Jimmy Deenihan - Fine Gael TD

Doug89

I had the...pleasure....to be canvassed by Jimmy Deenihan yesterday evening. I'm still raging over it any time that I think how I (and my partner) were treated by him. I hope that by posting this I can take a few votes off him, he's convinced that he'll be a minister in the next cabinet, and after last night this makes me physically ill.


I'm new to North Kerry-West Limerick, so I wasn't familiar with him. His canvassers offered to bring him over as he was in the estate.
He came over, all handshakes and smiles, I asked what was his position on college fees – he said about graduate tax, I said what if I was to emigrate (who’d pay it then?) and he said that that was a problem that we were all facing. Then he said something about increased PRSI and began to get antsy and said (pointing to the flyer) to email him for a copy of the Fine Gael Policy document, trying to get away from the door.


I said is that it so? I’ve other questions. I asked him his position on gay marriage – to which he responded that there is gay marriage, both me and my partner flared up that there’s not gay marriage – there’s only civil partnership. He said that he thought it was a great bill and a huge step forward and ‘all that they want’, all the time trying to move back and not making eye contact with us anymore.


He then stated that he had many gay friends, best friends. We asked him why children weren’t included in the bill, he pretended not to hear the question. He then started saying that ‘marriage was another matter’ and that he’d never met a gay person who’d been/felt discriminated against. Both her and I responded that we were gay and that we’d been discriminated against. He then started saying that he hoped we were happy that we’d wasted his time and walked off.

I really just can't get over his IGNORANCE. I thought Ireland had moved past this. How can a politician treat people he's trying to get votes off like this!?


If you're in the constituency, or know anyone in it, please make them aware of how much of a bigot and quite frankly, a homophobe, this guy is.

Monty Burnz

Doug89 wrote: »

If you're in the constituency, or know anyone in it, please make them aware of how much of a bigot and quite frankly, a homophobe, this guy is.

To be fair, you're not automatically a bigot or a homophobe if you're opposed (or not in favour of, which is slightly different) to gay marriage - the world is a bit more complex than that.

I agree that the whole canvassing thing is a bit of a sham - how the hell can you discuss issues that actually matter to you in a 2 minute meet-and-greet with a candidate? They'd be better off staying at home and doing something more useful for voters.

Doug89

I agree with where you're coming from, but it was just the way we were treated by him that got me.

He practically shouted at us that we were wasting his time, and ran away.

What an arsehole, that how much of my tax money is going to pay him!?

Monty Burnz

Doug89 wrote: »

What an arsehole, that how much of my tax money is going to pay him!?

I'm going to say 'too much'.

AnthonyB

Another troglodyte baby-kisser. Country's full of them. But then again, most democracies are. Find a half decent independent. But don't not vote because of it.

Victor Meldrew

Doug89 wrote: »

I agree with where you're coming from, but it was just the way we were treated by him that got me.

He practically shouted at us that we were wasting his time, and ran away.

What an arsehole, that how much of my tax money is going to pay him!?

Firstly, welcome to boards,

Secondly, as a FG member, this sort of thing really annoys me. I am staunchly Pro gay marriage and adoption, as is pretty much most of the party membership under 40.



This is a generational thing, and, probably a urban / rural thing (I'm in DS).

It's a big ask, but if voting FG makes it less likely that FF get in there, would you consider it, even a second or third behind Spring and Ferris, even if you don't like the man you are voting for..

Doug89

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

Firstly, welcome to boards,

Secondly, as a FG member, this sort of thing really annoys me. I am staunchly Pro gay marriage and adoption, as is pretty much most of the party membership under 40.



This is a generational thing, and, probably a urban / rural thing (I'm in DS).

It's a big ask, but if voting FG makes it less likely that FF get in there, would you consider it, even a second or third behind Spring and Ferris, even if you don't like the man you are voting for..

Thanks for the welcome.

I can see myself voting Spring, I have no idea after that, but I really don't want to see this man anywhere near the Dail.

benslimm

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

It's a big ask, but if voting FG makes it less likely that FF get in there, would you consider it, even a second or third behind Spring and Ferris, even if you don't like the man you are voting for..

Its not about voting for who you like I agree - but the problem here is that Deenihan DISMISSED an issue that a constituent had. No candidate should ever do that, untill I heard this I was strongly considering giving deenihan my number 2.
Now he won't get a scratch - from me or anyone I come into contact with.

I'll have one number on my ballot:

Spring, Arthur - 1

Monty Burnz

benslimm wrote: »

Its not about voting for who you like I agree - but the problem here is that Deenihan DISMISSED an issue that a constituent had. No candidate should ever do that

Just to play devil's advocate - which issue did he dismiss?

benslimm

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Just to play devil's advocate - which issue did he dismiss?

He dismissed that doug89 felt discriminated against and that she didn't feel that the civil partnership bill went far enough.

Monty Burnz

benslimm wrote: »

He dismissed that doug89 felt discriminated against and that she didn't feel that the civil partnership bill went far enough.

Is there a difference between disagreeing with somebody and 'dismissing an issue'? It sounded to me like he engaged with Doug's concern but wasn't going to lie and say that he supported gay marriage.

I'd be in favour of it myself, but in general if I had a discussion with someone on a topic and we disagreed, I wouldn't necessarily be happy about it but I'd concede that the issue had been addressed.

Topper Harley01

Sounds to me like you were spoiling for a fight OP- You pulled the "WE'RE THE ONLY GAYS IN THE VILLAGE" act on Jimmy. Maybe if you copped on a bit and had some respect, debated in a mature fashion, and interacted with another human being with a degree of civility you might have had a different response?

As much as I despise politicians, they are not a punching bag for irate outbursts either...

benslimm

Topper Harley01 wrote: »

Sounds to me like you were spoiling for a fight OP- You pulled the "WE'RE THE ONLY GAYS IN THE VILLAGE" act on Jimmy. Maybe if you copped on a bit and had some respect, debated in a mature fashion, and interacted with another human being with a degree of civility you might have had a different response?

As much as I despise politicians, they are not a punching bag for irate outbursts either...

I disagree with you completely. I doubt very much that Doug was irate - nor is she the type prone to an outburst and she most positively would not consider herself the only gay in the village - Jimmy Deenihan has no people skills and it actually pains me physically when he talks.
He's done exactly the same thing to many many friends of mine when they have asked him about the nursing pay cuts.

Topper Harley01

benslimm wrote: »

I disagree with you completely. I doubt very much that Doug was irate - nor is she the type prone to an outburst and she most positively would not consider herself the only gay in the village - Jimmy Deenihan has no people skills and it actually pains me physically when he talks.
He's done exactly the same thing to many many friends of mine when they have asked him about the nursing pay cuts.

From the OP:

I asked him his position on gay marriage – to which he responded that there is gay marriage, both me and my partner flared up that there’s not gay marriage – there’s only civil partnership.

Perhaps the OP felt strongly about the issue, but 'flaring up' to me implies sticking in someone. If I interpreted it wrongly OP, I apologise.

Now I wouldn't call myself a fan of Denihan by any stretch, but to start a thread calling him a homophobe and a bigot is frankly outrageous-and shows the OP as one prone to throwing tantrums.

ciotog

Topper Harley01 wrote: »

From the OP:



Perhaps the OP felt strongly about the issue, but 'flaring up' to me implies sticking in someone. If I interpreted it wrongly OP, I apologise.

Now I wouldn't call myself a fan of Denihan by any stretch, but to start a thread calling him a homophobe and a bigot is frankly outrageous-and shows the OP as one prone to throwing tantrums.

I think the issue here is that he referred to the OP voicing the issue as wasting his time - dismissing her concerns in such a fashion could reasonably give rise to the accusation of homophobia. By canvassing he is soliciting the views and opinions of the electorate. Dismissing what he hears does open him to criticism when he reacts to what he hears then.

benslimm

ciotog wrote: »

I think the issue here is that he referred to the OP voicing the issue as wasting his time - dismissing her concerns in such a fashion could reasonably give rise to the accusation of homophobia. By canvassing he is soliciting the views and opinions of the electorate. Dismissing what he hears does open him to criticism when he reacts to what he hears then.

+1

Minister B

Doug89 wrote: »

I had the...pleasure....to be canvassed by Jimmy Deenihan yesterday evening. I'm still raging over it any time that I think how I (and my partner) were treated by him. I hope that by posting this I can take a few votes off him, he's convinced that he'll be a minister in the next cabinet, and after last night this makes me physically ill.


I'm new to North Kerry-West Limerick, so I wasn't familiar with him. His canvassers offered to bring him over as he was in the estate.
He came over, all handshakes and smiles, I asked what was his position on college fees – he said about graduate tax, I said what if I was to emigrate (who’d pay it then?) and he said that that was a problem that we were all facing. Then he said something about increased PRSI and began to get antsy and said (pointing to the flyer) to email him for a copy of the Fine Gael Policy document, trying to get away from the door.


I said is that it so? I’ve other questions. I asked him his position on gay marriage – to which he responded that there is gay marriage, both me and my partner flared up that there’s not gay marriage – there’s only civil partnership. He said that he thought it was a great bill and a huge step forward and ‘all that they want’, all the time trying to move back and not making eye contact with us anymore.


He then stated that he had many gay friends, best friends. We asked him why children weren’t included in the bill, he pretended not to hear the question. He then started saying that ‘marriage was another matter’ and that he’d never met a gay person who’d been/felt discriminated against. Both her and I responded that we were gay and that we’d been discriminated against. He then started saying that he hoped we were happy that we’d wasted his time and walked off.

I really just can't get over his IGNORANCE. I thought Ireland had moved past this. How can a politician treat people he's trying to get votes off like this!?


If you're in the constituency, or know anyone in it, please make them aware of how much of a bigot and quite frankly, a homophobe, this guy is.

So this is the man that's meant to be our next Minister for Sport, Culture and Tourism? Sounds charming!

Monty Burnz

ciotog wrote: »

I think the issue here is that he referred to the OP voicing the issue as wasting his time

That strikes me as odd - I don't know why he would have said something like that, and if he did, it doesn't reflect well on him. He's well within his rights to disagree on gay marriage, but I don't see why he should storm off in a huff accusing someone of wasting his time simply because they pressed him on something he disagreed with.

Although, as stated above, I disagree that he dismissed the issue - he disagreed, which is not the same.

jumpymunky

The behavior of Deenihan described in the OP was disrespectful and smacks of the level of arrogance one would associate with FF - the sort of attitude that FG claims it will remove from the Houses of the Oireachtas.

This is an election campaign where politicians are supposed to listen to the concerns of their constituents and whilst they can disagree if they wish, simply being dismissive in this way is a disgrace.

Minister B

jumpymunky wrote: »

The behavior of Deenihan described in the OP was disrespectful and smacks of the level of arrogance one would associate with FF - the sort of attitude that FG claims it will remove from the Houses of the Oireachtas.

This is an election campaign where politicians are supposed to listen to the concerns of their constituents and whilst they can disagree if they wish, simply being dismissive in this way is a disgrace.

it does reek of arrogance. This man has been continously elected since 1987. An uninterupted spell of 24 years will inevitably breed a degree of arrogance, which is unfortunate for the people of NK, who deserve a right to opine on election issues on their door step as they see fit.

benslimm

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Although, as stated above, I disagree that he dismissed the issue - he disagreed, which is not the same.

Sorry but to disagree is to make a counter argument against what someone is saying. To dismiss is to turn on heel and walk away - which he did.

Doug89 wrote:

He then started saying that ‘marriage was another matter’

Sounds pretty dismissive to me.

Monty Burnz

benslimm wrote: »

Sounds pretty dismissive to me.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that point.

*storms off*

Doug89

In regards to us 'flaring up', what I meant was that up until that point we had been both somewhat passively listening to what he was saying, but when he made the point that 'there already is gay marriage' both of our ears really pricked up and we disagreed. It made us engage more in the conversation, prior to that we had not been very active, it had been fairly one-sided up until that point.

I wasn't talking to him 'looking for a fight', I just wanted his viewpoints on things that I'd consider important - especially as as I said I'm new to the constituency. They were the two standard questions I'd planned to ask any candidates that knocked on my door, regardless of party. I'd no issues with FG up until this happened, and none with Jimmy Deenihan either - I'd never even heard of him!

After all this, I'm still going to ask anyone who comes to the door the same questions, as what's the point in voting for someone based on blind party loyalty?

kfk

I have had many dealings with Jimmy Deenihan and always found him to be polite and courteous. Reading your posts, it sounds to me like you were looking to start a fight. And we are not hearing the full story, just the one sided version. I think it would be silly for anyone to change their voting preference based on an unverified rant on a public forum.

ciotog

kfk wrote: »

I have had many dealings with Jimmy Deenihan and always found him to be polite and courteous. Reading your posts, it sounds to me like you were looking to start a fight. And we are not hearing the full story, just the one sided version. I think it would be silly for anyone to change their voting preference based on an unverified rant on a public forum.

If you know him that well then how about getting his side of the story and setting the record straight. The other person has given their account, if Deenihan feels besmirched then let him give his account.

kfk

ciotog wrote: »

If you know him that well then how about getting his side of the story and setting the record straight. The other person has given their account, if Deenihan feels besmirched then let him give his account.

I never said that I knew Jimmy Deenihan very well. Just that I had many dealings with him and found him to be polite and courteous.

ciotog

kfk wrote: »

I never said that I knew Jimmy Deenihan very well. Just that I had many dealings with him and found him to be polite and courteous.

Your statement that you had many dealings with him and found him to be polite and courteous implies that you know him well. Why would you vouch for him in conflict with the OPs experience otherwise?

kfk

ciotog wrote: »

Your statement that you had many dealings with him and found him to be polite and courteous implies that you know him well. Why would you vouch for him in conflict with the OPs experience otherwise?

I have also had many dealings with a shop assistant in a local shop. She has also been polite and courteous. That doesn't mean that I know her well. I don't even know her first name. Also, where do I vouch for Jimmy Deenihan? I have only said what I thought of the man. Doug89 is trying to get people to change their voting preference based on her experience with Jimmy Dennihan. I'm not saying that she is lying. I just don't believe everything that I read on the internet.