John Deasy... supposed TD, heading off to Washington

Gavlor wrote: »

I think this merits a thread of its own, FG TD Deasy who was elected to represent the people of Waterford has been appointment as govt envoy to the US congress to work on the undocumented Irish, none of whom I assume voted for him in the last election.

Sounds like you have a pothole on your street that he isn't fixing.

He's an absolute disgrace, he treats the constituency he is supposed to serve as an aside, he actually seems to treat his constituency with contempt!! It must be terrible to actually have to talk to normal working people every few years to get ready elected, it acts says an awful lot about the people who vote for him!!!

Is there a by election now or does he keep his seat?

How did people vote this man back in so many times. His work with PAC was decent but I would've expected that he'd eventually put his head above the parapet for Waterford by now. Why is the quality of candidate always so poor in Waterford?

why do we call them undocumented irish??

they are f*&king illegal immigrants....

I suspect this is how the conversation went . Leo says "John you've delivered a fg seat since year dot and done **** all for Waterford but you got your neighbours taps fixed. As Thankyou for ****ing Waterford up the ass for all these years and for not demanding that the south east and Waterford should have a TD ... Here's a plum job as a Thankyou ... And shir Waterford people will think your great and special." And we can. **** em up the ass again at the next election because they'll believe you must be a very important person to get a job in Washington ....

He won’t be running in the next election. Article on the Independent site (but requires registration to read).

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/my-father-left-on-his-terms-and-im-leaving-on-mine-fine-gael-td-deasy-calls-time-on-his-30year-political-career-38428810.html

Fine Gael TD John Deasy is to retire from politics at the next election, the Irish Independent can reveal.

The Government's envoy to Washington said he wanted to leave before he was "too old to start something".

It means the Deasy name will not be on the ballot paper in Waterford for the first time in half a century. John Deasy won his first Dáil election in 2002, taking over from his father Austin, who once served as minister for agriculture.

"My father left on his terms and I'm leaving on mine. That's one of the most important things in politics," Mr Deasy said.

He told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of his decision last March but said he wanted to keep the situation out of the public eye due to his ongoing work in the United States.

"Next year will mark 30 years working in politics," the 51-year-old said. "I started working in the US senate in 1990. I've other interests. I felt for years that if I don't leave now I'll be too old to start something."

Mr Deasy has been unhappy with Fine Gael's constituency operation for some time and alleged earlier this year that bullying claims were not being dealt with.

The in-fighting even resulted in a motion of no confidence in the TD being passed last June after it was tabled by the brother of his party colleague Senator Paudie Coffey.

However, Mr Deasy, who is married to RTÉ presenter Maura Derrane, said local disputes were not a factor.

"Internal politics of Waterford has been quite nasty and personal over the last 20 years. The irony is it's been a blessing in many ways," he said.

"The personal criticism has only served to harden my core and if the people who are dishing it out spent half the time coming up with ideas I probably wouldn't be re-elected as many times as I was."

Mr Deasy is to continue in his role as Washington envoy until an election is called. The envoy position was created by Leo Varadkar but Mr Deasy told the Irish Independent whoever leads the next government should continue with the posting.

"The one thing I've learned is that US political figures expect and prefer to deal with elected politicians. That's not a criticism, just a reality," he said.

Asked what was the highlight of his 17 years in the Dáil, Mr Deasy cited his work on getting handguns banned in 2008.

He added: "The Dáil has changed a lot in recent years. As Irish politics has splintered, what has always been a precarious profession has become chronically uncertain.

"People are looking over their shoulder for an election all the time. That instability is only going to get worse."

Mr Coffey will be on the Fine Gael ticket for the next election. Mr Deasy is backing Councillor Liam Brazil as a running mate who could retain the seat for the party.

Gavlor wrote: »

Anything to back that up?

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

He should have gone a long time ago. Can't believe he was elected last time.

He seemed to have no interest in Waterford people or its issues at a critical time when we needed a government TD to fight for us.

Being a 'public representative' for Waterford seems to have been a stepping stone. He can now wipe us off his shoes as he moves on to 'better things'.

BBM77 wrote: »

Asked what was the highlight of his career of 30 years in politics, answer: "getting handguns banned in 2008". Think that sums Deasy up. Complete waste of a Dail seat. I'm glad he has to step down under a cloud. Absolute twat!

And that done nothing about the handguns criminals had and still have. He took the handguns of law abiding people that jumped through hoops to be allowed have one yet he cribbed when he was told not to smoke in the Dail.Good riddance to bad rubbish.