There’s a learner driver running the show.

Welding Rod

Only in this republic surely. A learner driver has been assigned responsibility for agriculture.

Grueller

Welding Rod wrote: »

Only in this republic surely. A learner driver has been assigned responsibility for agriculture.

Sure he has a state sponsored driver now so it makes no differ if he can drive or not.

whelan2

Has there been any explanation as to why he was on a learner license?

farawaygrass

Welding Rod wrote: »

Only in this republic surely. A learner driver has been assigned responsibility for agriculture.

It’s ridiculous. An absolute shambles. It’s embarrassing for the country’s hard working people.
And what I mean by that statement is it’s ridiculous it’s even making the news. It’s 4 years ago since the drive driving incident.
I cannot stand when people say “only in this country” In a derogatory way.
It’s a hell of lot better than most countries.
If the streets were Paved with gold here some people would complain they are too bright

kk.man

farawaygrass wrote: »

It’s ridiculous. An absolute shambles. It’s embarrassing for the country’s hard working people.
And what I mean by that statement is it’s ridiculous it’s even making the news. It’s 4 years ago since the drive driving incident.
I cannot stand when people say “only in this country” In a derogatory way.
It’s a hell of lot better than most countries.
If the streets were Paved with gold here some people would complain they are too bright

Why did this come out now? I'm not a FF supporter but what I have seen of Cowen as a politician I have to say he is not the worst.

Would SF have spun this to take the heat off...

Pkiernan

Given that farmers children drive tractors towing 10 tonne silage trailers thru villages at 60kmph, i think he'll be a good example as M.o.A


:-)

kk.man

kk.man wrote: »

Why did this come out now? I'm not a FF supporter but what I have seen of Cowen as a politician I have to say he is not the worst.

Would SF have spun this to take the heat off...

Internal party politics, many ministers in waiting that didn't get jobs, some quite unhappy to go in with FG, others dislike MM.

PonchoMcHoncho

What has driving got to do with being minister for agriculture?

whelan2

Deleted User wrote: »

Internal party politics, many ministers in waiting that didn't get jobs, some quite unhappy to go in with FG, others dislike MM.

If that's the way they carry on we are better off without them. Real childish behaviour

Dinzee Conlee

So what if he had a learner licence - true...
But was he off driving about himself when he should have had a qualified driver with him? How come it’s ok for him to break the law?
I’d be interested to know as well did he pass his test after, or did the the learner licence problem just ‘get fixed’ somehow?

Having a learner licence by itself isn’t an issue - thinking the law doesn’t apply to you is an issue...

carrollsno1

Last minister for transport didnt drive, maybe Barry Cowens the right man as he knows the hardship for young rural dwellers learning to drive as hes probably learning longer than a lot of them

Worseman

It's no secret a major player in Irish Agriculture, also has a finger in the media pie.

This could well be part of a strategy to ensure the minister is undermined from the outset, and removes his ability to interrupt the cosy non-cartel.

I think Barry would have been a positive for farmers, however I'm not so sure now.

Based on his own foolishness - not obtaining a full driving licence / drink driving, combined with how his credibility has been dragged through the mud.

He might have to do a deal with the devil to make this go away, and anytime he tried to enact legislation for the benefit of farmers, we'll see this splashed all over the front pages again.

patsy_mccabe

Dont worry .........

august12

farawaygrass wrote: »

It’s ridiculous. An absolute shambles. It’s embarrassing for the country’s hard working people.
And what I mean by that statement is it’s ridiculous it’s even making the news. It’s 4 years ago since the drive driving incident.
I cannot stand when people say “only in this country” In a derogatory way.
It’s a hell of lot better than most countries.
If the streets were Paved with gold here some people would complain they are too bright

Well that would be an awful waste of tax payers money, what would be wrong with silver paving???

ruwithme

If he's able to show me the money going forward through bps and a decent sensible reps scheme i couldn't care if he once drink driving and on a learner permit. look forwards not back. put that pedal to the headlamp Barry

whelan2

He was also done for speeding , whilst on a provisional licence 3 months previously. You'd think he would have sorted the full licence after that?

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Welding Rod wrote: »

Only in this republic surely. A learner driver has been assigned responsibility for agriculture.

He has passed his test now I believe.

Grueller wrote: »

Sure he has a state sponsored driver now so it makes no differ if he can drive or not.

You’re living about 10 years in the past.

_Brian

I’m sure plenty here have been caught speeding, and even an odd one for drink driving.
He was caught, charged and prosecuted. He didn’t get the charge quashed like many politicians have done.

It was a road traffic offence, he’s paid his price and should be allowed to leave it behind. I’ve read a few places he has his license now. Politically I’ve only heard people say decent things about him.

It’s not like he was photographed with a pedophile sympathiser saying how great it was to be with him, now something like that would be an actual big deal.

twin_beacon

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Dont worry .........

Yea, because James Reilly who is a GP was a great minister for Health.....

awaywithyou

twin_beacon wrote: »

Yea, because James Reilly who is a GP was a great minister for Health.....

while i agree with you... some of the Ministerial appointments are baffling... the appointment of Regina Doherty is beyond ridiculous... surely the Seanad is an opportunity draft in a bit of youth into politics and not bring back a waste of space that the poeple of Meath rejected... when your own dont want you that says it all....

i would b traditionally a FF supporter... but our Taoiseach in my opinion hasnt a clue....

lakill Farm

Pkiernan wrote: »

Given that farmers children drive tractors towing 10 tonne silage trailers thru villages at 60kmph, i think he'll be a good example as M.o.A


:-)

But Cowen is getting paid :rolleyes:

Nekarsulm

Seamus Brennan was Minister for Transpirt for a number of years and never had a licence.
He was a driving force behind getting the Luas project completed.
Fondly remembered by every single politician and person in Leinster House because on his instruction there was a party in his memory in the Dail bar where all drink was free, and everyone was invited. Porters, cleaners, kitchen staff, everyone.

Gods Gift

Bertie never had a bank account.
And only worked cash.
Allegedly.
Allegedly.

Still waters

ruwithme wrote: »

If he's able to show me the money going forward through bps and a decent sensible reps scheme i couldn't care if he once drink driving and on a learner permit. look forwards not back. put that pedal to the headlamp Barry

Parish pump politics at its finest

endainoz

Gods Gift wrote: »

Bertie never had a bank account.
And only worked cash.
Allegedly.
Allegedly.

Bertie also didn't drive I think? I also think it's absolutely ridiculous to believe that Martin didn't know about this already, just had to act surprised when the storey came out.

It was dealt with already and it's ridiculous that's it's been brought up again. I'm by no means a FF fan but for gods sake give the man a chance to do his job first and then judge him after on how well he does it.

Say my name

https://twitter.com/agriculture_ie/status/1280616603516887045?s=20

dohc turbo2

Dirt will always be dug up for the high profiled , I just hope he is a good minister , I don’t think there is anyone on here that hasn’t done something at some stage in there lives they regret . Sometimes social media can get miserable , I see on Twitter there is always smiles trying to have a go at anything and everything , all with nameless profiles

Gods Gift

Say my name wrote: »

https://twitter.com/agriculture_ie/status/1280616603516887045?s=20

That’s actually Barry doing his drivers theory test.

What is it with FF they are only in power a week controversies coming up .

Donegalforever

Gods Gift wrote: »

Bertie never had a bank account.
And only worked cash.
Allegedly.
Allegedly.

Bertie, of course, always told the truth.

I wonder is he still jumping out from a corner?

Tigerpants

Fred Daly wrote: »

What is it with FF they are only in power a week controversies coming up .

FF are always involved in controversy. Brown envelopes, drink driving, corruption etc.
People are still trying to recover from the last recession and now they are back in power. Unbelievable.

kk.man

kk.man wrote: »

Why did this come out now? I'm not a FF supporter but what I have seen of Cowen as a politician I have to say he is not the worst.

Would SF have spun this to take the heat off...

Do you really think SF have many contacts in the Guards?

Look closer to home. A lot of very disgruntled FF members.

whelan2

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Do you really think SF have many contacts in the Guards?

Look closer to home. A lot of very disgruntled FF members.

Wasnt it Thomas Byrne ?

_Brian

There are an awful lot of Irish people that seem not to be able to accept the results and outcome of the last election.

It’s sickening seeing them online saying how SF should be in government as they won the “popular vote”, it makes them look like Total idiots. Even the looney left didn’t want to go into government with them.

I know nothing about Cowan himself other than what I’ve read and politically he seems as capable as any.

Wish to god Irish people could get over this petty mud slinging and accept the result and let the government govern. They are being paid to govern but are instead spending time dealing with this petty stuff.

Buford T. Justice XIX

whelan2 wrote: »

Wasnt it Thomas Byrne ?

Apparently not.
https://twitter.com/MichealLehane/status/1282593292090331136?s=19

Gods Gift

All Fine Gael could come up with was someone falling off a swing. Fianna Fáil will show them how it done.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Gods Gift wrote: »

All Fine Gael could come up with was someone falling off a swing. Fianna Fáil will show them how it done.

Bring the whole swing down and the playground with it?:P

Pat Dunne

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Dont worry .........

What a utter load of rubbish!

The last two Ministers for Health were Medical Doctors and look at the outstanding contribution they made.

The previous Minister for Education is a former Teacher and look at the botched job of the on, off, on again off again Leaving Cert Exams, he made!

Last time I checked Cycling was a recognised form of Transport.

I could mention a Accountant that was Minister for Finance just before it all went south.

Welding Rod

Well I started this thread, as to bd honest I thought Barry Cowan was a good appointment and likely to be a good minister. However when this shambles came to light, I figured it would stick to him, pig shyte to your clothes, and destroy his credibility in the long term.

Well two weeks on, he is still under pressure, with more and more tidbits coming out. Both he and Micheal Martin are in reverse gear, and explaining. When you’re explaining you are losing.

We have two lame ducks to be honest.

Welding Rod

Welding Rod wrote: »

Well I started this thread, as to bd honest I thought Barry Cowan was a good appointment and likely to be a good minister. However when this shambles came to light, I figured it would stick to him, pig shyte to your clothes, and destroy his credibility in the long term.

Well two weeks on, he is still under pressure, with more and more tidbits coming out. Both he and Micheal Martin are in reverse gear, and explaining. When you’re explaining you are losing.

We have two lame ducks to be honest.

This will pass. The coalition is big enough that they can afford to take some flak.

If members of the Government start getting spooked over this, only a fortnight into the job, it's a sign of major weakness. They have to be seen to pass this test.

Unless there's something explosive, he won't go.

Mooooo

I dunno the few times I have heard Catherine Martin talk the more she seems to come across as someone who just wants to pull it down. Even when discussing her own ministry, something quite two faced about her. Maybe I'm wrong. Twill be the likes of her to attempt to pull it down over anything sooner rather than later I'd say

Welding Rod

Welding Rod wrote: »

Well I started this thread, as to bd honest I thought Barry Cowan was a good appointment and likely to be a good minister. However when this shambles came to light, I figured it would stick to him, pig shyte to your clothes, and destroy his credibility in the long term.

Well two weeks on, he is still under pressure, with more and more tidbits coming out. Both he and Micheal Martin are in reverse gear, and explaining. When you’re explaining you are losing.

We have two lame ducks to be honest.

There was a great 2 part series on Jack Charlton on the last night. I went Googling him afterwards to read up a bit more on his life. One interesting tidbit was the biggest mistake he thought he made was ignoring Eamon Dunphy, as in his own words he made him famous.

Cowan would be better served to pull off the band aid fast rather than give the opposition the opportunity to keep harping on about this. Stonewalling keeps the attention on him, what has the minister to hide? If there's more to the story he's done, as he was already on TV saying there wasn't anything else. If there isn't then he's free & clear.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Mooooo wrote: »

I dunno the few times I have heard Catherine Martin talk the more she seems to come across as someone who just wants to pull it down. Even when discussing her own ministry, something quite two faced about her. Maybe I'm wrong. Twill be the likes of her to attempt to pull it down over anything sooner rather than later I'd say

She's involved in the leadership contest so has to convince the party faithful that she will stand up for their ideology.

I wouldn't pay too much heed of either candidates posturing until that contest is over, tbh.

Dinzee Conlee

I see Cowen is gone...

So, who’s the new minister going to be now?

Lets hope it isn't Jimiriam O'Callaghan

whelan2

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

I see Cowen is gone...

So, who’s the new minister going to be now?

Thomas Byrne ðŸ˜

_Brian

Jez I thought that was harsh.

Guy was caught, prosecuted and took his punishment. Is this not just adding another punishment on top again ?

_Brian

Mooooo wrote: »

I dunno the few times I have heard Catherine Martin talk the more she seems to come across as someone who just wants to pull it down. Even when discussing her own ministry, something quite two faced about her. Maybe I'm wrong. Twill be the likes of her to attempt to pull it down over anything sooner rather than later I'd say

She actively and vocally campaigned against this government. Then she was appointed chef negotiator by the village idiot. It doesn’t surprise me she has no interest in this working. She will be able to say she was right and strengthen her challenge for leadership.

Buford T. Justice XIX

_Brian wrote: »

Jez I thought that was harsh.

Guy was caught, prosecuted and took his punishment. Is this not just adding another punishment on top again ?

They're setting very high standards for people these days.

They had better be able to live up to those standards themselves or face the same consequences, I think.

Darc19

Thread title should be changed

Welding Rod

_Brian wrote: »

Jez I thought that was harsh.

Guy was caught, prosecuted and took his punishment. Is this not just adding another punishment on top again ?

There must be something more than has already been explained by BC!!
M Martin is very badly damaged in the process!!!