Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Facebook flags Irish gas suppliers for running carbon footprint ads without disclaimers

Ads that encouraged carbon footprint reduction did not carry a disclaimer that Facebook requires for ads about social issues.

FACEBOOK HAS FLAGGED advertisements from three Irish gas suppliers for not including a disclaimer that must be attached to ads about social issues.

In recent months and years, Energia, Electric Ireland and Calor Ireland have placed ads on Facebook and Instagram that encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint by using their services.

But for at least one ad from each of the companies, Facebook flagged the ad for not carrying a disclaimer and the ad has been taken down.

Facebook requires ads about “social issues, elections, or politics” to come with a disclaimer that gives social media users more information about the ad and advertiser.

Carbon footprints are a measure of how much a particular set of behaviours and activities contribute to carbon emissions. Internationally, ads from companies that invoke carbon footprints can be contentious, with some climate experts saying it can put undue responsibility for climate change onto consumers.

In September, Energia ran three separate ad campaigns on Facebook and Instagram that indicated the importance of reducing carbon footprints.

In an ad that ran without a disclaimer, which was taken down, Energia wrote: “Reduce your home energy bills and carbon footprint with Energia solar panels.”

Two other ads were run with disclaimers and were not removed.

These said:

  • “Storms, flash floods & heat waves are the latest impacts of climate change on our planet. However, there are easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home that could save you money while saving the planet” and
  • “Do you want to lower your carbon footprint by reducing the usage of harmful fossil fuels, while reducing your energy bill? With so many advantages to adding solar panels to your home, Energia can help you on your journey to a greener and more sustainable home.”

In a statement to The Journal, Energia said: “The Facebook ad that we believe is being referenced was a one-off isolated incident, whereby a third-party agency accidentally posted the incomplete content to Facebook without the appropriate sign off.”

“Once realised, the content was immediately removed, updated with the appropriate disclaimer and reposted correctly.”

Energia 2 Facebook Ad Library Facebook Ad Library

Energia 1 Facebook Ad Library

Electric Ireland posted an ad last month saying that it is helping farms around Ireland to reduce their carbon footprint with solar energy, which was taken down after running without a disclaimer.

Electric Ireland told The Journal that ”adverts of this nature are referred to as special category ads by Facebook and require a disclaimer, which due to IT issues in receiving certain codes from the platform, were not possible to provide in this instance”.

“We are working on amending our IT security structure to allow for the receipt of such codes in the future and this will enable us to provide the necessary disclaimer required by the platform.”

In 2019, Calor Ireland ran an ad campaign without a disclaimer that said: “We care about the future. Calor BioLPG 100% renewable energy is now available. Reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions in your home or business. See why you should switch.” 

A spokesperson for Calor said that it is “currently reviewing a small number of Facebook adverts over the last three years”.

“Calor advertising routinely incorporates Terms and Conditions and other relevant information.  We are engaging with Facebook to understand their policy in this area.”

The ads are archived in Facebook’s ad library and contain a notice from Facebook saying: “This ad ran without a disclaimer. After the ad started running, we determined that the ad was about social issues, elections or politics and required the label. The ad has been taken down.”

Facebook has not responded to a request for comment.

Carbon footprints

Over the last two decades, the concept of a carbon footprint has become central to discussions about individual climate action in the environmental realm, but also in language used by some fossil fuel and energy companies. 

In 2019, BP, one of the largest oil companies in the world, tweeted: “The first step to reducing your emissions is to know where you stand. Find out your #carbonfootprint with our new calculator & share your pledge today!” 

The tweet sparked criticism ranging from climate experts in Ireland and the United States to then-White House hopeful Bernie Sanders

Carbon footprint calculators are not a new venture for BP – it first launched one in 2004 that measured how an individual or household’s activities impact the carbon emissions they produce.

In a 2001 rebrand, BP changed its name from British Petroleum to Beyond Petroleum, and in 2005, it ran a series of ads emphasising carbon footprints, with slogans like “What on earth is a carbon footprint?”; “Reducing our footprint. Here’s where we stand”; and “What size is your carbon footprint?”.

As it promotes individuals monitoring and reducing their carbon footprints, BP has also been vocal about corporate climate pledges, including a strategy launched last year to increase its low carbon investment by tenfold and reduce emissions from its operations by 30-35% by 2030. 

But at the same time, it was responsible for at least 374 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions last year.

Now, campaigners are calling for the European Union to ban advertising and sponsorship from fossil fuel companies.

Speaking to The Journal from Brussels, Silvia Pastorelli, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace, said we have “known for decades how these activities are impacting the climate and the environment – there’s no reason for us to keep promoting these in advertisements and in our public spaces”.

“Fossil fuel companies now very rarely advertise, or at least show in their advertisements, a fossil gas pipeline,” Pastorelli said.

“That’s not what they show to people, that’s not the picture that they use to represent themselves and their business,” she outlined.

“What they show instead is either showcasing their climate pledges or showcasing renewables like solar panels and windmills.

She said that if a business’ primary activity “remains the exploration, extraction and production of fossil fuels”,

“It’s misrepresenting what they actually do, and by doing this, they want to promote themselves as part of the solution to a crisis that is essentially a crisis of their own making, they have a disproportionate responsibility for the climate crisis.”

greenpeace-activists-stand-next-to-an-oil-drilling-rig-replica-in-front-of-the-glass-pyramid-of-the-louvre-museum-during-a-protest-in-paris-as-part-of-the-launching-of-an-european-citizens-initiative Activists with a replica of an oil drilling rig outside the Louvre in Paris at the launch of the ban campaign Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

At the University of Brighton in the UK, Professor Julie Davis, an expert in climate communication, published an article in 2011 charting how BP emphasised language like carbon footprint, “cleaner”, and “lower” in its advertising in the early 2000s to build an image of a climate-friendly brand.

“Its advertising campaigns have acknowledged the problem of climate change whilst offering the corporation as the solution to the problem,” Doyle wrote.

“By acknowledging the risks and realities of climate change through advertising and branding, BP is thus able discursively to eliminate the current risks of fossil fuel reliance by presenting itself as the solution, rather than a contributor, to climate change.”

The term is widespread in conversations about the environment and climate action. Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a webpage dedicated to explaining what carbon footprints are and linking to online calculators that people can use to determine theirs.

Last week, Google announced a new carbon footprint reporting tool that will show cloud users the emissions linked to the electricity used to store and process their data. 

“All the individual actions to reduce our own impact, they’re all important – to reduce meat consumption, to switch to different means of transport, to recycle, all these things are very important,” Pastorelli said.

“But there is a disproportionate responsibility when it comes to emissions and pollution from polluting industries,” she said.

She believes some advertising is “shifting responsibility from the company to the consumer” and that particular companies are not “moving fast enough to a different energy system”.

Pastorelli is leading the campaign calling for the European Union to ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship in member states.

The petition, which has collected 60,000 signatures since launching earlier this month, is a European Citizens Initiative, which means that if it collects one million signatures in a year, the European Commission is obliged to consider the proposal.

Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan told The Journal she “categorically supports” any calls for the EU to ban fossil fuel advertising.

“We are in a climate and biodiversity emergency and the extraction and use of fossil fuels is playing a detrimental, indeed catastrophic role in adding to the worst impacts of these twin emergencies,” O’Sullivan said.

It’s appalling to me that advertising space is given over to the promotion of life-wrecking fuels. 

The MEP said that she would vote in favour of a European Parliament vote calling for such a ban, “with the proviso that the wording or proposed action around such a vote would be strong, science-based and genuine, not some attempt at greenwashing”.

In statements to The Journal, Energia, Electric Ireland and Calor all said that their services can help consumers reduce their emissions.

“As part of its remit and energy efficiency obligations, Energia provides customers and the broader general public with guidance on how they can save energy,” Energia said.

“This content takes the form of advertisements and editorial features across all mediums, drawing on recognisable and accessible language to ensure an understanding among all audiences.”

Electric Ireland said that its solar PV technology can “help farms reduce electricity bills, reduce carbon footprint and increase the energy efficiency of operations on the farm”.

“Electric Ireland’s Solar PV installations can help power energy-intensive operations on farms, such as milking parlours with 100% renewable energy. Farms can also avail of diverters to heat water on-site using solar energy and install a battery storage system to ensure no renewable energy is wasted,” it said. 

And Calor said that it “offers a range of products which enable customers reduce the carbon emissions associated with heating their homes or other activities such as cooking and heating”.

“Calor’s traditional Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) product offers up to a 10-11% reduction in carbon emissions when compared to Kerosene, the most common home heating oil.

“LPG also has a significantly lower carbon intensity than coal or peat, other common forms of home heating in rural Ireland. Calor BioLPG, our certified renewable gas, offers up to 90% reduction in emissions when compared to Calor LPG.”

If successful, the European Citizens Initiative would ask the European Commission to propose legislation prohibiting advertisements for fossil fuels and transport powered by fossil fuels.

It would seek to prohibit advertisements “from any undertakings active in the market for fossil fuels, in particular by extracting, refining, supplying, distributing or selling fossil fuels”.

Amsterdam in the Netherlands has already banned ads from fossil fuel and aviation companies in the city centre and at metro stations, while in France, a new climate bill proposed this year included a measure to ban advertising fossil fuels.

“These initiatives are great, but if we were to go one by one, city to city, government to government and wait for all of them to ban these advertisements and sponsorships, it would take a very long time,” Pastorelli said.

“Because of the urgency of the climate crisis, we really don’t have the luxury of time.”

This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work are the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
17 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweed Cap
    Favourite Tweed Cap
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:16 PM

    He’ll do what the EU overlords tell him what to do, like a good chap.

    454
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fox
    Favourite Fox
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:33 PM

    @Tweed Cap: basically.

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:34 PM

    @Tweed Cap: Yep, becoming pretty apparent that the only difference between Enda and Leo is that EU leaders will have to reach a bit higher to rub his head.

    250
    See 10 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Meekus
    Favourite Meekus
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:45 PM

    @The Risen: A nothing comment. You’ve your mind made up so your opinion is worthless.

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:45 PM

    @james connolly: Speaking of ‘karma’, I noticed you were banned again earlier for the third time in as many days.

    You asked about my friends in twitter on another article. They’re grand. Oh, and your new twitter account is now also flagged and restricted.

    twitter.com/connollyjimmyj1

    God, I love Fridays!

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hurt Stoogie
    Favourite Hurt Stoogie
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:06 PM

    @james connolly: funny thing is he has been banned from commenting here many times, and has had numerous infractions!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute were jammin
    Favourite were jammin
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:10 PM

    Yeah ‘were jammin/for connolly/the risen’, what about all YOUR bans?????

    (I’ll let the penny drop lads, and get back to ye in a few months)

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:12 PM

    @james connolly: So you think a hard border would be good for the Republic of Ireland? Interesting……

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:13 PM

    @were jammin: LOL! I see you’re out of retirement, just as someone else starts theirs.

    You’re not VinB by any chance are you?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:20 PM

    @james connolly: “Shame you great mates”

    I see basic grammar is still a challenge.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:38 PM

    @The Risen: What would expect Leo to say ??? I think he is bang on. Not our problem to secure. The Irish Sea will be the real border either way.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Kearney
    Favourite James Kearney
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:55 PM

    @Tweed Cap: what a stupid comment. Obviously in your workplace you you don’t introduce ideas or contribute. You just get told what to do right ?!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Linehan
    Favourite Paul Linehan
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 10:22 PM

    @James Kearney: So you think Leo will over rule the European Gods regarding any negative impact on Ireland that a brexit brings?…. If you do, you really are a silly boy!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sup
    Favourite sup
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:27 PM

    He’s 100% right to take this stance. Of course those taking a pop at him would be criticizing him if he didn’t say it.

    355
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:30 PM

    @sup:

    It’s populist, but this is going to blow back in Varadkars and Coveneys face. There has to be a hard border. Without a customs border, we are effectively also leaving the EU. We have to maintain the integrity of the EU single market and customs zone.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Gerard
    Favourite Philip Gerard
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:42 PM

    @sup: 100% behind Leo. It’s the UKs problem. What’re the Tories and the DUP going to say, that they’re going to build a wall and make Ireland pay for it?

    105
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 11:24 PM

    @Fred Jensen: That is what the DUP want you to believe instead of creating the border at the sea ports. Northern Ireland stand to lose a huge amount of cross border business trade as well as risking to lose cross border shoppers.
    If the Republic joins the EU Schengen area it will effectively cut off the border to tourism and put at risk people from the north seeking employment in the south.
    Fortress Northern Ireland will soon become Theresa Mays biggest millstone and she is already dancing to the DUP tune.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irish Cottage Rental
    Favourite Irish Cottage Rental
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:12 PM

    Brexit not going to happen. The can has already been kicked down the road – even the hard leavers in the U.K. cabinet have agreed to a transitional arrangement. Pennies slooooolwly dropping.

    194
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:32 PM

    Well done to Leo Varadkar for telling them where to go.

    359
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:29 PM

    @Irish Cottage Rental:

    Of course it’s going to happen. But it’s now a battle for survival. Either the North goes down alone or we go down with them. We will have a hard border to maintain the integrity of the single market. Otherwise we’ll be kicked out of the customs union.

    34
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 11:27 PM

    @Irish Cottage Rental: What we are so far hearing are soundbites because nothing is agreed until everything is agreed between the EU and UK.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
    Favourite Anne Marie Devlin
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:34 PM

    Heard Jeffrey Donaldson on the radio this morning. I’m actually quite impressed that Coveney’s suggestion of a sea border has the DUP rattled. He kept going on about new technology being able to sort things out. When asked what precisely he meant, he was clueless. Hardly surprising as the DUP don’t believe in new technology. Whatever negative effects a physical border will have on the south, it will be truly devastating for the north and the DUP refuse to see it

    183
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: rattling the DUP wont stop a border LOL

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:37 PM

    @Anne Marie Devlin:

    This is the problem. Only Northern nationalists paying their taxes to the Queen and using the NHS are impressed. The only alternative to no border is that the ROI leaves the EU, and that’s def not in the interest of the ROI.

    30
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eugene Conroy
    Favourite Eugene Conroy
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:51 PM

    @Fred Jensen: that statement may come back to haunt you

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:55 PM

    @Eugene Conroy:

    Really, you think we’re going to leave the EU and severely impact our living standards, for the sake of the Northern Nationalists? You’re havin’ a laugh.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 11:30 PM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: It will be even more devastating if the Republic signs the EU Schengen treaty, opening our frontiers to people from non EU countries and scrapping visa requirements. The UK won’t like that.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Culligan
    Favourite Paul Culligan
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:17 PM

    If Varadkar says that they won’t help with a border, that means that they will help with a border.

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:22 PM

    @Paul Culligan: I certainly want to see a border. I would prefer a wall built.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweed Cap
    Favourite Tweed Cap
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:24 PM

    @james connolly:
    Just as well nobody cares what you want.

    183
    See 11 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Acedeuce
    Favourite Acedeuce
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @james connolly: you need to be sectioned. Of course you’d love to see a border. I was browsing through the comments on the Vincent Browne article yesterday and you must of made up 50% of the comments.. You has this weird obsession with sinn féin. You’re literally everywhere on anything remotely to do with politics going on about sinn féin.. Then ending your comments with “LOL”.. seek help.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @Tweed Cap: you would be surprised ;)

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:34 PM

    @Acedeuce: oh anyone with a different opinion should be locked up? wow that is very telling indeed.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:37 PM

    Ignore ‘james’. This is his 3rd ‘james connolly’ account in as many days. The rest were, quite rightly, banned.

    twitter.com/connollyjimmyj1

    twitter.com/jamesco74221276

    twitter.com/james1619james

    twitter.com/Jc1916Connolly

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:41 PM

    @The Risen: Will any of that rant stop a border? PMSL

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horses for courses
    Favourite Horses for courses
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:42 PM

    @james connolly: Jamesie lad/PC they are right though. You honesty need help,maybe up the meds.Either that or your paid per post.Surely even a young lad like yourself realises how much of d#ck you come across on the threads you post on….

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:50 PM

    @Horses for courses: just so you know I have one account. So don’t include me in your stupidity.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:54 PM

    @The Risen: how many times have you been banned now shinnerbot? what happened your other accounts? Is trolling going to stop the border?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horses for courses
    Favourite Horses for courses
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:56 PM

    @P C: Sure ya do Jamesie boy, sure ya do…..

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute psychiatrist
    Favourite psychiatrist
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:03 PM

    @james connolly: Yeah, a border around you would be a good solution.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Mills
    Favourite George Mills
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 9:58 AM

    @james connolly: If you ran a haulage business in North Inishowen would you say that ??

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick j Brady
    Favourite Patrick j Brady
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:25 PM

    Exactly why should we pay for any border control.
    Well said Leo…

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerald Kelleher
    Favourite Gerald Kelleher
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:20 PM

    The prospect of US imports into UK territory and consequently a lowering of food standards is an even worse scenario than a physical border for could take Ireland’s reputation for food quality with it regardless of a border partition. Unless the Northern farmers maintain the standard with the South t becomes an island size nightmare. How can the Unionists not see the disaster regardless of a physical border !.

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Gerard
    Favourite Philip Gerard
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:44 PM

    @Gerald Kelleher: Jesus and the Queen will sort it out for them.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:23 PM

    He said that because the EU want to make it as awkward, difficult and painful as possible for the UK to leave the EU, to deter other countries from leaving. Unfortunately not the best diplomatic thing to do as the UK gov ain’t going to take this too kindly and ireland will most definitely come off second best in any disagreement with the much bigger UK, and the EU won’t care. Leo is quickly becoming a taoiseach of no substance.

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:30 PM

    @Adrian: Leo never had any substance. What did he achieve in Health and the Dept. of Social Protection? Feck all always more interested in commenting on other ministers briefs rather then doing his own job…..

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:33 PM

    @Kerry Blake: what have you shinners ever achieved?

    48
    See 17 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:34 PM

    @Kerry Blake: reduced VAT for tourism industry to 9%, creating 1,000s jobs in the process. Increased health budget by €1b. Introduced free GP care for under 6s. Expedited national children’s hospital and Limerick A&E. But don’t let’s facts get in your way.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:41 PM

    @P C: Record hospital waiting lists, record numbers on trolleys, record numbers of children in persistent poverty.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:42 PM

    @P C: now don’t baffle the poor shinnerbot with fact, it hurts their pea sized brains

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @The Risen: what is the Left wing solution? Oh yea increase taxes to fund everything. You’re living in cloud cookooland.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @P C: a lot of these things would have happened anyway, they were in the pipeline before leo was in the job as the economy naturally improved after the recession. As George Lee said when he was a td, he kept getting credit for lots of things he had nothing to do with.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:48 PM

    @Adrian: he was minister for transport & tourism at the height of the recession. Things don’t just happen. If they did we wouldn’t need a government. Credit where credits due.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:50 PM

    @The Risen: “Record hospital waiting lists, record numbers on trolleys, record numbers of children in persistent poverty”

    You are totally correct regarding northern ireland and SF are completely responsible.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:00 PM

    @james connolly: Well having voted FG all my life until the last election when I went for independents I’m not sure how to answer that question. Maybe you should contact a member of SF for an answer?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:02 PM

    @P C: Were those not part of the programme of government? So basically your saying he’s quite a good functionary??

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:11 PM

    @Kerry Blake: no they were not actually. Also who wrote the program for government? Are you now defending the program for government? You seem to criticise the government a lot or is this another leftist u turn.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:18 PM

    @P C: Well to be honest when you claim “reduced VAT for tourism industry to 9%, creating 1,000s jobs in the process” for the government Leo was part of I start to loose all interest in what you have to say – seeing that has nothing to do with Leo considering Leo was minister of health and for the Dept of social welfare. But never mind stay in your little bubble while instances of suicide increase every day in this country – which HAS happened under Leo’s watch as minister of Health…….

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:24 PM

    @Kerry Blake: he was minister for transport and tourism from 2011 when he implemented the vat reduction. He became minister for health in 2014 when he achieved the others. You are just trying to discredit everything he does to suit your own agenda. It’s very transparent and a bit pathetic.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:14 PM

    @P C: OK, give him credit but what you credit him with pales in significance to all what’s wrong with the dysfunctional Irish economy at the moment, which he (and the rest of them useless politicians) should equally get credit for. They can shout about great GDP figures but their management on real issues that are affecting real people is horrendously poor.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:24 PM

    @P C: Its like people going to the politicians and saying they’re really stuggling and these useless incompetent politicians, because they can’t manage peanuts, their response is “but GDP is up and unemployment is down to 6 percent” !

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:35 PM

    @P C: I don’t actually have an “agenda” so maybe you should rewind your own paranoia back a bit. Now days I’m equally critical of all our so called politicians…

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P C
    Favourite P C
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:58 PM

    @Kerry Blake: I have yet to see any comment from you directed against Sinn Fein or the rest of the Left.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Linehan
    Favourite Paul Linehan
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 10:44 PM

    @P C: Those thousands of jobs you referenced…. Are they the same minimum wage jobs that brought so many into the delusional ‘Leo middle Ireland class’???

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:27 PM

    Yep, looks like Leo will allow Ireland to be used as the proverbial fly in the ointment i.e. the EUs stick to beat Britain with. We should be more accommodating with out closest neighbour and trading partner.

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:28 PM

    * our

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:31 PM

    @The Risen: Karma is a beautiful thing. Bring on the border. It’s you and your ilk that are most deserving of a border. Remember I shall be cheering along as it all happens LOL

    19
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:43 PM

    @james connolly: “Karma is a beautiful thing. ”

    Yep, I was thinking that when I noticed you were banned again earlier for the third time in as many days.

    You asked about my friends in twitter on another article. They’re grand. Oh, and your new twitter account is now also flagged and restricted.

    twitter.com/connollyjimmyj1

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:52 PM

    @The Risen: Will any f your trolling stop the border shinnerbot? Do you believe in karma?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:32 PM

    @The Risen:

    Why are the SHinners in bed with the British these days? I’m genuinely curious, didn’t you fight a war with them for decades?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Loughman
    Favourite Ken Loughman
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:35 PM

    @The Risen: No, we shouldn’t. As I stated in another post the British created this mess and should be left twisting in the wind.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lynn Mac Amhalghaidh
    Favourite Lynn Mac Amhalghaidh
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:34 PM

    Here here! Now thats representing the views of the Irish Republic!!

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @Lynn Mac Amhalghaidh: Trust me Lynn, this is not being done primarily for the benefit of the Republic.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:51 PM

    @The Risen: trust a shinner? Are you mental?

    26
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:02 PM

    @The Risen: but so you think Leo os right? Or what would you propose?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Gallagher
    Favourite Anthony Gallagher
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:41 PM

    Varadkar is on the money ,anything that undermines what we have had since 1992 is living in the past and not the future ,The d u p,only care about keeping the status quo ,The six counties will remain on life support ,whether the british taxpayer wishes to continue to support this failed economic state indefinitely remains to be scene .

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:45 PM

    @Anthony Gallagher: yea, we are best to just for the north and its people. those brits created their mess now let them all wallow in it.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Mills
    Favourite George Mills
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 10:06 AM

    @Anthony Gallagher: Yes, and anything Leo says that annoys the DUP is just fine by me !!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:12 PM

    Brexit process:
    EU: What is the British proposal?
    UK offers initial proposal
    EU: No! This will not do!

    UK: WTAF?
    EU: What is the British proposal?

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Old Gabby Johnson
    Favourite Old Gabby Johnson
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:22 PM

    @Damocles: as a brit you would say that.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:28 PM

    @Old Gabby Johnson: that’s what’s happening.

    Also EU bill:

    UK: What is the bill?
    EU: 100 bn.
    UK: What? How do you come to that figure?
    EU: You agree you must pay?
    UK: Yes, but why so much?
    EU: How much do you think it should be?
    UK: Explain your figures.
    EU: Not until you give a detailed estimate of what you think you owe and it has been derided in social media.

    42
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorem Ipsum
    Favourite Lorem Ipsum
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:30 PM

    @Old Gabby Johnson: Plenty of Brits aren’t saying that. But as an anglophobe, you don’t care

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:32 PM

    @Damocles:

    EU: Pay up what you’ve already committed to before you leave.
    UK: Oh but we’re Brits…something something Dunkirk, Johnny Foreigner, Rule Britannia
    EU: Bye bye, enjoy those tariffs on your exports.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Magennis
    Favourite Kieran Magennis
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:10 PM

    Leo can say whatever he likes, but it will be to no avail because the Tories look set to remain in hock to the DUP until after such decisions are made.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Boganity
    Favourite Boganity
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 10:57 PM

    @Kieran Magennis: the U.K. is in a very weak negotiating position: they’re divided on what it is they want, the clock is counting down against them, May won’t be PM for much longer, the EU is solid on the outcome they want, the Border is one of the EU’s three not negotiables. In the end to get want, if they can decide what they want, on the other two issues the U.K. will throw NI to the wolves and agree to put the border in the Irish Sea

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:20 PM

    I am really looking forward to the border and the fallout from it. It will deliver a perfect dose of karma to those most deserving.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:25 PM

    @james connolly: you mean the Irish gov!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Collins
    Favourite Michael Collins
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:10 PM

    @Adrian: wouldnt the irish gov benefit? Our duty it the highest around the eu

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:18 PM

    Leo has stuffed his head into the sand??

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:20 PM

    @Kerry Blake: id say he just couldn’t give a toss to be honest LOL

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:39 PM

    @james connolly: I’d agree that is what really worries me to be honest….

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Laird
    Favourite Martin Laird
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:04 PM

    Maybe it’s time Ireland gets out of the EU

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Loughman
    Favourite Ken Loughman
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:38 PM

    @Martin Laird: Not a chance!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thinck
    Favourite Thinck
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:59 PM

    @james connolly:

    You spend a hell of a lot of time laughing aloud on the journal

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dark Knight
    Favourite Dark Knight
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:52 PM

    It is about time a bit of cop on is applied by those whose politics are centre alighted in the north. A northern ireland post Brexit will seriously reduce living standards, there is no doubt about the matter. It has zero pull with regards attracting foreign investment when it is competing with Dublin a few miles down the road which is part of the EU and corporate tax of 12.5%.
    Splitting a small island into two different trading blocks is madness. Northern Irish people wishing to remain part of the UK for economic reasons no longer has any foundation. From a southern point of view it’s an unnecessary problem with logistical and economic infrastructures to have two separate custom unions. A United Ireland is a symbiotic relationship for people on both sides of the border.
    Too long politicians up North have been busy accusing each other for things a small minority of fundamentalists did in what’s become a more and more distant past. Time to leave the past in the past and plan for the future, building relationships on the island and benefiting all by uniting north and south.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Loughman
    Favourite Ken Loughman
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:56 PM

    The Brits created this mess so they can sort it out themselves.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John003
    Favourite John003
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:24 PM

    Not just Britian imposing an economic border…..Will be a border with the entire EU the EU will also want a border imposed….The decision will be made by Britain and the EU 27 with qualified majority voting on the final deal…We won’t have a veto….

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute winston smith
    Favourite winston smith
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:57 PM

    This is a logical and holding response from Leo and now like the rest if the EU we await the Tory response.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian O Reilly
    Favourite Brian O Reilly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:30 PM

    Well,if there is no land border,then that makes a return to the old border trade of smuggling not viable.
    Yes let the Brits build the wall ,pay for it and maintain it and defend it .

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james connolly
    Favourite james connolly
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:32 PM

    @Brian O Reilly: as long as the wall is built I personally don’t care who pays for it

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Mac Einri
    Favourite Cathal Mac Einri
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 8:52 AM

    @james connolly: your not a taxpayer then James?

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Mills
    Favourite George Mills
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 10:19 AM

    @james connolly: So you would be happy to further isolate and disenfranchise those of us who live and work in Donegal you obviously have never been up here or ever learned geography.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brehon Law
    Favourite Brehon Law
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 6:55 PM

    T-shark speaks like a true Transylvanian straight out of the coffin of his EU masters despite all the Moy-yah of his visit to Downing Street. It’s those molars I tell you, it’s those molars. Fine Gay at its usual duplicitous best.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Mills
    Favourite George Mills
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 10:29 AM

    Leo is right, we are the collateral damage in something we had no hand act or part in, why should we pick up the bill, or even part of the bill for a customs / economic frontier we never (nor did NI) wanted in the first place. If what Leo says annoys the DUP then its fine by me….

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Mccann
    Favourite Patrick Mccann
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:55 PM

    Then only way to avoid all of this mess is for the U.K. to stay in the customs union and I know that is stating the obvious but maybe now it will concentrate minds in the U.K… The U.K. can still leave the E.U. and negotiate to stay in the customs union. Why they wouldn’t do this is just cutting their nose to spite there face !!…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steven C. Schulz
    Favourite Steven C. Schulz
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 10:46 PM

    Paisley’s right in this case. Putting more pressure on the UK at this time increases the likelihood of a hard border with the North.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allan O'Shea
    Favourite Allan O'Shea
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:53 PM

    So basically, they can do what they want, eh Leo?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:34 PM

    We must have a border. This is such nonsense posturing. We have to maintain the integrity of the EU single market and customs union, otherwise we’ll be kicked out of it. The Brits are leaving so we must have checks. there’s no way around it!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:07 PM

    @Fred Jensen: and the Brits know they can’t secure the border. And they don’t really give a damn what the DUP think. So expect the sea to be the real border with a token effort to keep some quiet. DUP have backed themselves into a corner. May doesn’t really need them. DUP will need to try and force a GE within 18 months

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Jensen
    Favourite Fred Jensen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 8:22 PM

    @lavbeer:

    I’d be happy with an Irish Sea border, but there’s no way in heck it’s going to happen. The British would essentially be splitting their own country up, which is the last thing they’re going to do when on the ropes.

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lavbeer
    Favourite lavbeer
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:02 PM

    @Fred Jensen: they will put in a technology or whatever they term it first line on defence and the ports will back that up. Can be spun whatever way it needs to be. Reality will kick in eventually even for the DUP

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anastasia
    Favourite Anastasia
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 9:51 PM

    Do you have permission of the Irish people I think Leo you have to do what’s best for Ireland

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wodanaz von Mises
    Favourite Wodanaz von Mises
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 7:14 PM

    King Leo the cool, hip and woke could hardly say anything else really.
    “You want this mess, so you figure it out and pay for it. Doing so without causing too much stress on my side” is hardly a radical and certainly not an illogical or unhealthy stand/POV in this situation and locality.
    EU/Brexit is a gift that will keep on giving and giving and giving for quite some time to come.

    Was reading below article earlier. Also ‘just’ one of the 100s of things that have not really been thought about and now have to be trashed out and sorted (or not) in a short time frame and under intense pressure.

    http://thebulletin.org/what-euratom-and-why-has-it-emerged-brexit-battleground10969

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute WilhelminaMCallaghan
    Favourite WilhelminaMCallaghan
    Report
    Jul 29th 2017, 2:24 AM

    Ah here just in case I’m renewing me passport to go to the nearest shop buy milk .
    On the plus they always ask to see inside my car and my dog loves the Gardai and the PSNI so we make more friends . Nothing else I can do. I ain’t Leo nor am I Theresa .
    The EU will call the shots. And will take 45 mins on a stupid queue to me to go to enniskillen to get my dog food. Bring a book . Or write one…

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Cullen
    Favourite Mick Cullen
    Report
    Jul 28th 2017, 11:31 PM

    ENGLAND CALLING UP,RESERVE ARMY, LEO THE PRAT MAKING A FOOL OF HIMSELF

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds