Brian Crowely MEP (what is he doing?)

katydid

kenmccarthy wrote: »

Fair comments....have to agree.... His income or pension don't come into it for me.....but a 0%voting record........that's something else...bit of a slight on those who voted for him.

Not really. They keep voting for him despite his record being known. They are fools and they are deliberately wasting part of our representation in Europe.

kenmccarthy

Anyone hear this discussion on joe Duffy yesterday????

Wise Old Elf

Didn't hear the discussion, but based on the thread, had a look at his voting records and it still looks like he hasn't attended anything recently.

What was said on Joe Duffy.

While I have sympathy for anyone who becomes ill, if he hasn't been able to attend anything since he was elected two years ago (I'm open to correction but I don't think he has), is he really representing his constituency and country properly?

kenmccarthy

Not 1 vote since being elected

Turns out other Irish MEP's have very respectable attendance /voting records but it looks like Brian Crowley has'nt voted ONCE since election.I can appreciate if/ thatthe man is ill ( and I'd wish him every good health) but from the JD discussion it appears that on being elected an MEP you put forward two SUBSTITUTES ....I can't help but think its high time one of these was used.....it's basically a wasted opportunity at representation? ??

Right2Write

Just shows how much value the political establishment put on EU representation. A lot is spouted about decisions being taken in Brussels etc., but when it comes down to it, it seems that it's really not that important if Crowley can't attend for years on end.

kenmccarthy

kenmccarthy wrote: »

Not 1 vote since being elected

Turns out other Irish MEP's have very respectable attendance /voting records but it looks like Brian Crowley has'nt voted ONCE since election.I can appreciate if/ thatthe man is ill ( and I'd wish him every good health) but from the JD discussion it appears that on being elected an MEP you put forward two SUBSTITUTES ....I can't help but think its high time one of these was used.....it's basically a wasted opportunity at representation? ??

The problem is of course that Crowley is no longer a representative for Fianna FáiL or ALDI, therefore he doesn't want (I assume) to prop them up with an M.E.P seat, which of course is astonishingly blaggardly, selfish behaviour.

Big C

Being discussed on Sean O,Rourke again, still no sign of Brain. Anyone know of another job where u get full pay after 3 years sick + allowance's + expenses.

L1011

I imagine that if FF still held any sway over him they'd have pushed him to go - but as he was kicked out for breaking the rules about the Europarty to join to, they don't.

He had an appalling record in the previous term also and got re-elected on the idea that he'd be OK to go back to work at some point; more than half way through a term and no indication of when that is going to be is taking the mick. Good chance he'd be re-elected again in '19 if he wanted too.

BlinkingLights

I'm sorry to hear the guy is sick but this is getting beyond the beyonds.

http://www.votewatch.eu/en/term8-brian-crowley-2.html

Also, he moved to the European Conservatives and Reformists Group which includes the Tories and the UUP amongst its more mainstream members and some rather right wing parties at it's fringes.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Conservatives_and_Reformists

Did the people of Munster really expect to be represented in this grouping ?!!

This is a very important job and one of the few voices we have during Brexit and is not there.

Even his website seems to be out of date. It's referencing 27 EU members, there are 28 and talks about the last Parliamentary Elections in 2009...

maynooth_rules

If there was a European election in the morning, he would still get elected easily. That's the Irish electorate for you. Never forget they returned Bertie three bloody times.

sword1

maynooth_rules wrote: »

If there was a European election in the morning, he would still get elected easily. That's the Irish electorate for you. Never forget they returned Bertie three bloody times.

I don't think so, he got the benefit of the doubt the last time that he had exceptional health issues that had come right for him when campaign time came. That's not going to happen ago and I doubt he will even be running.

judeboy101

maynooth_rules wrote: »

If there was a European election in the morning, he would still get elected easily. That's the Irish electorate for you. Never forget they returned Bertie three bloody times.

Depends. If FF put someone against him it will spilt his vote, give FG/SF to grab a seat.

Field east

I saw/read somewhere that he is fairly fully up to speed on EU matters as he operates 'his office' from his hospital bed. I assume therefor that he is keeping himself briefed an imputing the best he can via letters, telephone,email, text, bedside meetings, etc. Now if that is the case, why is he not issuing a briefing now and again Eg through the national press, circular via An Post to at least keep us voters up to date on his efforts.
I wish him a full and speedy recovery from his current ilness but cannot his substitute replacement take over his position on a temporary basis. Or is it the case that if he does that the temporary person's permission to step down is required an Mr. Crowley might be afraid that that may not be forcoming?

J.pilkington

Field east wrote: »

I wish him a full and speedy recovery from his current ilness but cannot his substitute replacement take over his position on a temporary basis.

He'd probably have to pay them that's why, it's plain and simple that it's all about money to him and accruing time so he gets the big pension. He clearly is not fit for the job and should resign. I heard he struggled through re-election knowing full well he wouldn't be a regular at Brussels and he pulled it out of the bag to give the impression of good health. The fact he didn't even attend the first vote makes me believe this.

Pure greed, it's sickening. At least Michael Lowry provides some value for his vote.

jem

What about the Shinners getting elected as MP's and haven't once set foot in the house of commons?

J.pilkington

jem wrote: »

What about the Shinners getting elected as MP's and haven't once set foot in the house of commons?

That's none of our business, Crowley is paid by the EU(in turn funded by Irish tax payers) to represent the people of Ireland which he is not doing, especially disgraceful with brexit going on

heebusjeebus

The Irish Examiner tried calling the Brussles office yesterday, and got no reply.
If he honestly wanted to serve the people of Ireland South, he'd staff his office in Brussels.

shanered

jem wrote: »

What about the Shinners getting elected as MP's and haven't once set foot in the house of commons?

Can we keep this issue about Brian Crowley the MEP please. The Sinn Fein/ House of commons debate can go on elsewhere. Its a completely different issue.

blanch152

J.pilkington wrote: »

That's none of our business, Crowley is paid by the EU(in turn funded by Irish tax payers) to represent the people of Ireland which he is not doing, especially disgraceful with brexit going on

Up until this election, the SF absence from Westminister wasn't any of our business.

However, now we have the situation that the Brexit May government is surviving thanks to the SF absence, which is compounded by the fact of the SDLP demise meaning there is no nationalist voice in Westminister to speak to the interests of this island on the Brexit issue. At a time when SF claim to be speaking for all on this island, they are actually saying nothing at all and have zero influence on anything. Thankfully I would never vote for them, but for those who did, especially those who voted for them for the first time, must be wondering what was the point?

mal1

blanch152 wrote: »

Up until this election, the SF absence from Westminister wasn't any of our business.

However, now we have the situation that the Brexit May government is surviving thanks to the SF absence, which is compounded by the fact of the SDLP demise meaning there is no nationalist voice in Westminister to speak to the interests of this island on the Brexit issue. At a time when SF claim to be speaking for all on this island, they are actually saying nothing at all and have zero influence on anything. Thankfully I would never vote for them, but for those who did, especially those who voted for them for the first time, must be wondering what was the point?

I think the principal behind the SF absence from Westminister is solid. They can't request that GB has no influence on matters in NI and Ireland if they are represented in Westminister and are actively engaging on GB issues. The people that vote for them know that and it's their business and right to do so. They aren't 'wondering what was the point?'. The people in NI are fairly tuned in when it comes to representation.

Brian Crowley is completely different. He has a mandate to represent and isn't doing so.

blanch152

mal1 wrote: »

I think the principal behind the SF absence from Westminister is solid. They can't request that GB has no influence on matters in NI and Ireland if they are represented in Westminister and are actively engaging on GB issues. The people that vote for them know that and it's their business and right to do so. They aren't 'wondering what was the point?'. The people in NI are fairly tuned in when it comes to representation.

Brian Crowley is completely different. He has a mandate to represent and isn't doing so.

To be clear, I have no time for Brian Crowley either, he should step aside. However, because of the first past the post system, SF MPs are representing all of the people in their constituency. Their failure to do so by taking their seat shows up the hypocrisy of the SF claim to represent everyone.

At least Crowley can say he only represents FF voters coming from a multi-seat constituency.

The situations are directly comparable in my opinion. Similarly, we had Luke Ming Flanagan disappear from the EP for nearly a year and there wasn't an outcry. All of them should resign.

mal1

blanch152 wrote: »

To be clear, I have no time for Brian Crowley either, he should step aside. However, because of the first past the post system, SF MPs are representing all of the people in their constituency. Their failure to do so by taking their seat shows up the hypocrisy of the SF claim to represent everyone.

At least Crowley can say he only represents FF voters coming from a multi-seat constituency.

The situations are directly comparable in my opinion. Similarly, we had Luke Ming Flanagan disappear from the EP for nearly a year and there wasn't an outcry. All of them should resign.

We complain when Politicians don't do what they say they will do. SF make it very clear to those that vote for them that they won't go to Westminister. They follow through with the promise. They are principled in that respect and they won't change based on current circumstance (i.e. Brexit). Anyway, it's another thread and discussion.

blanch152

mal1 wrote: »

We complain when Politicians don't do what they say they will do. SF make it very clear to those that vote for them that they won't go to Westminister. They follow through with the promise. They are principled in that respect and they won't change based on current circumstance (i.e. Brexit). Anyway, it's another thread and discussion.

Where does the idea that "we complain when Politicians don't do what they say they will do" come from? Apart from left-wing commentators and politicians, I don't hear the majority of people saying that.

A politician that blindly follows through on a promise when the context of the world has dramatically changed - e.g. Brexit - is actually the kind of stupid politician that you want to keep as far away from power as is possible.

zoobizoo

I wonder if anyone has done a poll of SF voters regarding their Westminister position.

I know the mantra is that "people voted for us knowing that this is our position" but I'm sure there are many reasons people vote for SF, not just because they won't sit in the British parliament.

Quin_Dub

##Mod Note##

SF isn't the topic here guys..

If you want to talk about SF & Westminster , open a new thread.

Thanks

mal1

blanch152 wrote: »

Where does the idea that "we complain when Politicians don't do what they say they will do" come from? Apart from left-wing commentators and politicians, I don't hear the majority of people saying that.

A politician that blindly follows through on a promise when the context of the world has dramatically changed - e.g. Brexit - is actually the kind of stupid politician that you want to keep as far away from power as is possible.

Google 'politicians and lies'. Start with that.

The second point you make is a discussion about representative democracy. Let's park it and agree to disagree.

Anyway, the issue of Brian Crowley goes back to old Fianna Fail politics, when buddies and the individual trumps all. Bad reflection on Micheál Martin. Feels like nothing much has changed.

recedite

blanch152 wrote: »

To be clear, I have no time for Brian Crowley either, he should step aside.

Ah here, that's just cruel. I'm going to vote for him now, just out of sympathy. How could anyone resist those big doleful eyes.
Shur nobody does anything over there anyway, except clock up massive expense accounts.

blanch152

recedite wrote: »

Ah here, that's just cruel. I'm going to vote for him now, just out of sympathy. How could anyone resist those big doleful eyes.
Shur nobody does anything over there anyway, except clock up massive expense accounts.

Well, him and Ming are great for claiming the expenses.

Exeggcute

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Brian was extremely ill recently. As someone who knows Crowley personally I know that he is a hard working individual, and he is doing the best in very difficult circumstances. He does intend to get back to the grindstone and make up for lost time, and that process has already begun.

5 years later. Any update?

recedite

blanch152 wrote: »

Well, him and Ming are great for claiming the expenses.

Of the two, Crowley is probably cheaper to keep. He can't be claiming for hotels and first class plane tickets if he's not actually bothered going over there.