Wednesday, May 21, 2008
“the Taoiseach regrets any offence caused..”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has apologised for the use of the word “fuckers” in the Dáil today. He wasn’t speaking on record, it was in a side conversation with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan.. although the Dáil microphones still picked it up. But RTÉ need to listen to the recording again because their quote isn’t accurate. Admittedly the version played on RTÉ Radio News at One may not be clear.. [near end of Realplayer file] but the version at the Irish Times is.
However, a Government spokesman insisted Mr Cowen was not referring to Fine Gael. “The Taoiseach did not refer to any member of the House,” said the spokesman. “It should be clear that the Taoiseach’s remarks were not read into the Dáil record. This was a casual exchange between working colleagues which was inadvertently and partially picked up by the Dáil microphones. In this context, the Taoiseach regrets any offence caused by the word complained of.”
According to the RTÉ report
RTÉ News understands that what the Taoiseach said to Ms Coughlan was: ‘We need to get a handle on this, will you ring those f***ers.’
What he was actually recorded saying to Tánaiste Mary Coughlan was [at 2mins 27s into this audio clip]
“Ring those people and get a handle on it, would you. You know those fuckers.”
Pete Baker @ 07:11 PM
Getting beyond the narrow nasty, spiteful, parochialism of the six counties, here’s something for all you Europhiles. For any German speakers, please feel free to correct this. Eine grosse scheisse Dummkerl aus Offaly.
Posted by on May 22, 2008 @ 06:34 PMI wouldn’t trust anybody who doesn’t curse. the odd ‘aul fuck here and there is the irish equivalent of a comma.
Sure there is lots of fuckers worse.....http://ashleymorris.typepad.com/ashley_morris_the_blog/2005/11/fuck_you_you_fu.html
Posted by on May 22, 2008 @ 07:48 PMDave ,
‘I’d much favour the office of a TD being term-limited.’
Sounds reasonable however in at least one democracy (USA)where there are term limits I’m afraid the standard of political service may be even worse . Given only 8 years ? to ‘loot ‘ the public purse the bastards run to the wealthiest private interest lobby groups - insurance -oil and health care companies and gorge on whatever they can. There’s been some attempt to curtail the ‘lobbies’ but no great success yet . As the curtain draws down on the ‘conservative republican administration’ a record number of Congressmen/Senators have been forced into retirement for all kinds of skullduggery from the sexual to the financial and back again .
The more power they’re given the worse they become . The only protection is checks and balances in the system and transparent government . That way perhaps the worst excesses can be moderated .
But there’ll never be a parliament completely devoid of non whores . It’s the human condition.
Posted by on May 22, 2008 @ 08:47 PMDave,
‘encourage people who had experience and success outside of politics to offer a service to the nation. The problem with career hacks is that they never say or do anything that jeopardises their career - they’re just a bunch of useless sheep.’
I tend to agree . Ina small country like Ireland the ‘multi seat constituency ‘ also helps to reduce the representation of those who woould be less sheeplike in their approach to the public interest . The somewhat ‘savage’ process of getting ‘nominated’ through the party system (particularly FF) means that by the time a TD of promise is elected his first concern is to ensure that his ‘seat’ is made safe by ‘delivering the standard ‘service’ package to the ‘community ‘ which in most instances could be done by people themselves .
We’re stuck with PR as it’s probably the only way that we can hope to have a change of Government and although an FF supporter I believe it’s very important that there is a widespread perception that the ‘Govt’ can be voted out of office . Northern Ireland never had and despite the changes doesn’t really have that possibility.
Posted by on May 22, 2008 @ 08:55 PM“That way, you’d encourage people who had experience and success outside of politics to offer a service to the nation. The problem with career hacks is that they never say or do anything that jeopardises their career - they’re just a bunch of useless sheep.”
That applies in the commons, very few of them would be safe to run a bakery, brewery or post office, there are few of any real standing in another sphere.
G.
Posted by on May 23, 2008 @ 09:02 AMThe King of swearing has to be Twenty Major, with some of his courtiers coming close seconds.
Posted by on May 23, 2008 @ 03:57 PM
