Mary Lou McDonald: the most annoying person in Irish politics

Rebelheart

Just listening to her on Rodney Rice's Saturday View of RTÉ Radio 1 and she must wake up on the wrong side of the bed every morning. The woman would fight with her own shadow.

She and Sinn Féin are fundamentally wrong in their opposition to the Lisbon Treaty - or to be more precise in their alliance with the "British Isles" school of British eurosceptics. It's a terrifying alliance. McDonald was sitting there defending the indefensible for any Irish republican.

And as usual she was playing the victim. She and Sinn Féin clearly think they are smart and, moreover, that we all read British tabloids that are hostile to the EU. From the time she opens her mouth she insults our intelligence. Her discussions are much more about herself, her fighting skills, her performance, than they are about her ideas. When she is challenged about her ideas she erupts into another ad hominem and tries again to digress into a non sequitur - followed by something like "Please, don't interrupt me, I let you have your time [which she didn't]".

Oddly enough, she strikes me as being a female version of Jeffrey Donaldson: smug, sanctimonious, populist (in a weird sense), and a complete bully at heart.


* I wont even get into her ridiculous pie-in-the-sky ideas about the Irish economy; she has all the answers and everybody else is wrong. She has no grace, no generosity and no sense of fair play. If she ever did get into power she would be the greatest hypocrite of all.

dave-higgz

Yeah she was painful to listen to. I can't believe she's only attended 65% of debates in the parliament. The other 3 have attended loads more with Gay Mitchell on 92% if I recall. These elections are pretty important if we're to make up with the EU and electing the right people is paramount. I say don't vote Mary Lou McDonald. I think I'd rather have Eoin Ryan!!!

Rebelheart

dave-higgz wrote: »

Yeah she was painful to listen to. I can't believe she's only attended 65% of debates in the parliament. The other 3 have attended loads more with Gay Mitchell on 92% if I recall. These elections are pretty important if we're to make up with the EU and electing the right people is paramount. I say don't vote Mary Lou McDonald. I think I'd rather have Eoin Ryan!!!

Yeah, and did you hear the way she tried to "defend" her attendance record? Pathetic. Gay Mitchell was well able for her, and I really appreciated Eoin Ryan getting thick with her and pointing out that Sinn Féin in government in the North is only giving unemployment benefit that is half the amount of what Fianna Fáil is giving in the Republic. He definitely won that!

Joey the lips

I actually always agreed with her and I understand her stance perfect on europe, although she wont be getting my vote. It makes sense when you think of it. The further Ireland gets into europe the far less the possibility of a united Ireland this is her goal, to prevent this

But surly this thread should be in afterhours cause its more of a rant about the posters feelings on mary lou than political discussion

villager

can't wait till the shinners call to my door canvasing so i can tell them to get the F%$@ right off my property

Joey the lips

villager wrote: »

can't wait till the shinners call to my door canvasing so i can tell them to get the F%$@ right off my property

Like I said after hours :rolleyes::rolleyes: look on the bright side at least Fianna Fail wont be alone

arybvtcw0eolkf

Joey the lips wrote: »

Like I said after hours :rolleyes::rolleyes: look on the bright side at least Fianna Fail wont be alone

+1.

The OP has just done what they've accused Mary Lou of doing - ranting & talking sh*t.

Plus the moment I hear/read "Shinner's" from someone I immediately go into 'ignore all muppet comments from here on' mode.

ilkhanid

Leaving aside her views on Europe, I remember her defending Sinn Fein's commemoration of Sean Russell...the fellow-traveller of the Nazis, he of the headless statue in Fairview
In a radio discussion I heard she actually claimed that he couldn't have known about the bad things the Nazis were doing. This was in 1940: post 1.Krystallanacht ; 2.The Nuremberg Laws;3.the burning of the books;4.The German intervention on Franco's side in the Spanish civil war;4.Austria,Czechoslovakia,Poland,Denmark, Norway etc etc. Either she believed Russell was living in a cave since 1933, she was displaying an ignorance amazing in an educated person,or she was giving the usual waffle to cloud the truth, retailing the Shinner line. Either way, it was disgusting.

JonathanAnon

I heard the interview as well. I think she is a clever speaker, but she's always ducking and diving, making excuses.

On a side issue, Gay Mitchell had a right go at Rodney and RTE. This a few weeks after he had a right go at Mary Wilson as well. He seems to have a real issue with RTE's reporting on the Dáil, and the way they question the TDs salaries/benefits/expenses while not necessarily receiving the same scrutiny of their own salaries. Gay does seem like an ethical, decent guy though.

slippy wicket

She is a very clever speaker, but not in a good way.
Every time she opens her mouth she lies or evades or obfuscates.
I hope that this time out people see through her and the rest of her ilk.

Joey the lips

ilkhanid wrote: »

Leaving aside her views on Europe, I remember her defending Sinn Fein's commemoration of Sean Russell...the fellow-traveller of the Nazis, he of the headless statue in Fairview
In a radio discussion I heard she actually claimed that he couldn't have known about the bad things the Nazis were doing. This was in 1940: post 1.Krystallanacht ; 2.The Nuremberg Laws;3.the burning of the books;4.The German intervention on Franco's side in the Spanish civil war;4.Austria,Czechoslovakia,Poland,Denmark, Norway etc etc. Either she believed Russell was living in a cave since 1933, she was displaying an ignorance amazing in an educated person,or she was giving the usual waffle to cloud the truth, retailing the Shinner line. Either way, it was disgusting.

JonathanAnon wrote: »

I heard the interview as well. I think she is a clever speaker, but she's always ducking and diving, making excuses.

On a side issue, Gay Mitchell had a right go at Rodney and RTE. This a few weeks after he had a right go at Mary Wilson as well. He seems to have a real issue with RTE's reporting on the Dáil, and the way they question the TDs salaries/benefits/expenses while not necessarily receiving the same scrutiny of their own salaries. Gay does seem like an ethical, decent guy though.

I to saw the interview but I waited to see how many stupid comments came abord before I answered and not many thank god. Sean Russel died in 1940. One year into the ware just after the time develara had a final meeting with hitler So what really if she did not no to much about him. FG were linked to the blueshirts so lets sum it up, who in irish politics of the time was not anti british!

Its amazing to think if mary lou start to sit down and spout 1916 politics you would all switch off and say "Not this again" but you feel its something you can beat her with.

Political threads are getting more boreing and I am contributing far less discussion because as I said I wont be voting for her but what the hell has this thread got to do with politics!

Oh guess what David norris is gay! Dident you know!

Gossip has more advantages!

HarryL

Were we listening to the same programme? I thought three ganging up on one was very suspicious! There will only be three seats instead of four....looked like the boys had decided beforehand to cut her out!!

Did you not think the "lads" were hypocritical going on about her attendance in the parliament...have you never looked at the live broadcasts from Dail Eireann? Usually there's one TD talking to one or maybe two others and the rest of the chamber is empty...and don't they get an allowance for attending? By contrast the House of Commons is always packed. I never understand how the Irish people accept this.

I thought Eoin Ryan as a member of FF got off really lightly...by deflecting the agro onto the lady.
Mary Lou is entitled to express her opinions without subjection to such vitriol. I thought she was quite dignified in her responses.
She made good points re child benefit and cutbacks in education.
I thought Rodney could have done better and not allowed such an unbalanced attack.

vincenzo1975

did nobody think the interview seemed like the others were ganging up on her?

alexanderomahon

I don't know what people were listening to because I thought she came out well.

She was the only one who respected the fact that the majority of the electorate voteed against Lisbon. The others just ignored our opnion. She spoke about a social europe and not just a free market europe.

I thought the others offered very little except a tirade about SF being anti-europe.

Also what is De Rossa hiding on expenses? He seemed unhappy about that being raised

Nodin

As a "Shinner"voter/Fenian/Follower of the Dark One for 20 years I've never been happy with the anti-Europe stance meself.......

IIMII

Nodin wrote: »

I've never been happy with the anti-Europe stance meself.......

I agree. But similarly, I don't like the idea of the EU expanding ad infinitum and the prospect of Turkey's entrance specifically

Nodin

IIMII wrote: »

I agree. But similarly, I don't like the idea of the EU expanding ad infinitum and the prospect of Turkey's entrance specifically

I've nothing against its expansion, and should Turkey get its act together (unlikely to occur in the 25 years or so of life I may have left), I've no objection to them in either. I do have quibbles with certain elements of the EU of course, but overall I've seen nothing in it ideologically which would make me reject it. My main dissapointment is that (naively perhaps) I always thought we'd end up with a more European styled society and economy - like France or Germany - and that hasn't happened.

Heinrich

How foolish are those MLM critics! This is rich coming from the supporters of the lousiest government in Europe and the worst we have ever had since the dawn of the Republic.

Get real for a change! What do you think MacDonald will do next, come roaring down O'Connell Street with two six shooters?

The same commentary can be reserved for critics of George Lee!

Scofflaw

alexanderomahon wrote: »

I don't know what people were listening to because I thought she came out well.

She was the only one who respected the fact that the majority of the electorate voteed against Lisbon. The others just ignored our opnion. She spoke about a social europe and not just a free market europe.

I thought the others offered very little except a tirade about SF being anti-europe.

Also what is De Rossa hiding on expenses? He seemed unhappy about that being raised

Given he's one of only a handful of MEPs who publish their expenses online, the answer is probably "less than some people".

cordially,
Scofflaw

Rebelheart

ilkhanid wrote: »

Leaving aside her views on Europe, I remember her defending Sinn Fein's commemoration of Sean Russell...the fellow-traveller of the Nazis, he of the headless statue in Fairview
In a radio discussion I heard she actually claimed that he couldn't have known about the bad things the Nazis were doing. This was in 1940: post 1.Krystallanacht ; 2.The Nuremberg Laws;3.the burning of the books;4.The German intervention on Franco's side in the Spanish civil war;4.Austria,Czechoslovakia,Poland,Denmark, Norway etc etc. Either she believed Russell was living in a cave since 1933, she was displaying an ignorance amazing in an educated person,or she was giving the usual waffle to cloud the truth, retailing the Shinner line. Either way, it was disgusting.

Then again, are you in favour of the destruction of the remaining monuments in Ireland to British imperialist lords who subjugated countless people across the world? Indeed, should we destroy the "Traitors' Gate" ( http://www.webeireann.com/archiseek/1.jpg ) on Dublin's Stephen's Green which, as it says clearly on it, is a monument to all those Irish-born British soldiers who died for the British Empire in South Africa while that state was killings tens of thousands of women and children in the concentration camps there?

Or, for you, is it simply a case of "My favourite tyrants, right or wrong"?

blinding

I do find Mary Lou small but sexy.

Rebelheart

Nodin wrote: »

My main dissapointment is that (naively perhaps) I always thought we'd end up with a more European styled society and economy - like France or Germany - and that hasn't happened.

I couldn't agree more with you, Nodin. Culturally and psychologically this country has still far too many Marian Finucanes obsessed with what is happening in Britain, and far too few John McGaherns who are open to the world beyond Britain (or is it England?).
There must be other Irish people who see Europe as a stepping stone to freedom for Ireland rather than the threat which McDonald and company perceive it to be. I was most impressed with Michael Lillis's eloquent letter to the Irish Times on 14 August 2008: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2008/0814/1218477548133.html

He spoke for an awful lot of people. The feedback in the paper on that letter was excellent too.

dlofnep

Mary Lou consistently finds herself in a position where the media gang up on her; But as always - She handles herself very well. Then again, as a Shinner - I'm obviously going to be biased.

Macha

alexanderomahon wrote: »

Also what is De Rossa hiding on expenses? He seemed unhappy about that being raised

McDonald only has lower expenses because she does less work. She only attends 75% of the meetings she's supposed to. Of course if she doesn't spend as much time in Brussels, she'll have less expenses but I'd rather an MEP actually DO the work they're elected to do.

The day of the interview, there was actually a plenary session in Brussels! But her priority was to be over in Dublin, on the radio, trying to score brownie points out of a non-issue. Great work there, Mary Lou.

Rebelheart

IIMII wrote: »

I agree. But similarly, I don't like the idea of the EU expanding ad infinitum and the prospect of Turkey's entrance specifically

I agree with that also. I particularly don't accept the idea of Turkey getting in the door while it continues to occupy Cyprus.

dlofnep

Agreed RH. LOL @ Turkey getting access to the EU when it illegally occupies a member state of the EU.

unwyse

Hello marylou,goodbye fianna FAIL;)

Sully

Ya they were ganging up on her, the presenter didnt seem to care. But, it seems to have brought out a few interesting things that may not have been known otherwise.

Sully

dlofnep wrote: »

Mary Lou consistently finds herself in a position where the media gang up on her; But as always - She handles herself very well. Then again, as a Shinner - I'm obviously going to be biased.

Im no shinner fan, but thats spot on (the defending part). I dont think shes ganged up on that much, she was yesterday, but she handles it very well. It still doesnt hide from the facts they stated tho.

Our man in Havana

It still doesnt hide from the facts they stated tho

Well what would you expect from a graduate of the Gerry Adams school of not answering questions?

Joey the lips

Bond-007 wrote: »

Well what would you expect from a graduate of the Gerry Adams school of not answering questions?

Thats a very poor answer and just confirms the ranks of this thread. I done with it I shall leave it to the trolls,

Sully

Joey the lips wrote: »

Thats a very poor answer and just confirms the ranks of this thread. I done with it I shall leave it to the trolls,

Well, I asssume your a SF supporter, so why not do what the rest of the political supporters do and try defend them? By ignoring it, you have confirmed what has been said about SF candidates.

Dyr

Scofflaw wrote: »

Given he's one of only a handful of MEPs who publish their expenses online, the answer is probably "less than some people".

cordially,
Scofflaw

They got into the habit of "publishing" their expenses back in the gardner street HQ days :pac:

Souljacker

Maybe not the most annoying (I think Martin Mansergh win's that title hands down) but she's definitely up there.

SF are the masters of smoke and mirrors, they all take average industrial wages yet Gerry Adams purchased a 1million euro holiday hone in Donegal. SF is pro Europe yet they've opposed every single referendum since 1972 including the one about us joining the EEC!!! They're nothing more than a party of protest who have nothing to add to Irish politics. Mary Lou is good at what she does, it's just a shame what she does ain't politics.

It was very nice to see her get her ass handed to her on Saturday by Gay and I look forward to seeing her lose her second election in a row next month.

dlofnep

Souljacker wrote: »

Maybe not the most annoying (I think Martin Mansergh win's that title hands down) but she's definitely up there.

SF are the masters of smoke and mirrors, they all take average industrial wages yet Gerry Adams purchased a 1million euro holiday hone in Donegal. SF is pro Europe yet they've opposed every single referendum since 1972 including the one about us joining the EEC!!! They're nothing more than a party of protest who have nothing to add to Irish politics. Mary Lou is good at what she does, it's just a shame what she does ain't politics.

It was very nice to see her get her ass handed to her on Saturday by Gay and I look forward to seeing her lose her second election in a row next month.

SF politicians do earn an average industrial wage. It's not myth. In regards to Gerry Adam's he has published a number of books, is paid like many other high profile politicians for speaking. Gerry's wealth is no big secret. It doesn't change the fact that the average SF politician gives up a great deal of money every year towards to party - which for me shows that they are not in it for money, but for their personal beliefs. SF has and always will be a grassroots lead movement.

Show me where any other politician in any other party in Ireland works off an industrial wage. I'll be impressed if you find one.

conchubhar1

dlofnep wrote: »

Show me where any other politician in any other party in Ireland works off an industrial wage. I'll be impressed if you find one.

to the contrary jackie healie rae was on ridiculus wages after all his bonuses and allowences - and thats only one example

Souljacker

dlofnep wrote: »

SF politicians do earn an average industrial wage. It's not myth. In regards to Gerry Adam's he has published a number of books, is paid like many other high profile politicians for speaking. Gerry's wealth is no big secret. It doesn't change the fact that the average SF politician gives up a great deal of money every year towards to party - which for me shows that they are not in it for money, but for their personal beliefs. SF has and always will be a grassroots lead movement.

Show me where any other politician in any other party in Ireland works off an industrial wage. I'll be impressed if you find one.

Joe Higgins there's a politician who can truly be said to not be in politics for the money. You're easily impressed.


My family comes from south Armagh and from what I see there from the mercs, beamers and mansions they're doing a hell of a lot more than drawing an industrial wage. But I suppose given your logic money gained from smuggling diesel doesn't count. Forgive me but the fact that the leader of SF, Adams is very wealthy and SF pride themselves in being socialists are the very definition of smoke and mirrors.

dlofnep

Souljacker wrote: »

Joe Higgins there's a politician who can truly be said to not be in politics for the money. You're easily impressed.

Joe Higgins is one in a million.

Souljacker wrote: »

My family comes from south Armagh and from what I see there from the mercs, beamers and mansions they're doing a hell of a lot more than drawing an industrial wage.

Who is "they"? I'd like to see these SF politicians in South Armagh with Mercs and Mansions. Where I live, SF Politicians are not living these lavish lifestyle's that seemingly exist in South Armagh, but not anywhere else.

Our man in Havana

The reasons for that might be that the northern SF have had their snouts in the trough for longer.

dlofnep

Or that it's completely nonsense.

Souljacker

dlofnep wrote: »

Joe Higgins is one in a million.



Who is "they"? I'd like to see these SF politicians in South Armagh with Mercs and Mansions. Where I live, SF Politicians are not living these lavish lifestyle's that seemingly exist in South Armagh, but not anywhere else.

Members of SF. I can only give my lived experience and that is that members of SF in the IRA heartland of south Armagh have profited hugely during and after the troubles. Just look at the black bags full of money found at slab Murphy’s home.

However you seem to be side stepping my point which is that SF and Mary Lou are hypocrites.

How can she claim SF is pro EU when it didn't even want us to join the EEC?? How can SF claim to be socialists when they're lead by a man who paid out 1 million euro for a holiday home??

Joe Higgins is part of a party which truly believes in socialist principles. When Joe Higgins campaigns he does it on a shoe string do you really believe the same can be said of SF and Mary Lou.

Smoke and mirrors

A Dub in Glasgo

Souljacker wrote: »

Members of SF. I can only give my lived experience and that is that members of SF in the IRA heartland of south Armagh have profited hugely during and after the troubles. Just look at the black bags full of money found at slab Murphy’s home.

However you seem to be side stepping my point which is that SF and Mary Lou are hypocrites.

How can she claim SF is pro EU when it didn't even want us to join the EEC?? How can SF claim to be socialists when they're lead by a man who paid out 1 million euro for a holiday home??

Joe Higgins is part of a party which truly believes in socialist principles. When Joe Higgins campaigns he does it on a shoe string do you really believe the same can be said of SF and Mary Lou.

Smoke and mirrors

Would that be Gerry Adams the writer of many successful books as well as President of a political party and an MP?

Can you provide evidence that he paid €1m for his holiday home?

I paid £80k for my house and it is now worth £200k, does that mean I paid £200k?

turgon

Apparently dams continued to except second home expenses from Westminster even though he didnt have a second home because he was abstaining from his duties as PM. Sick.

Our man in Havana

Did they not maintain offices in Westminster?

Souljacker

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Would that be Gerry Adams the writer of many successful books as well as President of a political party and an MP?

Can you provide evidence that he paid €1m for his holiday home?

I paid £80k for my house and it is now worth £200k, does that mean I paid £200k?

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/295358909829489.php

It’s common knowledge, up here at least but you seem to be dodging the point as well which is… the hypocrisy.

A Dub in Glasgo

turgon wrote: »

Apparently dams continued to except second home expenses from Westminster even though he didnt have a second home because he was abstaining from his duties as PM. Sick.

Sick? Sick that they used the money in lieu of salary and still maintained a presence in London even if they did not attend the chamber? Sick?

A Dub in Glasgo

Souljacker wrote: »

http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/295358909829489.php

It’s common knowledge, up here at least but you seem to be dodging the point as well which is… the hypocrisy.

common knowledge up here = dog's in the street = very little evidence

From your article written by Jim Cusack 'local sources estimate that it is worth close to 1 million euro'

worth = paid for?

close to €1m = €1m?

Souljacker

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

common knowledge up here = dog's in the street = very little evidence

From your article written by Jim Cusack 'local sources estimate that it is worth close to 1 million euro'

worth = paid for?

close to €1m = €1m?

You're still avoiding the point but really what else would you expect from a SF supporter.

You said it yourself Adams is a very successful novelist an MP and an MLA, he made money and I’d like you to show me some proof that he only claims an industrial wage. I don’t know many people on industrial wages who can afford second homes.


Google Slab Murphy and see what he got up to. If you don't believe that SF were involved in acuminating huge quantities of money (both legitimately and illegitimately) you are extremely naive or else in denial. Do you think at all went on their campaign of terror?

And what do you have to say about Mary Lou claiming SF's a pro Europe party yet they didn't want Ireland to join the EEC???

Spin it whatever way you want but SF will always look after SF first and foremost (as they've done up here for years) and the only way they could be described as socialists is in the vein of the soviet union.

As others have mentioned Gerry and co didn’t have any problem squandering my tax money which I pay up here paying 3 times over the going rate to rent a house in London and keep a parking space. 5 SF ministers needed to spend half a million pounds in expenses to be near a parliament they refuse to sit in??

That's more than comparible to the waste of FF.

Fratton Fred

turgon wrote: »

Apparently dams continued to except second home expenses from Westminster even though he didnt have a second home because he was abstaining from his duties as PM. Sick.

Did Mary lou answer questions on this in the interview? I heard an interview advertised where she was supposed to have been asked about it.

Bond-007 wrote: »

Did they not maintain offices in Westminster?

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Sick? Sick that they used the money in lieu of salary and still maintained a presence in London even if they did not attend the chamber? Sick?

Why would they maintain an office or even a presence in London? if they are not attending parliament then what business do they have in London?

£100,000 in expenses they claimed last year...from her Majesty

Nodin

Souljacker wrote: »

Google Slab Murphy and see what he got up to..

Why? Is he a member of PSF?

Souljacker wrote: »

If you don't believe that SF were involved in acuminating huge quantities of money (both legitimately and illegitimately)..

Why haven't they been audited and exposed if that allegation is true?

Souljacker wrote: »

As others have mentioned Gerry and co didn’t have any problem squandering my tax money which I pay up here paying 3 times over the going rate to rent a house in London and keep a parking space.
That's more than comparible to the waste of FF.

Considering that NI is run as part of the UK, surely it makes sense to maintain offices etc over there for various face to face meetings with the relevant Westminister departments?

Our man in Havana

Considering that NI is run as part of the UK, surely it makes sense to maintain offices etc over there for various face to face meetings with the relevant Westminister departments?

If they choose to abstain from Westminster and thus deprive their constituents of representation they should forego all the trappings of said office. Otherwise they are a bunch of hypocrites.