Relaxation of Restrictions, Part X *Read OP For Mod Warnings*

I really do have a deep dislike for Tony H, it's the Tony show and he loves it.

PTH2009 wrote: »

Dr Tony's views should be kept private and given to the government behind closed doors. No tweets undermining the government and hospitality is not safe etc

So, in your opinion, should a task force set up by the government act in the shadows with no transparency? Or should a private citizen not be allowed have an opinion?

Meant to say Dr Tony's/NPHETs views and recommendations on stuff like Hospitality should be kept private and only discussed with the Government

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Surely the idea of an "Expert advisory" Committee is just that... to advise Government, not to be all over RTE and Twitter telling us all what's what?

Don't we pay Donnelly and the rest of them enough to let us know what's happening?

I agree, the government pushing nphet out as the voice of restrictions was a masterclass in passing the buck, and members of nphet should have been more savvy than to get sucked into it, but all expert advisors/committees will publish their findings, it's the only way to ensure transparency.

hynesie08 wrote: »

So how do we find out whether or not the government are acting in good faith on that advice? Blind trust?

Sure like last Autumn we would see of members tweeting this and that because the government didn't take there advice

That certain member got a free pass for that

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Well, I see Robert Watt has been appointed as the top mandarin for the Dept. of Health, maybe he will reign in old Holohan and try keep a lid on his public appearances...

Robert defiantly declaring in today's IT: "An open TLAC (Top Level Appointments Committee) competition was held and I am pleased to be asked to take on this role on a permanent basis following the Government meeting today". Now guess which committee good ole Robert was a member of until recently - https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/baa380-top-level-appointments-committee-tlac/ Great little country...

[Of course, no mention of our public service should fail to include a link to An Bord Pleanála, https://www.pleanala.ie/en-IE/Meet-the-Board. It is simply unbelievable what ABP gets up to/away with.]

hynesie08 wrote: »

but all expert advisors/committees will publish their findings, it's the only way to ensure transparency.

By all means let the experts on Nphet publish their findings via the relevant Govt. minister and dept. but letting them become almost like celebrities who you can see people refer to the CMO as "Tony" like as if he was their mate who calls over to the house for tea and biscuits means they have far too much power and influence on public/Government policy and use it to get their way.....

hynesie08 wrote: »

So again, you're saying private citizens shouldn't be allowed express an opinion.

"Private citizens" with a National media profile and a massive amount of influence on public opinion makes them far more than the mere private citizen as you say here...

Tenzor07 wrote: »

By all means let the experts on Nphet publish their findings via the relevant Govt. minister and dept. but letting them become almost like celebrities who you can see people refer to the CMO as "Tony" like as if he was their mate who calls over to the house for tea and biscuits means they have far too much power and influence on public/Government policy and use it to get their way.....

Again, I agree, they should never have been the face of this, but I'd argue that's a failing of the government rather than a desperate power grab by NPHET.

Tenzor07 wrote: »

"Private citizens" with a National media profile and a massive amount of influence on public opinion makes them far more than the mere private citizen as you say here...

They have the same number of votes and arseholes as you and me, they're entitled to the same right to free speech.

hynesie08 wrote: »

So speaking out against the government shouldn't be allowed because it might influence change?

That's obviously not what I'm saying but clearly you've got your own agenda to push. The point I'm making is that holohan has a larger public profile than any member of the public so anything he says that's critical or negative of gov policy is going to reverberate stronger than someone spouting on twitter so you can't compare them like for like. Seems fairly obvious to me but I can't speak for everyone.

hynesie08 wrote: »

So speaking out against the government shouldn't be allowed because it might influence change?

Free speech in the form of public protest is basically illegal under current level 5 restrictions anyways, so for you and I, johnny public, trying to influence change it means waiting another 3 years to vote...

His opinions hold much greater sway when he's back

we went from the country not going to level three on a Thursday night to straight to level 5 on a Sunday as soon as Tony returned

No coincidence there for me

ypres5 wrote: »

That's obviously not what I'm saying but clearly you've got your own agenda to push. The point I'm making is that holohan has a larger public profile than any member of the public so anything he says that's critical or negative of gov policy is going to reverberate stronger than someone spouting on twitter so you can't compare them like for like. Seems fairly obvious to me but I can't speak for everyone.

No agenda here, you're absolutely right that some voices carry more weight than others, and they should put a bit more thought into what they say before they say it. But they should always be afforded the right to say it.

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Basically yea, but when you or I express our opinions it doesn't hold much weight and very few people would listen..... the CMO and the likes speak and it's headline news, appearances on the Late Late Show... free speech is a lot different isn't it....

See, that's arguing about the platform rather than the message, of course if they invite the CMO on to talk about the tightening of restrictions they should have a counter opinion, but that's not on the CMO.

hynesie08 wrote: »

No agenda here, you're absolutely right that some voices carry more weight than others, and they should put a bit more thought into what they say before they say it. But they should always be afforded the right to say it.

I never said he shouldn't have the right to please don't put words in my mouth