Ed Walsh

Lenny Lovett

Just listening to Ed Walsh (University of Limerick) on the Marian Finucane Show now. Is he the most sensible 'Public Figure' in Ireland at the moment? He certainly sounds it. He has developed U.L. from a small college to a world class University. This morning he is advocating voluntary (ie no salary, expenses etc!) management commissions to run the health services and education system. These commissions would e made up of stakeholders and well experienced business people. A simple but so bloody sensible suggestion. Walsh for Taoiseach? He also questions what our Ministers and Taioseach are up to travelling the country cutting ribbons at sewage plants et al when they should be doing their work. As he says anyone can cut a ribbon and, actually, a sewage plant doesn't need to be 'officially' opened. Too right!

FlutterinBantam

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

Just listening to Ed Walsh (University of Limerick) on the Marian Finucane Show now. Is he the most sensible 'Public Figure' in Ireland at the moment? He certainly sounds it. He has developed U.L. from a small college to a world class University. This morning he is advocating voluntary (ie no salary, expenses etc!) management commissions to run the health services and education system. These commissions would e made up of stakeholders and well experienced business people. A simple but so bloody sensible suggestion. Walsh for Taoiseach? He also questions what our Ministers and Taioseach are up to travelling the country cutting ribbons at sewage plants et al when they should be doing their work. As he says anyone can cut a ribbon and, actually, a sewage plant doesn't need to be 'officially' opened. Too right!

I was only half listening, but if I recall it correctly ,he unloaded big time on Bartholemew A, and fcuking rightly so.This shyster and his accolytes managed to move us from hero to zero in less time than it takes to say 'yes' to everything and plunder the coffers with no consideration for the future.

Single handedly, in my opinion, that imbecile managed to drag this country from a going concern into the depths of disaster.

How must it seem for people under pressure to see his smug puss, with his family all well taken care of, grinning from a cupboard whilst leaving the legacy of his leadership in a shambles around the place.


very hard to swallow I would suggest.

pushybroad

Here here Lenny... Thumbs up for Ed! The politicians need people like Ed to help them think their way out of this crisis and they should listen and act.

deanh

I take it that all guests were too polite to mention his multi-million euro president's residence in Limerick funded by a 'donation' from an American businessman. Everytime I hear from Ed. Walsh, I am reminded about the expression 'empty vessels making the most noise'.

johnnyskeleton

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

He has developed U.L. from a small college to a world class University. This morning he is advocating voluntary (ie no salary, expenses etc!) management commissions to run the health services and education system. These commissions would e made up of stakeholders and well experienced business people.

So he's advocating that successful businesspeople give up their profitable businesses and work for the public sector for free?

There must be something I'm missing in this.

Lenny Lovett

deanh wrote: »

I take it that all guests were too polite to mention his multi-million euro president's residence in Limerick funded by a 'donation' from an American businessman. Everytime I hear from Ed. Walsh, I am reminded about the expression 'empty vessels making the most noise'.

Ah, well, ait least if it was paid for by a donation we, the taxpayers, didn't get screwed for it. What's the problem?

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

So he's advocating that successful businesspeople give up their profitable businesses and work for the public sector for free?

There must be something I'm missing in this.

When did he advocate them giving up their profitable businesses? Do tell. I heard him say that he would ask them to give some of their time on a voluntary basis to help turn around these failing departments. A good idea don't you think?

Einhard

Lenny Lovett wrote: »

When did he advocate them giving up their profitable businesses? Do tell. I heard him say that he would ask them to give some of their time on a voluntary basis to help turn around these failing departments. A good idea don't you think?

No, an absolutely terrible idea. The last thing the HSE needs is an upper management composed of part timers.

Callan57

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

So he's advocating that successful businesspeople give up their profitable businesses and work for the public sector for free?

There must be something I'm missing in this.

No he wasn't ... he was raging against quangos stuffed with political hacks who have neither interest in or knowledge of the areas they are supposed to be dealing with. He was suggesting much smaller committees of people with proven knowledge and/or relevant expertise in the particular area.
I don't always find myself agreeing with Ed Walsh but on this there can be on argument.

Poly

Einhard wrote: »

No, an absolutely terrible idea. The last thing the
HSE needs is an upper management composed of part timers.

I would take part time professionals over the existing full time incompetents any day of the week.
Look what Gerry Robinson achieved in the UK in a couple of months

ninty9er

deanh wrote: »

I take it that all guests were too polite to mention his multi-million euro president's residence in Limerick funded by a 'donation' from an American businessman. Everytime I hear from Ed. Walsh, I am reminded about the expression 'empty vessels making the most noise'.

Ed isn't the President, hasn't been since 1998, though he remains involved in affiliated campus bodies, such as the Irish Chamber Orchestra. He's a bit of a revolutionary figure, but I'm not sure that they're all compatible with Irish society. The third level sector is a massive example of wastage and unnecessary duplication of resources in Ireland, doubt you'll hear Ed admit to that though, considering UL was a late comer to a lot of the areas, however it has many unique selling points, and I really enjoyed my time there. Never had any major dealings with Ed apart from a minor query on the ICO.

pushybroad

DeanH - what are you referring to by "multi-million euro president's residence in Limerick"? ... do you mean the student's multi-million campus... i don't know of any "residence" on the campus... other than the student villages ... the president doesn't live on the campus... you need to do a little research i think!

Byron85

pushybroad wrote: »

you need to do a little research i think!

Actually you're the one who needs to research a little.

http://two.archiseek.com/2010/new-house-on-campus-for-university-of-limerick-president-cost-e2-3m/

Rabble Rabble

Byron85 wrote: »

Actually you're the one who needs to research a little.

http://two.archiseek.com/2010/new-house-on-campus-for-university-of-limerick-president-cost-e2-3m/

So that would be a house built for the University President ( like the provost house for the head of Trinity), who is not Ed Walsh but Don Barry, and built by non-Taxpayers funds.

why exactly does anybody think this has anything to do with this thread, is in any way wrong, and applies in any way to Ed Walsh?

Byron85

Rabble Rabble wrote: »

So that would be a house built for the University President ( like the provost house for the head of Trinity), who is not Ed Walsh but Don Barry, and built by non-Taxpayers funds.

why exactly does anybody think this has anything to do with this thread, is in any way wrong, and applies in any way to Ed Walsh?

I was merely correcting the claim that there's no multi-million euro residence at Limerick University. Beyond that I don't care about the issue(s).

Rabble Rabble

Byron85 wrote: »

I was merely correcting the claim that there's no multi-million euro residence at Limerick University. Beyond that I don't care about the issue(s).

Fair enough. I suppose my post was really about the guy who mentioned it.

Ed Walsh became president of UL when he was 29. That's pretty amazing.

Callan57

ninty9er wrote: »

Ed isn't the President, hasn't been since 1998, though he remains involved in affiliated campus bodies, such as the Irish Chamber Orchestra. He's a bit of a revolutionary figure, but I'm not sure that they're all compatible with Irish society. The third level sector is a massive example of wastage and unnecessary duplication of resources in Ireland, doubt you'll hear Ed admit to that though, considering UL was a late comer to a lot of the areas, however it has many unique selling points, and I really enjoyed my time there. Never had any major dealings with Ed apart from a minor query on the ICO.

I have a lot of admiration for Ed Walsh but 'a revolutionary figure' ... you're joking surely?