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

That was the Idea, un official Gag but it became clear the ineptitude of Government was breathtaking but more importantly the Gag would mean no political cover if things went pear shaped. So they sat down over Tea and mariieta biscuits and came up a let's play nice and we're all buddies approach.

You advise, we'll disagree gently, then we'll compromise, make us all look like we're on the same team and friendly etc, sell the message and hope people don't realise there being treated like absolute gobshytes so to speak.

And the thing is, many people don't realise this and play into it completely. Like the texter to NT a minutes ago complaining about people in Dundrum Town Centre going into shops unmasked and not being challenged by security (oh nooooes!) :rolleyes:

Healy of course, being the good boy he is, suggests this is a uniquely Dublin thing and people should get with the programme.

That's enough "independent" radio for me today I think!

This advert is infuriating 😡

I wouldn't expect anything else from RTE but we have NO mainstream outlet (TV, radio or press) that is willing to actually ask real questions and properly challenge the likes of Holohan and Leo. It's all softball questions and/or letting them talk unchallenged for lengthy periods.

Of course, this was guaranteed with the revenue being made by these stations/outlets through HSE/Government Covid-related advertising (like those disgusting RSVP and "glad you stayed away" ads), plus the fact that many of these "journalists" ultimately aspire to moving up to be a staffer for the same TDs they're "interviewing". The Fourth Estate has been long since bought and paid for in this country.

As I said yesterday, this is the sort of thing we used to criticise tin-pot dictatorships or Communist states for, and yet here we are!

Just listened back. Take away line - NPHET don’t seem to be taking a Christmas break. Presenter was as bad trying to push for a lockdown.

Shocked the hear religious services are exempt from the 8pm restriction on indoor gatherings. What is the science behind this?

Can't go to a concert or the cinema but can go to mass! This is a moral judgement not a scientific one. Sharia law Irish style.

There is restrictions for confessionals, strictly one at a time 😁

Wouldn't be surprised if he only agreed to go on when he knew Ciara wasn't there. She's been one of the few vocal critic's on the media the last year.

I have a feeling if that was the case then Shane would have gotten the interview. That Sinead who was on though was ridiculous - asking if people should be telling family/friends to do antigen tests before they meet this weekend and saying she does it in her household.

The sad thing is I would well believe her given her tone over the interview/PR piece!

Who cares as long as the sheep can’t get enough of it.

Christmas week and Christmas things going on in people's heads!

Bit of the pot calling the kettle black imo.

I`m not "very much pro NPHET". What I am is very much pro off is a Government listening to the advise on public health from their own appointed board of experts in their field and giving it consideration, same as they give consideration to all other areas effected by this pandemic, and making the balanced decisions they see as appropriate.

I have asked you what is this power you believe Tony Holohan has over this Government and you point to Twitter, where he has less followers than even Simon Harris, and making public appearances giving interviews, which it now appears was based on one Late Late Show appearance. If that is the basis of your argument then Niall Horan from Mullingar has a much greater psychological hold over this Government than Tony Holohan.

You may not be as you claim obsessed with Tony Holohan, but with this belief that he has some psychological power over this Government that is totally dictating their decisions it is not far off quite a few here who obviously are. They may indeed be frustrated with Government decisions, but attempting to lay the blame for that on Just Tony Holohan because he is CMO is as nonsensical as believing that Jaap van Dissel of the Netherlands, a country that just introduced restrictions much harsher than here, is totally responsible for all decisions there in regards to this pandemic.