any less hypocritical on this occasion.
Is there a location where I could have a gander at a trendy liberal in its natural habitat?
The Ice Bar?
David Norris is the kind of man who would fight for women’s rights while retaining his off-colour approach to parliamentary language. Ronan Mullins is the kind of man who would fight tooth and nail to see those rights curtailed, all while couching his arguments in the most polite manner possible. Please, tell me again which of them is the misogynist.
Ronan, now there’s a lad that talks out of his fanny and his arse simultaneously…
why can’t they both be misogynists?
Norris thinks he can get away with it because of his liberal credentials in other matters, but there’s no reason to suppose that making personal and humiliating references to a (specific) woman’s body parts in public is any less awful than setting your colleague on your lap in parliament.
So just for clarity, you thing being told that she is talking out of her fanny is in some manner humiliating? Because she has one? This isn’t the 1950s – we all should have a fairly solid grounding in how the reproductive organs of the opposite sex operate by this stage, and not be afraid to make reference to them in common vernacular.
Personally I find someone saying “fanny” less offensive than the idea that my sensibilities must be protected by publishing it as “f***y”.
I find men publicly referencing women’s genitals in public in a pretty transparent attempt to demean to be kind of bad form.. even when Saint David does it!
I agree Petr, if I said that to a co-worker I’d be getting a very strong verbal warning at the least but this is the Senate, would you expect a bit more decorum
It’s true that figures on the left can get away with things others can’t. No-one batted an eyelid when Susan McKay referred to Brendan Howlin as “a safe pair of balls.”
Now imagine Susan’s reaction if someone called her a c*nt
Petr, I completely agree with you. As if – “for clarity”- it’s the actual word used that’s in any way the problem, rather than the attempt to demean her.
Tim — I knew we’d agree on something someday! ;)
Oh. So your issue is with him using the word “fanny”. I mean seriously?
And yes – I rather think manhandling a fellow TD, regardless of their gender, is a much more serious issue.
Graham — Go to bed buddy. You’re embarrassing yourself.
One could also he was speaking out of his equivalent to f+++y, his arse.
He’s the king of talking pony. He’s only criticising FG because if the abolish it he might have to do a days work
Jesus Christ, it took me a while to work out how his arse is his fanny equivalent but now I’m dying of laughter.
Idiot
I liked that I take it you meant Daiti
Why has The Journal opted to asterisk the word? We’re hardly a bunch of maiden aunts here. Even the RTE site published it.
Sorry to point out to history but if you track the history of this country through it’s 90year existence it has been Seanad Eireann that has called to account those who have passed repressive legislation through the Dail.
If Mr Kenny is serious about political reform recall the Dail pass the new procedures being mooted and then talk about Seanad abolition!
However we need to see this for what it is a power grab by a government with no commitment to democracy. It would give virtual dictatorial powers to the Dail. It would for instance be able to fire the President by a simple majority vote. Ditto any judge who does do its bidding.
Are we seriously going to swallow this assault on democracy. Reform the Seanad and how it is elected but on your peril abolish it. Remember dictators have always abolished the upper house then the opposition parties!
Democracy anyone
Do you have any instances you can quote us, on the Seanad calling anyone to account, other than for their collective expenses? I have no memory of the Seanad actually doing this. Now if you want to go back to before Dev ‘reformed’ it, you might find something, but today it is but a talking shop, with a guaranteed government majority that ensures it does not rock any boats.
Ah yes, the expenses. That went well, I thought. How much has the Seanad spent on legal fees in the Callely case, again?
Democracy is a terrible system.
This is the Republic of Ireland last time I checked.
I think the idea of a three tier Oireachtas is outdated. Seanad Eireann is based on the British House of Lords where people are rewarded for being upstanding citizens. What we need in Ireland is an advisory board of statutory law experts to advise the president when a bill lands on his desk not a collective of people sitting upstairs in Leinster House flexing their intellectual muscles at the taxpayers expense. I think that the Seanad should be scrapped in favour of a compulsory council of state meeting.
Democracy is a terrible system until you have tried all the rest. The comment of Winston Churchill who experienced many forms of government in his travels.
My basic point is we need an upper house in some form. Not only that we need a second tier to scrutinise legislation a simple Council of State in the event of Seanad abolition could e easily manipulated to be a creature of the all powerful Dail. If Mr. Kenny believes in Dail reform let him bring in the reforms outlined in his post abolition bill. It is not tied to the referendum being passed!
At this moment it requires a majority in both houses to impeach a president or judge. Without Dail reform being passed and we have no guarantee it ever will be the president, council of state and the judiciary can be very easily made creatures of the Dail as they could be subject to a simple majority impeachment. In fact a Dail with a majority like the current one could easily and effectively give the Government dictatorial powers!
Democracy is at risk here. Yes the Seanad needs reform so does the Dail and both nedd to be accountable to the people. We had a system like Swiss one here and it was removed. This a further erosion of our fragile democracy. Abolish the Seanad at your peril!
and the truth dose not got far
John any instances from history to quote us?
Unfortunately the lessons of history are stark. The most obvious being Adolf Hitler more recently Robert Mugabe. Coming to local politics the history of the seventies when some of the most repressive legislation in state was passed. The only serious opposition was the Seanad. Recently the Seanad was the only serious opposition to the bank guarantee.
All the more reason to abolish the seannad bunch of wasters talking shite
Talking fanny
Hello people, we are in Ireland, not North America! In Ireland “fanny” is slang for vagina, as I’m sure Mr Norris is well aware. I’m disgusted and shocked by this misogynistic remark! I have always admired Senator Norris for his intelligence, but it seems when his well payed job is threatened his true colours emerge! Further proof that the Seanad are nothing more than an old-boys club! Badly done Sen Norris.
Well said. Norris is elected in the vile, elitist Trinity seat. Can’t be gotten rid of fast enough.
Sadly, for an intelligent, articulate man, he’s failed to provide a cogent argument for Seanad retention, opting instead for attention-seeking bombast. He sounds more and more like a crazy person these days.
Oh for Pete’s sake. If we’re going to play this ridiculous game of being disgusted and shocked by language because it’s easier than doing anything about substantive issues, we could at least learn some basics of rhetorical construction. “Talking out of her fanny” is a play on “Regina Monologues”, not code for “Get back to the kitchen, wench”.
If weâre going to play this ridiculous game of being disgusted and shocked by language because itâs easier than doing anything about substantive issues
Freedom of speech – deal with it. You condemn the man for speaking his mind, but stand by those you elected to the dail, and now bitch about the fact they are running the country into the ground. Norris rules – he’s spot on the mark.
At last, an intelligent comment!!! Thank you, Emily Elephant.
Jesus, I’m pretty sure The Journal comments set a new standard for butt-hurt everyday.
That’s what I love about the comments section in the journal….never ever a shortage of sad fools who just love to be “outraged”.
or inclusive….
There’s no need to censure this article…we’re able for ‘bad’ words !
The little boy comments are embarrassing, f**k off and watch Top Gear or Family Guy you D student.
This is the most blatant sexist piece of shite to come out of a politicians mouth in years. If it was talking out her arse , a euphemism that’s common to both sexes, then maybe it would be funny. But to include her gender and compound it with an crass reference to the Vagina Monologues is an attack solely based on her gender and not as her her role as a member of the Dáil.
Methinks the lady doth protest too much – oh sorry, too crass?
Norris you’re ok in my book.
Why weren’t you talking that sense when you were running for President?
He was Toby but nobody was listening. The media conspired to make keep him out.
The media made him write those letters did they?
Don’t care about the letters. I only care about now.
Norris is telling it like it is and it sounds great.
Toby
Norris is a serial waster. He hasn’t worked a day in the normal sense for years but you and I have been paying his salary and expenses which allows him to lecture to us on the value do an undemocratic Upper House that is bleeding us dry. No wonder he used vulgarisms today. He’s only outraged that his gravy train is coming to an end.
Well he’s talking with passion and telling a lot of truths.
At last some sense.
From Rick!
Bleeding us dry? Do you actually know how much its abolition would save the state?! Not much. Not much at all. And that man has spent his life serving this country and fighting for the rights of its people, even the ones nobody else cared about, for decades. He’s far from a saint but he is a good man. The worst thing about the financial crash is the jealousy and begrudgery its brought out of people.
David Norris is speaking the truth as he has nothing to lose. He doesn’t need any gravy train. Don’t forget he has been diagnosed with cancer due to contracting Hepatitis in Eastern Europe and may not have too long to live. The Seanad is needed to keep the TD’s in line. You’ll regret it ten fold if it is abolished. His sense of outrage at the lower house is justified even if he had to jolt people to attention with risqué language to do it.
Ashley
David Norris is unable to hold a conversation of more than five minutes duration without needless vulgarisms creeping in and he would have been a gross embarrassment to us if he had been elected President. Apart from his current illness he had been absent from his Trinity post for years due to sickness but had no difficulty riding the gravy train that is the Senate at our expense. He has added color to the political stage for years but I think that shade of pink is well overdone.
Yes, I’m sure most people would get off the gravy train, take good jobs but not the money and turn down payment that they’re entitled to.
they set him up
The lower house is bleeding alot more from us.
Why do these people keep referencing Hitler? I really can’t take them seriously politicians if that’s what they descend to.
can’t take them seriously AS politicians*
They need to add Godwin’s Law into the Standing Orders of the Seanad.
They have never gotten over losing their own hitler
Couldn’t agree with you more, Petr.
Last week we had #lapgate, now we have #fannygate! I think that it’s high time we take the genitals out of Irish politics!!
Are you tryin to take the mickey??
Very sexist and derogatory comment to make, he’s very misogynistic and obviously hates women. Looks like the old patriarchal dinosaur of the Senate has had it’s day.
How is it sexist? In America everyone has a f***y…In Ireland women seem to have the monopoly on them.
“(North America, informal) The buttocks; arguably the most nearly polite of several euphemisms.
Children, sit down on your fannies, and eat your lunch.
Get off your fanny and get back to work! “(Source: Wickionary.org)
You forgot “rape apologist”
You know bum-bags that some American visitors who are blazoning it on the trail here, that bum-bag, is also known as a fanny-bag to the Americans, but what they don’t realize is the cultural difference, as in “Pass me the fanny-bag”, meaning the bum-bag while we snicker and try not to laugh…
@David: WTH has “rape apologist” got to do with a euphenism for a part of a female?
Ahh I see – the seanad was temporally moved to USA ?
No .
Ok the person he was referring to was from USA?
No.
There was a busload of Americans in the public gallery?
Maybe but probably not.
Ahh I see what he was doing it was fore-word play. –
Priming us with the Regina monologue reference so that us lessor educated souls would slot into the wrong Irish / British interpretation of an American slang word.
He’s one smart cookie!
However, it’s about time he stopped living a lie and came out to the world – for his own good.
He must stop this pretence at being a statesman and admit to himself and others that deep down he’s really a thespian.
Oh ffs….the morally outraged brigade are out again. Lighten up people. The guy is very sick at the moment, is probably on some strong medication. He let rip at someone today, used some language he maybe should’nt have. So what? Tomorrow it’ll be forgotten about and no doubnt you’ll all be OUTRAGED again at something else. This country has some serious problems and issues right now. One senator mouthing off in the Seanad is rather low down the list.
For the record meehawl I’m not outraged – more dismayed.
Dismayed at how people can be so blind as not to see any wrong in their chosen heroes and even when it’s undeniable, they then seek to minimise it. (Remember the Bertie fanatics?)
The word chosen was not a random word but one cynically chosen to have a female meaning in this country and in so doing was changing the tone of the statement to an unnecessarily sexist one.
I accept the fact that he may be under the influence of medication but if that’s the case then he shouldn’t be allowed to speak.
You’re wrong, he’s a very cunning linguist.
… And loves the sound of his own voice. If he is ill he should be on a cert and told to stay at home. He was well out of order and illness is no excuse – it was well crafted – probably thought out beforehand and no slip of the tongue
“If he is ill he should be on a cert and told to stay at home”
They tried that before with David Norris but he was such a great guy he went and got a different job even though he had sick certs for Trinity. Absolute ledgebag of a man! Woohoo!
Revolting comment from Norris.
And we wonder why women don’t get involved in politics…
If it’s out of fear of David Norris accusing you of talking from out of your fanny, then I’d really recommend against watching Mad Men – it’ll give you terrible sleepless nights…
Graham — I know you love David Vewy much but you don’t have to reply to every comment!
Petr – barring this comment that I am posting now, you have posted twice as much as I have. Is there something that you’re not tell us?
I knew I could make you count the comments. :)
Do it again. Go on, I’ll time you!
I decided to go for the shorter route and count your redeeming qualities Petr.
Nice retort! Credit where it’s due. :)
Norris seems to be totally losing the run of himself, 2 Seanad speeches’ like this & a further dose of bull on the Miriam show on RTE. Seanad closure can’t come quick enough.
David Norris always shows his true colours when the pressure is on
and?
Much as I’m furious about the government’s plans to abolish the Senate, and much as I’m normally a huge fan of David Norris; his sexist comments here are deplorable and inexcusable.
And for those asserting that Norris was using the american meaning of the word fanny? I don’t buy it, not with the Regina Monologues jab as well. The Regina Monologues line was sexist enough in its own right to get pissed off.
What a childish sentiment from Norris. He’s repelled by the opinion of someone because they’ve not been in the parliament as long as him. I’ll say one thing for Doherty, she got a lot more votes in Meath than Norris ever did.
Biggest example for the abolition of the Seanad… David Norris and Terry Leyden. I suppose it’ll be ok with the majority of posters here that he said that about Regina Doherty sure she’s only a Fine Gael TD after all but I bet if he had said that about Clare Daly the comments section would go into meltdown. He’s a disgrace.
Seriously guys I can’t stand the whole shower but if we get rid of them we are in serious dictatorship territory !
Norris is a silly man who gets carried away with the cleverness of his own verbosity. His rants do not enhance the image of the Seanad
Norris is an eejit!
Regina Doherty is an elected representative of the people David Norris is not she deserves respect and not a filthy tirade from this foul mouthed individual
Hes just jealous he hasnt got one
I think he has, dont people realise the fanny is indeed your bum !!
Ehhh only in the alleged good old US of A. Last time I checked this is still Ireland and fanny means something completely different to bum/arse and given his use of the words “Regina Monologues” I would imagine that he was using it in the Irish context.
Great thing about David’s wit is that he leaves everything to the imagination in his statement.
There’s a difference between wit and misogynistic blathering and bullying.
He was only thinking through his mickey
Well it is a mans brain after all!!!
Heh heh David Norris and fanny= Gary glitter and crèche…. No wait a minute
I wish this thread could concentrate on the real issue. Enda et al promised to take a cut in their salaries. A pledge was made to overturn the TDs who took a turn of office and left before their term was up, yet they could still claim a pension for life. Nearly 3 years on Lucinda Creighton can now expect just that privilige because that issue still hasn’t been sorted. If Enda gets rid of the Seanad salaries won’t have to be cut / there is more leniency on their pension debate. I think the Seanad needs to kept but in a reformed state & while we’re cutting numbers, lets cut the number of TDs. Why do we need so many? What have ANY of them done for any of us in their term? Nothing expect heap on misery. Time to get real & David most definitely stays!
Rosie – you didn’t read the article heading did you? Comments are generally considered on point if they are dealing with the substance of the preceeding article – regardless of what you might wish for.
Remember that time Lucinda used government headed paper to give a reference for a child rapist in Israel?
And sure then there was also claiming being on disability allowance for a state paid Lecturing job in Trinity whilst holding down a job in the Seanad, then when Lucinda was running for President the disability allowance claim stopped in case it was found out about. Funny shenanigans altogether. Privilege indeed.
I don’t think Davis is exactly an expert on the subject. He probably doesn’t even know where it s.
Literally or figuratively?
I don’t agree with the proposal to abolish a crucial portion of Bunreacht na hEireann such as Seanad Eireann, and I will be voting to retain it in any referendum, but I believe that Norris was way out of line with his gurrior-like outburst.
Mr Norris has gotten even more unhinged as he has gotten older. It is long past time for the old windbag to retire.
Hope it goes its a waste of space David Norris should simmer down is he loosing his marbles .its just a retirement home for failed policitions
You stay classy Dave. Ya pleb.
Just think how lucky we are that this vile man didn’t become president
Ah Bisto, Norris…………..afraid of the gravy train running out of steam!
Never mind the language…. is not the important point that the Seanad is part of the political system for a reason… maybe it does need reform, but removing it is likely a bad idea when one considers the kind of gob-shites that run the Dail both now and in the past!
I see the perma-offended are going ballistic over this non-issue. I’m sure he meant arse but even if he didn’t you can hardly accuse him, seriously at least, of being a misogynist.
“He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool…”
There are some very funny comments there – at least the ordinary folk haven’t lost their sense of humour! I do think that this week has shown us that both Houses have immunity from conducting themselves the way most of the rest of us are required to at work. I would have loved to tell my boss he was talking a load of bollocks many times, thought better of it though!
Taxi for David Norris……………
No one seems to have picked up on this point, “Senator Norris criticised the TD for admitting she had never heard of the Seanad before running for the Dáil.” http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/norris-criticised-for-sexist-comments-about-female-td-600589.html
Was she living under a bush or did she just parachute in from outer space? I’d much prefer that half of the useless muppets in the Dáil were turfed out on their fannies, be they male or female.
The Seanad used to have teeth until they disagreed with Dev, who pulled them, and it has since been disgracefully abused by the government in power for their own ends. If Mary Robinson was still in the Aras i’d feel safer but with no Seanad well , who knows !!
When it comes to failings, not knowing about the existence of half of the government would seem to be a far greater sin than calling someone names !
Well said. Sadly focusing on the main issue seems to be over looked for one of outrage or venting one’s frustration by TJ commenters as usual. After hearing such a ridiculous piece of information about the TD it’s only natural to display such a outburst.
Calm down David lad..
Lol, she could get a job in Thai;and with those kind of skills!
Now if Senator Norris is accused of talking through his fanny, is that at the front or back?
Nee-naw.. Nee-naw.. The moral brigade are on the rampage. David Norris is a legend, a keen linguist, and a scholar . He’s a bearded , well spoken, Georgian- Dublin- preserving theasaurus. This man started the first Joycean sympiousm in Ireland. He clearly had a huge choice of words to select from, but sometimes only words like this fit the ‘bill’ or indeed, other bills in the Seanad. You don’t always want foie-gras , sometimes only Pringles will do.
“Warning: Users may find some language offensive”
Really? When did “fanny” become an offensive word? Is it not the”nice” word for someone’s “bottom”? or is that offensive too?? I’m voting to keep the Seanad. Thanks David Norris.
áiritheoir siollaí cúnta
Maybe she just f@nny farted and he mistook her…
This has been an embarrsing week in Irish politics in both houses. How much lower can we go? There is diffently a need for a reform. An insult to all that fought and died for this nation.
Good man david. Politically incorrect but passionate , brilliant
David Norris is a passionate intelligent quick witted debater and I think an honest caring man , has undoubtedly made a huge contribution to human rights for a host of minorities in society . But this pun filled and depending on how you look at it humorous / sexist argument has not really advanced his cause in any way re the abolition of the Seanad . While I despair of her party of complete fogies, she is entitled to her opinion albeit along party lines irrespective of how long she has been in the Parliament . Using his seniority to criticise her views is establishment fighting establishment but in a sensationalist sound bite laden way . The f**ny comment will sadly be the one that is remembered because I don’t believe he is a misogynist but disrespecting her equal status as a member of parliament is probably worse . Ultimately I have heard so many arguments pro and anti abolition and I can see both sides – but my big question is whether Seanad reform is possible and who can independently deliver that ???
I think that’s the point, the government doesn’t want to reform it, the members of the Seanad want reform but the government specifically want to get rid of it.
David Norris is ill with cancer & on I would say very strong medication which is obviously affecting his mind, I know that is no excuse for his behaviour, but is one possible reason. Olga Waters.
Funniest thing ever…if it was anyone else I’d be raging but Norris is hilarious!!
Good man Norris!!
Front or back?
If it was Australia then mr Norris would be talking about Talking out of there arse much like Drumm and co.
196 comments and over 33000 lookers must be a record. norris you can do it
What would that fag know about fannies?
Hilarious. Pity it wasnt bell-Enda that said it. Now that would be funny.
I think norris is talking tru his hanny.
Nee Naw.. Nee Naw.. The moral brigade are on a rampage. David Norris is a scholar, a linguist and a true diplomat . He is a bearded, Georgian- Dublin- preserving theasaurus. He set up the first Joycean sympiousm in Irleand. Thus, he has a large selection of words to choose to describe this situation but sometimes more articulate words just don’t fit the bill, or indeed many bills in the Seanad. You don’t always want the foie-gras, sometimes only pringles will do. More power to Norris!
Great day fun fun fun from Kildare st
Ta gearga leis an Seanad, go hairithe nuair ata an tir i mbaoil rialtas dainsearach a toghadh sna blianta romhainn.
have your say