The Healy-Raes embarrassing the country yet again

ohnonotgmail

Do these lads not get tired of embarrassing the country?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39050369

The Irish army should be called in to do battle with rhododendrons because the plants are "taking over" a national park, the government has been told.

Atoms for Peace

The rhododendrums or the Healy-Raes?

Dirty Dingus McGee

He was obviously exaggerating.You weren't supposed to take what he said literally.

To be honest you're reaction is far more embarrassing.

Sleepy

If the Healey Raes simply agreed to keep their mouths shut surely that'd cut off the plants main source of manure?

ohnonotgmail

Atoms for Peace wrote: »

The rhododendrums or the Healy-Raes?

both

Atoms for Peace

Have you ever seen what a .44 magnum can do to a rhododendron OP?

ohnonotgmail

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

He was obviously exaggerating.You weren't supposed to take what he said literally.

To be honest you're reaction is far more embarrassing.

you're not from Kerry by any chance?

He is, as he often does, highlighting a real issue in terms that actually mean it gets noticed. It is true, rhodos are a curse in the National Park, and it needs a lot of hands to take them out individually...you can't just spray an area or napalm them.

Noddyholder

This is why we need a proper Air Force....

sjb25

God damn you rhododendrons
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=roKCZfE9JJ4

Hande hoche!

Read that as Rhodesians at first. Thought that Bob had shuffled off his mortal coil everything new is old again.

joeysoap

Probably a fair fight.

parasite

No fan of Healy-Rae, but he was exaggerating for effect, it didn't stop BBC doing a sneering Paddywhackery 'article' though and you duly tugged your forelock

Graces7

Deleted User wrote: »

He is, as he often does, highlighting a real issue in terms that actually mean it gets noticed. It is true, rhodos are a curse in the National Park, and it needs a lot of hands to take them out individually...you can't just spray an area or napalm them.

I have it on the highest authority that as you say, there is no such thing as bad publicity... Even from the Healy Raes....Bus as they used to say long ago, whatever next!

And they are actually a great draw in May. Many come, sorry GO ( still disorienteded just to see the "rosie dendrums."

Will miss them greatly; that strethc of road along the RIng where they are like hanging gardens.. breathtaking sight ..

Wonder if HR has only just realised! What an epiphany.. but then he has been quiet for a long while?

ohnonotgmail

parasite wrote: »

No fan of Healy-Rae, but he was exaggerating for effect, it didn't stop BBC doing a sneering Paddywhackery 'article' though and you duly tugged your forelock

LOL

whiskeyman

More a fight for the Army Bomb Disposal Teams.

They usually get rid of stuff that was planted...

seachto7

Imagine Michael D Higgins and the Healy Raes in conversation.

Would be classic if Graham Norton had them on.

diomed

"In 2014, a couple in their 50s had to be rescued after they became trapped in a "treacherous" rhododendron forest."

That was the best bit of the report.

Rackstar

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

He was obviously exaggerating.You weren't supposed to take what he said literally.

To be honest you're reaction is far more embarrassing.

The poster is a reaction?

Special Circumstances

Deleted User wrote: »

He is, as he often does, highlighting a real issue in terms that actually mean it gets noticed. It is true, rhodos are a curse in the National Park, and it needs a lot of hands to take them out individually...you can't just spray an area or napalm them.

Yeah, I can't actually see the problem with what Healy Rae said at all? Seems like a practical solution. There is another source of large numbers of people to clear the rhodos but I can't see the wishy washy After Hours types favouring people having to do a decent days work if they don't want to.

diomed

diomed wrote: »

"In 2014, a couple in their 50s had to be rescued after they became trapped in a "treacherous" rhododendron forest."

That was the best bit of the report.

Can see how it happened and know that area too, it's one where you descend quickly going up and over rhodos but if you have to back climb, impossible, and no way of hacking through. It does sound improbable but guess it's like getting caught in quick sand or as a tide comes in, you kinda think how does it happen...yet it does.

whisky_galore

diomed wrote: »

"In 2014, a couple in their 50s had to be rescued after they became trapped in a "treacherous" rhododendron forest."

That was the best bit of the report.

Christ sakes, you'd swear they were fcuking Triffids..

ohnonotgmail

Rackstar wrote: »

The poster is a reaction?

I have been called many things in my time but this one really hurts.

jmayo

Deleted User wrote: »

He is, as he often does, highlighting a real issue in terms that actually mean it gets noticed. It is true, rhodos are a curse in the National Park, and it needs a lot of hands to take them out individually...you can't just spray an area or napalm them.

Didn't Michael Ring tell him how much the Dept had already spent on the issue and has asked the people of Killarney to mobilise.
So time to get your shears and briar hook out.

PS if you don't have a briar hook or slasher I know a few lads who have some.
Now they may want them back if a family occasion arises.

Glenveagh National Park also have issues with the plant but their public local representatives couldn't give a feck it appears.

BTW it is a bit rich the BBC reporting on this because this plant is a legacy of British rule much like those fecking squirrels some Anglo Irish numpty imported from the states.
Then the fecking immigrants outbred our native population and the natives have been on the backfoot ever since.
Even the deer in Wicklow aren't pure Irish due to another Anglo Irish eejit introducing Japanese Sitka deer.

Every fooking place the Brits went they screwed up the native fauna and flora.
Look at what the importation of deer and possums have done to New Zealand.
Look what foxes, rabbits and cats did to Australia.
I blame the cane toads on the Aussies themselves.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Graces7 wrote: »

I have it on the highest authority that as you say, there is no such thing as bad publicity... Even from the Healy Raes....Bus as they used to say long ago, whatever next!

And they are actually a great draw in May. Many come, sorry GO ( still disorienteded just to see the "rosie dendrums."

Will miss them greatly; that strethc of road along the RIng where they are like hanging gardens.. breathtaking sight ..

Wonder if HR has only just realised! What an epiphany.. but then he has been quiet for a long while?

I'm no fan of the Healy-Rays and I know you have a huge dislike of them but he was right that something drastic has to be done about rhododendrons growing wild in our natural parks. They are choking our native species and destroying large areas, leaving them useless for wildlife. Pretty. Yes, so are many invasive species. That's what brought them here in the first place, but they are a blight. He has a habit of exaggeration for effect but, in this case, his core argument that immediate decisive action is required, was spot on. The Ring of Kerry and Glenveigh are national parks for their natural beauty, not for their rhododendrons. If American tourists only go there for the rhododendrons then they are missing the point of the parks.

Alun

diomed wrote: »

"In 2014, a couple in their 50s had to be rescued after they became trapped in a "treacherous" rhododendron forest."

I know that area quite well, and if the guys from SEMRA, some of whom I know personally, say it was horrendous and dangerous terrain then I'm inclined to believe them.

It was horrendous - I have been a member of mountain rescue for 15 years and it was probably one of the most dangerous exercises or rescues I've been on.

aujopimur

When the're nuking the Rododendrons, they drop some on the filthy pub they own.

Snickers Man

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

He was obviously exaggerating.You weren't supposed to take what he said literally.

To be honest you're reaction is far more embarrassing.

"Take him seriously, don't take him literally"

How Trumpian of you!

Personally I think there should be a ban on people wearing hats in the Dail. But that's just me.

Red Kev

Michael Healy Rae hasn't had a populist Kerry orientated rant for a couple of months now.

There's the possibility of an election this year, possibly even a snap election in June if there's a new FG leader. So the Healy Ray's have to get their names in the papers, not dealing with national issues, but with issues that interest their core vote.

Last year they asked over 200 questions regarding waiting times for procedures for his constituents. A waste of time as he already knew as the Minister can't divulge personal information like that in the Dail. But that wasn't the point. Point was that his voters reckon he's standing up for them and that translates into votes at the next election.

The two Healy Rae's got over €370,000 in wages and expenses last year. That's all they care about. They don't care about their voters or the country, just about keeping the gravy train running.

And this Rhododendron and Army statement is just another gallon or two of fuel for that train.

InTheTrees

Just to be clear, the rhododendron issue is real.

The BBC can joke about the healy bros (i understand that), but they have their own problems with the plant in the UK, they arent so far away that it isnt killing off the local woodlands there too. The UK gov gives grants for their eradication:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/woodland-capital-grants-2015-rhododendron-control-sb6

46m pounds spent in Northern Ireland on their removal:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27946780

I think people would be surprised at how much money the Irish tax payers are spending already to eradicate rhododendrons.

Rhododendrons are a scourge and they're killing off the local woodlands and animal habitats fast all over Ireland. The national park out west just happens to be a really bad example.

Why not use the army?

paulbok

Build a pub in the middle of the park and let the Kerry folk drive drunk home from it, won't be a plant left for miles.
Two Healy Rae issues solved in one.

biko

I heard the interview on the radio. Rhododendron is almost impossible to handle for a small number of park keepers, hence the need to get many hands on at once - the army.

It seems to be a pretty serious issue. According to the article - In 2014, a couple in their 50s had to be rescued after they became trapped in a "treacherous" rhododendron forest.

jmayo

Red Kev wrote: »

Michael Healy Rae hasn't had a populist Kerry orientated rant for a couple of months now.

There's the possibility of an election this year, possibly even a snap election in June if there's a new FG leader. So the Healy Ray's have to get their names in the papers, not dealing with national issues, but with issues that interest their core vote.

Last year they asked over 200 questions regarding waiting times for procedures for his constituents. A waste of time as he already knew as the Minister can't divulge personal information like that in the Dail. But that wasn't the point. Point was that his voters reckon he's standing up for them and that translates into votes at the next election.

The two Healy Rae's got over €370,000 in wages and expenses last year. That's all they care about. They don't care about their voters or the country, just about keeping the gravy train running.

And this Rhododendron and Army statement is just another gallon or two of fuel for that train.

Actually can one of our Kerry posters tell us if the Danny Healy-Rae Plant Hire business have invested in any rhododendron clearing equipment ?

BTW cordless drills, knapsack sprayers, forestry spot guns, watering cans and machine mounted flails are some of the items that can be used in that.

milehip

InTheTrees wrote: »

The UK gov gives grants for their eradication:


46m pounds spent in Northern Ireland on their removal:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27946780

They probably didn't have to spent have that much planting them,
on a winner again a la the wood chip debaclae.

CB19Kevo

I don't agree with everything the healy rae's come out with,
But why should the army not be mobilized to protect our national parks,Rhododendron is a big threat and should be tackled as such.

Special Circumstances

The irony in starting a "those Healy Raes are awful clowns, aren't they, just listen to this...?" thread and it turns out they're not the clowns at all...

jonon9

Relax just get Rodger Cook from This old house to come in and marrk it.

seachto7

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Do these lads not get tired of embarrassing the country?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39050369

Listened to debate, and don't see what is funny about it?

HeidiHeidi

jmayo wrote: »

Glenveagh National Park also have issues with the plant but their public local representatives couldn't give a feck it appears.

When I first went to Glenveagh about 15 years ago (or more) there was a major job being done on the rhodos - it didn't look far off the place having been napalmed! There were signs everywhere explaining what was happening and why, and reassuring that such drastic action WAS actually necessary or the place would be destroyed.

Now there's still plenty of rhodos around, so I'm not sure if they gave up the ghost (or more probably ran out of money during the recession) but hopefully they still have some sort of a handle on it.

I heard the Healy-Rae piece, and the Army suggestion was definitely tongue-in-cheek, designed to grab attention (and wasn't he successful!). But well done him for highlighting the issue before it's too late.

DEFTLEFTHAND

seachto7 wrote: »

Imagine Michael D Higgins and the Healy Raes in conversation.

Would be classic if Graham Norton had them on.

It would be funny if the big one punched Michael D in the face.

Butters1979

In fairness the plants are better trained, better equipped and more motivated for this fight.

Red Kev

We'll just have to ensure that none of the soldiers have hay fever or similar as we don't want to face a new "deafness" or "green fingers" claim in 20 years.

topper75

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

It would be funny if the big one punched Michael D in the face.

I wouldn't advocate violence but Michael D Higgins does annoy me.

The Healy Raes have come out with some outlandish stuff right enough so I do understand some of the social media grumbling (I happen to back their efforts to highlight a neglected issue in this case).

However, an ivory tower academic champagne socialist pops off at taxpayer expense now and then to see ideological comrades in far- flung lands that Ireland hardly ever trades with. This is met with an earnest "isn't he great!" by the same commentators.

From this thread I can see a lot of public ignorance about invasive species. Maybe a few TV ads would be no harm to raise awareness. That Japanese knotweed is a curse too.

seachto7

The laughing city slickers don't have to worry about this...

topmanamillion

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Do these lads not get tired of embarrassing the country?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39050369

Far from the most ridiculous thing they`ve ever said.
The rhododendron is an invasive species brought in originally as a flower in peoples gardens but has been wreaking havoc in our forests, blocking out light to plants on the forest floor, killing young trees and choking mature ones.
It is a legitimate issue.
The thought process was clearly there's an issue which requires a lot of man power - where is there a lot of man power? - the army.
Hardly a bizarre train of thought.

Of course their turn of phrase plus the BBC looking for a bit of clickbait has led it to be blown out of all proportion.

tayto lover

We need a root and branch examination of this problem Danny, me auld flower.

lazybones32

Yeah, it's laughable how Ireland's oldest native woodland is under serious threat from rhodo's (which can poison the soil to prevent other plants from germinating, thereby eliminating competition) and the Govt. don't seem to give a shiíte beyond half-a$$ed measures like throwing a few hundred grand at a problem that requires a far more serious approach.
I know an arborist who has a contract to clear a certain section of KNP and he reckons it isn't worth it. The effort required and the near-impossible-to-know-where-your -boundary-begins-and-ends nature of the work coupled with a few other factors doesn't pay off.
The Govt. scrapped the volunteer programme, whereby people would spend two weeks cutting rhodo during the day (and riding at night by all accounts) which was one of the cheapest and most effective solutions.
KNP would be a UNESCO site except the Govt. have never opened it up for inspection because they know the report would be damning against them for letting an area of such significance be totally devastated and infested by a weed and failing to address the problem for a few generations.
MHR is correct in saying that the Army should be brought in. It requires a concentrated effort by many people to rid an area to the degree that it can't easily colonise again. Hiring a few outfits to tackle a hectare here and there, once or twice a year is pi$$ing money away and the same area will need treatment in 5 years. But shur, what do the boggers know? 'Tis more important to not look silly in the eyes of the English, isn't it?
Nah, let's spend 1-2 billion on LUAS so Dubs can say they won't use it because of the scum that travel on it.

Stars and Stripes

Wait until one of them is elected to the European Parliament, God help us :rolleyes:

HeidiHeidi

Stars and Stripes wrote: »

Wait until one of them is elected to the European Parliament, God help us :rolleyes:

The simultaneous translators will have their work cut out

ScumLord

I only briefly saw the headline and thought a Rhododendron was a shape and wondered what could he have against a shape.

If they could find a way of making money off these plants the farmers would have the country stripped bare in a few weeks.

infogiver

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Do these lads not get tired of embarrassing the country?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39050369

Aren't you very precious