FG accused of Cronyism-Sunday Times Article

bcmf

*Mods* Feel free to move if in the wrong section. I am typing word for word from the papers article. If in breach of any copyright etc etc.......

I do not have any affilliation to ANY political party so I do not want to be accused of mud slinging.


Fine Gael accused of Cronyism.
The Greens have accused Fine Gael of selling access to politicians after Leo Varadkar, the party's communications spokesman, hosted a fundraising dinner costing guests €150 a head last week.
About 130 people attended the sit-down dinner in aid of Fine Gael's Dublin West constituency organisation at Town Bar & Grill in Kildare Street on Thursday night.Varadkar has refused to name those who attended but they are said to have included business people,lobbyists and representatives of phone companies and banking.
Trevor Sargent of the Green Party said:"Fine Gael, before they are even in power, appear to be selling access to their senior politicians , and it shows they have no intention whatsoever of cleaning up politics and making it transparent.
"This was no local fundraiser. It was an exclusive gathering in an exclusive restaurant.With Fine Gael it will be no change from the antics of Fianna Fail-same old story- same old cronyism."
Town Bar and Grill, which is close to Leinster House,was filled to capacity which begun at 5pm and concluded at 7.45pm. The only speech of the evening was made by Varadkar who told diners that a single party Fine Gael government would bring about political stability.
Two lobbyists who The Sunday Times was told were in atendance did not return phone calls yesterday.
Joan Burton, Varadkars constituency rival and Labours deputy leader, said questions had been raised about fundraising at a series of public debates in Dublin West during the election campaign.
"[Varadkar] has been extremely reticent about Fine Gael disclosing the sources of all their donations. They've accumulated an extraordinary amount of money", she said.
"lobbyists arethe new issue in Irish politics. They are all over politics, and there is no regulation of them. Leinster House is creaking with lobbyists acting for vested interests".
A fundraising party for Lucinda Creighton, a Fine Gael TD in Dublin South East, is planned for Wednesday night at The Royal Academy in Dawson Street. Donations are discretionary but those attending are advised that €1000 willpay for printing of a drop of A5 leaflets , and €400 covers the graphic design of a six page leaflet.'


So is it really gonna be another term of 'as you were' with a slghtly different colour.

whoopdedoo

bollox!! I call a revolution if and when it becomes "business as usual"!!

goat2

we are hoping for the end to cronyism, they must see after all the people all of the time, spread out fairly.

ragg

It's a good article and Trevor Sargent has my vote for making a big deal of this.

This is whats wrong with politics in this country. Be it the Galway tent or the town bar and grill, they are all barking the same, corrupt tree.

Monty Burnz

So we are all happy with funding the political parties from the public purse? Because that is the alternative.

I'm certainly happy with the idea, but I know others go mad at the notion.

20Cent

Small change a non story.
Scrapping the barrel for a story there.
Sargent facilitated the most corrupt Gov in the history of the state.
He should resign in shame instead of throwing mud.