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US PRESIDENT BARACK Obama today named Julia Pierson as the first female chief of the Secret Service, the elite protection branch sullied by a prostitution scandal in Colombia last year.
Pierson, currently Secret Service chief of staff, has worked for the agency, which protects the president and his family and investigates currency counterfeiting and fraud, for 30 years.
“Julia has consistently exemplified the spirit and dedication the men and women of the service demonstrate every day,” Obama said in a statement.
“Julia is eminently qualified to lead the agency that not only safeguards Americans at major events and secures our financial system, but also protects our leaders and our first families, including my own.”
The Secret Service last year scrambled to contain fallout from an affair which involved prostitutes and its agents in the Colombian city of Cartagena, where Obama attended the Summit of the Americas.
More than two dozen Secret Service agents and military personnel, tasked with preparing security for Obama’s high-profile visit, were sent home as a result. Eight Secret Service agents left the agency over the incident.
Secret Service director Mark Sullivan, who is retiring, apologized for the drama, which prompted the agency to change some of its rules.
The goings-on in Cartagena and subsequent public outcry led to broader questions about the behavior of Secret Service agents and the protection branch’s macho culture.
- © AFP 2013.
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Cancel the Pope – 10 – 20 million saved.
Pay the Gardai
Thank you
@Ted Logan: Also cancel all politicians pay rise, junkets, double pensions, no receipts for expenses, etc save another 10-20 million
@bings: do we need politicians in Ireland at all, seeing as it’s the EU and senior civil servants that are running the country
@Ted Logan: Good pay. Retire at 50. Then 20-25 years of lovely pension payments. Where else would you get it. Certainly not in Private Sector. # Stop PS Gravy Train.
@Simon Peters: Not even one of those allegations is correct, not one
But do let us know how your application goes thing time, I presume you have been applying for this cushy number for a while now, yes and once again recently when they announced another recruitment drive?
@bings: What would you suggest is an appropriate salary for a TD, or a minister, such as minister for Finance?
This is just disgraceful. When you look at all the money that’s been squandered by this & passed governments! How can they say their going to spend 22 billions on the environment by 2040 for e.g. or the money waisted on the voting machines & eircode, not to mention the billions spent on that useless company that is iw! Massive bonuses & politicians on double pensions!
@Colette Kearns: it’s a sh it show the whole system is rotten to the core – the government wouldn’t manage a piss up in a brewery
@Colette Kearns: it’s a – s hit show – the whole country is mess and the government keep going like everything is fine – the woudnt manage a play school
@Colette Kearns: eircode is pretty good. Enter an eircom email into your sat nav and you are brought straight to the door.
And yet they’re gonna set aside 1.4 billion euro out of the budget to pay to banks the next time the economy crashes!
@Colette Kearns: Considering the amount of tax taken from Garda doing overtime there should be plenty of cash available in government coffers.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: Loc8 does a lot more for a lot less. Try it.
Plenty money for the politicians, many of them claiming over 250k yearly expenses, no money for the gardai!
It’s too nice a day to get me started…
@DeFonz: :)
I’m Not surprised, a small fortune has been handed out to retiring commissioners over the past few years
Should let the Gardaí themselves count the money earmarked for their wages for the year, i bet they will have at least 2 million left at years end going by previous counts they have done
@Pearse Mc Mullen: your so blinded…just like every other govt dept the Garda have been underfunded for over a decade..funny how all the problems arose and continue to arise while funding is cut…out of date IT..old and unfit patrol cars…not enough supervision..not enough training…outdated buildings…shirt if staff…yet everyone expects a top world class police service…get real.
@Pearse Mc Mullen: well get a sense of humour after you do. Banging out the same 5hit€ all the time does not count as a sense of humour
@Ohhh_reeally: Guys please can you calm down. I’m not going to let either of you stay up late to watch Transformers and I’m going to have a word with your teacher to see if you behave like this in class.
The Gardai are really doing a very good job in controlling crime to the best of their ability.
If they put a cap on overtime it will make things very difficult.And yes,there are areas like Gas finals and concerts that should be made pay more to have Gardai at them.Im sure they DO pay something but not enough.
WE cannot mess around with the Garda budget so they need to sort this out asap and keep a Garda presence around otherwise crime will definitely rise,simple as.
Every service in the country is under funded,where’s all the money gone it’s gone on wages and pensions the only thing that is not under funded is the Dail where all the real crooks are
There might be enough money in the over all kitty if they weren’t doing stuff that required a tribunal every six months…
The purge?
@Ciara Jones: praying for the day
@Ciara Jones: i still remember our last purge like it was yesterday. Good time was had by all.
They’re the nation’s police force. Just pay them.
@Peter Daly: shout it out Pete .
@Peter Daly: Best paid police force in Europe. Pensions worth a staggering ONE MILLION if purchased in private sector. Guards have milked it for years. No guards on the beat, nicely tucked away doing passports or on Traffic duty. Please don’t compensate underachieving bureaucrats.
@Simon Peters: you’re obviously a dope. Lots of guards on the beat. Traffic policing is a function of every police force in the world. Guards dint make the rules about who signs passports and would also prefer the requirement for them to do so would be taken away. And, contrary to your uneducated bile spuing belief, they are not the best paid police force in Europe
@Simon Peters: Simon, I personally have pointed out how inncaurate your comments a number of times now
Gardai earn leass gross than the London MET, Manchester, PSNI, Guardia Civil, Spanish national police, Gendarmes, German national police…………
When cost of living is factored in they fall further down the scale and behind just about all western european police.
Now, the pension. Can you provide the maths for that one? Again I ask this even though you ignore me and just shout the same hatred bile again in a months time. The magic million is bull, even the people that made that claim have never produced the maths. A small PR hungry company employed by a privaten entity with an agenda. Just ask the cigarette industry how unbaised that is!
As for your last silly comment, 12000 Gardai including trainees and reserves makes them the worst manned police force in europe, almost the entire world! To match normal numbers and reach the UN considered average to achieve normal service they require an additional 8000 before retirement!
But sure thats all just lies by me isnt it? Do let us know how the application is coming along, you did apply to join didnt you? Been 3 recruitment drives in the past 5 years. http://www.publicjobs.ie are still seeking civilian staff for the ‘cushy number’
@Karl: Google Garda pensions costing millions. You will see many actuarial analysis of Garda pensions. You are on the best gravy train in the country. What the public get in return is a force that is so un sophisticated its laugh able. Ignorant sons and daughters of previous Garda. Continue the good work Peadar.
@Simon Peters: I did and nope, all I get is the same allegations without evidence.
Your allegation, can’t you back it up?
Can you back any of it up? How about the wages? Admit that was a lie?
@Karl: OK Karl since you probably don’t have broadband in your station and are not bothered to do the legwork (pun intended) here are a few links.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/6ld8us/a_standard_gardai_pension_is_worth_18_million/
That took me all of 60 seconds now back get with the programme Karl. Take the finger out and do some work for that lovely pension
Prioritise law and order not lining the pockets of politicians and councillors. €4 Billion spent annually on all things associated with the Irish language while old people are living in fear in isolated areas. The Gardai numbers need to be doubled and as they have the equivalent of 4 shifts when you consider holidays, sick days, court days, training etc. That means 75% of the Gardai are not on duty on any given day. No wonder crime increases at the rate it does.
The Gardai and numeracy doesn’t fill me with confidence, does this mean they will have 37 billions left over in Dec or does it mean they ran out of cash in 1977???
This 12.4 million overspend is on top of the 107 million overtime budget for the Gardaí. Seems small change but does the 20% overtime also relate to Gardaí standing around courts in terms of the 107 million budget. If so 21.4 million is handed over to Gardaí as a bonus for bringing people to court. It would seem part of their job description and should not be considered overtime.
Is it not time we paid our Gardaí a proper wage and remove all these ‘extras’ conceded by weak governments to public service unions. It makes budgeting a impossibility and valuable court time is squandered on Gardaí trying to pay their Mortgage, childcare and living expenses.
@leartius: if a garda goes to Court on his/her working day then they are tied up in court and not policing. If they go to Court on their rest day then they have to be paid overtime, no one works for free. So which do you want..Garda patrolling or waiting in a court room for their case to be dealt with? Or pay the OT?
@MerryLounyMcDonald: what I want is a criminal to go to prison for their crimes and not waste Gardai time arresting the same people over and over again.
@Chicken George: Decriminalisation of drugs should help in this regard too.
@MerryLounyMcDonald: you are correct, it is very hard to arrange court times, one could be there from 11am, and that would probably be starting work at 10am in order to get there, or a lot earlier if one had to go to Dublin from the country. You might not get out until evening time. Now that is poor value for time and a half, no policing done there . This cannot be avoided , and adds significantly to the OT bill , it cannot be factored in at the beginning of the year. The Courts are very outdated I believe, and needs a reformation. You see we are still using the old systems inherited from the British, all that Public Service needs reform..
@MerryLounyMcDonald: I am sure that a lot of these court cases are fixed fines and wouldn’t ordinarily require a gardas appearance.
@leartius: so much wrong about that statement.
Gardai get paid overtime when they are dragged to court on their day off. Thats not nice by the way, you work a night shift then go to court for 10am and see if you enjoy it
Some of the extras have been merged into core pay and you will find its government and not unions (of which the gardai dont have) that insisted on doing it that way. Personally I agree its a silly method.
Unions: Largest unions are private, more strike and industrial action days lost in the PRIVATE sector than the public. The last strike was by the LUAS which is a PRIVATE company
@Chris Kirk: I am sure you are wrong..Courts neex evidence given by Gardaí and witnesses..nothing else cuts the mustard.
@Chicken George: that’s fine dodging but could you answer the question? Afterall, you are the one that can’t comprehend why gardai claim overtime for court
@Richard Sweeney: works for cigarettes and alcohol.
Absolutely no criminals smuggling that in anymore and no Garda, court and customs time spent chasing those criminals, checking licenses and seizing the goods.
There is nothing new here, that has been the F G way every time they have been in Government, they cut the Guards pay one time back in the 50s . FG never had any respect for Gardai. Surely the Dept of Justice should know at the estimates what amount of money is required. Hopefully, Drew Harris will get stuck in and get better equipment, Cars, Jeeps, Motor Cycles etc. Some Stations are in a horrible state, portacabins around them, people not having proper facilities to work in. Training is another sore point, just not happening, no in service training. As I say, hopefully Harris will get the force up in line with PSNI.. We’ll see.
@Eugene Comaskey: Gardai have hoodwinked you. Please look at their pay and PENSIONS. Retire at 52. A joke.
@Simon Peters: no, retire after 30 years
@Simon Peters: Retire after 30 years service you mean. 30 years of protecting society, even bitter trolls like you, from the dregs of society.
@An bhearna: You are having a g i r a f f e.
€60 million for a pay rise last year lads,pay demands are unsustainable.those at the top in public services must take a cut.
@@mdmak33: Fair play. We have a lot of PS workers acting like Russian computer bots spreading fake news. Guards have it handy. Easy number with great pay.
@Simon Peters: A lot of cops on here under fake names. Makes a joke of the comments section allowing people to hide behind fake names.
@Simon Peters: drive on and apply so. They’re recruiting.
The Commissioner’s salary was increased, plus the extra security to guard him will be tremendous… and elderly rural dwellers continue to be vulnerable.
How much is spent on inquiry’s into Garda wrong doing? This country is a comedy show!
how much will we spend to show Harry and Meghan around for a holiday on us.
Waste of money any way! Look at how they treated the public during the while water waste???? Joke just like r.t.e seriously u couldn’t buy that
@Keith Murray: cool contribution
@Keith Murray: alright Keith go back to sleep now
@Keith Murray: superman Keith will save us all
(Ever even applied to join?)
My god prince Charles came to Kerry I never knew we had that many guards in the Country if anyone was going to shoot him it would have happened a long time ago . They went totally overboard not surprised the kitty is empty
@Donal Carey: so dlont protect him and then what? Have you condemn the lack of effort?
Preventative policing requires more manpower than response policing. Simple reality of how it works
Because our government would rather pay the British SS to run our country I am so vexed I could burst
@William Rowlands: well ye didn’t want a guard so while you’re vexed I’m delighted. Can’t please everyone I suppose
Can someone please explain where my taxes have gone? No Garda, no Doctors or Nurses, No transport, No houses, No water. I’m not having it. Where has my money gone? I want answers!! Fu€k the government. We need an uprising. Put these slimey slithering cun£$ back in there place
@Dessie Daly: 3,500 per week to Brian, Bertie etc.
Leitrim, population less than 30000, County Managers pay €650 per day, four or five directors of services €400 + per day I could go on, but if you want to know where the money goes, the information is available.
250k for the commissioner… I think he was sold a pup..
All caused by a Bad pay agreement.
Instead of restoring a portion of pay taken in austerity they choose to restore pay from within the current overtime budget, so as not to knock on that to other employees in different departments.
33% of this overtime spend is part of FEMPI being unwound. Go back to the table and put them under the now existing pay agreement and return that overtime to operational duties.
Still far from the HSE over runs, for now …..until they keep digging and create a HSE model of policing based on a tribunal of fiction
Lookin forward to bein able to make a citizens arrest!
It’s scare mongering. There afraid of whistle blowers so there telling the staff the can’t afford them to keep them shut
Just take the E13 billion from Apple.
Perhaps we need a Sinn Fein Government to collect the tax including that from the other hitechs & the chemical/pharma cos.There’s probably another E30 billion in the offing .
The EC Tax Commissioner will do the hatchet job & all the Government has to do is to collect. Easy!
@Moorooka Mick: Dunno if kneecapping the owners of multinational companies is the best longterm strategy
All brought to you by the economic policy of ? That’s right folks you’ve guessed it. FG, FF !
Overtime is a messy affair, the majority goes on unexpected stuff like a Garda having to stay on to deal with a case or an event. Court takes more then when you get dragged in on your day off.
The money would be better spent on a proper, modern justice system where the police are not living inside courts and detectives investigate. Is there any country that has our system where the uniform Garda that patrols is also the one that takes the complaint, investigates the crime and prosecutes it in court???
@Karl: Are you on overtime now? Do you ever sh ut up? Did you learn how to use a computer yet sitting in the station stamping those passport forms?
@Simon Peters: hey Simon, any comment about the less you posted yesterday? The overs about the gardai bring on more money than the psni, London met, etc?
How about the maths supporting your pension claims?
Maybe after your application has been accepted we can talk more? You have put it in now haven’t you? Cushy number and all.
(I have no idea why you are so angry over passports though, bizarre thing to get upset about)
@Simon Peters: have you ever had a passport form signed at a garda station by a garda? Why didn’t you just get it done elsewhere?
Who the hell does your accounts?
twill be grand. shut can’t the ECB just print some paper
The Guards are vital and need major funding and updating. They also need proper punishment for the criminals who are continuously released early or given suspended sentences despite having dozens of convictions. I can’t even imagine how disheartening it is to go to the effort of catching them only to see them out in no time.
have your say