So Michael D IS running again!

blanch152 wrote: »

That doesn't make it right.

Well technically it does. Your issue is with the Oireachtas.

Hurrache wrote: »

But they're not given such an allowance are they?

It's the president that's given the allowance, it's wasn't introduced personally for Michael D.

That doesn't make it right. That doesn't mean he shouldn't explain what he spent it on if he wants to be re-elected.

blanch152 wrote: »

I can tell you this much - if it came out that Leo or Eoghan had a 317k unvouched expenses account that wasn't subject to audit, we would never hear the end of it on here.

But they're not given such an allowance are they?

It's the president that's given the allowance, it's wasn't introduced personally for Michael D.

Hurrache wrote: »

It's not his problem is it? And do you actually believe it'll be somehow any different under subsequent presidents? You somehow seem to think he's responsible for allocating budget allowances to the office of the president.

I can tell you this much - if it came out that Leo or Eoghan had a 317k unvouched expenses account that wasn't subject to audit, we would never hear the end of it on here.

blanch152 wrote: »

When you have a house like his, private security, your meals looked after, and a chauffeur, it is difficult enough to spend you 371k unvouched expenses. Only so many expensive shirts you can buy.

It's not his problem is it? And do you actually believe it'll be somehow any different under subsequent presidents? You somehow seem to think he's responsible for allocating budget allowances to the office of the president.

Micheal d does give off an air of to the ' manor born'

Hurrache wrote: »

Yet he still came under budget.

When you have a house like his, private security, your meals looked after, and a chauffeur, it is difficult enough to spend you 371k unvouched expenses. Only so many expensive shirts you can buy.

Yet he still came under budget.

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Eating a Chicken snack box from Supermacs paid for by the tax payer I'd bet. The pup

With a 317k unvouched allowance from the taxpayer, I'm sure he could have got at least a double burger.

Capt'n Midnight

expectationlost wrote: »

the presidency isn't about donating to charities

Actually ...

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0925/995891-aras-an-uachtarain/

In brief opening statements, the C&AG Seamus McCarthy said expenditure in 2016 was €3.6m, of which €1.15m is spent on gratuities to centenarians.

James Brown

richiepurgas wrote: »

I was sitting behind him on the aircoach down and he was trying to sort out an airbnb room for the night but ran out of credits on his phone. I was happy to lend him mine, he managed to get a room just off McCurtain street.

Eating a Chicken snack box from Supermacs paid for by the tax payer I'd bet. The pup

richiepurgas

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

One of the burning questions of the day, no doubt about it.

I was sitting behind him on the aircoach down and he was trying to sort out an airbnb room for the night but ran out of credits on his phone. I was happy to lend him mine, he managed to get a room just off McCurtain street.

Loafing Oaf

Turnipman wrote: »

I'm also curious as to whether he got the train down using his OAP fre travel card, or whether the taxpayers forked out for his State car & driver or, worse still, for the Government jet.

One of the burning questions of the day, no doubt about it.

James Brown

Turnipman wrote: »

I wonder whether he paid for his ticket.

I'm also curious as to whether he got the train down using his OAP fre travel card, or whether the taxpayers forked out for his State car & driver or, worse still, for the Government jet.

I hope the tax payer forked out. How sad would it be for the president to be down the back of a bus eating Super Macs.

The jet is generally reserved for 'fiscally conservative' TD's to open friends off licence, (see Mary Harney).

Turnipman wrote: »

I wonder whether he paid for his ticket.

I'm also curious as to whether he got the train down using his OAP fre travel card, or whether the taxpayers forked out for his State car & driver or, worse still, for the Government jet.

Really good points. Because as well all know that all those things you mention will be discontinued once his term finishes, never to be used again for succeeding presidents after their introduction at the start his one term by way of experimentation.

shaunn

It seems he must like his job if he wants to run for Presidency again at 77. I don't think he's that bad of a President myself.

Turnipman

Cork Boy 53 wrote: »

I see Michael D is at the Liam Miller Tribute match in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and is getting plenty of applause from the crowd there. Good optics for him anyway.

I wonder whether he paid for his ticket.

I'm also curious as to whether he got the train down using his OAP fre travel card, or whether the taxpayers forked out for his State car & driver or, worse still, for the Government jet.

Higgins will be the King of the photo-op for this campaign,you can be sure.

The wily old fox

It really is comical that the likes of gallagher, a serial grant procurer and Fianna fail bagman thinks he's presidential material.

Get Real

Henryhill2 wrote: »

Michael D. doesn't have to do much to prevail

Gallagher and Duffy presenting their vain ,opportunistic selves to the nation will do most of the work for him tbh

And Michael D isn't in it for himself either?

Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with him as president, but its hard for anyone to be a "bad" president in this country. There's no major decision making. "The president is above politics" as said by the current govnt.

He said he'd run just the once, and changed his mind (and had every right to) but he is human, he's in it for himself. Anyone who runs is, and fair play to them for trying.

richiepurgas

Cork Boy 53 wrote: »

I see Michael D is at the Liam Miller Tribute match in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and is getting plenty of applause from the crowd there. Good optics for him anyway.

He's been a huge soccer follower for years, president of Galway UTD. Saw a pic of him with the pope in the áras and a poster of Galway utd in background. Think it might have been photoshopped though.

James Brown

Cork Boy 53 wrote: »

I see Michael D is at the Liam Miller Tribute match in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and is getting plenty of applause from the crowd there. Good optics for him anyway.

He's well liked. I don't think a crowd would be long about showing any disapproval.

Cork Boy 53

I see Michael D is at the Liam Miller Tribute match in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and is getting plenty of applause from the crowd there. Good optics for him anyway.

Hitman3000

No intention of voting for Gallagher or the incumbent but at least he has the b*lls to seek election.

The catchphrase "leading with purpose"

Then they've gone and put him at the back of.the bus lol

B0jangles

Just saw Sean Gallagher's presidential bus:

Interesting design choices:

1.) The window frames make it look like he's standing in front of a giant brown envelope.

2.) It is now literally true to say 'Sean Gallagher looks like the back end of a bus'

expectationlost

Sleepy wrote: »

Anyone else thing Michael D should refuse to put up posters and instead make a donation of the equivalent cost to one of the Housing charities?

I reckon it'd be a vote-winning strategy that would help highlight the attention seeking / platform building behaviour of the no-hopers running against him.

the presidency isn't about donating to charities

DavyD_83

VinLieger wrote: »

Very clever move by Gallagher http://www.thejournal.ie/sean-gallagher-rte-presidential-debates-4252593-Sep2018/

As I have said all along he will position himself as the natural successor by staying above the muck and being the answer to the question that those who like Michael D but aren't happy with him going for a second term are asking themselves.

Whether that coupled with the sympathy vote will be enough is impossible to answer quite yet.

That's the first I've heard of any sympathy for Gallagher; not so sure there's much of it out there