Phil Hogan caught selling Irish passports to foreign Nationals (he doesnt even know)

Ghandee

Oh Dear.


Not a good week for Phil Hogan.

After one story broke about him availing of a few 'cushty' mortgages, up pops a story that Phil Has been caught selling passports to foreign nationals, despite not knowing who the hell the people are, or what country they even come from!

FINE GAEL TD Phil Hogan has admitted his involvement in the sale of Irish passports to foreign nationals, the Sunday Independent has learned.

Ironically, Mr Hogan's admission came at the height of the controversy he had attempted to engineer over Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's 'fast tracking' of a passport for English businessman Norman Turner.

But while Mr Turner was automatically entitled to an Irish passport, by virtue of his Cork-born mother, those who received assistance from Mr Hogan were not.

Even more embarrassing for the Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Fine Gael, however, is the fact that he doesn't know the names, the number, or even the nationalities of those he helped to gain Irish citizenship through the now defunct Passports for Investment scheme.

Bad enough Phil, but this one takes the biscuit....

The veteran TD was left even more red-faced when pressed further, by KCLR presenter Sue Nunn, on the nationalities of the Irish passport recipients for whom he had made representations.

Asked by Ms Nunn if the passport recipients had come from the Middle East, Mr Hogan began by saying: "I actually. I actually don't know the identities of the people involved, but I know that they've...what I was anxious to secure was..."

That lack of information was met with a frosty response from Ms Nunn, who said: "But they could have been terrorists, for God's sake!"

Absolving himself of any responsibility on that front, the Fine Gael TD shrugged, saying: "Well that's up to the Department of Justice, Foreign Affairs and the Enterprise Ireland to check that."

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fine-gael-td-got-passports-for-foreigners-phil-hogan-admits-helping-in-sale-to-foreign-nationals-but-doesnt-know-who-they-were-1286382.html


I think a resignation from Phil is imminent.

Further proof that the only thing we changed in the last elections was a change of name, not government.

Biggins

It just gets better and better!

hondasam

I'm awaiting his resignation. Bye Phil bring the house hold charge with you.

we could dedicate a thread to P hogan at this stage.

Biggins

Might explain how some Israelis got passports?

hondasam

He might need a holiday in Portugal soon, he had better pay up those management fees.

Ghandee

Biggins wrote: »

Might explain how some Israelis got passports?

Words right out of my mouth Biggins.

(not the meatloaf song):o

Zebra3

If Kenny had a pair he'd send him on his way.

Not a hope though of "Change we can believe in" and all that crap Kenny & Co. spouted during the GE campaign. :rolleyes:

mikom

Full house Phil.... full house....

iguy

That's absolutely scandalous!!!
Those that go through the right channels are deported. Ireland is ment to be an equal opportunistic country!
Yeah right!

hondasam

Zebra3 wrote: »

If Kenny had a pair he'd send him on his way.

Not a hope though of "Change we can believe in" and all that crap Kenny & Co. spouted during the GE campaign. :rolleyes:

Enda will drop him like a hot potato. Just wait and see, Enda is a sly one don't worry.

wexie

"But they could have been terrorists, for God's sake!"

They might even have been....<looks around shiftily>.....<whispers>.....scientologists......

RosyLily

I ashamed to say that I'm from the same constituency as Hogan. Just when you think he can't go any lower.

For shame, Fat Tony Phil, for shame!!

wexie

iguy wrote: »

Ireland is ment to be an equal opportunistic country!
Yeah right!

most appropriate typo I seens in a long time

ilovesleep

We demanding zero tolerance here. Too much sh1te went on with FF and FG are following in their footsteps.

Today is Monday. If Mr.Hogan is not gone before the end of the week, I want all of FG gone. Revoke his pay and pensions too for good measure.
Zero Tolerance

hondasam

ilovesleep wrote: »

We demanding zero tolerance here. Too much sh1te went on with FF and FG are following in their footsteps.

Today is Monday. If Mr.Hogan is not gone before the end of the week, I want all of FG gone. Revoke his pay and pensions too for good measure.
Zero Tolerance

I'd say Thursday might be D day. It cannot get much worse for Hogan tbh.

Al Capwned

Just resign.....

And crawl under a rock....

Oh, and to the people that know about these things - Has he done anything criminal here???

ilovesleep

No fcuk it. We need a revolution to out FG. They've had enough time and they're nothing but badness, same as FF

Chucky the tree

Dragging up a story from 2008? lol, oh how pathetic.

Where To

Non story.

Biggins

hondasam wrote: »

Enda will drop him like a hot potato. Just wait and see, Enda is a sly one don't worry.

He should at the very least remove him from office - but no doubt he will remain as a TD to collect the remainder of his massive collected pensions.

ilovesleep

In FGs 2011 maninfesto or was it Labours? I think it was FGs, it said they were going to stamp out white collar crime.

This is Kenny's chance to shine. Show us that they are not FF. If Kenny sits on this, give us one reason why this current lot should remain in power.

maykitrayen

I'm genuinely embarrassed for those here who felt the need to bash their keyboard about this without even checking when the article was written.

Let me highlight it for those who are still too stupid to go back and read the article despite it being pointed out again:

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM FEBRUARY 2008, NOT JULY 2012.

Ghandee

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Dragging up a story from 2008? lol, oh how pathetic.

Whoa....... a whole 3 and a half years ago Chucky?

Bravo sir. Bravo.


Hogan has dirtied his bib once again. Zero credibility yet you still defend him

Gummy Panda

ilovesleep wrote: »

No fcuk it. We need a revolution to out FG. They've had enough time and they're nothing but badness, same as FF

That's all well and good but who is going to replace them?

hondasam

maykitrayen wrote: »

I'm genuinely embarrassed for those here who felt the need to bash their keyboard about this without even checking when the article was written.

Are you saying it did not happen or it happened in 2008?

crazygeryy

ilovesleep wrote: »

No fcuk it. We need a revolution to out FG. They've had enough time and they're nothing but badness, same as FF

Yea ok bring on the revolution.then what? Another bunch of morons take over.it seems to me its never ending.we need to bring in jail time for politicians and bankers who act the maggot.theres no deterrant there at all.

Biggins

maykitrayen wrote: »

I'm genuinely embarrassed for those here who felt the need to bash their keyboard about this without even checking when the article was written.

The question does arise though: how can someone of incompetence (again?) be put in charge of collecting money from people - an entire country?
It does show sadly that earlier cock-up's with the household fiasco are certainly not his first major screw-ups!
Frankly, it might be further exposing/showing a trend of Keystone Kop mentality!

Chucky the tree

Ghandee wrote: »

Whoa....... a whole 3 and a half years ago Chucky?

Bravo sir. Bravo.


Hogan has dirtied his bib once again. Zero credibility yet you still defend him

Why didn't you bring this up at election time? Claiming he should now lose his job because something that was commonly known when he was voted in and appointed is pretty bizarre tbh.

F1ngers

Ghandee wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fine-gael-td-got-passports-for-foreigners-phil-hogan-admits-helping-in-sale-to-foreign-nationals-but-doesnt-know-who-they-were-1286382.html

Why are you dragging up 4 year old news?
Was reported in 2008.

Ghandee

Where To wrote: »

Non story.

Oh? How so

You reckon a senior figure of Govt being caught selling a very important docket (hint, a passport is prob the most important and valuable piece of paper you will ever acquire) to unknown people, in unkown countries is a 'non story'?

You are either an FG party member, or your surnames Hogan.

mikemac1

RESIGN

Duiske

There seems to be some plotting to get rid of Big Phil within Fine Gael, and the FG newsletter, the Sindo, is playing it's part in the plot.

maykitrayen

Ghandee wrote: »

Whoa....... a whole 3 and a half years ago Chucky?

Bravo sir. Bravo.


Hogan has dirtied his bib once again. Zero credibility yet you still defend him

"Not a good week for Phil Hogan.

After one story broke about him availing of a few 'cushty' mortgages, up pops a story that Phil Has been caught selling passports to foreign nationals,"

1: February 2008 was not 3 and a half years ago, it was 4 years and 5 months ago.
2: He has not "dirtied his bib again", this is news that is 4 years old
3: This adds nothing to Phil Hogan's week, for it is 4 years ago.

Listen, you've been caught out doing something stupid and ranting over news you thought was relevant today but is actually 4 years old. You've egg on your face, you're embarrassed, just admit it and move on. Bashing the keys on the matter any further is just pathetic.

Biggins

The title of the following article is really starting to make sense!

http://alturl.com/d2twp

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5205/philhogan.jpg

K-9

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Dragging up a story from 2008? lol, oh how pathetic.

I thought this was breaking news. Seems Higgins is digging up dirt on Phil, not that it seems to be that hard. It's still wrong, the passports are supposed to be for investments, seems odd he isn't aware of them!

Tym

Asked by Ms Nunn if the passport recipients had come from the Middle East, Mr Hogan began by saying: "I actually. I actually don't know the identities of the people involved, but I know that they've...what I was anxious to secure was..."

That lack of information was met with a frosty response from Ms Nunn, who said: "But they could have been terrorists, for God's sake!"

Isn't that a little bit racist

Nodin

Tym wrote: »

Isn't that a little bit racist

...not really. He has no idea to who or where they went, so its not that much of an "off the wall" suggestion.

Borderfox

Half of Mossad are on the Irish Passports.. :-)

Am Chile

Ghandee wrote: »

Oh Dear.


Not a good week for Phil Hogan.

After one story broke about him availing of a few 'cushty' mortgages, up pops a story that Phil Has been caught selling passports to foreign nationals, despite not knowing who the hell the people are, or what country they even come from!



Bad enough Phil, but this one takes the biscuit....



http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fine-gael-td-got-passports-for-foreigners-phil-hogan-admits-helping-in-sale-to-foreign-nationals-but-doesnt-know-who-they-were-1286382.html


I think a resignation from Phil is imminent.

Further proof that the only thing we changed in the last elections was a change of name, not government.

Lets face it chances are he will neither resign/nor get any pressure from his party to resign- we should all remember what James O'reilly said about phil hogan not paying his property tax in portugal and people not paying the household tax- o reily said it was lile comparing apples and oranges-if only we had recall elections to get rid of the likes of phil hogan after hearing all we heard about him in the last two days.

Shryke

hondasam wrote: »

Enda will drop him like a hot potato. Just wait and see, Enda is a sly one don't worry.

Sly like a turnip.
Everyone hated Phil already before this stuff. There isn't any defending it, he's full of hot air. He's clearly acting above his station.
It's always disappointing following these situations in Irish politics. The tribunal into Berties affairs is a good example. No accountability, years of shuffling and massive amounts of money gone up in smoke.
I follow coverage of UK politics/scandals more closely than our own. It makes me feel a bit more sane. I can't look too closely at this Mickey Mouse stuff, it belongs to bad satire.

Biggins

Strange isn't it?

Its ok to dig up old stuff that happen years ago on a person that might be running for a presidential office - and such news is treated with glee by some - but heaven forbid a previous also wrong incident was brought up against a sitting minister that frankly has more than one incident tarnishing his ability to hold present office?

O' no, that different of course!

Yes, its is a previous maybe major cock-up from the past but (1) it further solidifies a further trail of continuing level of incompetence from a man now that is looking after the nations hard earned, cough-up money - when frankly, it looks like he can't run a piss-up in a brewery!
..and (2) it also again brings into question "What the hell was Enda Kenny thinking (if he was at all!)" if the man is this (and has been previously) inept to say the least!

At a time when we need every cent to pay off debt that you or I didn't directly create - but we're still paying for - we don't need such incompetence in charge at the very top!

Chucky the tree

I don't know much about the situation, can someone explain it more to me and maybe outline what the big deal is?

Biggins wrote: »

Strange isn't it?

Its ok to dig up old stuff that happen years ago on a person that might be running for a presidential office - and such news is treated with glee by some - but heaven forbid a previous also wrong incident was brought up against a sitting minister that frankly has more than one incident tarnishing his ability to hold present office?

O' no, that different of course!

Big difference between stuff that happened years ago that wasn't known about and stuff that happened years ago and was reported on. Again I find it strange why Ghandee and yourself never mentioned this at election time or before.

Ghandee

maykitrayen wrote: »

"Not a good week for Phil Hogan.

After one story broke about him availing of a few 'cushty' mortgages, up pops a story that Phil Has been caught selling passports to foreign nationals,"

1: February 2008 was not 3 and a half years ago, it was 4 years and 5 months ago.
2: He has not "dirtied his bib again", this is news that is 4 years old
3: This adds nothing to Phil Hogan's week, for it is 4 years ago.

Listen, you've been caught out doing something stupid and ranting over news you thought was relevant today but is actually 4 years old. You've egg on your face, you're embarrassed, just admit it and move on. Bashing the keys on the matter any further is just pathetic.

I posted the link in the full knowledge of when and where it happened (unlike Phil it would seem:rolleyes:) Where did I claim it happened yesterday, last week or even last year?

I'll give you the four and a half years, over the three and a half (its ben a long day)

Regardless of when it happened, it was wrong at the time, and is definitely wrong now that he should hold office, and threaten members of the public when his reputation has been, and is still being repeatedly tarnished.

2008 is a hell of a lot closer to 2012 than the events and history of another poltician whose past, and accusations repeatedly get thrown around these forums.

That doesnt count though does it? Some folk here are very, very short sighted when it comes to 'historical' events on our island.

Biggins

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Big difference between stuff that happened years ago that wasn't known about and stuff that happened years ago and was reported on. Again I find it strange why Ghandee and yourself never mentioned this at election time or before.

It wasn't honestly brought to my attention - or I suspect many!

So what are you saying or espousing?
Now that the man in is even higher office that he is immune to being further questioned about it?
Now that the man in is even higher office that he is immune to having the matter not be raised in or by the public?
Now that the man in is even higher office that items regarding himself should not even also be brought up?

One rule for one person in this country and another for the rest it seems!
Nothing new there then!

Its no wonder the country is the way it is with the double sided/hypocritical thinking of some!

wexie

Biggins wrote: »

So what are you saying or espousing?
Now that the man in is even higher office that he is immune to being further questioned about it?
Now that the man in is even higher office that he is immune to having the matter not be raised in or by the public?
Now that the man in is even higher office that items regarding himself should not even also be brought up?

But shure....that's how it's always been and aren't we doing just grand?

Richard tea

Ghandee wrote: »

I posted the link in the full knowledge of when and where it happened (unlike Phil it would seem:rolleyes:) Where did I claim it happened yesterday, last week or even last year?

I'll give you the four and a half years, over the three and a half (its ben a long day)

Regardless of when it happened, it was wrong at the time, and is definitely wrong now that he should hold office, and threaten members of the public when his reputation has been, and is still being repeatedly tarnished.

2008 is a hell of a lot closer to 2012 than the events and history of another poltician whose past, and accusations repeatedly get thrown around these forums.

That doesnt count though does it? Some folk here are very, very short sighted when it comes to 'historical' events on our island.

Im glad the OP posted this article. I for one never heard it before. Bye bye Phil & FG very soon

Chips Lovell

Passports for Investment Scheme ran from 1988 to 1998. People got an Irish passport in exchange for investing $1 million in Ireland.

The scheme was legal, albeit controversial. Hogan was asked in 2008 on radio, the names of people he received applications from under the scheme more than 10 years earlier and he couldn't remember. Non-story

Ghandee

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I don't know much about the situation, can someone explain it more to me and maybe outline what the big deal is?

It has been explained, the value and imprtance of a passport, and how 'selling' one to an unknown person in an unknown country is wrong on so many levels.



[QUOTE=Chucky the tree;79643245

Big difference between stuff that happened years ago that wasn't known about and stuff that happened years ago and was reported on. Again I find it strange why Ghandee and yourself never mentioned this at election time or before.[/QUOTE]

I never did, never have, and never will vote FG.

In saying that though, pre-election they gave all kinds of promises of the 'change' they would bring if voted into power.

Then Phil emerged like a kid let loose in a candy shop, living it large in Rio, not paying his way with his property in Portugal whilst threatening the public here with a pulled out of the air 'household charge'. Yesterday we learned of his financial 'arrangements' with Fingelton, as regards low level mortgages.

It stinks Chucky, he's rotten to the core and isnt fit for the office he holds, if Kenny hasnt gotten rid of him by at least the end of July, it does have to makings of destroying the Govt.

Even a blind man can see that for Christs sake.

humanji

Firstly, there's no point dragging up a 4 year old news article implying it's suddenly been brought to light, in order to have a go at a politician. He's a politician so should have plenty of recent cock-ups to point out.

Secondly, Politics forum --->