Forum for Opportunity

aodh_rua

As most of us have heard lately, Fianna Fail is seeking to clear some of its considerable debts with the launch of the Forum for Opportunity. According to press reports, membership will provide 'networking opportunities' with ministers. While such a scheme would seem to raise ethical issues, I wonder if it might have legal ones too.

Ministers are ministers because the State provides the title. From meeting holders of this statutory title, Fianna Fail are attempting to secure private financing. A recent report in the UK by their competition authority said that in the case of QC's (senior barristers), their private benefit from increased charges was an unfair abuse of a statutory title, awarded by the state. How can public ministers trade on their office in return for cash and not be breaking some law? If say, the head of a semi-state body advertised their services by virtue of their position to the public or a private group (Willie Walsh organising an Aer Lingus buyout), would their position be tenable?

Frankly, the level of contempt Fianna Fail show never ceases to amaze me, but the seem to get away with it because of the sheer audacity of their schemes.

It's innovative I'll give them that :rolleyes:
ministerial contact at a price,its always been the way though.

Won't they still have to log all donations to the "party" ?

aodh_rua

The donations go straight to the party - but they don't have to declare the identity of the donors as the amounts are below the €5000 and change ceiling for political donations.

ionapaul

They get away with it for the same reason some other parties in this State get away with equally or even more reprehensible activities - frightening levels of apathy amongst the voting public. Watch FF romp home next general election, assuming the economy hold up and the housing sector doesn't collapse in the meantime!

gom

If there are to be Ministers of government or anyone from the government present then funds collected at the event should be split along the weighted lines of Dail TDs parties. It is not fair for a party to use its position of power to benefit itself only. The government serves the people not FF...

aodh_rua

I wonder if one could make a complaint to the competition authority claiming abuse of market position. Fianna Fail ministers are exploiting a state contract to secure funding for their benefit, a right not presently available to their competition.

Sleepy

I suppose it's a good step for transparency and accountability. Fianna Fail are moving their corruption out into the open where everyone can see it. :rolleyes:

Victor

aodh_rua wrote:

The donations go straight to the party - but they don't have to declare the identity of the donors as the amounts are below the €5000 and change ceiling for political donations.

But if these are fees, not donations .....

A Dub in Glasgo

If there is any hassle, FF will probably state that the event is for meeting senior party members on a particular subject area rather than stating the Minister for xxxx.

aodh_rua

A Dub in Glasgo wrote:

If there is any hassle, FF will probably state that the event is for meeting senior party members on a particular subject area rather than stating the Minister for xxxx.

I was wondering about that. I had a look around the FF site to see if there was any notice of the forum and I didn't find anything. If they have produced anything with the 'M' word then I think they have an even more serious case to answer.

gom

FF has just created an excellent protest location for itself. If FF decides.
"hey, lets have a meeting with Business leaders and wanbe-developers"

Anyone who supports democracy and transperacy should turn up and picket the meetings. We could have a shame list of those businesses and individuals who attend the forum. It would be an excellent opportunity for the left to accert its legitamacy in Ireland

Bring'em on.

<post edited by sceptre>

Better yet.
Send in some good looking ladies with digital cameras Oh the scandals

sceptre

gom, while part of your post may have been in jest, you don't tout illegal activities or property damage here while you wish to continue having posting privileges (that btw is a warning). I don't have time for such childish vandalism and I rather hope most others would feel likewise. Hence I've deleted the relevant bits from your post.

gom

Hi sceptre,

I understand why my post was edited and i don't seek to justify my post. But I do find it ironic that FF is able to get away with openly proposing corruption and all I advicate is to disrupt this thieft of the country with direct action...

Cheers sceptre, warning accepted, but when it comes to FF or the PDs I can get alittle out of control.

sceptre

gom wrote:

But I do find it ironic that FF is able to get away with openly proposing corruption

As do I. Personally, if I read this straight and as true (I hadn't heard a word about this till aodh_rua's post), I reckon this stinks to high heaven. It's an obvious abuse of power and possibly a way of FF getting around the corporate donation thing (company X sends ten of its execs to visit the Minister for howsyerfather at €4999 each and nothing needs to be listed anywhere).

As Eamon Gilmore said (reported here) this just sounds like Taca II. If they carry this out there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the cute hoorish corrupt nature of FF is alive and well. Simply proposing it is enough to convince me to be honest.

SkepticOne

sceptre wrote:

As Eamon Gilmore said (reported here) this just sounds like Taca II. If they carry this out there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the cute hoorish corrupt nature of FF is alive and well. Simply proposing it is enough to convince me to be honest.

Is this the group that organised dinners where business people were charged a fee and got to sit at a table with a minister?

I read in some book about Haughy that someone who attended such a dinner said that almost everyone at his table was either a builder or someone involved in the construction industry in some way.

aodh_rua

SkepticOne wrote:

Is this the group that organised dinners where business people were charged a fee and got to sit at a table with a minister?

I read in some book about Haughy that someone who attended such a dinner said that almost everyone at his table was either a builder or someone involved in the construction industry in some way.

That was Taca alright and I think the builders comment was made by former FF minister Kevin Boland. He also said that while he didn't offer any favours, he knew others who did as a result of the contacts they made.

Tuars

Re Taca, found this in the Dáil archives from 1967:

Mr. Dillon: Might I inquire how much of this particular commodity was consumed at the last dinner given by the members of Taca and might I further inquire whether it was the draught or bottled variety?

The Taoiseach [Jack Lynch]: A good few pints, if the Deputy wants to know, and we are well able to drink them.

Mr. Dillon: Were they pints of beer?

The Taoiseach: Murphy, Beamish and Guinness, in that order.

Mr. Dillon: It is a comfort to know that they are getting something for their £100. I was afraid that it was pure benevolence.

http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0227/D.0227.196704110048.html