Kenny blames McDowell for Leaks

ateam

Enda Kenny has claimed Michael McDowell is behind the leaking of Bertie's finances http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0507/election.html

Outrageous claim, totally senseless. Why would the leader of the PDs seek to damage the Fianna Fail party? The PDs rely on Fianna Fail transfers and both parties are close ideologically.

gandalf

Hmmm as far as I know he didn't name names, RTE look like they are making assumptions. Wasn't this what Mary O'Rourke said at the time of Bertiegate 1, infact I believe she was saying it was someone in FF.

brianthebard

I'd like to see an actual quote from Kenny, judging from the article he just said it wasn't FG and then RTÉ inferred the rest.

gandalf

The interesting thing is if this leak is identified back to the Government side what further effect will it have on their support. Certainly torpedo's (again) their stable government claim if they are trying to stab each other in the back all the time.

jhegarty

ateam wrote:

Outrageous claim, totally senseless. Why would the leader of the PDs seek to damage the Fianna Fail party? The PDs rely on Fianna Fail transfers and both parties are close ideologically.

And McDowell is such a level headed man , who never did anything strange....

Dandesav

brianthebard wrote:

I'd like to see an actual quote from Kenny, judging from the article he just said it wasn't FG and then RTÉ inferred the rest.

I'm pretty sure Seán O'Rourke pushed Kenny and he named McDowell himself.

It seems a bit of a stupid thing to do. The whole Tom Parlon thing would only strengthen FG because it made the PDs look desperate, so why turn around and do the exact same thing?

ateam

brianthebard wrote:

I'd like to see an actual quote from Kenny, judging from the article he just said it wasn't FG and then RTÉ inferred the rest.

Not sure if it's on the rte site yet, but I was listening to it anyway and when asked to name the figure he was accusing of leaking the information, he said Michael McDowell.

ateam

This claim was made on the day Fine Gael are launching their manifesto and in which they hope to talk about the issues. Kenny has shown his true mud slinging colours by making such a preposperous allegation. By making this allegation, it totally undermines his wish to talk about the issues.

The opposition leaders have shown no leadership on the Bertie affair, instead they're worried that Fianna Fail will experience a bounce like the last Bertie affair. They more worried about that than showing any real leadership.

DMC

It was Rabbitte himself on last Mondays' Questions and Answers who said he asked hard questions but then stopped asking them when he went down 5 points and Bertie went up 5 in the polls last October...

The_Minister

gandalf wrote:

The interesting thing is if this leak is identified back to the Government side what further effect will it have on their support. Certainly torpedo's (again) their stable government claim if they are trying to stab each other in the back all the time.

It makes no political sense for McDowell to do it. It might be an anti-Bertie rump in FF, but from what I hear he's got few enemies in there.
I wonder if Kenny has a guilty conscience......;)

TheVan

Ireland.com wrote:

Pushed further, he continued: "Who has been contacting journalists about leaks and giving him information? Who has been tearing pages out of department files and handing them to journalists. Fine Gael is not responsible for this and we don't descend to that level."

In all fairness, I don't think McDowell would do something that stupid. Some crazy, desperate PD might do it but its much more likely to be an internal FF thing.

Its an insane allegation to be throwing around unless he has proper proof.

SeanW

Frankly, I don't believe Kenny said that without a quote. RTE's reporting has been getting quite fanciful, like Charlie Bird's claim that McDowell and the Pee Dees were going to walk from the government in less than 24 hours? At this point I'm starting to think rumour has replaced fact as the currency of information, and personally speaking I certainly wouldn't rule out this whole thing as an attention grabbing ploy by McDowell.

The alternative coalition has been focusing on the issues, and they've just released a manifesto today. How many people know this? How many people consider that important news when all the headlines and all the main newspieces are swamped with a million different outtakes and perspectives of "Bertie and his money."

Remember that the alternative coalition have been staying relatively silent on this because they lost last time they tried to make Bertiegate I into something. I also sense that they are genuinely concerned about the real problems Ireland faces. So as to what in heavens name they have to gain from jumping head first into Bertiegate II, I don't know!

nesf

I can't see the point in committing to the no comment route and then lashing out at the PDs. If he said it he either cracked under pressure and blurted out nonsense or is a terrible tactician. I'd go with the former tbh.

DMC

SeanW wrote:

Frankly, I don't believe Kenny said that without a quote. RTE's reporting has been getting quite fanciful, like Charlie Bird's claim that McDowell and the Pee Dees were going to walk from the government in less than 24 hours? At this point I'm starting to think rumour has replaced fact as the currency of information, and personally speaking I certainly wouldn't rule out this whole thing as an attention grabbing ploy by McDowell.

Charlie Bird has been on the record to say that he rang the PD's press office numerous times on Saturday and they didn't say no when asked are they pulling out of govt. The press office were as in the dark as the rest of us, Charlie included, it appears.

Its one thing to have a go at the nation's favourite politician, but the nation's favourite journalist? Sessh! The PD's have it bad!

The thing about RTÉ and the broadcast media as a whole, is you hear the politicians live and unedited and are editorially independent. For this election, Newstalk is a welcome addition.

ateam

SeanW wrote:

Frankly, I don't believe Kenny said that without a quote. RTE's reporting has been getting quite fanciful, like Charlie Bird's claim that McDowell and the Pee Dees were going to walk from the government in less than 24 hours? At this point I'm starting to think rumour has replaced fact as the currency of information, and personally speaking I certainly wouldn't rule out this whole thing as an attention grabbing ploy by McDowell.

The alternative coalition has been focusing on the issues, and they've just released a manifesto today. How many people know this? How many people consider that important news when all the headlines and all the main newspieces are swamped with a million different outtakes and perspectives of "Bertie and his money."

Remember that the alternative coalition have been staying relatively silent on this because they lost last time they tried to make Bertiegate I into something. I also sense that they are genuinely concerned about the real problems Ireland faces. So as to what in heavens name they have to gain from jumping head first into Bertiegate II, I don't know!

Choose to ignore it if you like, but Enda Kenny did undoubtedly say Michael McDowell was behind the leaking of the information.

By doing this, Enda is contradicting himself by diverting attention away from the issues and putting spotlight again on Bertie's finances. Kenny can't have it both ways.

InFront

The_Minister wrote:

It makes no political sense for McDowell to do it.

Are you kidding? He's been featured in just about every national news bulletin since last Friday, he's gone from political insignificance verging on complete annhilation to somebody whose being talked about in almost every home in the country where there's an interest in politics.

I think he's been playing some very messy publicity games, and I don't think it's working out like he might have expected.

gandalf

Just watching the news here and he NEVER mentions Herr Flicks name. He was responding to the sissy fits from FF that FG are behind the leaks (without any proof, even admitted by Noel Ahern) so he cannot be held responsible for letting this run on. The person at fault for all this is Bertie Ahern, if he only conducted himself properly and not as a conduit for dodgy funds from developers then we wouldn't be going through this.

Dandesav

I think it was a stupid thing for Kenny to say, but I do think he was misunderstood.

It seems that what he meant was that McDowell spent a few days last week talking secretly to journalists and getting the information that they had. He then used this information as the basis for his asking the Taoiseach to make a statement. I don't think that he meant that McDowell is behind the actual leaks.

Still a stupid thing to say though- it'll overshadow their manifesto launch.

ateam

Dandesav wrote:

I think it was a stupid thing for Kenny to say, but I do think he was misunderstood.

It seems that what he meant was that McDowell spent a few days last week talking secretly to journalists and getting the information that they had. He then used this information as the basis for his asking the Taoiseach to make a statement. I don't think that he meant that McDowell is behind the actual leaks.

Still a stupid thing to say though- it'll overshadow their manifesto launch.

Kenny is politically ineffective, a weak leader. He would ruin our international reputation.

Dandesav

ateam wrote:

Kenny is politically ineffective, a weak leader. He would ruin our international reputation.

So the corruption of Charlie Haughey, Bertie Ahern and lots of others hasn't damaged our reputation, but an honest man who mightn't exactly be the most exciting in the world, but who will still work hard for the country will?

InFront

An honest man who is in fact very well spoken, has the longest record of public service in the Dail, is well educated and has already shown a level of leadership in his party that has been unprecedented in recent times. You think that's more embarrassing than Bertie?

For what it's worth, I think Enda Kenny is a very respectable political ambassador for this country, even Presidential material.

gandalf

ateam wrote:

Kenny is politically ineffective, a weak leader. He would ruin our international reputation.

Like Bertie the Borrower hasn't :rolleyes:

Also just a thought who would have easier access to the Tribunals documents, someone in Government or opposition?

ateam

InFront wrote:

An honest man who is in fact very well spoken, has the longest record of public service in the Dail, is well educated and has already shown a level of leadership in his party that has been unprecedented in recent times. You think that's more embarrassing than Bertie?

Bertie Ahern has shown great statesmanship over the past 10 years and was hugely influential in the pursuit of peace in the North. He also led this country's presidency of the EU with huge success.

Kenny, on the other hand, was Minister of Tourism for 2 years back in the mid 90s.

Villain

ateam wrote:

Bertie Ahern has shown great statesmanship over the past 10 years and was hugely influential in the pursuit of peace in the North. He also led this country's presidency of the EU with huge success.

Kenny, on the other hand, was Minister of Tourism for 2 years back in the mid 90s.

Kenny didn't sign blank cheques for the most corrupt Leader in our history who tranished our international reputation, however Bertie on the other hand .......

gandalf

Bertie Ahern also has cast the integrety of the offices of the Minister of Finance and the Office of Taoiseach into doubt with highly dubious Financial transactions with a group of people some of whom went onto State boards who were appointed by Ahern and his Government.

As for the Peace process alot of people before him did an awful lot of donkey work on it as well so he's not quite that solo hero you make out.

I can just see a conservative having that Arguement about Tony Blair before the faithful election that swept him into power as well.

ateam

irish1 wrote:

Kenny did sign blank cheques for the most corrupt Leader in our history who tranished our international reputation, however Bertie on the other hand .......

Illustrate exactly how our international reputation has been tarnished by allegedly signing blank cheques given that we've had a halt to emigration, an influx of thousands of immigrants including ex-emigrants and we've imported hundreds of foreign multinationals...

The_Minister

1)Fine Gael have accepted McDowell's word that he did not do it.

2)Kenny never named McDowell, but it is obvious who he meant, there is no other interpretation of his words.

3)I think that some people are being hard on Kenny for the wrong reasons. Abroad, aside from being Ginger;) , he probably wouldn't do us much damage. A year or two ago, he would have, but FG have worked on him and got him up to scratch, so he could probably go abroad without embaressing us.
What would concern me is that he has only ever held a single ministry (for only two years), and did not distinguish himself while in that ministry.

gandalf

Oh btw ateam didn't Bertie make a statement in the UN General Assembly about our charitable donations that the government subsequently went back on. Is that the type of embarressment you are talking about?

ateam

The_Minister wrote:

1)Fine Gael have accepted McDowell's word that he did not do it.

2)Kenny never named McDowell, but it is obvious who he meant, there is no other interpretation of his words.

3)I think that some people are being hard on Kenny for the wrong reasons. Abroad, aside from being Ginger;) , he probably wouldn't do us much damage. A year or two ago, he would have, but FG have worked on him and got him up to scratch, so he could probably go abroad without embaressing us.
What would concern me is that he has only ever held a single ministry (for only two years), and did not distinguish himself while in that ministry.

In regard to your second point, you obviously didn't listen to the News at One where he emphatically named McDowell.

Villain

gandalf wrote:

with a group of people some of whom went onto State boards who were appointed by Ahern and his Government.

Ah but didn't he tell Dobbo that he didn't appoint them because they gave him money, he appointed them because they were his friends :rolleyes:

Seriously I don't know which reason is worse.

ateam

gandalf wrote:

Oh btw ateam didn't Bertie make a statement in the UN General Assembly about our charitable donations that the government subsequently went back on. Is that the type of embarressment you are talking about?

I never used the word embarrassing.

I also did not paint Bertie as a hero in the Northern Ireland peace process but that he had a large part to play in the peace process.

athtrasna

Whoever it was I have no doubt that the leak came from within the current government, as the school mistress said last time out.

It could well be McDowell - he certainly has put the spotlight on his info from "a number of sources" - of whom we know Jody Corcoran is one.

Whoever it is I think it's unfair that Enda Kenny has been drawn into this, he has more integrity than all of FF and the PDs put together and will be a Taoiseach we can be proud of. And one who can pronounce his "th"

Dis is de end of de Tee-shock Bertie Ahern

gandalf

ateam wrote:

I never used the word embarrassing.

No you didn't but you did say Enda would ruin our reputation? Did Bertie help it by lying to the UN (hmmm I am seeing a pattern here).

I also did not paint Bertie as a hero in the Northern Ireland peace process but that he had a large part to play in the peace process.

Actually he played a small role in it. But hey I think we are going to disagree on this until the cows come home. It could also be said without Garrett Fitzgerald and the Anglo Irish Agreement there would be no peace process. But the man who you should be lauding as the main person who helped deliver the peace process is John Hume.

The_Minister

ateam wrote:

In regard to your second point, you obviously didn't listen to the News at One where he emphatically named McDowell.

In his original remarks he did not name McDowell, it was only later that he said that it was McDowell.

athtrasna wrote:

Whoever it is I think it's unfair that Enda Kenny has been drawn into this,

He was not "drawn in", he jumped in. He accused a member of the coalition of deliberately sabotaging that government, most likely in order that FF voters in a certain two constituencies would no longer transfer to a PD candidate.

gandalf

The Minister to be fair he was responding to questions about the FF assertation that someone in FG was behind the leaks, so in effect he was drawn into it.

athtrasna

The_Minister wrote:

In his original remarks he did not name McDowell, it was only later that he said that it was McDowell.

He was not "drawn in", he jumped in. He accused a member of the coalition of deliberately sabotaging that government, most likely in order that FF voters in a certain two constituencies would no longer transfer to a PD candidate.

He was drawn in, he's been asked about this every day for the last 2 weeks, everybody has their breaking point. The childish crap that Cowen came out with yesterday forced Enda into it. Cowen showed himself for the true bully that he is. If he is ever Taoiseach, I'm emigrating!

Villain

Noel Ahern was putting the blame on FG although he has no evidence to support it.

TBH I'd rather all the parties dropped the blame game and got back to what this election should be about, i.e. the issues that the public want to see addressed, the dog on the street knows Bertie is a crook so lets just move on.

Oh thats my opinion btw.

gandalf

irish1 we would if the PD's would let us. (and you can read that comment whatever way you want )

E92

I think Enda was drawn into it. To be fair, he probably shouldnt have mentioned Mr Mc Dowell, but the truth is that the PDs have re ignited this whole controversy with their antics at the weekend. Yesterday Brian Cowen clearly blamed the opposition for it. Then Noel Ahern said today that it was Fine Gael, even though he admitted that he had nothing to prove it. Why would Fine Gael want this controversy to keep going on and on? I realise that Fine Gael have brought a new twist to the story, but its only right that Fine Gael should be able to defend themselves, especially when as we know that what Tom Parlon said about the 'bombshell' Fine Gael were supposed to dropping on May 21 was shown to be completely untrue.
Fianna Fail are now trying to smear Fine Gael, saying that Fine Gael were responsible for the controversy appearing and going on. Every time Enda was asked about the controversy all he said was that it was up to Bertie to decide what Bertie should do.Personally I think that they want it to go on and on, because they are hoping for a sympathy vote if it lasts long enough. Then they said that FG were very interested a few weeks ago about Berties finances. The only problem with that was that this was a story that was 7 years old as Richard Bruton explained on the 6.1 news this evening.

SeanW

Also as the saying goes "there's no such thing as bad publicity" and FG+Lab have been getting almost no publicity of any kind with everyone preoccupied with Bertie's money.

stepbar

ateam wrote:

Kenny is politically ineffective, a weak leader. He would ruin our international reputation.

As opposed to "Backhander Bertie" and "Charvet Charlie"?

JerkyBoy

Enda Kenny was clearly pointing to the fact that it has been McDowell, and not FG, who in the last few days has been getting leaked information from the Tribunal and using it as a political tool.

Just look at what happened on Saturday night \ Sunday morning.
McDowell using tribunal information for political ends.

FG had been silent on the matter until Noel Ahern, Cowen and others began to accuse FG of being behind it all, all while admitting they have no evidence.
THAT is the only clear example of dirty politics I've seen so far!

And I'm no FG fan, but this is all blown totally out of proportion.
They still have my confidence over FF\PDs.

The_Minister

Fine Gael have refused to retract Enda Kanny's allegation that McDowell is the one hurting Bertie.

JerkyBoy

The_Minister wrote:

Fine Gael have refused to retract Enda Kanny's allegation that McDowell is the one hurting Bertie.

McDowell IS the one currently hurting Bertie!
He's the one who is demanding a statemtent based on leaked tribunal information that has put Bertie into the position of actually agreeing to give one.

FG did not put Bertie in this position...McDowell did by seeking leaked information from the Tribunal.

It's unbelievable spin to try and turn this around on FG.

What Enda Kenny said is true...FF need to point their finger at McDowell for Bertie's current problems. He's the one with the leaked info, and he's the one using it politically.

The_Minister

Enda Kenny accused Michael McDowell of leaking the information to the press. If this is not true then Kenny should apologise.

JerkyBoy

The_Minister wrote:

Enda Kenny accused Michael McDowell of leaking the information to the press. If this is not true then Kenny should apologise.

Could you quote Enda Kenny on this please?

AFAIK, a spokesperson has already clarified what Kenny meant, and that it was in regard to the recent press conference by McDowell.

I await the quote where Kenny says that McDowell leaked the tribunal info to the press...

gandalf

The_Minister wrote:

Enda Kenny accused Michael McDowell of leaking the information to the press. If this is not true then Kenny should apologise.

Well it wouldn't be the first time that Herr Flick has leaked something to the press now would it?

DMC

JerkyBoy wrote:

I await the quote where Kenny says that McDowell leaked the tribunal info to the press...

RTÉ Radio 1, News at One, on Monday 8th May, in an interview with Sean O'Rourke.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0507/news1pm.html

10 minutes into the clip linked there, under Enda Kenny's name, is where the interview goes onto the PD's and at 11'45" secs, he mentions Mr. McDowell as the source of the leak.

And from here

As he wound up his manifesto launch this morning, Enda Kenny claimed that if the Taoiseach wanted to know who was putting out information from Tribunals he only had to look across the cabinet table.
Later on the RTÉ Radio's News At One, he confirmed he had meant Michael McDowell, prompting a furious response from the PD leader.

This afternoon Enda Kenny's spokesman said he did not intend to allege the Justice Minister had been responsible for the original leak from the Tribunal about the Taoiseach's financial affairs but had been referring to events of the last week when Mr McDowell's adviser had been passed material relating to the inquiry.

But Enda Kenny hasn't denied that McDowell has been the source of subsequent leaks. For some reason, and only RTÉ know best, this clip wasn't broadcast subsequently in other news bulletins.

JerkyBoy

It does sound like he's insinuating the leaks could be from McDowell given his history. But the crux of his point was that Bertie need worry more about McDowell and leaks than FG and leaks.

He only came out with this in response so accusations against FG so it sounds like he's using attack as the best form of defence, which personally I feel is lame.

However, I still think regardless of all this, and who leaked it or not...Bertie has to go...he sacked poor Ivor for getting a mere paintjob...Bertie is taking breifcases full of 10s of thousands in cash, among other dodgy payments.

If Bertie was a lower-level TD he'd be gone by now.

Same rules should apply to all.
FF should sack him.
The more they defend him, the worse they all look.

patzer117

JerkyBoy wrote:

It does sound like he's insinuating the leaks could be from McDowell given his history. But the crux of his point was that Bertie need worry more about McDowell and leaks than FG and leaks.

Rubbish! Who the hell leaked it to the Sunday Independant from the tribunal? if you're saying it's McDowell then I hope you have a solicitor and are able to back up that claim. What Kenny said was tantamount to saying just that and it's rebounded in his face. The leak from the tribunal is meant to damage bertie and as such, say FF, it's more likely that it came from Fine Gael...

stepbar

Maybe its Albert.......