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Brian Crowley

Aidric

I’ll preface this by saying it is nothing personal or party affiliated, rather a sense of trying to understand. Is it really the case that because this gentleman is in a wheelchair he gets to enjoy a soft ride. Can anybody explain the popularity of this man? He is now returned for a fifth straight time in a row. I have never seen him on tv or heard him on radio articulating what it is he is working on at EU level on behalf of the people who elected him. I saw a recent report that listed him as having one of the poorest attendance records in the parliament. This may be allied to his illness but if he is ill for a lot of the time why is he holding down a seat?

Like I said at the outset this is not a personal attack. I’m just curious if there is something more to it than a sympathy vote. The FF Director of Elections can’t even explain it, putting it purely down to a personal vote as distinct from any meaningful policy. If this is the basis on which we elect our politicians than we deserve everything we get.

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Kenny B

This guy has finally accepted he now has no ability to represent his voters and still won't give up the seat, now that's a disgrace.

FreudianSlippers

eagle eye wrote: »

Confusing. How can you follow all the political parties unless of course you are going down the pedantic route of saying that as a fan of politics you keep an eye on all parties.

It's not pedantry at all - some people don't vote blindly like children on party lines. In our political system, it's possible (as you seem to not be aware) to vote for more than one person/party.

If you don't understand that it's common to call those who vote religiously for one party as followers then you must not have lived in this country for very long.

I think the word you're looking for is member, as in "card-carrying member" - the only phrase which is commonly used.

I may not have lived in this country as long as other people, but that's probably down to my age I guess? Like obviously someone in their 40s has lived here longer than someone in their 30s.

eagle eye

FreudianSlippers wrote:

I suspect, like most people in the politics forum, we all follow all the political parties.

Confusing. How can you follow all the political parties unless of course you are going down the pedantic route of saying that as a fan of politics you keep an eye on all parties.
If you don't understand that it's common to call those who vote religiously for one party as followers then you must not have lived in this country for very long.

L1011

eagle eye wrote: »

Well if you support a different political party that wouldn't surprise me.

If you voted FF, got Crowley and got zero representation for 5+ years, you'd generally have problems with it.

Just because you can't understand people not having hidden agendas doesn't mean its not possible.

eagle eye

PCeeeee wrote:

I told you why I won't answer. You can't respond to the point I made so you are resorting to a personal attack. You are certainly done.

You won't answer and I'm finished discussing it with you. On you go with your hidden agenda.

PCeeeee

eagle eye wrote: »

You won't answer because it will show you have an agenda I presume.
I don't support any party, I despise them all equally.
I'm done conversing with you about Brian Crowley.

I told you why I won't answer. You can't respond to the point I made so you are resorting to a personal attack. You are certainly done.

FreudianSlippers

eagle eye wrote: »

Do you follow a political party?

I suspect, like most people in the politics forum, we all follow all the political parties.

James Brown

eagle eye wrote: »

It matters because I don't understand the uncaring attitude of people.
It's not like he was in great health and didn't do his job.
It's very clear that the man is a fighter or he would never have made it back from becoming disabled.
He has now stepped aside and rather than wish him the best in his battles with illness, I haven't seen one person post that, we just get criticism and mire criticism. It was only after I'd posted a few times that I remembered all the idiots out there who actively seek any opportunity to criticise anyone from a rival party.

It's not like that. The people had no representation for years. He missed numerous votes on many issues. We're not talking a few months and then he called it a day. Why run for an office and job you won't be doing? He essentially collected a salary and will no doubt have a nice pension.
This is about not carrying out what the people elected you to do over a very long prolonged period.
His party affiliation is irrelevant he was never available to vote for or speak on their agenda.

Seth Brundle

eagle eye wrote: »

Well if you support a different political party that wouldn't surprise me.
Aka I don't believe that you don't have an agenda here that you are not admitting.

Sorry to burst your bubble Brian but I've been up front with you so please don't imply that I've an agenda other than to see capable politicians doing their job, as they committed to, regardless of party.

eagle eye

Seth Brundle wrote:

As for your pathetic attempt to view this as some kind of party politics or vindictiveness, its neither. I see it as a gravy train politician only looking after themselves and I'd condem it regardless of the party.

Well if you support a different political party that wouldn't surprise me.
Aka I don't believe that you don't have an agenda here that you are not admitting.

Seth Brundle

He has not done his job in several years but happily cashed his pay cheques.
His disability and him being a fighter and yada yada is one thing.
Him not stepping aside is completely separate and showed that his primary interest was not his constituents. He has failed his constituients by announcing this only now (with fresh elections looming). He will be remembered for his failure in this regard.

eagle eye wrote: »

He has now stepped aside ...

He has not stepped aside. He is not seeking re-election which is quite different and less praiseworthy.

As for your pathetic attempt to view this as some kind of party politics or vindictiveness, its neither. I see it as a gravy train politician only looking after themselves and I'd condem it regardless of the party.

eagle eye

Seth Brundle wrote:

What does it matter? I don't follow any although I dislike some more than I dislike others. Brian Crowley failed to do his job and it was evident to the people years ago that he was not going to be in a position to do it. He failed! He did not however stand aside and let someone else replace him. He continued to take his salary and not do his work. He failed his constituents. Allowing him praise because he faced various health challenges does not mean he should not also be criticised for his failings.

It matters because I don't understand the uncaring attitude of people.
It's not like he was in great health and didn't do his job.
It's very clear that the man is a fighter or he would never have made it back from becoming disabled.
He has now stepped aside and rather than wish him the best in his battles with illness, I haven't seen one person post that, we just get criticism and mire criticism. It was only after I'd posted a few times that I remembered all the idiots out there who actively seek any opportunity to criticise anyone from a rival party.

Seth Brundle

eagle eye wrote: »

Do you follow a political party?

What does it matter?
I don't follow any although I dislike some more than I dislike others.
Brian Crowley failed to do his job and it was evident to the people years ago that he was not going to be in a position to do it. He failed!
He did not however stand aside and let someone else replace him. He continued to take his salary and not do his work. He failed his constituents.
Allowing him praise because he faced various health challenges does not mean he should not also be criticised for his failings.

An Ciarraioch

Put it this way, eagle eye - there's a well-known councillor in Tralee who has also been in a wheelchair for many decades, always tops the poll, and picks up votes across the political spectrum regardless of his own party affiliation. The key difference between him and Brian Crowley, however, is that he has always put his constituents first during his tenure, and if illness prevented him from serving, I have little doubt that he would promptly retire at the earliest possible opportunity.

eagle eye

L1011 wrote:

Even if it suddenly had, he should be resigning immediately to allow his replacement to actually do some work.

Do you follow a political party?

eagle eye

PCeeeee wrote:

I have no intention of answering that, if my comments can't stand on their own logic then point it out. My political leanings have no part in this.

You won't answer because it will show you have an agenda I presume.
I don't support any party, I despise them all equally.
I'm done conversing with you about Brian Crowley.

L1011

eagle eye wrote: »

A man who lost the power to walk and battled back from that isn't going to give up very easily.
How do you know that it was clear back then that he wasn't going to recover?

It didn't just become clear this week when he announced he wouldn't run again

Even if it suddenly had, he should be resigning immediately to allow his replacement to actually do some work.

LuckyLloyd

touts wrote: »

By clinging to the position for 10+ years when clearly either unfit or uninterested he has denied the Irish people a voice in Europe during arguably the most important decade of our membership of the EU. His retirement is long overdue. I hope they dock 10 years off his pensionable service.

They won't and you know they won't. No point being vindictive here. The people voting for him last time had all the info on the situation.

PCeeeee

eagle eye wrote: »

He didn't do a bad job, he didn't do the job due to illness obviously.
Do you support any particular politically party?

I'm sorry eagle eye. Not doing the job is effectively doing a bad job. Try doing it at your job and see how it works

I have no intention of answering that, if my comments can't stand on their own logic then point it out. My political leanings have no part in this.

eagle eye

PCeeeee wrote:

So you're saying he did a bad job?

He didn't do a bad job, he didn't do the job due to illness obviously.
Do you support any particular politically party?

PCeeeee

eagle eye wrote: »

I'm saying that the man is a fighter, someone to be admired. It's clear the reason he has not done a good job is due to ill health.
It's unfortunate but I think he must have believed he was going to beat whatever his health issues were. He has now finally accepted that he cannot go on. I feel sorry for him.
He was a beacon of light to many for a lot of years. He showed people who became disabled that they could still be successful. He made people who were in full health realise they could be so much better and do so much more.
It's very disingenuous and uncaring to just simply say he did a bad job. He did a good job before ill-health got in the way.

He did a good job before he did a bad job you're saying?

So you're saying he did a bad job?

eagle eye

Seth Brundle wrote:

You described him as "A man in a wheelchair who fought hard to work for years" as if to excuse someone in a wheelchair doing a shÃte job

I'm saying that the man is a fighter, someone to be admired. It's clear the reason he has not done a good job is due to ill health.
It's unfortunate but I think he must have believed he was going to beat whatever his health issues were. He has now finally accepted that he cannot go on. I feel sorry for him.
He was a beacon of light to many for a lot of years. He showed people who became disabled that they could still be successful. He made people who were in full health realise they could be so much better and do so much more.
It's very disingenuous and uncaring to just simply say he did a bad job. He did a good job before ill-health got in the way.

touts

By clinging to the position for 10+ years when clearly either unfit or uninterested he has denied the Irish people a voice in Europe during arguably the most important decade of our membership of the EU. His retirement is long overdue. I hope they dock 10 years off his pensionable service.

Seth Brundle

eagle eye wrote: »

That's on the electorate though.

You described him as "A man in a wheelchair who fought hard to work for years" as if to excuse someone in a wheelchair doing a shíte job

eagle eye

Seth Brundle wrote:

Why then should he be considered worthy of a vote simply because he is disabled? Surely his ability to do the job and represent his constituents is what is important?

That's on the electorate though.

Seth Brundle

eagle eye wrote: »

Chancer?
A man in a wheelchair who fought hard to work for years.
Did you ever think that he might be one of those glass half full people who never gave up battling and believed he would make a full recovery.
It's finally got to the stage where it's clear it's not going to happen and he has accepted that and is moving on.
I don't know the guy but I admired him for many years. Many people in his situation basically don't ever try and do much after they lose the power to walk, he did.

If he was a woman would he have been worthy of a vote?
If he was gay would that have been a reason to vote for him?
If he was a traveller would that have been a reason to vote for him?
Why then should he be considered worthy of a vote simply because he is disabled? Surely his ability to do the job and represent his constituents is what is important?

Tabnabs

What part of public representative was so hard for Brian and his followers to understand?

eagle eye

L1011 wrote:

Its pretty obvious that his situation wasn't going to improve enough to let him return to actually do the job for some time now - possibly going back to before the 2014 election. Even if not he should have resigned when it did become apparent, and allowed his replacement to take the role and actually do the job.

A man who lost the power to walk and battled back from that isn't going to give up very easily.
How do you know that it was clear back then that he wasn't going to recover?

L1011

eagle eye wrote: »

Chancer?
A man in a wheelchair who fought hard to work for years.
Did you ever think that he might be one of those glass half full people who never gave up battling and believed he would make a full recovery.
It's finally got to the stage where it's clear it's not going to happen and he has accepted that and is moving on.
I don't know the guy but I admired him for many years. Many people in his situation basically don't ever try and do much after they lose the power to walk, he did.

Its pretty obvious that his situation wasn't going to improve enough to let him return to actually do the job for some time now - possibly going back to before the 2014 election. Even if not he should have resigned when it did become apparent, and allowed his replacement to take the role and actually do the job.

eagle eye

Beechwoodspark wrote:

Not from cork but I was amazed ppl voted for this chancer.

Chancer?
A man in a wheelchair who fought hard to work for years.
Did you ever think that he might be one of those glass half full people who never gave up battling and believed he would make a full recovery.
It's finally got to the stage where it's clear it's not going to happen and he has accepted that and is moving on.
I don't know the guy but I admired him for many years. Many people in his situation basically don't ever try and do much after they lose the power to walk, he did.