SF Aengus O'Snodaigh has claimed €50,000 in expenses for Printer Ink

yourpics · 28-02-2012 8:51pm

Stripey Cat wrote: »

The difference in media coverage for Minister Quinn's illegal actions and TD Ó Snodaigh's legal use of ink for his constituency is an interesting aspect of this issue.

Indeed it's the only interesting aspect really, since otherwise this story amounts to "politician uses lots of ink".

+1

More censorship by RTE

Dobbo slipped in a question about the issue to Padraig Mac Lochlainn when he was in studio, but when Lucinda Creighton was in studio on the same day she appointed a kids tv presenter to an overpaid advisor's role, Dobbo didn't go off-topic to quiz her on this issue.

The Waltzing Consumer · 28-02-2012 8:54pm

Stripey Cat wrote: »

The difference in media coverage for Minister Quinn's illegal actions and TD Ó Snodaigh's legal use of ink for his constituency is an interesting aspect of this issue.

Indeed it's the only interesting aspect really, since otherwise this story amounts to "politician uses lots of ink".

I would completely disagree. The main broadsheets and tabloids rip into the government most days and try to scare the hell out of anyone reading. This is usually the case for most governments. Look at the Sindo any week and it will slam the government for everything.

If you had not pre-empted the findings and decided that Quinn comitted an illegal act whilst O Sondaigh did not, I would listen more. Both cases should be explained fully.

But it sounds like you are defending the SF party and have made up your mind so won't debate more

The Waltzing Consumer · 28-02-2012 8:56pm

yourpics wrote: »

+1

More censorship by RTE

Dobbo slipped in a question about the issue to Padraig Mac Lochlainn when he was in studio, but when Lucinda Creighton was in studio on the same day she appointed a kids tv presenter to an overpaid avisor's role, Dobbo didn't go off-topic to quiz her on this issue.

http://thestory.ie/2012/02/22/ruairi-quinn-and-his-mileage-claim/

This mentions RTE and Newstalk discussing the issue with Quinn. It has also got your two links you posted earlier, now this thread, I am sure if we look more, we can find more media coverage, so what exactly is your concern here?

yourpics · 28-02-2012 8:58pm

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

http://thestory.ie/2012/02/22/ruairi-quinn-and-his-mileage-claim/

This mentions RTE and Newstalk discussing the issue with Quinn. It has also got your two links you posted earlier, now this thread, I am sure if we look more, we can find more media coverage, so what exactly is your concern here?

My concern is that there is less coverage given to the coalition than the opposition when a controversy arises.
I was referring to coverage on Six One

Bannasidhe · 28-02-2012 8:59pm

Stripey Cat wrote: »

The difference in media coverage for Minister Quinn's illegal actions and TD Ó Snodaigh's legal use of ink for his constituency is an interesting aspect of this issue.

Indeed it's the only interesting aspect really, since otherwise this story amounts to "politician uses lots of ink".

Has it been proven Quinn did anything illegal? I would be careful - defamation and all that.

Certainly Quinn has to explain himself - and if he cannot prove his mileage claim should return the money but I do recall seeing the story all over the papers and heard it reported on both Morning Ireland and Drivetime - I rarely see RTE TV news so can't comment on that.
Perhaps if people want to discuss a bias in RTE they should open a thread on that.

This thread is about a member of a political party that claims to be the voice of the working people and above all of that snout in the trough behaviour of the other parties being caught helping himself to 50ks worth of stuff because he was 'entitled' to it.

The Waltzing Consumer · 28-02-2012 9:04pm

yourpics wrote: »

My concern is that there is less coverage given to the coalition than the opposition when a controversy arises.
I was referring to coverage on Six One

Well you would need to back that up with some stats I am afraid. And only concentrating on Six One news is kind of silly as they only have certain amount of time to cover daily news, so this Snodaigh issue has come up today and it is a huge figure.

We have multiple newspapers, RTE and other broadcasters commenting and querying this but that won't do, you want Six One to cover the Quinn mileage issue today even though it was reported last week by them????

Well, they should learn how to propaganda properly, it does not help your case when they actually investigate what you say they are ignoring. If they want tips about great modern in-your-face political propaganda, they should buy An Poblacht and get some tips.

yourpics · 28-02-2012 9:16pm

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

Well you would need to back that up with some stats I am afraid. And only concentrating on Six One news is kind of silly as they only have certain amount of time to cover daily news, so this has come up today and it is a huge figure.

We have multiple newspapers, RTE and other broadcasters commenting and querying this but that won't do, you want Six One to cover it today even though it was reported last week by them????

Well, they should learn how to propaganda properly, it does not help your case when they actually investigate what you say they are ignoring. If they want tips about great modern in-your-face political propaganda, they should buy An Poblacht and get some tips.

I have written to RTE about this and I am awaiting their response. I do not want Six One to cover it again today, I would merely like to see some fairness as I am sick of LAB and their lies and deceit.

raymon · 28-02-2012 9:18pm

Snodaighs arrogant sense of self entitlement , looks very Callelyesque.

SF are stepping in the very dangerous footsteps of Fianna Fail.

The funny thing is that Michael Martin is the first to condemn it. Himself a taker of developer donations.

The sooner this FF style of " that's mine , I'm taking it " is gone the better.

Snodaigh you are finished , get your coat .

Bannasidhe · 28-02-2012 9:23pm

yourpics wrote: »

I have written to RTE about this and I am awaiting their response. I do not want Six One to cover it again today, I would merely like to see some fairness as I am sick of LAB and their lies and deceit.

Like you I was a LP supporter. I first voted for them in 1982 and have given them my first pref in every GE since then. Hell will freeze before I do so again. However, no matter how justified your anger is towards LP I do think you are in danger of derailing this thread.

The fact that members of LP, FF, FG may be up to dodgy do-ings does not justify SF doing likewise. Indeed, the fact that SF are the first to grab the pitchforks and be seen to storm the castles of privilege makes it all the more important that we discuss their own sense of privileged entitlement.

The Waltzing Consumer · 28-02-2012 9:23pm

yourpics wrote: »

I have written to RTE about this and I am awaiting their response. I do not want Six One to cover it again today, I would merely like to see some fairness as I am sick of LAB and their lies and deceit.

Please show us your letter

"Dear RTE, I am very annoyed you covered the Quinn mileage story. Although you, a public broadcaster, and many private broadcasters and publishers investigated and wrote about this story, all is not well. SF are doing really well in the polls and with this, our huge expense claims, giving a huge amount of our salaries to SF and not back to taxpayer, our links with dodgy developers and now this Snodaigh story, we really need you to put the Quinn story back on the air. Now , you may not be as good as the old SF with propaganda, so please find enclosed our newspaper, harping on about the same old sh**e forever and hijacking everything to do with republicanism

Sincerely,
Little Girl"

Is that it?:P

[MOD]Don't make a habit of insulting other posters, please.[/MOD]

Paparazzo · 28-02-2012 9:25pm

yourpics wrote: »

In fairness I was actually a LAB supporter in the last election, even canvassed for them, but now I am a disillusioned LAB supporter, hence my Quinn rant.

My point about glossy printing etc is that this might explain Ó Snodaigh's penchant for ink!

If you're printing any amount of glossy stuff, go to a professional printers and you'll get it done for a fraction of the price of what you'll print it out at home at. Sure vista print and snapfish are dirt cheap.
Where I work we have 5 A0 printers at least 2 are constantly going. we print out tens of thousands of A0 drawings a year and our ink costs are less than this guys.
I think there's a scam in here, I don't buy that he can be this stupid.

yourpics · 28-02-2012 9:26pm

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Like you I was a LP supporter. I first voted for them in 1982 and have given them my first pref in every GE since then. Hell will freeze before I do so again. However, no matter how justified your anger is towards LP I do think you are in danger of derailing this thread.

The fact that members of LP, FF, FG may be up to dodgy do-ings does not justify SF doing likewise. Indeed, the fact that SF are the first to grab the pitchforks and be seen to storm the castles of privilege makes it all the more important that we discuss their own sense of privileged entitlement.

Good post.

50K of ink and approx 3,000,000 pages suggests that it must have been used outside his constituency also.

southsiderosie · 28-02-2012 9:40pm

MOD NOTE:

REMINDER - this thread is NOT about RTE's (or any other media outlet's) coverage of different political parties. It is about TD expenses. Please feel free to start a thread on political media coverage, but in the meantime, let's stay on topic, because this thread is veering into whataboutary territory and that usually ends badly.

Judgement Day · 28-02-2012 9:43pm

stoneill wrote: »

€126 per ink cartridge?

Were they made by Fabergé ?

It's a bit like all the phone bills that TDs can claim for - without going into the details, the dogs on the streets know that it's possible to pay very little for your mobile/landline and UK & National calls but our TDs seem able to spend vast amounts. Another major scandal which needs serious examination.

Rafa1977 · 28-02-2012 9:52pm

swimming in a sea wrote: »

mary lou has just come out and said he did not realise the value of ink cartridges, that's her defence, pathetic.

SF out of touch with the common man, they don't know value of ink cartridges:D

Reports are usually sent out quarterly I think. Saying they dont know value is Bull.

kippy · 28-02-2012 9:56pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

It's a bit like all the phone bills that TDs can claim for - without going into the details, the dogs on the streets know that it's possible to pay very little for your mobile/landline and UK & National calls but our TDs seem able to spend vast amounts. Another major scandal which needs serious examination.

Indeed, the crazy money spent on some of what these guys use is just that, crazy, when far better deals can be gotten for very little effort.
Having said that, I would like to get the details about what types of "Ink" or more likely "toner" that he was getting.
Toner can cost that much per toner and there can be up to four toners in a colour laserjet printer.
What makes me think they are toners is the stated print capacity that the reporter mentioned (7500 pages) which you wont get close to with an inkjet. So the figure of €126 per toner isnt exactly off the mark.
Again, I'd like to see the details and I would also like to see what he printed that covered roughly 3.5 million pages.

I do agree that this needs to be investigated however I have no faith in this happening in a fair and transparent manner, that, if a legal breach has occurred, it isn't just swept under the carpet as in the case of many that have gone before him in similar situations.

Bannasidhe · 28-02-2012 10:03pm

kippy wrote: »

Indeed, the crazy money spent on some of what these guys use is just that, crazy, when far better deals can be gotten for very little effort.
Having said that, I would like to get the details about what types of "Ink" or more likely "toner" that he was getting.
Toner can cost that much per toner and there can be up to four toners in a colour laserjet printer.
What makes me think they are toners is the stated print capacity that the reporter mentioned (7500 pages) which you wont get close to with an inkjet. So the figure of €126 per toner isnt exactly off the mark.
Again, I'd like to see the details and I would also like to see what he printed that covered roughly 3.5 million pages.

I do agree that this needs to be investigated however I have no faith in this happening in a fair and transparent manner, that, if a legal breach has occurred, it isn't just swept under the carpet as in the case of many that have gone before him in similar situations.

I'd also like to know where he got the paper. After all, if the ink can be described as a legitimate expense surely the paper is as well.
How many reams would he need?
How much, ball park, would that cost?
How the hell did he carry it?

I can't get the image of his poking around the stationary cupboard filling up his placcy shopping bag everyday on his way out. It's such a grubby picture.

Pandora2 · 28-02-2012 10:06pm

AO'S, as with those who went before him is attempting to brazen this out!! It is an outrageous amount and it is inconceivable that he used these 'toner' cartridges to inform his constituents of National/personal issues or, indeed, local ones as he asserted!!

There are a number of things he might have done......and I am only surmising here but:-

Could he have passed them to local Cllr's for use?- they have their own administration allowances!! And didn't we have all this with the pre-paid envelopes and Cllr's?? It's not allowed!!- Fail!!

Did he give them to SF HQ?- They also have access to their own funding and act in the Party's interest, not the National interest- Fail!!

Did he use them for electioneering ?- Against the rules - Fail!!

It is interesting to note that in 2009 he was required to keep to a quota and since that he has run up a bill of some 3K....so he obviously was not stockpiling!!

The cartridges were appropriated in 2007, GE2007, I can see, but not condone, but what the Hell was he doing with them in 2008!! I lived in his constituency and I got 0 letters generated on a printer from him in those years, I was watching closely what came in the door. And, I was in the middle of a Local Authority Housing Estate.....his target audience. I do however, recall an enormous amount of high quality professionally printed, sometimes glossy, material in the run up to the GE but it wasn't generated on any printer...20 odd years an administrator, I know it when I see it!!;)

Something truly stinks here and I forsee SF cutting him out like a cancer if something else doesn't take him off the Front Page!! They have a history of being quite ruthless in such matters and I suspect it is only the Quinn/Callely/FF back history and the fact that there were no formal controls in place during that period that are making them attempt this at all! But I am guessing Mary Lou said more than hello to him today!!:rolleyes:

Pandora2 · 28-02-2012 10:10pm

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I'd also like to know where he got the paper. After all, if the ink can be described as a legitimate expense surely the paper is as well.
How many reams would he need?

I can't get the image of his poking around the stationary cupboard filling up his placcy shopping bag everyday on his way out. It's such a grubby picture.
How much, ball park, would that cost?
How the hell did he carry it?

Paper sourced from LH Stores, paid for by us...just like the toners!! That is if he did all that printing!! He must have filled the boot of the car every day he was in!!

kippy · 28-02-2012 10:17pm

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I'd also like to know where he got the paper. After all, if the ink can be described as a legitimate expense surely the paper is as well.
How many reams would he need?
How much, ball park, would that cost?
How the hell did he carry it?

I can't get the image of his poking around the stationary cupboard filling up his placcy shopping bag everyday on his way out. It's such a grubby picture.

I am allowing for cheapest possible available online(with a reductions for bulk buying), obviously there may be cheaper available elsewhere.
€2 per 500 A4 sheets (http://www.huntoffice.ie/multifunctional-paper.html?797_1=)
3.5 million pages were the numbers bandied around earlier (not sure if that accurate, I will assume so)
3.5 million/500 = 7000 packs of paper
7000*2 = €14,000 worth of paper
That is of course based on a number of variables and assumptions and may not be entirely correct.

tayto lover · 28-02-2012 10:22pm

Pandora2 wrote: »

Paper sourced from LH Stores, paid for by us...just like the toners!! That is if he did all that printing!! He must have filled the boot of the car every day he was in!!

Was he supplying all the party offices or what ?
That amount of paper would clear out a small forest.

Bannasidhe · 28-02-2012 10:28pm

kippy wrote: »

I am allowing for cheapest possible available online(with a reductions for bulk buying), obviously there may be cheaper available elsewhere.
€2 per 500 A4 sheets (http://www.huntoffice.ie/multifunctional-paper.html?797_1=)
3.5 million pages were the numbers bandied around earlier (not sure if that accurate, I will assume so)
3.5 million/500 = 7000 packs of paper
7000*2 = €14,000 worth of paper
That is of course based on a number of variables and assumptions and may not be entirely correct.

So 50k worth of ink plus at least 14k for paper = 64k

I imagine all of these twice weekly leaflets he claimed he sent out on RTE News just now required envelopes...
and postage....

kippy · 28-02-2012 10:34pm

Bannasidhe wrote: »

So 50k worth of ink plus at least 14k for paper = 64k

I imagine all of these twice weekly leaflets he claimed he sent out on RTE News just now required envelopes...
and postage....

Assuming each A4 page is one "leaflet" and the cost of a stamp (not sure how it works for bulk posting but I assume it isnt that much cheaper) is roughly 50 cent.....
about 1.7 million on stamps!!!!
Assuming ten A4 pages is one "leaflet" and the cost of a stamp (not sure how it works for bulk posting but I assume it isnt that much cheaper) is roughly 50 cent.....
about 170,000 in stamps

You can see where the logic goes.....
He could of course have had them distributed by party activists.

He really has to account for what exactly what he did or the lie just keeps getting worse.....

wyndhurst · 28-02-2012 10:40pm

Nijmegen wrote: »

I don't think there's a lot of ado about nothing. The Journal has a good explainer.

He took €55,000 of printer cartridges in 2 years printing leaflets for his constituency. The Oireachtas has since brought in a €2,000 limit for members following this.

It's one example of how politicians take the mickey when it comes to spending public money. They have to represent themselves, but €55,000 in 2 years is a lot of representing.

There is no evidence yet what, where and by whom these cartridges were used.

I have my suspicions.............and none of it is legal

pawrick · 28-02-2012 11:06pm

It's a complete joke the amount of wastage going on and SF have proven themselves to be just as good as the rest for wasting tax payers money.

The part I find even worse however is that he still owes us the taxpayer money since the spending limit was brought in - is interest being charged on this loan as that is what it is!

rodento · 28-02-2012 11:11pm

Must be the poster boy for Sin Fein

john reilly · 28-02-2012 11:59pm

raymon wrote: »

Snodaighs arrogant sense of self entitlement , looks very Callelyesque.

SF are stepping in the very dangerous footsteps of Fianna Fail.

The funny thing is that Michael Martin is the first to condemn it. Himself a taker of developer donations.

The sooner this FF style of " that's mine , I'm taking it " is gone the better.

Snodaigh you are finished , get your coat .

he is if this means he cant depend on your continued support giving your previous loyal support.

raymon · 29-02-2012 12:09am

john reilly wrote: »

he is if this means he cant depend on your continued support giving your previous loyal support.

never voted for FF or SF in my life .

Sierra Oscar · 29-02-2012 12:57am

The Irish Daily Mail are running another front-line story on this tomorrow, claiming that other SF TD's were at the same sort of game as O'Snodaigh.

SeanW · 29-02-2012 1:05am

This is bizarre, €50,000 euro on printer ink? At €130 per cartridge? How does ink cost that much (inkjet or laser?), and how much material must he have printed to use that.

Very questionable IMO.

SF Aengus O'Snodaigh has claimed €50,000 in expenses for Printer Ink

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