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Sheep inside the live crib in 2019 RollingNews.ie

'It's above my pay grade': Taoiseach weighs in on Mansion House live crib controversy

Micheál Martin said that there were a ‘variety of ways’ to enjoy Christmas.

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the live crib at Dublin’s Mansion House, saying that there are a “variety of ways” to enjoy Christmas.

The yearly live crib outside the Mansion House was cancelled last week by Green Party Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy, who proposed that the live crib be replaced.

Speaking at the launch of over 70 new social homes in Mulhuddart in Co Dublin, the Taoiseach joked that the controversy unfolding over the decision to cancel the live crib this year was “above my pay grade”.

“I have enjoyed Christmases in the past where we visited live animals,” said Martin, saying that he took his children to see them in Ballina years ago.

“But look, we all have different perspectives. People will have a variety of ways to enjoy Christmas.”

When pressed on whether or not the Lord Mayor should reverse the decision not to hold the live crib outside the Mansion House, the Taoiseach joked: “I think this is above my pay grade.”

There has been controversy caused by the decision to cancel the live crib this Christmas, with the Minister for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan calling it a “Scrooge-like agenda”.

O’Donovan said he will be working with the IFA on a new location for the crib which attracts thousands of children and their families every Christmas in Dublin.

“Children suffered enough over the last two years having to live with Covid and wondering would Santa and Rudolph manage to get to their homes with lockdowns and restrictions. Let them enjoy this Christmas,” the minister said.

“Let’s have a Nativity crib in the capital city for all children to visit. There cannot be a Scrooge-like agenda from any council for children at Christmas time.”

However, the cancellation of the live crib was welcomed by the National Animal Rights Association (NARA), saying that it was a “progressive step for animal rights”.

The statement, from NARA spokesperson Laura Broxson, said: “Not using animals for entertainment is something that should be welcomed by all as a more compassionate way to mark the festive season.”

“We have been objecting to the ‘live crib’ for over a decade. Farm animals do not belong in Dublin City Centre.

“They’re put in an enclosure, on display, where they have no space to get away from people. They are surrounded by lights, noise and hundreds of people staring at them. In 2022, it’s not an acceptable way to celebrate Christmas.”

O’Donovan said that he is currently working with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) to find a new location for the live crib.

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    Mute Aonghus OReilly
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:41 PM

    Highest paid public servant in the country. It’s exactly your pay grade.

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    Mute declan hassett
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:47 PM

    @Aonghus OReilly: ah stop cribbing

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    Mute Longlin
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    Nov 1st 2022, 6:27 PM

    @Aonghus OReilly: “Taoiseach stamps on the authority of the Dublin Lord Mayor” would be the headline if he did intervene. This is a no win situation for him this time. It’s up to the Lord Mayor herself to cop on and reverse her decision.

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    Mute Pat Man
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:48 PM

    Will be forever remembered as The Green Lord Mayor who Cancelled Christmas

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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:54 PM

    @Pat Man: lol. A bit of a grinch similarity.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:41 PM

    @Robert Moore: They r both Green!

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    Mute Derek Walsh Ⓥ
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    Nov 2nd 2022, 11:15 AM

    @Pat Man: Not really though. People are increasingly of the opinion that upsetting animals for entertainment is a distasteful thing to do.

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    Mute Aidocasey
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:50 PM

    Oh dear…Green Party continue to ruin our little Country

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Nov 1st 2022, 5:45 PM

    @Aidocasey: Said it here before. This is NOTHING to do with the Green Party. This is a Lord Mayor, who was elected by councillors, going on a solo run. Yes, she us a member if the Greens. But this has nothing to do with the party or its policies. It is ENTIRELY a mayoral decision.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:42 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: That is completely wrong as her colleagues are out in support already. This is the Grinch party in action.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Nov 1st 2022, 9:38 PM

    @Gary Kearney: ‘Colleagues’. Your word. Not ‘Green Party Spokesperson’. It’s NOT Green Party policy.

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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:53 PM

    There’s a lot of things that are “above his ability” never mind his pay grade.

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    Mute Ned
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    Nov 1st 2022, 5:42 PM

    Will somebody grow a pair and tell this nara lot and their ilk wher to go on this one issue and put the crib with the well cared for animals where it has always been, it’s for the kids for heavens sake at Christmas

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    Mute Barrycelona
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    Nov 1st 2022, 6:14 PM

    P.C. World wins again. They won’t be happy til we are all dancing to their tune. Just because it is not their tradition, doesn’t mean it is not somebody else’s tradition and they just might enjoy it. Little H1T Lers!!!!

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    Mute ChadChaderson
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:10 PM

    Can’t have a crib, can’t have a fireplace. Soon can’t put up the tree.

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    Mute Robert Moore
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    Nov 1st 2022, 10:32 PM

    @ChadChaderson: can’t already…. if the moisture content is too high. It’s getting to the FUBAR stage.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Nov 1st 2022, 5:23 PM

    Knowing he will be in the job for another few weeks , Martin will not make a comment one way or another. Meanwhile Martin it seems has a new enemy…His criticism of FG/ Greens as they attack his Ministers must be a body blow for Martin, especially when it did not come from SF. Sweet Jesus and the donkey in the Crib.. Nobody loves him.

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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    Nov 1st 2022, 5:44 PM

    @Donal Desmond: totally silly comment

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Nov 1st 2022, 6:01 PM

    @Sheila McNulty: Not for Martin…His last few weeks in three bunker and he criticise his allies . If Martin can’t remember the bank bailout (It never happened) according to Martin, perhaps he also can’t remember going cap in hand to Varadkar to form a government.

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    Mute dreiglaser
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:44 PM

    @Donal Desmond: are you feeling ok?

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Nov 1st 2022, 9:11 PM

    @dreiglaser: Yep…Just waiting for Martin to do another u turn…it’s his party piece at this stage.

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    Mute Mary Nugent
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    Nov 1st 2022, 4:53 PM

    Get God now.

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    Mute dreiglaser
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:43 PM

    @Mary Nugent: can you download it?

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    Mute john maher
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    Nov 1st 2022, 7:15 PM

    Who cares what mehole thinks it won’t be right anyway

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    Mute Joe Keena
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    Nov 2nd 2022, 10:27 AM

    Forger point scoring and spare a thought for the poor animals. Taken daily from their home in a quiet rural farm, and placed in a box in the noisy City Centre to be gazed upon by curious humans.

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