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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAZ0SynCT8Q
INDEPENDENT TD Mattie McGrath has achieved the unusual distinction of being kicked out of a meeting of an Oireachtas committee for which he is not a member.
The Tipperary South member was asked to leave a meeting of the Oireachtas environment committee by chairman Ciaran Lynch after accusing environment minister Phil Hogan, who was also present, of lying to the public.
McGrath – a vocal opponent of new laws requiring mandatory inspection of domestic septic tanks – said Hogan had misled the public by insisting that the registrations for tank inspections would begin on April 1 and that the €50 charge could not be removed.
McGrath said both statements had been proven untrue by the delay in the registration period – which Hogan said was officially beginning today – and the reduction in the registration fee from €50 to €5 for early registrants.
“I won’t call them lies, but I will call them untruths,” McGrath said, saying Hogan had engaged in a “deliberate confusion and blackguarding of public money” – before going on to use the word ‘lies’ anyway.
“I want those lies – I want that blackguarding, lies, corrected here today. That was lies we were told… It’s been a farce from start to finish,” he said.
Amid snipes from other members – including Noel Coonan from neighbouring Tipperary North, who said McGrath’s comments were a “pathetic effort” – chairman Ciaran Lynch attempted to restore order.
“I would ask you to be more temperate and more measured in your language,” Lynch said, asking McGrath to withdraw his use of the word ‘lies’, which is generally considered to be inappropriate language and an abuse of parliamentary privilege.
McGrath refused, saying Hogan’s Department had put out “total misinformation”.
“I’m an elected representative, I can’t put up with this charade,” he insisted, saying he could not – “in all my heart of hearts” – bring himself to withdraw his claim.
The meeting was suspended for several minutes while McGrath left the room, with Lynch resuming the meeting by asking those in attendance to “behave in an appropriate custom”, and asking non-members in particular to observe the usual rules.
McGrath is also one of only a handful of TDs to have been kicked out of a Dáil sitting, after being suspended from the House for a day last July after a row with the Ceann Comhairle.
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Vita cortex worker hold a protest today between 12.30 to 1.30pm at Vita Cortex, Kensale rd, Cork. And can be followed on twitter at @vcortexworkers and on facebook. Best of luck to them
The government were right to stop companies like vita cortex shafting the tax payers of Ireland. SIPTU need to stand up and be a union instead of sleeping with companies and government, these workers need assistance and need it now. SIPTU want to knock liberty hall and rebuild on the back of membership it’s time they put people first and get the fat cats out of siptu.
SIPTU are SCUM, They shafted us when the company was profitable and still is. There is only a very small group left out of hundreds still paying dues to them.
Peter murphy we the people of this country need more people like you in running this shit hole that they have turned it into and i mean the politicians
A national disgrace that these people can be treated like this, losing their livelihood is hard enough without their entitlements being attacked, where the hell is the Govt support,hand billions to foreign gamblers and allow our own to be treated so wrongly, every worker in the country should be supporting them-beware precedence.
Couldn’t agree more rodger.
How right u are Roger if this kind of unfair treatment of people is allowed to happen in this case then it will continue to happen & then it will become the norm
Surely siptu can help these people out in the mean time financially. The guys at the top of these unions are making a small fortune and are out of touch with reality. How well they appear on the tv all the time shaking hands to be noticed. And why the he’ll do they love facial hair so much?
The very best of luck to you all and stick with it
As the daughter of one of the workers I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words and support.my father worked forty years for cortex and gave his every waking hour to these people when he wasn’t home taking care of us.that was my dad work and family and he was happy as Larry,so to see him older now,not as physically healthy as he was in younger years ,having to worry and fight for what he’s owed sickening.so again thank you all and positive comments and support is what these workers can benefit from right now as they continue the fight that will make all of our future employers think twice before robbing us.cheers to the vita cortex workers for taking a stand for all of us.
Leah, I used to work with your dad at cortex. He’s a lovely man and I saw how much he gave to the company – he doesn’t deserve to be in this position. I hope they get this sorted out soon.
SIPTU my bollox !
Maybe SIPTU will campaign against Labour/Fine Gaels austerity measures that target the needy, the unemployed and the most vulnerable of ! Social leaders…… What social leaders leaders !!!!!!
Social Democracy doesn’t change society equitably ! it tweeks it so as to appear to care !!!
that is “vulnerable of society” sorry !
Not sure whether to call Jack O Connor a puppet or a muppet because he does both so brilliantly. I too cancelled my subs about 4yrs ago. Emancipation!!
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