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The grab seen around the world - the internet reacts to Tom Barry

Fine Gael say that they have ‘nothing further to add’ to general secretary Tom Curran’s statement and will not comment on any possible disciplinary procedures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=G7j20etLJk8

(SineadOCarrollTJ/Youtube)

FINE GAEL TD Tom Barry may have been on the receiving end of a scathing statement from party general secretary Tom Curran, but that is not the end of the reaction to the footage of the Cork East TD pulling fellow part backbencher Áine Collins into his lap.

Curran released a rare public statement condemning the incident as ‘unacceptable’, saying that the fact that it happened in the Dáil made it even more so. A Fine Gael spokesperson said that they would not be adding to that statement and that they could not comment on any prospective disciplinary action.

Barry apologised unreservedly for the incident saying that ‘no excuses, I just shouldn’t have done it.’

The story has since gone global, with news outlets across the world, such as The Guardian picking up on the story.

Metro UK

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Tom Barry had been drinking on the evening

CNN had earlier carried a story on the video, but have since taken it down.

Read: Male TD pulls female colleague into his lap – in the Dáil chamber


Read: ‘No excuses, I shouldn’t have done it’ – Tom Barry

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121 Comments
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:12 AM

    FG TD grabs a colleague forces her to sit on his lap, his excuse I had drink taken then proceeds to vote on abrotion legislation.Politicians then wonder why the public veiw them as wasters.

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    Mute Mainstream Hysteria
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:36 PM

    I presume his wife Dr Kathleen Quane and his three children are proud of him.

    487
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    Mute Sean Bambi Keeling
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:49 PM

    I believe he did not hide behind a excuse and straight out apologised

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    Mute censored
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:12 PM

    So you’re suggesting that at least he had the cop to realize it was inexcusable?

    82
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    Mute John Flood
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:06 AM

    Close the Dail bar and discipline the buffoon!!

    871
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    Mute Alan Murphy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:26 AM

    Why is there a dail bar anyway?

    662
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    Mute Alan Roche
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:52 PM

    Exactly, the dail is no place for alcohol.

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    Mute Noel Cronin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:04 PM

    Aren’t they entitled to a few drinks after a long day? God knows they work hard enough for it.

    50
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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:10 PM

    I hope your joking. Nobody has a bar in their work place unless you work i. A pub

    196
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    Mute Damien Knox
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:20 PM

    Noel, he was still in the Dail when this happened.

    Which means he decided it would be a great idea to get drunk at work, Vote while drunk at work, and grab someone and decide to pull them onto his lap, while at work and drunk.

    154
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    Mute censored
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:13 PM

    LOL good one Noel.

    24
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    Mute juicy pants
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    Jul 12th 2013, 9:48 PM

    Are you being sarcastic?

    8
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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jul 13th 2013, 7:27 AM

    Thing is, Noel it wasn’t after work it was during working hours. And not even on a lunch break.

    14
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    Mute Mark Garrigan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:58 AM

    Father Ted stuff.Joke of a place

    697
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    Mute Shane Cafferty
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:11 AM

    Pat Mustard job!

    241
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:06 PM

    At least Pat was sober.

    127
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    Mute Pablo
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:22 PM

    And he’d a big tool

    93
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    Mute mcgoo
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:46 PM

    And they were all naked

    50
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    Mute Vincent
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:18 PM

    Dare I say overreaction much !!!! You can see how it might have played out….
    Aine – ” gosh I have to go back up to my hard seat to sit through more of this”
    Tom – “era stay down here on me soft lap”
    Aine – ” jaysus Tom, go away ou that ya bold divil”

    And that was probably about the extent of it.

    66
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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Jul 12th 2013, 4:59 PM

    Not the point it was a work environment and it’s just not acceptable.

    104
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    Mute Ronan Stokes
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    Jul 12th 2013, 8:50 PM

    The Dail bar should be closed permanently, how unprofessional is that? Making decisions that affect millions of people and they are drinking. They are a disgrace.

    68
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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Jul 14th 2013, 12:18 PM

    I’m NOT polish you ignorant xenophobic excuse for a man !!! I’m Irish , So yes yes I do have every right to comment and also even if I was polish I would still have that right you idiot

    15
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    Mute Póilín Uí HEidhin
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    Jul 14th 2013, 1:37 PM

    Idiot Donal

    6
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    Mute Póilín Uí HEidhin
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    Jul 14th 2013, 1:40 PM

    And Vincent in stating that, you put yourself right in the same neanderthal camp Tom Barry comes from. Watch the video… you can see how uncomfortable she was at the whole situation… as soon as she was able to get away from him she literally ran away to gain some composure before coming back and presumably challenging him for his behaviour. It is never OK to grope someone – man, woman, child, animal. When can people like you get that into your thick head. That is not ok in a bar after everyone has been twisted drinking all day long and it’s definitely not acceptable in a place of work… particularly a place of work that has our supposed leaders voting on issues that affect the Irish people.

    5
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    Mute pagan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:12 AM

    So the whole world sees that the drunken irish are at it again.How can this stigma be ever erased while we have so called members of government having a few jars while voting on important issues. Where else could you have a few jars while in a place of employment. Close the bar once and for all.

    602
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    Mute Dar Ryl
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:38 PM

    Everywhere else you’d get the sack for being jarred in work

    249
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    Mute Oisín Tarrant
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:28 PM

    Hardly a world wide breaking international story when its only one rag in the UK that has a story on it.

    12
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    Mute Odran Ó Corcráin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:56 PM

    @Oisín

    It is on CNN.

    73
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    Mute Larry Roe
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:45 PM
    19
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    Mute tax slave
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:03 AM

    No matter what a person dose wrong in this country . Having had a few jars makes it all alright .

    327
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    Mute Thomas Cooke
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:38 AM

    Why is my tax money being used to pay someone who is drinking on the job? Surely its a sacking offense to be drinking while working in any normal job?

    322
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    Mute Pauric O Laighin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:17 PM

    I also think that it is an offence to spell ‘offence’ as ‘offense’.

    41
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    Mute Thomas Cooke
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:18 PM

    You are of course correct, I would have to pay my taxes in US dollars to get away with that offence.

    38
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    Mute Hop Lite
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    Jul 13th 2013, 7:57 AM

    ‘Liked’ it – but in fairness the ubiquity of Microsoft etc American spellcheckers means that his spelling is becoming the norm by force! Not sure here but often it is re-spelt automatically.

    5
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    Mute Gráinne Duggan
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    Jul 13th 2013, 10:51 PM

    And don’t forget, Thomas, that the drink in the Dáil bar is subsidised, so you’re paying twice.

    5
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    Mute Mairead
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:06 AM

    Embarrassing to watch.

    304
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    Mute Mainstream Hysteria
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:39 PM

    Imagine if he tried to do it to Mary Harney when was around. He might never have walked again.

    275
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    Mute Noel Griffith
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:06 PM

    on the night of one of the most important debates of the decade,TDs are well under the influence of drink as the Dail bar stays open till 5am…how the fu#k do we put up with this shite?…never,in all my working days would i have been allowed to do my job while under the influence of drink!! ….

    217
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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:13 AM

    Sky News labelled him Fianna Fail last night. Lol

    195
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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Can’t tell the difference now can we ?

    155
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    Mute Raymond Power
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:02 PM

    2 legs goood..4 legs baaad.: )

    34
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    Mute Patrick Hurley
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:45 AM

    I don’t see the party whips expelling anyone for being under the influence during a crucial Dáil debate? Posturing hypocrites. You’re not allowed have a conscience, but a few jars is ok, as long as the Party line is maintained. Is this really our democracy?

    176
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    Mute Richard Quinn
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:29 PM

    Made it onto the Norwegian news website. Someone asked if Ireland was still living in 1940. This embarrasses everyone, not just Mr. Barry

    162
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    Mute Mar
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:17 AM

    You couldn’t make it up.

    159
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    Mute Dwickedchicken
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:21 AM

    You could.
    But no one would believe it.

    165
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:40 PM

    …And then a Labour TD presses the wrong button in the vote procedure…..for the lamb-lampin’ love of jaysus!! Home-grown Klipes!

    126
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:42 PM

    It was the wrong button after he went out for a chat with his buddies.

    79
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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:15 PM

    Sure he was pissed and thought he was playing his X box

    88
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    Mute Yvonne O Brien
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:49 AM

    Isn’t there some type of law or rule about entering contracts or making important decisions while under the influence of alcohol? Surely when voting they should not be near alcohol, so can the people now say his vote is void as is anyone else who was drinking?

    118
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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:06 PM

    No.

    24
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    Mute Graham--
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:17 PM

    Yes there is, you cannot enter into a legally binding contract while under the influence of alcohol. It’s madness that they can run the country while getting pissed

    78
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    Mute Alan Carroll
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:26 PM

    He obviously fancies her and the few beers gave him Dutch courage! :)

    105
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    Mute everlast mccarthy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:40 PM

    Or Dutch Gold

    40
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    Mute Gus Whearity
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:14 PM

    You Irish lol crack me up. Your the nation that just keeps on giving. Lol….
    And what are you going to do about???
    NOTHING..

    89
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    Mute Barry Teehan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:27 PM

    At least we can spell and construct a sentence properly .

    94
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    Mute Gus Whearity
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:30 PM

    Well done Barry problem solved in one swift remark

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:35 PM

    ‘Us Irish’ crack you up, do we Gus. Where are you from? Maybe we’ll all have a laugh at that country.

    49
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    Mute Barry Teehan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:54 PM

    Which problem would that be Gus ?

    29
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    Mute Gus Whearity
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:08 PM

    Bosnia. Still want to laugh

    15
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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:16 PM

    Is that supposed to make me feel bad? I won’t tolerate generalisations or xenophobia from anyone, no matter where you’re from.

    46
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    Mute Gus Whearity
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:18 PM

    I disagree

    8
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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:41 PM

    The picture looks like Tom Barry dressed as a leprechaun promoting the Shamrock, is that a protest or promotion?

    22
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    Mute Will Ryan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:50 PM

    *you’re

    8
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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:21 PM

    Boom well said

    4
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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:22 PM

    Pmsl

    4
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    Mute Niamh Byrne
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:34 PM

    I see from your profile that you also like to laugh at people with disabilities….

    15
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    Mute Gus Whearity
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:27 PM

    Only physical

    2
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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:30 PM

    @onelinner / AKA Gus Whearity / Big Band I pity you after your response to Niamh Byrne above, that you enjoy to laugh at people with physical disabilities whilst dressed as a leprechaun or a grocer, think about yourself and how condemning everyone feels about you.

    9
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    Mute Fagan Fagan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:20 AM

    Oh ffs just what we need !

    67
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    Mute Rísteard Ó Muineacháin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:02 PM

    I imagine his wife is punishing him more than anyone else ever could

    63
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    Mute Munsterite60
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:18 PM

    Why does Kenny not stand up and be counted, SACK the DONKEY. Making a laughing stock of us all over the World. Ashamed to say these people in their club are trying to govern this state. Sick sick sick

    57
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    Mute John Quill
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    Jul 14th 2013, 11:08 AM

    You don’t get sacked for drunken behaviour, corruption or incompetence. Voting with you’re brain will do it though.

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    Mute S Fox
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:28 PM

    If the same incident occurred in the the House of Commons I presume the MP would be at least suspended from the House. His good wife was correct in calling Him an idiot.

    51
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    Mute Cormac Ryan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:29 AM

    I object to them calling him an MP

    47
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:35 AM

    They just forgot the “c” as in Male Chauvinist Pig.

    50
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    Mute Pauric O Laighin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:05 PM

    Of course it is wrong to refer to a member of parliament as MP. We would never refer to the 中央人民政府政务院总理 as the Prime Minister of China.

    46
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    Mute Larry Ryan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 6:59 PM

    I think the TD’s in the House of Commons would agree with you Pauric.

    12
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    Mute Darren Foran
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:08 PM

    just when u think our so called leaders cant shame us globally any further, what a farce this country has become its shambolic, how in the name of god are these morons left in the dail, close the bar and sort this shite out

    46
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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:00 PM

    Congratulations to CNN for taking it down, they KNOW that drawing anymore negative publicity to Ireland can only lead to more damage… Take it down.. stop drawing worldwide attention to our drunken, over paid, lying politicians, and as a nation deal with them, get rid of them, call in qualified business people to run the country, not these so called representatives. Really stupid.

    43
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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:33 PM

    I don’t think that’s why CNN took it down. Why would they care if it makes Ireland look bad?

    23
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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:35 PM

    Hopefully an expat helping :) We need all the help we get and HOPEFULLY, when the Irish have a political / banking positive story they will air that.

    As it stands we might as well get the Jedward twins and Danny O’Donnell elected along with Gay Byrne managing the water rates, so scabby he would reuse toilet paper, not that he is a drip.

    Lord of the Dance is coming back, why not dress them as leprechauns and put them into the Dail, drinking a pint of plain?

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    Mute Sean Gilsenan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:13 AM

    Who cares about how they view us around the world? All this preoccupation with our image abroad smacks of self confidence issues amongst jurno types about being Irish.

    43
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:30 AM

    Sean, ok forget about the rest of the world.Do you have a problem with a TD behaving like a drunken lout with a female colleague in the Dail?I certainly do.

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    Mute Sean Gilsenan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:04 PM

    Absolutely, it’s outrageous, there is no place for that type of harassment in any place of work or leisure. But we are to worried about how other views us rather than coming up with an opinion and outcomes ourselves.

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    Mute Bob Coggins
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:07 PM

    You’re not wrong here. The minute an international news outlet mentions anything that happens here, we lose all rationale and bow to their opinion, taking their side and flagellating ourselves… Do you think for a minute the yanks or the Brits give a phuck about anything we say about them? Same thing when an Aussie rag takes a pot shot at the ‘drunken irish’ in Oz – if they did it about Abbo’s there’d be condemnation and retractions, but when its us we amplify it through our own media…

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    Mute Hop Lite
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    Jul 13th 2013, 7:50 AM

    I agree Sean. We are as self-conscious as teenagers when it comes to what others think of us. It’s part of the fact that above all else the Irish need to be liked. I don’t know why that is.

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    Mute Coco Fox
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:48 PM

    Absolutely disgraceful behaviour! Government ministers drinking on the job ! We are a laughing stock and we deserve it having members of government showing the world that this is what we consider an acceptable way to do business! drinking on the job, male colleagues pulling females onto their lap after a few, and making importants decisions that affect the women of this country at all hours of the morning. but as enda kenny said sure, no harm!

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    Mute Andrew Nolan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:57 AM

    ‘The grab seen around the world’ and your examples are 3 UK papers? Ah well, at least the recession is over!

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:31 PM

    You miss the piece about CNN so?

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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:15 PM

    And miss the bit about Norway!?

    24
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    Mute Elaine O'Brien
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:40 PM

    What other work place has a bar for the staff that stays open till 5am whilst the company is debating extremely important topics??? It’s a disgrace and everyone one of them that was drinking should be fired immediately with NO exceptions. They’re all stupid enough without adding alcohol into the equation. They’re a complete disgrace, everyone of them. Surely if they were all drinking whilst voting the vote would be illegal?

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    Mute DublinEntendre
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:05 PM

    Ironic. If they seriously wanted to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies the booze culture is where to start.

    Makes you wonder how many drinks Cowen & Co had on them when they fcked up the country.

    30
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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:43 AM

    Hate when foreign media calls them MPs.

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    Mute Pauric O Laighin
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:18 PM

    Of course it is wrong to refer to a member of parliament as MP. We would never refer to the 中央人民政府政务院总理 as the Prime Minister of China.

    17
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    Mute Killian Lynch
    Favourite Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:40 PM

    It wouldn’t be wrong to refer to members of parliament as MPs but we’re taking about members of the Dail. If they had written TDs, in an article referring to a Bill being passed, I think the British people would realise what it means. I accept your point about the Chinese premier but the correct English term for TDs is deputies and they should be referred to as that if people do not want to use the abbreviation.

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    Mute Graham--
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:14 PM

    No need to keep saying it

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:20 PM

    While I’m at it, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to refer to our head of government as Prime Minister if his title was Priomh-Aire, which it was in the first Dail, but it isn’t. I think the word ‘Taoiseach’ could be considered a Hiberno-English word and should be treated in the same way as Chancellor is for the German premier.

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    Mute james doyle
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:00 PM

    What lies have been coming out on top of this story trying to cover it up,one fg spokesperson blamed a lack of central heating in the dail.the hottest day of the year when it happened,who in there right mind puts on the heating in this weather,mr fat rabbite then claims that there was nobody drunk in the dail.why do we put up with this

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    Mute Orela Krawczyk
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:03 PM

    Disgraceful that anyone was drinking alcohol before or during a debate of this importance. It’s not on that the people making all the decisions that effect us can a have a few jars while doing so. No problem with them having a bar but NO alcohol should be served during active work hours , Nowhere else would see the likes of it.

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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Jul 12th 2013, 11:53 AM

    in fairness there was a red pattern over her arse – the baboon in him took over!

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    Mute Derek Gannon
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:46 PM

    He hardly forced her onto his lap!! While I agree it was a highly inappropriate act to take place I think the country has bigger issues to be dealing with then going on about a whole 5 seconds of poor judgment by the TD in question.and from what I’ve read and heard on the radio aine Collins has accepted an apology from her colleague and didnt take any offence from the incident. Again you have to ask what was the bar doing open on such an important night and why TDs are allowed drink during their working hours.

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    Mute The Red Devil
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    Jul 12th 2013, 3:12 PM

    I go back to a point I made earlier – is it illegal to enter the dail chamber and to vote on legislation if u have consumed alcohol
    Interesting point and if TD Barry admits having taken alcohol therefore he voted illegally if u can’t have drink taken and vote on legislation
    So does anybody know the answer to that one

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    Mute GAZZAMAZZA
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:11 PM

    The solution to this one is a simple one. Get rid of the dail and keep the bar. Simples.

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    Mute GAZZAMAZZA
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    Jul 12th 2013, 5:24 PM

    Crap. I just seen my comment on another thread posted 7 hrs ago. I retract. He got there first. Damn

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:44 PM

    Who do you propose we throw these bricks at? If a violent ‘protest’ breaks out, innocent people will be injured and possibly killed. Quite frankly, if something like that does happen, the Guards should come down on the rioters like a ton of bricks.

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:49 PM

    World over we see governments over run, parties boycotted, reform and action sanctioned, the only issue as I see it is we don’t have a better alternative at the moment. Should there not be a watch dog above the government with disciplinary authority?

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    Mute Killian Lynch
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:27 PM

    Why don’t we boycott the main parties then? You can’t say that we’ve tried it because we haven’t. I just don’t think that going on the streets and chucking bricks in windows is going to do anything. If anything, the government will just crack down hard on them and ignore their demands, as they should, because no democracy should give in to the demands of a few violent thugs. Many people may draw parallels with the Rising but that was different in several ways. We were ascertaining our right to national self determination and, crucially, we elected this government in. If you don’t like what they’re doing, vote for someone else or put yourself up for election.

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    Mute Andrew Nolan
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:21 PM

    Best comment since this “news” broke!

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    Mute mary cull
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:43 PM

    Didn’t see her jump off that quick either. All that brandy slowing her down. Maybe..

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jul 13th 2013, 7:37 AM

    Maybe you didn’t see his arm holding her so she couldn’t jump away.

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    Mute Hop Lite
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    Jul 13th 2013, 7:47 AM

    I agree. She appears to turn around to sit on his lap as a joke but then he holds no to her for a tad too long. There was a pair of them in it.

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    Mute Gráinne Duggan
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    Jul 13th 2013, 10:57 PM

    When she finally got up, her body language says it all. She shrugs him off disdainfully and carries on to her seat without looking at him. She’s clearly pissed off with him.

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    Mute Harry Price
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:17 PM

    BED… time stories in the dail from the morning after ..need a chill pill

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    Mute Zoe Dunne
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    Jul 12th 2013, 2:14 PM

    Please sign this petition and lets try to stop this nonsense!
    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/close-dail-bar/

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    Mute Michael
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:56 PM

    Mountain molehill distractions

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    Mute Paul Somers
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    Jul 12th 2013, 1:43 PM

    Agreed, all the same stupid, what will be in the papers this Sunday ‘B(w)ankers bared from the Bar’?

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    Mute Paddy O'Keeffe
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    Jul 12th 2013, 12:46 PM

    Political party time!

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    Mute Jimmy Byrne
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    Jul 12th 2013, 10:22 PM

    Get rid of the Dail Bar. If our politicians couldn’t isolate themselves from the general public they would serve us better.

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    Mute Donal Barry
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    Jul 14th 2013, 10:51 AM

    Wait until we read that another TD has committed suicide doing to undue pressure. Then I wonder how fast the people with the smart arse comments will admit their complicity in pushing a person over the edge?.

    All taking the moral high ground now! Will ye take the moral high ground, if the person takes their own life and admit to your part in contributing?

    Watch the high thumbs down because the truth doesn’t go down well!

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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    Jul 13th 2013, 11:35 AM

    Is it a any wonder he got frisky with the two dail bars serving alcohol till 5am.

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    Mute Margaret Murphy
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    Jul 13th 2013, 1:17 PM

    The video clearly shows how un-extraordinary this behaviour obviously is, no body even notices it. This old-boys club will have to end, There is far too many TDs with too little to do for a small country like this. I know the old excuse is “constituency work” but in my opinion, some unelected person should take this over as TDs are supposed to be working for the good of us all, not just their constituents.

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