Should Fianna Fail's GV Wright resign?

sorrento

Should GV Wright resign?

He is not legally obliged to (unless of course he recieves a six month prison sentence for his crime).

But should he resign given the fact he has admitted the crime of drink driving*?

(*and whatever else he might be charged with in relation to the injuries he inflicted on a pedestrian)

Should he look at the bigger picture of Irelands reputation and credibility abroad and also the ever increasing cynicism of the Irish electorate and make a decision based on that rather than looking out for his own interests?

Bard

Should he look at the bigger picture of Irelands reputation and credibility abroad and also the ever increasing cynicism of the Irish electorate and make a decision based on that rather than looking out for his own interests?

That line makes your question loaded in favour of a "yes" vote.

I've voted "no". He should get on with his job and work HARDER for the people of Fingal.

Havelock

One thing nopw required in Ireland more than ever is law abiding politicans. He should resign, plead guilty and go to a real jail. Same for those bloody scam artists and brown envelope carriers, should be left in Mountjoy cells, for a few months with their "electorate". Would be funny.

sorrento

Originally posted by Bard
That line makes your question loaded in favour of a "yes" vote.

The question was loaded, but you flatter me in presuming that people will make their decision based on what I say.

There has been enough coverage in the media for people to make up their own minds and not to be influenced by a couple of sentences that I have written.

Villain

Originally posted by Bard

I've voted "no". He should get on with his job and work HARDER for the people of Fingal.

You mean he should continue to get drunk in the Dail bar, but instead of driving home have a escort drive him and add it his expenses that us taxpayers pay!!.

That makes great sense Bard, if he doesn't resign he's even less of a man that I though he was.

dod

In almost any other job, he should not resign. However as he is an elected public representative, he must resign.

Although he does not represent me, I would conclude that he must resign on the basis that if an individual who purported to represent me committed as serious a crime as Mr. Wright has, then I would not want such an individual to stand and make representations, ostensibly on my behalf. On that basis, any public representative admitting to, or convicted of, any non-trivial crime, should do the decent thing and go without a fuss.

If it were Japan, he would already have committed Hara-Kari. In Ireland, it's a shrug and a "Shur layve the poor misheen alone, isn't he a slave to the cursed drink"

Jaysus and Begorrah.

Bard

Originally posted by irish1
You mean he should continue to get drunk in the Dail bar, but instead of driving home have a escort drive him and add it his expenses that us taxpayers pay!!.

FFS... I wish people would stop putting words in my mouth! "You mean..." ... NO I DON'T MEAN THAT!

I said nothing about getting drunk in the Dáil bar. I said "He should get on with his job and work HARDER for the people of Fingal" and that's exactly what he should do.

That makes great sense Bard, if he doesn't resign he's even less of a man that I though he was.

Resignation would be running away. I'd have more respect for him and think him more "of a man" (as you put it) if he stayed in his job and worked damn hard at it, attempting to vindicate himself, facing his critics and detractors and showing that he's better than they think or would have people believe.

Sparks

Should he resign?
Why should he get a choice?
The miserable cheating tax dodger should be fired, not given a chance to get what amounts to a blame-free departure from the job.

dod

Originally posted by Sparks

The miserable cheating tax dodger should be fired

Collins from Limerick West was the Tax dodger. GV Wright was the guy who knocked the girl down whilst driving under the influence a few days ago.

Villain

Ok Bard so do you think if he stays in office he's going to work harder becasue he drove home over the limit and knocked a woman down.

This man was elected by the people for the people, He should be setting an example.

I really don't see how anyone would think he shouldn't resign.

I didn't mean to put words in your mouth but I don't think he will change the papers reported (not saying it's true) that he went on a 3 day drinking spree after knocking the lady down. B

But hey the Government never really did like nurses did it:D

dahamsta

Originally posted by dod
Collins from Limerick West was the Tax dodger. GV Wright was the guy who knocked the girl down whilst driving under the influence a few days ago.

It's so hard to tell these days.

I agree with dod. If it was me, I'd resign before I was asked.

adam

Sparks

Originally posted by dod
Collins from Limerick West was the Tax dodger. GV Wright was the guy who knocked the girl down whilst driving under the influence a few days ago.

Sorry, partial brainfart, partial belief that anyone who mounts a pavement at nearly twice the speed limit and over twice the blood alcohol limit, hits a woman, breaking her leg in four places and then tries to flee the scene, would be dismissed from a party automatically.
I guess I must have forgotten it was Fianna Fail for a moment...

gurramok

He should resign immediately, he is selfish not to do so.

I'd have more respect for him and think him more "of a man" (as you put it) if he stayed in his job and worked damn hard at it

He is a coward not to resign, drinking and driving should not be tolerated.

smiaras

This post has been deleted.

mike65

As I stated in the other thread he should go and go now and failing that he plainly should be fired...and then get surd by
the woman he nearly killed (she may yet loose the leg).

Mike.

gurramok

He'll be going to jail and Clare Daly will be walking out and into his seat. Don't like her either but thats for a different thread

Maybe thats why FF are not pressuring him and Colllins to resign.
It would mean a possible 2 seats down for FF at by-elections if both contest it.

Holding onto power by hoping the public will forget these incidents seems to be more important and cynical than any morals

gandalf

Well personally if I was in the position he was and especially given his stand in recent times on alcohol related issues I would stand down.

But given the stain of corruption, cowardice and sleevin politics that runs right through Fianna Fail I am not surprised at the fact he hasn't tendered his resignation. All this does is cement the image of Ireland as a haven for corrupt politicans who flaunt the law.

I wonder what amazing relevation awaits us around the next corner from our inspirational government.

Gandalf.

Zaph

What I'm most annoyed about is the fact that he could have used a loophole in the law to avoid prosecution. Apparently the constitution allows members of the Oireachtas immunity from prosecution for anything that may happen while travelling to or from Leinster House. Why?

At least he's done the decent thing and not claimed this immunity. As to whether he should go or not, well he certainly puts a dent in the Minister for No-Fun's new draconian anti-drink laws. Given a choice, however, I'd prefer to see Collins being given the boot. I'm not in any way condoning Wright's actions, personally if I know I'm likely to be driving at any stage later in the day I won't touch a drop, but Collins wilfully broke the law, whereas I presume (of at least hope) the courts will see fit to deal with Wright in the same way they would deal with any of us in a similar situation.

bonkey

Originally posted by gandalf
But given the stain of corruption, cowardice and sleevin politics that runs right through Fianna Fail

I'd be more inclined to say "that runs through Irish Politics", but maybe thats just me.

jc

star gazer

I'd be more inclined to say "that runs through Irish Politics", but maybe thats just me.
bonkey

That's an argument Fianna Fáil have been peddling for years and has ended up in people simply turning away from irish politics altogether. As Fianna Fáil's core vote has held up well especially in the older generation who on the whole always vote it suits them to let the situation continue.
There is no doubt that other parties aren't exactly perfect. Lowry, FG employee tax affairs, Sinn Féin TDs with criminal backgrounds, and decisions of dubious repute like letting Bertie out of dáil éireann on thursdays, holding poluters shares etc.
However Fianna Fáil
Charles J Haughey
Ray Burke
Liam Lawlor
Denis Foley, Beverley Cooper-flynn, Michael collins etc.
Now GV Wright maybe a good constituency worker but his refusal to take any political responsibility for this incident that grievously contradicts government policy and any message of public decency and respect for the law is simply symptomatic of a party that believes it can bury it's head in the sand for any scandal and say everybody does it.
Maybe, but ont nearly to the same extent.

bonkey

Originally posted by star gazer
That's an argument Fianna Fáil have been peddling for years

I'm saying that all parties are corrupt to a lesser or greater degree, and that members of all parties abuse their positions to a lesser or greater degree.

You're telling me that FF admit this about themselves and try to excuse it by saying "but the others are corrupt too" ???

Come on...thats not quite what they're peddling. I've never heard any FF spokesperson admit to corruption within the party, and then attempt to excuse it on the grounds of "but sure, everyone else is the same, so its alright".

I'm pretty sure even Cork wouldn't try and defend FF corruption on the grounds of "yes, they're corrupt, but so is everyone else".

jc

Frank Grimes

I think he should go. Like I said in the other thread, if Ahern thinks Joe Higgins should go for what he did then Wright should definitly step down.

star gazer

You're telling me that FF admit this about themselves and try to excuse it by saying "but the others are corrupt too" ???
bonkey

Of course Fianna Fáil aren't going to admit to anything in the corruption stakes that they don't have to. The point i was trying to make was that they will subtely suggest to people that politicians are all the same, granted it is getting harder for them to juxtapose fianna fáil with anyone else any more. the statement will be like, it could have happened to anyone in their, or that was the culture of the day or they will defend their position by blaming media attacks on politics etc.

I'm saying that all parties are corrupt to a lesser or greater degree, and that members of all parties abuse their positions to a lesser or greater degree.
bonkey

The point i'm trying to make is that the magnitude of the sleaze et al leaves them in a league of their own. The loveable rogue element still exists in the way they do business. i don't think that is healthy for our democracy and that is why i don't think GV Wright' presence in Dáil Éireann should be tolerated.

gollem_1975

isn't higgins being Jailed by a judge for going against a court order and not being jailed/forced to resign because of breaking the law whilst being a TD.

where is everyone getting the information that Wright mounted the pavement and knocked down the nurse.

I think it is to be expected that this issue be turned into a 'political football' / media using it as an another way to sell more papers.

the majority of the opposition don't seem to be making an issue of it.

Wright made a mistake , may have done it b4 and not got caught or he may not have done it b4 . let the law deal with it and in the meantime let him get on with his job.

Villain

Originally posted by gollem_1975
Wright made a mistake , may have done it b4 and not got caught or he may not have done it b4 . let the law deal with it and in the meantime let him get on with his job.

He is a TD an elected member of the government representing the people who elected him, in which case this type of behaviour makes his position unatainable.

gurramok

Originally posted by gollem_1975
isn't higgins being Jailed by a judge for going against a court order and not being jailed/forced to resign because of breaking the law whilst being a TD.

Bertie himself before the drink-driving incident suggested that Higgins should resign because he broke the law. Is Bertie wrong ?

[where is everyone getting the information that Wright mounted the pavement and knocked down the nurse.

From numerous newspapers who published details from the nurse herself and eye-witness accounts(there were many) of the incident.

I think it is to be expected that this issue be turned into a 'political football' / media using it as an another way to sell more papers.

Perhaps so, but are they lying or telling the truth?

the majority of the opposition don't seem to be making an issue of it.

Small number of TD's tried to raise the issue but were ruled out of order by the speaker who always seems to be on FF side anyway
FG are too lazy or perhaps had not enough speaker time to raise all the issues at hand (Collins, church deal etc)

Wright made a mistake , may have done it b4 and not got caught or he may not have done it b4 . let the law deal with it and in the meantime let him get on with his job.

As already said, he admitted it and he committed a criminal offence and as public representative who votes on making laws the law, he should resign.

gollem_1975

From numerous newspapers who published details from the nurse herself and eye-witness accounts(there were many) of the incident.

haven't seen any of the eye-witness accounts .. can you link me to one.

Bertie himself before the drink-driving incident suggested that Higgins should resign because he broke the law. Is Bertie wrong ?

what is this thing about rhethorical questions ?:)

As already said, he admitted it and he committed a criminal offence and as public representative who votes on making laws the law, he should resign.

I am not 100% convinced on this .I agree that they should be subject to the rule of law like any other member of society.

star gazer

Well i think he has to get due process in the legal sense, the fact that he has come up in Frank Dunlops evidence is creating a snowball affect against him. While he is innocent until proven guilty it will be very difficult for him to function in his job as a public representative. It's not always a fair world but if he can't fulfill his role as a TD then does he have any other choice but to resign?