Doherty calls out Dinny McGinley over travel expenses

dlofnep

Pearse Doherty has launched a vicious attack on fellow Donegal TD Dinny McGinley revealing the Fine Gael politician claims thousands of euro more in travel expenses to the Dail – despite living almost next door to the Sinn Fein man.

McGinley, from Bunbeg, claims €95 per round trip more than Doherty, who lives in Derrybeg, because he claims he travels through Sligo to visit other constituents.

But newly-elected TD Doherty is having none of it and has slammed McGinley’s greed.

And now he has called on the veteran TD to give back the cash he has earned in recent years.

Doherty fumed “I honestly think it’s incredible. We are getting around €400 for a round trip to Dublin. Why in the name of God would you want to take the more scenic route to try and increase that amount of money? It baffles me,” he said.

And he added “Dinny McGinley lives within the same townland as me, we live less than a kilometre from eachother. It is appalling”.

McGinley is allowed to claim €37, 106 a year in travel because he claims he lives between 330km and 360 kms from Leinster House – allowing him an extra €2,000 than Doherty.

Doherty actually disputes the distance, claiming Bunbeg is only between 270kms and 300kms away from the Dail.

The Sinn Fein man, who has impressed many with his outspoken and honest take on politics since arriving in the Dail last month, has actually given back €5,000 in expenses he was given as a Senator between 2007 and 2009.

He argued that he was given too much money as his mileage had been calculated in a higher travel bracket which he was not entitled to.

So far Deputy McGinley has refused to return any of the expenses despite calls from his neighbouring TD.

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/01/02/doherty-exposes-greed-of-next-door-neighbour-mcginleys-travel-expenses/

Doherty is a breath of fresh air to Irish politics. Can McGinley justify almost an extra 100 euro per round trip more than a man who lives 1km away from him?

BlaasForRafa

dlofnep wrote: »

http://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/01/02/doherty-exposes-greed-of-next-door-neighbour-mcginleys-travel-expenses/

Doherty is a breath of fresh air to Irish politics. Can McGinley justify almost an extra 100 euro per round trip more than a man who lives 1km away from him?

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

Wolfe Tone

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

Wow, didnt take long.

Minister Boyce

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

Tongue firmly in the cheek there BlaasforRafa...;)

This is exactly whats needed, irresspective of what people think of the Pearse Doherty and/or his party.

ilovesleep

Im really liking Pearse Doherty. Think I'll be voting SF because they are probably the only ones that would have the balls to get justice for us against these corrupt gangsters in power.

Duiske

We didn't have to wait long for the first snipe at Sinn Fein, even if it is just baseless accusation and rumour mongering.

ArtSmart

have to admit, however naive or almost churlish as he might be perceived by some, Doherty is a definite help to the Dail's credibility for most young or alienated voters.
i hope the 'big boys' will recognise that and respond appropriately.

dlofnep

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

And that ladies and gentlemen is what we call deflecting from the issue.

Wide Road

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

What should Dinny do now, in your opinion?

Einhard

Fair play to him. I like the cut of his jib as they say, but couldn't vote for him given the party he respresents.

Awful_Bliss

Doherty makes the effort to travel down to Dublin to what is a very empty Dail on most occasions. He seems to have the passion and commitment for it that most other in FG and FF don't have. Makes you wonder, that this guy is more open and honest than Enda Kenny who rarely discloses his expenses.

kraggy

Had Doherty been elected during the boom years, would he have still given back the 5k expenses?

I think not.

Publicity stunt if you ask me. But it's not just him. There are members of all parties making announcements of giving things back or agreeing to give up ministerial pensions. But why didn't they to that in the boom years?

It's to try and save their seats, and not out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's why.

bobbysands81

kraggy wrote: »

Had Doherty been elected during the boom years, would he have still given back the 5k expenses?

I think not.

Publicity stunt if you ask me. But it's not just him. There are members of all parties making announcements of giving things back or agreeing to give up ministerial pensions. But why didn't they to that in the boom years?

It's to try and save their seats, and not out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's why.

Publicity stunt or not who cares - he's doing the RIGHT thing (as are any others giving money back/not claiming etc...).

About time others followed suit which is the reason for this thread so why don't we keep it on topic?

Liam Byrne

Einhard wrote: »

Fair play to him. I like the cut of his jib as they say, but couldn't vote for him given the party he respresents.

+1

We're trying to get gangsters and people who have damaged the country and set its progress back for their own undemocratic narrow vested interests and agenda OUT of power; no point taking out the pot and putting in the kettle.

The Volt

I really like Doherty but SF have no chance of a vote from me given they're doing exactly the opposite of what they said they'd do here in the north.

Chucky the tree

Decided to have a look at Martin Ferris expenses in Kerry North for 2008. He claimed €78k in total and €50k in travel and subssitence. While Jimmy Deenihan(FG) claimed €65k in total and €40K in travel. Maybe Pearse can look into this for us while he's so eager to check out what everyone spends on travel.

phantom_lord

Awful_Bliss wrote: »

Doherty makes the effort to travel down to Dublin to what is a very empty Dail on most occasions. He seems to have the passion and commitment for it that most other in FG and FF don't have.

I think I would too at 400 bucks a pop.

BlaasForRafa

Wide Road wrote: »

What should Dinny do now, in your opinion?

Dinny McGinley is a useless waster who milks the expenses system for all its worth. Brendan Kennealy is another useless waste of space (http://www.independent.ie/national-news/publication-of--figures-backed-by-politicians-1849612.html ) and theres many more like him. If the public had any sense they'd vote out the useless chancers, whichever party they belong to.

BlaasForRafa

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Decided to have a look at Martin Ferris expenses in Kerry North for 2008. He claimed €78k in total and €50k in travel and subssitence. While Jimmy Deenihan(FG) claimed €65k in total and €40K in travel. Maybe Pearse can look into this for us while he's so eager to check out what everyone spends on travel.

He used the extra €13k to buy a replica of the Marita Ann

Dr. Baltar

I'm really impressed with Doherty. He's there a month and I can realte to him more than any other TD sitting in that chamber.

Biggins

Sadly what the FG man is doing, we all know or suspect, is only the tip of the iceberg.
It might go to explain why John O'Donaghue was not pushed any further to giving back some of the crazy amounts he wasted!
...Because in all honestly, I guess, a lot on both sides were doing the same to varying levels!

"Best not rock the boat too much in case FG and co might get thrown over with it!"
I'm guessing that the attitude of some in FG!

Victor

The Sinn Fein man, who has impressed many with his outspoken and honest take on politics since arriving in the Dail last month, has actually given back €5,000 in expenses he was given as a Senator between 2007 and 2009.

Isn't this exactly what Ivor Calalley got in trouble for - over claiming expenses? Why did Doherty over claim his expenses?

Why should Doherty get 300 euros every time he drives to work - on top of his salary? Even if he drove to Sligo and got the train (20 euro return) and did a bit of work on the train he'd save the state a fortune.

PomBear

Voltwad wrote: »

I really like Doherty but SF have no chance of a vote from me given they're doing exactly the opposite of what they said they'd do here in the north.

Sorry, but that's a myth they're implementing Tory cuts as they don't have fiscal rights as to the North's economy.

inforfun

dlofnep wrote: »

From the article: We are getting around €400 for a round trip to Dublin.?

Ok.
I did a round trip Dublin - Cork this weekend, a bit less km in totall. Costed me about €60 in petrol.
I am aware that petrol costs are not the only costs on a trip like that so take another €40 for those costs.

This SF guy is focussing on his neighbour claming more than him. Shouldnt the issue be the ridiculous amount they all seem to claim for a roundtrip in the first place?

gimme5minutes

Fair play to Doherty yet again.

dlofnep

Voltwad wrote: »

I really like Doherty but SF have no chance of a vote from me given they're doing exactly the opposite of what they said they'd do here in the north.

That's incorrect. Perhaps you'd care to expand on that?

imme

PomBear wrote: »

Sorry, but that's a myth they're implementing Tory cuts as they don't have fiscal rights as to the North's economy.

only doing what they were told to do by their over-lords, yeah right thanks. good little boys and girls alright. *yawns*

The Doherty story smacks of publicity seeking by (Padraig ) Pearse Doherty imo.

imme

Awful_Bliss wrote: »

Doherty makes the effort to travel down to Dublin to what is a very empty Dail on most occasions. He seems to have the passion and commitment for it that most other in FG and FF don't have. Makes you wonder, that this guy is more open and honest than Enda Kenny who rarely discloses his expenses.

it's really big of him to travel to the Dail, that's his job;), or is he above that:rolleyes:

All claims for expenses for TD's and Senators are freely available.

Dr. Baltar

imme wrote: »

only doing what they were told to do by their over-lords, yeah right thanks. good little boys and girls alright. *yawns*

The Doherty story smacks of publicity seeking by (Padraig ) Pearse Doherty imo.

Regardless of whether it's publicity or not, that man is getting people my age interested in politics. Since his budget speech I know of two friends who wouldn't have batted an eyelid at politics in the past actually getting engaged in it. For the first time in their lives they can actually see a connection between their own lives and the men in suits.

Pearse Doherty gets 100% credit for that and if it means the youth are starting to give a f*ck then that's only a good thing!

lugha

Duiske wrote: »

We didn't have to wait long for the first snipe at Sinn Fein, even if it is just baseless accusation and rumour mongering.

Oh boo hoo. The OP, a Sinn Fein supporter (activist?), started a puff thread the nub of which was “Isn’t this Sinn Fein boy a great lad altogether compared to that ‘aul blue shirt, wouldn’t you agree?”
Well no, some of us don’t altogether agree. And given their past SF have to expect some voices of dissent in these kind of threads, just as FF do when their supporters try a bit of electioneering for their party.
Good news though, I see one of the soldiers of destiny who posts here has piled in to line up on your side. (Well the opposite side to FG at any rate)

On the specific issue the OP raised, I don’t know if I am terribly impressed with any of these “gestures” of voluntary pay-cuts and modest expense claims, by any party. But if you are going to do them to show some solidarity with your struggling fellow citizens, then the way to do so is to make an initial low-key announcement to this effect, and then keep stum.
If you start exploiting your stance to score points off a political opponent, against whom you will be competing for the Dail in a couple of months, then it puts a bit of a doubt over your true motive, wouldn’t you say?

Liam Byrne

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Decided to have a look at Martin Ferris expenses in Kerry North for 2008. He claimed €78k in total and €50k in travel and subssitence. While Jimmy Deenihan(FG) claimed €65k in total and €40K in travel. Maybe Pearse can look into this for us while he's so eager to check out what everyone spends on travel.

Trips to collect murderers might be more expensive than ordinary trips?

nuac

Now Liam Byrne that is an unfair remark - visiting and collecting such persons from prison is a legitimate political activity for SF.

Liam Byrne

nuac wrote: »

Now Liam Byrne that is an unfair remark - visiting and collecting such persons from prison is a legitimate political activity for SF.

If that's the case, why is my remark unfair ?

The Volt

PomBear wrote: »

Sorry, but that's a myth they're implementing Tory cuts as they don't have fiscal rights as to the North's economy.

To a point yes, but they could protect the more vulnerable and they're not doing that. As far as I'm aware of they get a block grant from the UK and the NI Executive chooses how to use that.

Also, up North, they've made an unholy mess of the education system (Abolishing the 11+ which was a means for working class kids, each school also now sets their own test and criteria which makes it easier to decide who is allowed in and who isn't). They have no left wing policy in Northern Ireland (bar perhaps supporting Palestine but that's not really a unique left wing view).

dlofnep

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Trips to collect murderers might be more expensive than ordinary trips?

Deflecting still?

PomBear

Voltwad wrote: »

To a point yes, but they could protect the more vulnerable and they're not doing that. As far as I'm aware of they get a block grant from the UK and the NI Executive chooses how to use that.

Also, up North, they've made an unholy mess of the education system (Abolishing the 11+ which was a means for working class kids, each school also now sets their own test and criteria which makes it easier to decide who is allowed in and who isn't). They have no left wing policy in Northern Ireland (bar perhaps supporting Palestine but that's not really a unique left wing view).

I agree with you to an extent but look at their budget compared to ours, how little job losses they will have from it. While it is not purely left or right wing politically, it must be noted they're in coalition with the far right conservative DUP, and we can't underestimate the importance of that coalition

dlofnep

lugha wrote: »

Oh boo hoo. The OP, a Sinn Fein supporter (activist?), started a puff thread the nub of which was “Isn’t this Sinn Fein boy a great lad altogether compared to that ‘aul blue shirt, wouldn’t you agree?”

I am unapologetic about being a Sinn Féin supporter, but this forum is very well aware of my political stance. It's not as if I have been hiding it.

Interestingly enough - I've yet to see you make a post when supporters of other political parties make similar posts. Perhaps a known Fine Gael supporter attacking their main opposition in Labour? Or how about, the hundreds of threads made by political opponents of Sinn Féin, criticising them? No political motives there either I suppose?

My political leanings do not preclude me from making a post about Pearse Doherty. Sinn Féin TD or not, I find him inspiring - especially to younger people with interest in politics such as myself. If you have an objection with me posting about Pearse, with intent of highlighting his good work - then state it, instead of making snide remarks. I had a higher regard for you than that.

And finally - I don't remember mentioning "Blue Shirt" anywhere. I'd appreciate it if you left it out of the discussion, as it's a clear attempt to deflect from the issue at hand.

jimmycrackcorm

Doherty took more than two years to discover his own over-payment. Had he not gotten there first, someone else could have called him out for being over-expensed too.

Meh, I reckon he's probably just went on a crash course on finance prior to his annointment? I mean, how can he be a Finance spokesman when he couldn't even figure out his own pay-packet. It's just a bit too convienent now for my liking for him to be calling this out.

Liam Byrne

dlofnep wrote: »

Deflecting still?

Deflecting involves distracting attention from your own or others actions, so I haven't a clue how you came to that conclusion.

What actions of mine are you trying to implicate ?

I stated a fact; Ferris collects murderers of Gardai from jail.

So would you care to explain what you are on about, or should we just let it go as a pathetic attempt to avoid addressing the point made ?

Einhard

dlofnep wrote: »

I am unapologetic about being a Sinn Féin supporter, but this forum is very well aware of my political stance. It's not as if I have been hiding it.

No need to apologise. For my part, I find the notion of supporting a political party, rather than individual policies or manifestos that parties might produce, to be politically atavistic and, to a certain extent, dangerous. The administration of a country shouldn't be about tribal politics and ingrained allegiances, yet that's exactly what support for any one political party leads to. People are beginning to realise this in relation to FG and FF; it's a pity the same hasn't happened with SF.

dlofnep

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Deflecting involves distracting attention from your own or others actions, so I haven't a clue how you came to that conclusion.

Bringing up a topic that has nothing to do with the discussion at hand is deflecting.

Liam Byrne wrote: »

I stated a fact; Ferris collects murderers of Gardai from jail.

That's actually not a fact.

delta_bravo

I dont like SF but I do like Pearse as a person. He is straight talking and not afraid to criticise some of the "old heads" in the Dail. He is energetic and we need more people like him in all parties in the Dáil who are not afraid to say what they think.

Also I think its shocking that a T.D. would be "entitled" to receive €400 for a journey from Donegal to Dublin.

Liam Byrne

dlofnep wrote: »

Bringing up a topic that has nothing to do with the discussion at hand is deflecting.

No, that would be called "going off topic".

Anyway, I didn't bring up Ferris' expenses.

dlofnep wrote: »

That's actually not a fact.

:rolleyes: See usual SF/IRA justifications re what the "dogs in the street" know, then reverse it.

But go on, I'll humour you - people who take loaded machine guns onto a village street and point at a Garda car and riddle it with bullets and then drive off without taking any money were only looking to rob citizens of their money and had absolutely no intention of killing anyone.

Doherty is right in a lot of what he says, but until he's with a party that has no skeletons in its closet he can't be taken seriously.

dlofnep

Liam Byrne wrote: »

:rolleyes: See usual SF/IRA justifications re what the "dogs in the street" know, then reverse it.

You claimed it was a fact. The Irish judicial system disagrees with you. Not I.

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Doherty is right in a lot of what he says, but until he's with a party that has no skeletons in its closet he can't be taken seriously.

Well, that's strange - because he was taken very seriously in the by-elections, where he won and is now a TD. You don't determine who can and who cannot be taken seriously I'm afraid.

Einhard

dlofnep wrote: »

You claimed it was a fact. The Irish judicial system disagrees with you. Not I.

So you would categorise it as murder then?

lugha

dlofnep wrote: »

Interestingly enough - I've yet to see you make a post when supporters of other political parties make similar posts.

I have done when some FF supporters (foolishly!) tried something similar, though I can appreciate why you might not have seen them, such is the deluge of rebuttals that such threads attract.

dlofnep wrote: »

My political leanings do not preclude me from making a post about Pearse Doherty. Sinn Féin TD or not, I find him inspiring - especially to younger people with interest in politics such as myself. If you have an objection with me posting about Pearse, with intent of highlighting his good work - then state it, instead of making snide remarks.

My objection was not to your OP, it was to the subsequent wails of complaint when others offered an alternative view. This isn’t a blog, nobody can expect a free run, no matter what party they belong to. And my point was not in any way specific to SF, their policies or history.

Wolfe Tone

Einhard wrote: »

So you would categorise it as murder then?

I thought it was manslaughter rather than murder?

Not that that makes it right.

dlofnep

Einhard wrote: »

So you would categorise it as murder then?

Based on the evidence given, I would.

Nodin

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Deflecting involves distracting attention from your own or others actions, so I haven't a clue how you came to that conclusion.

What actions of mine are you trying to implicate ?

I stated a fact; Ferris collects murderers of Gardai from jail.

So would you care to explain what you are on about, or should we just let it go as a pathetic attempt to avoid addressing the point made ?

Off on your usual again Liam?

lugha

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

I thought it was manslaughter rather than murder?

Not that that makes it right.

I am perplexed as to why republicans continue to trot this line out. Even in their own interests surely they can see that the McCabe business is very emotive and still damaging for them politically? If they can't bring themselves to use the "M" word then you would think they would have enough sense not to make an issue of it?

And of course if you are going to just events on the basis of how a criminal court adjudicates on them then you would have to conclude that nothing untoward happened on Bloody Sunday, as no one has been convicted. And similarly for most (all?) foul deeds by the British army in NI. Utter nonsense of course, the doing of wrong and the holding of the doer accountable are two different things.

Anyway, back OT.

maplebanks

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Dinny McGinley and many other FF and FG politicians have outrageous levels of expenses. However Sinn Fein are still probably living off the funds from the northern bank raid so I wouldn't be taking too many lessons from them.

and ff are living off the proceeds of the irish economy robbery.:D