Willie O'Dea

-Chris-

Willie O'Dea has been appointed to Micheal Martin's front bench. Michael Martin has said this is a front bench for government, not for opposition.

I checked out http://willieodea.ie/ and I'm surprised to see that this is one of the FF TD websites that have had virtually every reference to FF removed from it.

Does anyone else find it disconcerting that FF could be asking us to vote for people who would distance themselves from the party for self preservation purposes, while taking a place on the front bench?

I haven't checked the websites of the rest of the new front bench, but I would be surprised if he was alone in this.

mikemac

HQ advised their candidates to run local campaigns, the FF logo is toxic at the moment

In 2007 he secured the second highest first preference vote in the country (the highest in terms of multiples of quota).

From the website and impressive for any candidate, no matter which party

Sir Oxman

I don't think it's impressive that MM (the new broom, as he'd have it) has brought back O'Dea after the disgrace he made of himself last year.

I can see the party selfish side of it, but not the public interest side of it.
Different leader, same shít.

snubbleste

You should help him, he might have forgotten

starbelgrade

I wonder how many of the electorate have already forgotten that this man is one whose word cannot be trusted in the slightest?

At a time when the country really needs politicians with honesty & integrity, there really is no room in our political system for the likes of Willie O'Dea.

-Chris-

How do the rest of the new front bench measure up, in your opinion?

•Spokesperson on Environment & Local Gov and Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin TD
•Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD
•Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform John Curran TD
•Spokesperson on Health & Children Barry Andrews TD
•Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD
•Spokesperson on Social Protection Eamon O Cuiv TD
•Spokesperson on Enterprise, Employment & Innovation Dara Calleary TD
•Spokesperson on Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Brendan Smith TD
•Spokesperson on Tourism & Arts Senator Marc McSharry
•Spokesperson on Defence Niall Collins TD
•Spokesperson on Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs Pat Carey TD
•Spokesperson on Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Willie O'Dea TD
•Spokesperson on Transport Billy Kelleher TD
•Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Trade Peter Power TD
•Spokesperson on Political Reform Averil Power
•Spokesperson on Financial Sector Reform Michael McGrath TD
•Spokesperson on Public Sector Reform Sean Fleming TD
•Spokesperson on Sport Darragh O'Brien TD
•Spokesperson on Small Business John McGuinness TD
•Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick
•Legal Adviser to the Frontbench and Spokesman on Constitutional Reform Cllr Jim O'Callaghan Senior Counsel

flutered

snubbleste wrote: »

You should help him, he might have forgotten

the first people that they hit in the last three budgets, scum are too good a word to use on them.

mikemac

-Chris- wrote: »

How do the rest of the new front bench measure up, in your opinion?

Who is dealing with Northern Ireland?

I've searched the FF website but must have missed it but cannot find it.
The other parties have someone allocated for NI

-Chris- wrote: »

•Spokesperson on Housing & Urban Development Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick

It's pretty doubtful she will even be elected as a TD

gandalf

Interesting that under the "new" leadership a discredited former minister is brought back into the fold. Nice to see FF turning a new leaf over eh

Capt'n Midnight

Front bench ??

It's not like they will be able to do anything before the election is it ?

So who is still likely to be an FF TD after the election who isn't in the front bench or hasn't resigned as minister ??

It's just a way of getting as many names on the media as possible ??

goat2

starbelgrade wrote: »

I wonder how many of the electorate have already forgotten that this man is one whose word cannot be trusted in the slightest?

At a time when the country really needs politicians with honesty & integrity, there really is no room in our political system for the likes of Willie O'Dea.

whatever they say willie, i still love you, you are a natural, good luck and be resourceful

-Chris-

Another question - does this "elevation" to the theoretical front bench give these guys any additional pay or pensions entitlements?

bladespin

gandalf wrote: »

Interesting that under the "new" leadership a discredited former minister is brought back into the fold. Nice to see FF turning a new leaf over eh

Was just thinking the same, a fresh start for the cronies I guess, these clowns will never learn. :rolleyes:

Fr0g

-Chris- wrote: »

•Spokesperson on Finance Brian Lenihan TD

•Spokesperson on Education & Skills Mary Coughlan TD

At least FF haven't lost their sense of humour.

Sir Oxman

O'Dea still grieving over his personal and financial loss when he was forced to resign only his ministry in ignominy last year.

He clearly still feels hard done by and that yesterday was justice for the Wee Willie One.

Remarkable stuff by the affidavit swearer and Michael 'New Broom' Martin.

Newstalk this morning and here

[Jackass]

-Chris- wrote: »

Another question - does this "elevation" to the theoretical front bench give these guys any additional pay or pensions entitlements?

No, not unless they're an appointed minister.

If in oposition, they're mearly a spokesperson on behalf of the party. The only benefit I can imagine would be an increased expense allowance from the party.

I can't believe he's brought O'Dea back....

Same old FF, just different wrapping...as usual...

breadandjam

Interesting quote from O Dea in that Irish Times Article

“The only thing was that I was wrong in saying I had not said that,” he said.

Wasn't that the whole point. He lied. Under Oath.
It's not a minor detail that can be brushed away by saying "The only thing..."

InigoMontoya

-Chris- wrote: »

Another question - does this "elevation" to the theoretical front bench give these guys any additional pay or pensions entitlements?

Surely not.

Capt'n Midnight

[QUOTE='[Jackass]I can't believe he's brought O'Dea back....

Same old FF, just different wrapping...as usual...[/QUOTE]When have FF ever refused to take back someone who is certain to win a seat ??
(excluding personal feuds of course)

Jimmy Garlic

If the people of Limerick put Dilly O'Wee back in the ring for another bite of the cherry then they deserve whatever is coming to them.. That said, I am pretty confident Dilly will be so humiliated by lack of support that he will leave politics forever. Fingers crossed.

takun

I only have to hear Willie O'Dea's name and instantly the Rubberbandits start playing in my head. I know it's wrong, but it's involuntary.

CrowdedHouse

Well for me he has the distinction of the ONLY politician ever to buy me a pint

I was working/studying in Limerick many many years ago(80's), he came in canvassing a pub I was in and even though I told him I wasn't a constituent and wouldn't be voting for him, he said 'shur have one anyway'

(Despite the folklore of politicians standing rounds of drink in pubs it's the only time it happened to me)

Jimmy Garlic

The people of Limerick... I have no words

Liam Byrne

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

The people of Limerick... I have no words

On behalf of the decent people of Limerick - my apologies.

I can, however, say that due to a ridiculous realigning of the constituencies I wasn't even in a position to ensure that lying and perjury were suitably punished.

I'm just worried what this will do to Limerick's reputation.

Iwannahurl

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

The people of Limerick... I have no words

No need for words.

Ban Ki Moon

Is it true that Willie is one of the rubber bandits?

Mr.Micro

Liam Byrne wrote: »

On behalf of the decent people of Limerick - my apologies.

I can, however, say that due to a ridiculous realigning of the constituencies I wasn't even in a position to ensure that lying and perjury were suitably punished.

I'm just worried what this will do to Limerick's reputation.

Now that Willie Wonka is part of a MINORITY party he hopefully cannot do much harm.

Liam Byrne

Mr.Micro wrote: »

Now that Willie Wonka is part of a MINORITY party he hopefully cannot do much harm.

That still doesn't alleviate the sickening feeling that I'm sharing a location with so many idiots and gob****es.

Jimmy Garlic

Liam Byrne wrote: »

That still doesn't alleviate the sickening feeling that I'm sharing a location with so many idiots and gob****es.

You have my sympathy. I feel your pain.

realdanbreen

Willie was bang out of order saying yer mans apartment was being uses as a brothel, after all it was yer mans brother who owned the apartment.

realdanbreen

NewHillel wrote: »

I tried, I tried.
I put WOD last on the ballot paper and Peter Power 2nd last! I told Peter Power to his face that I wouldn't vote for him. Willie never came around, for the first time ever, or I'd have told him the same. (I did get lots of Text Messages from Willie, looking for my vote.)

Willie is the best worker for the people of Limerick end of. Noonan was always for the well heeled and now that he's becoming a minister the locals can forget about it.

Jimmy Garlic

realdanbreen wrote: »

Willie is the best worker for the people of Limerick end of. Noonan was always for the well heeled and now that he's becoming a minister the locals can forget about it.

Can you tell us all what exactly Willie has done for Limerick?, I'm curious.
Willie had 14 years in government and as far as I can see nothing has significantly changed for the better in Limerick. I take it you are a Willie fanboy.

Liam Byrne

NewHillel wrote: »

I tried, I tried.
I put WOD last on the ballot paper and Peter Power 2nd last! I told Peter Power to his face that I wouldn't vote for him. Willie never came around, for the first time ever, or I'd have told him the same. (I did get lots of Text Messages from Willie, looking for my vote.)

Why did you put him (them) ANYWHERE on the ballot paper ?

NewHillel wrote: »

I told Peter Power to his face that I wouldn't vote for him.

But you DID vote for him. Admittedly a very low preference, but you DID vote for him.

How do you know that your transfer didn't eventually go to him ?

realdanbreen

NewHillel wrote: »

Yes indeed. Rushing out the Dock Road, down the South Circular ... to whaever event was happening, anywhere, any place, anytime.
I wonder did he ever visit that Brotal? :eek:

Willie is very personable, and works very hard for his constituents. However, he also perjured himself and held Limerick up to international ridicule. Not someone I want representing me.

I would suggest that the guy that was the 'victim' of the perjury, and his associates, have done a lot more damage to Limerick's reputation. At least the gun that Willie was pictured with wasn't loaded or used to kill gardai.

Liam Byrne

realdanbreen wrote: »

I would suggest that the guy that was the 'victim' of the perjury, and his associates, have done a lot more damage to Limerick's reputation. At least the gun that Willie was pictured with wasn't loaded or used to kill gardai.

Completely irrelevant.

The above facts would have given O'Dea (or even someone reputable) enough "ammunition" to discredit them, without resorting to lies and slander.

watchingthepols

realdanbreen wrote: »

I would suggest that the guy that was the 'victim' of the perjury, and his associates, have done a lot more damage to Limerick's reputation. At least the gun that Willie was pictured with wasn't loaded or used to kill gardai.

Well, one thing that you cannot accuse them of, is being a government minister like O'Dea while the Limerick dole queue soared to over 23,000 people.

This, in my view, brings far greater shame on O'Dea than any perjury scandal.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/despair_at_rising_unemployment_in_limerick_1_2192691

zig

Im ashamed to be from Limerick right now. I am not sure who are the people voting for him but I think I may have an idea. It just wouldnt be very PC of me to describe them

realdanbreen

zig wrote: »

Im ashamed to be from Limerick right now. I am not sure who are the people voting for him but I think I may have an idea. It just wouldnt be very PC of me to describe them

Looks like you have a couple of problems, 1, You don't have much loyalty to your county if you can easily become ashamed of it,2, you are so insecure that you feel you must be PC. at all times.
At least you didn't blame O'Dea for Dell shedding jobs. Dell have been 18 years in Limerick and still employ 1400 in Limerick yet some johnnycomelately gobsh1tes can't comprehend why they would move some operations to a cheaper environment.

zig

realdanbreen wrote: »

Looks like you have a couple of problems, 1, You don't have much loyalty to your county if you can easily become ashamed of it,

not easily no

realdanbreen wrote: »

2, you are so insecure that you feel you must be PC. at all times.
.

watchingthepols

realdanbreen wrote: »

At least you didn't blame O'Dea for Dell shedding jobs.

Now that you mention it.....

I'd love O'Dea to tell us a bit more about his trip over to Dell In the USA.

Questions such as had he already been told that the jobs were gone before he took the high publicity €168,000 trip with over to Austin with Coughlan on the government jet.

johno2

realdanbreen wrote: »

Willie is the best worker for the people of Limerick end of. Noonan was always for the well heeled and now that he's becoming a minister the locals can forget about it.

Ever heard of the prisoners dilemma? That's the trap that people fall into by voting for TDs that do local work. TDs should be elected based on their ability to solve national problems. We have councillors to do local work, that's their job description. If everybody in the country voted for TDs that are good for their local constituents, we'd live in a tribal society. IMO there's been far too much of this going on in Ireland for far too long which is a major reason that our government is so sh!te. I'm looking at you South Kerry.

johno

watchingthepols

realdanbreen wrote: »

Willie is the best worker for the people of Limerick end of.

Hmm, the parish priest in Southill doesn't agree with you there.

Here he gives O'Dea a kick in the arse for doing sweet f*** all for the people of Southill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBAY91_MbGU

realdanbreen

johno2 wrote: »

Ever heard of the prisoners dilemma? That's the trap that people fall into by voting for TDs that do local work. TDs should be elected based on their ability to solve national problems. We have councillors to do local work, that's their job description. If everybody in the country voted for TDs that are good for their local constituents, we'd live in a tribal society. IMO there's been far too much of this going on in Ireland for far too long which is a major reason that our government is so sh!te. I'm looking at you South Kerry.

johno

If you think the last government was bad wait until you see whats coming down the track. By the time Varadker,Noonan, and the mega millionaires like Bruton & Ruairi Quinn are finished we will be back to an upstairs downstairs 3 bags full sir society. Unless perhaps ming dreams up something when he's smoking or Sinn Fein might be able to borrow a few bob from their old pal Gadaffi.

Liam Byrne

realdanbreen wrote: »

If you think the last government was bad wait until you see whats coming down the track. By the time Varadker,Noonan, and the mega millionaires like Bruton & Ruairi Quinn are finished we will be back to an upstairs downstairs 3 bags full sir society. Unless perhaps ming dreams up something when he's smoking or Sinn Fein might be able to borrow a few bob from their old pal Gadaffi.

Any chance you'd forget about them and answer the questions you were asked?

Or does the fact that your previous points were completely irrelevant not faze you at all?

watchingthepols

realdanbreen wrote: »

If you think the last government was bad wait until you see whats coming down the track. By the time Varadker,Noonan, and the mega millionaires like Bruton & Ruairi Quinn are finished

You forgot to mention your Millionaire Friend O'Dea & what he is going to do on the opposition benches

BTW Any word on how his mining shares are doing these days?

Anyway, when you are finished asking O'Dea those questions you can direct him to this clip on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ae2f9_14CU

johno2

realdanbreen wrote: »

Quote:
Originally Posted by johno2
Ever heard of the prisoners dilemma? That's the trap that people fall into by voting for TDs that do local work. TDs should be elected based on their ability to solve national problems. We have councillors to do local work, that's their job description. If everybody in the country voted for TDs that are good for their local constituents, we'd live in a tribal society. IMO there's been far too much of this going on in Ireland for far too long which is a major reason that our government is so sh!te. I'm looking at you South Kerry.

johno

If you think the last government was bad wait until you see whats coming down the track. By the time Varadker,Noonan, and the mega millionaires like Bruton & Ruairi Quinn are finished we will be back to an upstairs downstairs 3 bags full sir society. Unless perhaps ming dreams up something when he's smoking or Sinn Fein might be able to borrow a few bob from their old pal Gadaffi.

Erm, how is anything you wrote above related to anything I wrote? I don't get it.

johno

realdanbreen

watchingthepols wrote: »

Hmm, the parish priest in Southill doesn't agree with you there.

Here he gives O'Dea a kick in the arse for doing sweet f*** all for the people of Southill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBAY91_MbGU

Politicians can't say it but there comes a time when people such as the parish priest need to wise up to the fact that when you have a local authority housing estate holding about 4000 people many of whom are 3rd and 4th generation unemployed even through the boom years and many more go in and out of prison as their fathers before them did, then there is every likelihood of anti social behaviour. O'Dea has managed to secure millions for regeneration( which will also provide building jobs) and yet the priest is on about 'playing fields'?

watchingthepols

realdanbreen wrote: »

Politicians can't say it but there comes a time when people such as the parish priest need to wise up to the fact that when you have a local authority housing estate holding about 4000 people many of whom are 3rd and 4th generation unemployed even through the boom years and many more go in and out of prison as their fathers before them did, then there is every likelihood of anti social behaviour. O'Dea has managed to secure millions for regeneration( which will also provide building jobs) and yet the priest is on about 'playing fields'?

For those who didn't view the the video, the priest was talking about O'Dea holding a number of meetings with them, promising to come back within a week....then, years later, they still haven't heard back from him.

BTW many people such as the Limerick Leader say that O'Dea has failed to deliver on regeneration.