Ministers need an increase in salary

CoalBucket

I've been watching the news the last few weeks and Michael Martin has been on most nights. My other half spotted this the night of the Cowenchallenge.

Michael Martin is constantly wearing the same shirt and tie. Now to be fair, he has changed the shirt recently but whats the story with the tie.

Here are some pics from the night of the press conference he came out against cowan, after the cowen victory vote, the run up to his election to FF leader, the press conference post his victory and a photo form today.

Are Ministers salaries so bad they can't afford more than one tie ?

later12

The tie is probably the same but has it ever occurred to you that he may have more than one blue shirt in the Ministerial wardrobe? Or that some of these pictures may have been taken on the same day?

Perhaps he makes a point of wearing a blue collar, or a red tie? Perhaps there was more than one socialist in the house.

Overheal

They wear the same clothes so you forget about the holiday home in the canaries. And the benz.

mikemac

You don't have a lucky tie?

He became leader of his party, probably one of his life goals that he has aimed at for decades.
He should keep wearing it.

I had the same tie for every job interview

CoalBucket

Ive seen the same tie every night on the news, ther has to be more to it than a lucky tie. Maybe he has loads of them. Just have a look the next time you see him on the news or in the paper. Maybe it's some bizarre mind trick by FF. I wouldn't put it past them

Liam Byrne

Maybe he thinks he's Ireland's answer to Matlock ?

Or maybe he's actually serious about clamping down and corruption and doesn't view it as acceptable to claim expenses to drive to Cork for a change of clothes ?

mikemac

CoalBucket wrote: »

Maybe it's some bizarre mind trick by FF. I wouldn't put it past them

We have a conspiracy theory forum and a fashion forum

Just a tie, and a pretty stylish one at that.

CoalBucket

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Maybe he thinks he's Ireland's answer to Matlock ?

Or maybe he's actually serious about clamping down and corruption and doesn't view it as acceptable to claim expenses to drive to Cork for a change of clothes ?

He could always ask Callely to pick up one for him on the way back.

Pherekydes

This has to be the most frivolous reason for a pay rise ever. By the way, he's no longer a minister. He's now poverty-stricken on 92k a year.

mikemac

If he was wearing €1,000 euro designer suits every day I'd be reading another thread that he was overpaid

Wears the same tie every day and there are complaints also

How do you solve this?

CoalBucket

feelingstressed wrote: »

If he was wearing €1,000 euro designer suits every day I'd be reading another thread that he was overpaid

Wears the same tie every day and there are complaints also

How do you solve this?

Maybe if it was the same suit everday for a fortnight you would see a thread.

It's not a complaint, if I was gonna complain I would complain about the 450,000 unemployed, or the 100,000 emigrating, or the setting up of the HSE, or the 90bn of tax payers money to bail out the banks.

It's an observation.

From a purely observational point of view do you not think it is strange or at the very least quirky that he wears the same tie all the time ?

It's not an attack on FF, now back to the cumann with you and tell Martin to change the tie

vibe666

As Dara Ó Briain would say, what those Ministers need is putting in a big sack and beating with sticks.

afaik in with all the preists, chiropractors & homeopathists.

mikemac

CoalBucket wrote: »

It's not a complaint,
It's an observation.

Fair enough

CoalBucket wrote: »

From a purely observational point of view do you not think it is strange or at the very least quirky that he wears the same tie all the time ?

It realy such a different thread for here.
No it's not quirky, every man needs a lucky tie so go get one yourself
He's on a streak, he became leader of his party. I'm a bit of a baseball fan and players and teams on a winning streak are afraid to change their routine. Bull Durham, good film

The second he messes something up which will probably be in a few days he can ditch the tie

CoalBucket

feelingstressed wrote: »

No it's not quirky, every man needs a lucky tie so go get one yourself
He's on a streak, he became leader of his party.

Maybe in hindsight it is a bit of a strange thread for here and if any mods are looking move it to AH if ye like.

I agree with the whole lucky streak thing and but he's been wearing the same tie since the first leadership challenge which he lost.

It's just something to keep me interested when I see him in the paper and on TV.

Keep an eye out for it

wyndham

Your 4th and 5th pictures show 2 different ties. One is a hatched pattern and one is dots. Both red, granted.

The other pictures are too small to tell.

And it's Cowen.

snubbleste

Send him an email OP and ask him
micheal.martin at oireachtas dot ie
Let us know what he says.

While you're at it, ask him who is footing the bill for all his travels throughout the country this week in his capacity as a party leader. For example he was in Sligo on thursday evening, not as a political representative of cork south central but in his capacity as the leader of a political grouping.

Essexboy

Maybe he buys his clothes in bulk.
"A dozen of dim blue shirts, bye, and the same for the ties." :rolleyes:

yoshytoshy

He could be colour blind and doesn't realise it's the same tie.

Balmed Out

After being in coalition with the greens perhaps it just hasnt got a stain yet and hes trying to cut back on the washing machine

southsiderosie

Essexboy wrote: »

Maybe he buys his clothes in bulk.
"A dozen of dim blue shirts, bye, and the same for the ties." :rolleyes:

Haha, I know quite a few men who do this!

Politicians: They're Just Like us!*

As an aside, since we are talking political fashion, I've noticed that Irish politicians ALWAYS have a suit and tie on, no matter where they are. Whereas in the US, Congressmen wear suits when in session, but in their districts they may be a little more casual or "folksy", especially in rural areas. Is this just a norm? How would voters respond if a politician showed up at an event in a jumper? Other than Bertie, most Irish politicians seem to follow the dark suit-white or blue shirt-tie model.


*except for the Mercs and perks

snubbleste

Have you not heard of former TD Tony Gregory?
This is Cowan, not always having a suit and tie. Kenny with no suit or tie.

So no it is not the case that Irish politicians ALWAYS have a suit and tie on, no matter where they are.

That picture of Kenny is particularly amusing

southsiderosie

snubbleste wrote: »

Have you not heard of former TD Tony Gregory?
This is Cowan, not always having a suit and tie. Kenny with no suit or tie.

So no it is not the case that Irish politicians ALWAYS have a suit and tie on, no matter where they are.

Ah, yes - Maureen O'Sullivan always has a big fuzzy sweater on whenever I see her. And PBPA politicians are relatively casual.

But is this the case for FF/FG? I guess this is more a question about voter expectations than anything else.

And I wouldn't expect people to exercise in a suit and tie! This is more about public events.

vibe666

anyone think this qualifies as a scandal for cowen?

i bet the press have been itching to use the term "cowengate" and add his face to one of these: