President Michael D Higgins’ €3,000 a night hotel stays

RobertKK

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

dudara

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

Wanderer78

Disgraceful if true, still support the man though

Mr. Incognito

"Claims"

He represents us as a country. He's our president

Where do you want him to stay? At the Travel lodge.

People have little to be offended by these days.

RobertKK

RobertKK wrote: »

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

How much do you think Ireland should spend on his hotels per night?

Wanderer78

dudara wrote:

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Holy fcuk!

PhoenixParker

If he travelled to speak at an event, the event may well have covered his hotel room cost.

Even if they didn't the article is total speculation from beginning to end.

mariaalice

I doubt he personally books his own hotel room. The person complaining has more of a complaint with the department of foreign affairs and the host country than anything to do with the president.

spurious

mariaalice wrote: »

I doubt he personally books his own hotel room. The person complaining has more of a complaint with the department of foreign affairs and the host country than anything.

This.

It is all a bit 'scrabbling round in the dirt' from Craughwell.

Ulysses Gaze

I am no fan of his, but given that the top hotels in Geneva can cost €36,000 per night and the average hotel room is €200 per night, €3,000 for a Head of State would seem reasonable.

pgj2015

he should just try couch surfing while he is over seas or buy a caravan for when travelling around Ireland.

it is funny though how the media put it out there that hes a great president and now anyone you ask if he should do another term are all in agreement "oh yes hes a great president" why? they can never really say why.

whisky_galore

Because he's worth it. Like L'Oreal.

Ulysses Gaze

pgj2015 wrote: »

he should just try couch surfing while he is over seas or buy a caravan for when travelling around Ireland.

it is funny though how the media put it out there that hes a great president and now anyone you ask if he should do another term are all in agreement "oh yes hes a great president" why? they can never really say why.

Because he is "Right On".

bot43

Just as well you gave him his full title RobertKKK. I would not have known who you were on about otherwise.

He is the president FFS. You hardly expect him to stay in an IBIS do you?

vicwatson

Easy to spend other people's money

Hande hoche!

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Dave0301

Hobbit holes aren't cheap these days.

Ulysses Gaze

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

If you think other candidates would not do the same if they became President, you are deluded.

flazio

But, if he was a guest of Switzerland, wouldn't it be the Swiss that were footing the bill?

mikemac2

It’s Geneva OP, just how it is

Dublin may be expensive but it’s cheap compared to Geneva

seamus

Gerard "the elites have it all sown up" Craughwell still sore that nobody would nominate him I see.

Until someone can point to another more obvious hotel that's considerably cheaper, and equivalent in terms of location and securability, then I'm going to assume that the person who booked it didn't go off on one.

He's still the president. We might be pretty laid back and inoffensive, but a bog standard double room in a four star hotel can't be adequately secured.

We also have no idea how much the room cost and who paid for it.

whisky_galore

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

Because he is "Right On".

Down with the kids, yo.

Tabnabs

Our socialist president, truly a man of the people. At a time when there is a huge appetite for a voice of social justice for the homeless, the million people on public health waiting lists, the pain caused by the Catholic church, the growing issues in Northern Ireland etc. etc. Our first citizen is damningly quiet on all these important issues where once he would have been at the forefront. His supporters claim his hands are tied and he is gagged by his Office. But it strikes me that he is enjoying the lifestyle of the elite and pampered more than his espoused "principles" from a past life as a Labour party stalwart.

"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"

vicwatson

dudara wrote: »

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

"The office confirmed Mr Higgins travelled to Geneva to speak at an event hosted by the International Labour Organisation."


I'd like to know more about this, and if it was really that important to the country if he attended this or not?


Government jet used to ferry him around ?

Pauliedragon

It would be the same no matter who was president. If anyone has a complaint it's against the system not the individual who happens to be in office at the time.

RobertKK

dudara wrote: »

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

Ulysses Gaze

RobertKK wrote: »

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

Perhaps the International Labour Organisation paid for it?

super_furry

In the race to be outraged, this one takes the biscuit.

He’s the head of state, what’s he meant to do? Kip down on someone’s floor?

dirtyden

flazio wrote: »

But, if he was a guest of Switzerland, wouldn't it be the Swiss that were footing the bill?

Yes, surely if he was going to speak at a conference he was invited and the host would pick up the expense.

However, the title of the conference would suggest that this may well have been a solo run by Higgins but endorsed by the government which for me would be more of an issue than the cost. He was speaking at a conference for the international labour organization.

PlaneSpeeking

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Over my dead body.

super_furry

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Vice President George agrees.