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Varadkar says Verona Murphy and Dara Murphy have caused Fine Gael 'reputational damage'

The Taoiseach also said the homelessness crisis is “distressing” to him.

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has admitted recent controversies involving Verona Murphy and Dara Murphy have caused “reputational damage” to Fine Gael.

However, he said he has made “tough decisions” to “clean things up”.

It was today confirmed that Verona Murphy has been dropped from Fine Gael’s general election ticket in Wexford.

She was criticised during the recent Wexford by-election campaign after linking asylum seekers to ISIS and calling for them to be “deprogrammed“.

Meanwhile, questions have been raised about Dara Murphy claiming expenses while primarily working in Brussels before his resignation as a TD earlier this month.

In an interview on Virgin Media One, Pat Kenny asked Varadkar if Fine Gael had been “tarnished” by the recent developments.

“The controversies around both of them and others have caused reputational damage for the party and I feel that very intensely and I know our party members and activists around the country feel that very intensely as well,” Varadkar said.

“Neither of the people you mentioned are going to be candidates for us in the next general election and I think that should say something,” he stated, adding that Fianna Fáil TDs involved in the recent ‘votegate‘ controversy in the Dáil are set to run for reelection.

It’s quite a contrast to Fianna Fáil, where there a number of people involved in investigations and with a cloud over their head and not only are they still on the ticket, they could even be ministers if Micheál Martin became Taoiseach.

“I’ve had to take tough decisions, and the right decisions, to clean things up.”

‘Very wrong and very hurtful’ 

Varadkar said Verona Murphy’s comments were “very wrong and very hurtful to some of our migrant communities”. He noted that she made a “full apology and retraction”, adding that Fine Gael “gave her more leeway that we would have others” because she was a first-time candidate.

The Taoiseach said his view of the situation changed when Murphy released a video claiming to be the victim of “a media conspiracy or a Dublin elite conspiracy”.

For me that indicated, one, that she wasn’t sincere in her apology and retraction and secondly that we would probably have more of this again, and that’s why I recommended tonight that she be removed from the ticket and she has been.

When asked if her views resonate with some people in Ireland, Varadkar said: ”I fear that may be the case but I hope not enough that we could see the emergence of a far-right party in Ireland.”

In relation to Dara Murphy, Varadkar claimed that the former Cork North Central TD was present for more Dáil votes in this calendar year than Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

However, Varadkar admitted that the current system around travel and accommodation expenses is “far too lax” and should be changed. He said Finance and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will carry out a “thorough review” of how that allowance works.

Varadkar added that Dara Murphy has questions to answer and the government is “trying to find a mechanism” under which an inquiry could be carried out. Under current rules an inquiry can only happen if Murphy agrees to present himself for investigation.

Housing and health 

Varadkar said he remains of the view that May 2020 would be the best time for a general election in Ireland but that it may happen sooner. “When that day comes we’ll be ready for it and we intend to win it,” he added.

The Taoiseach said he thinks the current government has achieved a lot but could do more “with a strong majority government” rather than the current Confidence and Supply Agreement with Fianna Fáil.

Varadkar said housing and health are “very much at the top of our agenda”.

“Housing is an issue of enormous concern to me, the fact that we haven’t been able to bring down homelessness is very distressing to me,” he said, adding that he knows many people are “offended” by the number of people – over 10,000 – who are homeless.

He said the government is building more social housing in a bid to address the issue, saying that 11,000 units will be delivered in 2020 and 12,000 in 2021.

He said he is also committed to reducing waiting lists and improving services in the health sector.

In terms of Brexit, Varadkar said it’s “very good” for Ireland that Phil Hogan, current European Commissioner for Trade and former Fine Gael minister, will be involved in trade negotiations between Britain and the European Union and he understands Irish needs.  

Varadkar said the outcome of such talks will be crucial for the Irish economy and jobs, given the importance of our trading relationship with Britain.

The Taoiseach added that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “bright” and “witty” but “a bit eccentric”. 

He added that another areas of focus for the Irish government will be to get power-sharing up and running in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.

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    Mute Dan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:32 PM

    Children’s hospital,
    Homeless,
    Voting scandle,
    Insurance,
    Etc.

    537
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    Mute Dave Stewart
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    Dec 19th 2019, 1:13 AM

    @Dan: Leo added and allowed this but now again blames his underdogs whilst pretending to be our saviour. Again still waiting for gov actions that looks like a cure & then cured Instead of spin and the people In this country and our brosis’s up north as alway as Country are far from the FFG minds. Their too busy attacking each other over their own indescessions in the dail to give a flying fook obviously about the heard of white elephants in the ROOM.

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    Mute New World Order
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    Dec 19th 2019, 10:30 AM

    @Dan: Alan Farrell

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:42 PM

    Is he living in the same Ireland as me ????

    353
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    Mute jamesdecay
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:50 PM

    @John Hartigan: of course he is. It’s just his version is possibly nicer and shinier and he has more money.

    236
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    Mute Bennett blaster
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:53 AM

    @John Hartigan: his version is a fantasy land paid for by everyone’s taxes.

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    Mute pat murphy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 1:08 AM

    @John Hartigan: the same ireland u are taxed for having a shit

    44
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    Mute Dave Stewart
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    Dec 19th 2019, 3:46 AM

    @Bennett blaster: it’s Europe’s voice. Don’t lain

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    Mute Dave Stewart
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    Dec 19th 2019, 3:50 AM

    @Bennett blaster: greedy peeps move Marvelous circulation in their plain

    2
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    Mute Padraig Corcoran
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:38 AM

    @John Hartigan: His version has Kylie on tap.

    20
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    Mute paul gurney
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:39 AM

    @John Hartigan: In a word @John…….NO

    4
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    Mute Dom Layzell
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:54 AM

    @pat murphy: Pat, some things are best kept to yourself.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 9:09 AM

    @Dave Stewart: subtitles, please?

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    Mute alan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:44 PM

    Madigan/Bailey, the Murphy’s haven’t done any damage. They have simply exposed FG core values.

    278
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    Mute Maurice Dodd
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:30 PM

    No vranker
    You
    Harris
    Murphy
    And the rest of that gang of thieves are to blame

    364
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    Mute Dermot Foley
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:41 PM

    Leo – you’re the biggest damage to reputation of any politician in this country. Have a look at the state of the place. Pot..kettle…black.
    Roll on the election.

    306
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:10 AM

    @Dermot Foley: funny enough I still think FF and Martin are worse. Not a ringing endorsement of FG or anything

    45
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    Mute gary mullen
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:44 PM

    FG has caused FG reputational damage ffs

    190
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    Mute james r
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:52 PM

    Last decade theyve failed the people at every turn while making rich richer banks unaccountable debts cleared by families whose homes are under threat by vultures.. corrupt corporate politicians destroying our country for personal gain

    195
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    Mute Perlum Sprite
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:54 PM

    fianna fail will collapse the government at a time it chooses. It won’t go to May, it probaly won’t go beyond January.

    Rental crsis, which is years in the making and Varadkar & Coveney were senior ministers throughout.

    Homelessness at record levels
    People on trolleys at record levels
    Beyond flippant with citizens data rights, privacy & PSC card – very totalitarian attiude taken by Regina Doherty, not simply cavalier, and probably illegal. Yet she persists in the face of data commisoner ordering her to cease.Astonishing arrogance and likely to cost needless millionswhen it crashes and burns (timed to coincide with after the election no doubt)

    Dara Muphy – Varadkar could have stopped his appointment by writing to his fg friendly new employer and asking them to cease working with him until he has provided answers. He was double jobbing IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, so how could he have been attending to his consitiuents?

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:55 PM

    Had he really no idea of their shortcomings when he personally backed them up? The people see through you Leo

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:24 AM

    Now that an election is unavoidable, FF will actually differ with FG to create the illusion of them being separate parties. They have actively stifled democracy as FFG for the last umpteen years and they will be judged as FFG by voters Bring it on.

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    Mute Dorothy Giselsson
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:33 PM

    All the Murphy’s give Fine Gael a bad name.

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:04 AM

    Please stop voting for these pompous gombeens

    168
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    Mute John Mcmahon
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    Dec 19th 2019, 2:24 AM

    Don’t forget Swing Gate and Miss Bailey who fell from her perch

    86
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    Mute Orla Cosgrave
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    Dec 19th 2019, 1:43 AM

    The sooner they are voted out the better. They have done nothing regarding housing, health, education, refugees, roads and infrastructure, the bankers who got away, the insurance companies who are ripping people off, the long termed unemployed who have been abandoned and who are offered micky mouse courses which qualify then for nothing. The list is endless and it is depressing for people who are working hard but are not reaping any benefits as they have nothing left when all bills etc have been paid.

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    Mute Mike O Brien
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    Dec 19th 2019, 2:51 AM

    Varadkar and the rest of them were falling over each other today to thank everyone who works in the Dail for looking after their every need what a shower of privileged well paid freeloaders who milk every cent they can get out of the taxpayers. Off on holidays now for a month unless they drop up to the Dail bar for the Xmas drink free of course.

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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:15 AM

    His party has caused it itself….no point singling out 2 people….hes taking the blame away from himself…he hasn’t done anything bar smile at the camera and talk about his socks…keeps rents flying….hse is gone into space it’s that bad….homeless is gone stir crazy……fg barred from my party vote keeps business going but the ordinary joe soap may well and go f themselves according to them

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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:27 AM

    @Mike Murphy: may I add crime aswell gotten so bad people think this place is the wild west

    77
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    Mute Pauline Fedigan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:20 AM

    AND DON’T FORGET THE REST OF THEM AND YOURSELF

    54
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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:55 AM

    FG still don’t get it.
    Messed up children’s hospital, broadband, housing, childcare, insurance, people who get up early, taxes. In short – they were to be FF with fiscal responsibility and high moral ground but neither claim stands up now.

    42
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    Mute Mick Hogan
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:59 PM

    Too many rotten spuds

    78
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    Mute Tom O'Hanlon
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:17 AM

    I think a lot of us would agree with what Veronica Murphy but we are too politically correct. We should speak our mind and feck this political correctness.

    38
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:47 PM

    Took decisions and neither candidate has been selected…fk sake Dara Murphy gone got himself a job in Europe hardly call this a decisive decision….Verona Murphy will stand as an independent and Varadkar will cozy up to her if it means he is in govt….typical Leo village missing its idiot

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    Mute Pauline Cahill
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:28 AM

    Boys sticking up for boys and none of them could tell the truth because they wouldn’t know how

    28
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    Mute garry murphy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:46 AM

    That was a very easy interveiw, the question about the people getting up early(tax payers) he ran circles around pat kenny and then gave a half ass answer. Why cant they answer a question without a minutes of propaganda nothing to do with the question and then a couple of seconds to appear to answer but never answer it. And interveiwers never seem to notice

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    Mute Gary Heslin
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    Dec 19th 2019, 8:09 AM

    Too late Leo…you’ve burnt your bridges..

    24
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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:45 PM

    Leo talk rubbish and can’t trust FG Alway lies package

    104
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    Mute Mick Curtin
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:31 AM

    Smurf Eoghan has left the tent in a mess too……

    26
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    Mute David Glynn
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    Dec 19th 2019, 12:15 AM

    Sorry Leo. You blew it.
    9 years of FG. So who do I vote for .mmm
    Not FG or Ff or Labour or the Shinners who bombed children to ah ah unite us.
    Not the independent idiots.
    Gotta be Green. i know they are naive. Know they are kind of whimsical, but they don’t fiddle expenses and are genuine.
    Tell me one Green who was caught on fiddling or dodgy business.
    They are like our favourite boring aunts. But honest.
    And don’t guff me about coalition with FF.

    42
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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 4:52 AM

    @David Glynn: I hope there isn’t more like you who vote using that logic.

    When did Sinn Fein blow up children? Do you not remember the Green’s performance prior to the crash?

    58
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 9:12 AM

    @David Corrigan: sinn Fein did blow up a lot of children, in fairness.
    But they’ve mostly stopped that kind of thing now. Or paused it.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 11:03 AM

    @John Mulligan: It is 2019 John. The Troubles are over over 20 years. No political party in Ireland blew up children. Go back far enough and you will find FF and FG have histories not to be proud of. But you and your kind will always ignore that, right?

    5
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    Mute Wade Wilson
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    Dec 19th 2019, 9:38 AM

    Leo defended both of them. He campaigned with her just a few weeks ago even after her comments and then defended him on the news saying many in his party double job. Now he comes out against them after he did his best to try and convince everyone there was no problem with them?

    15
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    Mute Aaron Hyland
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    Dec 19th 2019, 8:06 AM

    Neither of the people you mentioned are going to be candidates for us and that should say something – it might say something if he did the same to Eoghan Murphy & Simon Harris.

    15
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    Mute Seamus Begley
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    Dec 19th 2019, 9:00 AM

    Pat Kenny is useless where is Vincent Browne when we só badly need him

    28
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Dec 19th 2019, 8:38 AM

    Would you not love to do brain surgery on Leo and these guys. Just to see (1) is there a brain and (2 ) how to comprehend what thought process is ok with them with what they have done to the people of this country.

    16
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    Mute Fran O'Keeffe
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:51 AM

    Everyone giving out yet the people will vote the same people back into power don’t make sense.

    13
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    Mute Barry
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    Dec 19th 2019, 5:50 AM

    All fine and dandy, lots of fully justified criticism. HOWEVER, who to vote for? Tweedledee?? SF? or…..?

    10
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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 19th 2019, 6:50 AM

    @Barry: It is getting to the stage where the people of Ireland have no choice. We can’t continue rotating two non-performing parties at the top table.

    37
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    Mute Tom Bombdadil
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:43 AM

    Ya, nothing to do with the shambles the country is in because you and you party are useless. Deflect and blame someone else, the FGFF party way.

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    Mute Charles McCarthy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 11:18 AM

    Wizard of Oz more like. Snake oil salesman hiding behind the curtain furiously pulling the levers of power with the expectation that we would be in awe of the such a wonderful spectacle. Leo the lion knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

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    Mute Margaret ODwyer
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    Dec 19th 2019, 2:36 PM

    I think Leo and F G have damaged their reputation all by themselves …

    6
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    Mute garry murphy
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    Dec 19th 2019, 7:42 AM

    If asked everyones say they are voting labour that will get them the wondering. But only if they bring joan back as leader, that would defo panick them out.

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    Mute Robc
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    Dec 18th 2019, 11:49 PM

    No shit Sherlock

    29
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