John O'Donoghue and his travel spending spree

Drumpot · 07-10-2009 06:23PM

The most remarkable and not completely unsurprising thing from this whole affair is that it appears that he could very well get re-elected (if for example there was an election tomorrow). .

Im sorry, but this is the very problem with our country. Its people who vote the likes of O'Donohue back in, who are to blame for this kind of expenses scandal thats ripe within the public service . .

It doesnt matter what work he has done in the past . . The FACT is that he spent our money for his own personal gratification.

Dont get me wrong. Hes not alone and the ONLY reason the opposition party hadnt called for his head sooner was that they were worried that the limelight might fall on their expenses . .

Yes . . O'Donohue was a sort of scapegoat (that got the very least he deserved) but I believe there are others who should be investigated. Either way, he was wrong, he did the state wrong and anybody who feels he deserves to be backed (because sure hes a good skin) can take a large chunk of the BLAME for the state of our country and the culture that exists in the Dail.

What you are saying by voting for O'Donohue is . . Doesnt matter if you rob the taxpayers of money for your personal gain once you are a decent skin . . Nothing changes . . we end up getting ripped off some other way . . How embarrased I am for those who will continue to follow him . .

Biggins · 07-10-2009 06:23PM

Darragh29 wrote: »

What I'm wondering is should JOD not have to repay the taxpayers money he used, regardless of the fact that he has resigned??? Say they can get 100-200K off him, that would pay for 3-6 teachers for a year...

There's probably no tight legal way to make him do that.
If he wanted to keep his job before Gilmore jumped with his "no confidence" he might have offered to pay back some.

As it is now they will stay stum on the payback issue, pay him off handsomely and wish the whole matter to go away quietly.

DirksDiggler · 07-10-2009 06:26PM

Drumpot wrote: »

The most remarkable and not completely unsurprising thing from this whole affair is that it appears that he could very well get re-elected (if for example there was an election tomorrow). .

Im sorry, but this is the very problem with our country. Its people who vote the likes of O'Donohue back in, who are to blame for this kind of expenses scandal thats ripe within the public service . .

It doesnt matter what work he has done in the past . . The FACT is that he spent our money for his own personal gratification.

Dont get me wrong. Hes not alone and the ONLY reason the opposition party hadnt called for his head sooner was that they were worried that the limelight might fall on their expenses . .

Yes . . O'Donohue was a sort of scapegoat (that got the very least he deserved) but I believe there are others who should be investigated. Either way, he was wrong, he did the state wrong and anybody who feels he deserves to be backed (because sure hes a good skin) can take a large chunk of the BLAME for the state of our country and the culture that exists in the Dail.

What you are saying by voting for O'Donohue is . . Doesnt matter if you rob the taxpayers of money for your personal gain once you are a decent skin . . Nothing changes . . we end up getting ripped off some other way . . How embarrased I am for those who will continue to follow him . .

Just been a right shower of backslappers crying on the six-one news a few minutes ago over him. How people can be so bloody gullible and brainless is beyond me.

Its infuriating to be honest.

Darragh29 · 07-10-2009 06:29PM

Biggins wrote: »

There's probably no tight legal way to make him do that.
If he wanted to keep his job before Gilmore jumped with his "no confidence" he might have offered to pay back some.

As it is now thay will stay stum on the payback issue, pay him off handsomely and wish the whole matter to go away quietly.

And if there isn't, there should be... This notion of , "ah sure he's resigned now it'll be grand"... Bullsh*t, where is our money, how are we getting it back please???

Biggins · 07-10-2009 06:32PM

DirksDiggler wrote: »

Just been a right shower of backslappers crying on the six-one news a few minutes ago over him. How people can be so bloody gullible and brainless is beyond me.

Its infuriating to be honest.

A' well he fixed the lights in the street and brought business to the town.

...but to be serious.
In any town elsewhere, any old-reliables would do their same probably for their local person.
Somein his constituency will be wondering how this will effect commerce in the long run in the area - as they now too, might not have as an effective TD in the Dail.

+ I'd hate to be a Labour man at the next election down there! :pac:

thebman · 07-10-2009 06:33PM

Biggins wrote: »

There's probably no tight legal way to make him do that.
If he wanted to keep his job before Gilmore jumped with his "no confidence" he might have offered to pay back some.

As it is now they will stay stum on the payback issue, pay him off handsomely and wish the whole matter to go away quietly.

Yeah given he did nothing illegal, all they could do is ask him nicely :rolleyes:

I'm just wondering what kind of loopholes are in the "changes" proposed :-/

Drumpot · 07-10-2009 06:59PM

DirksDiggler wrote: »

Just been a right shower of backslappers crying on the six-one news a few minutes ago over him. How people can be so bloody gullible and brainless is beyond me.

Its infuriating to be honest.

Thats what inspired my post . .

Im sick of the mute voice of the few of us who want leaders based on their credentials rather then their popularity.

O'Donohue was popular in the Dail (one of the other reasons why people were slow to call for his head) which simply mirrors the people who follow T.D's based on their "sure they're a good skin" philosophy .

The culture within politics comes from the arrogant stance T.D's can take in the knowledge that even if they take money from the state coffers or backhanders (ahern, haughey etc), they will not only not be accountable, but they have a great chance of getting reelected . .

Case in point I still hear some muppits say "sure this wouldnt of happened had bertie been in charge"!! I nearly puke when I hear this . . Hes the fker that drove the country into this disaster, full throttle.

ANYBODY LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO BLAME FOR THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY NEED LOOK NO FURTHER THEN THE VOTING PEOPLE WHO CONSTANTLY BACK AND VOTE FOR MORALLY BANKRUPT PEOPLE. THATS WHERE YOU START THE CLEAROUT. YOU DEMAND MORE FROM YOUR REPRESENTITIVE (NOTICE I SAID DEMAND).

You get the government you want and the government mirror its people. I truely believe that . . We are a nation of finger pointers (not my fault its somebody elses) and take no responsibility for our country, hoping somebody else will sort it out. I laugh when people say "I didnt vote FF" as if they demanded anymore from their own candidates in Labour or FG who are enjoying the fruits of the dail gravy train as much as the easy targets in FF.

murphaph · 07-10-2009 07:14PM

DirksDiggler wrote: »

Just been a right shower of backslappers crying on the six-one news a few minutes ago over him. How people can be so bloody gullible and brainless is beyond me.

Its infuriating to be honest.

If the people of Kerry South re-elect this thief then all the Kerryman jokes are entirely justified. I don't care if other idiots in Mayo or Tipp re-elected their own local thieves. Kerry can stand up at the next general election and be counted!

Darragh29 · 07-10-2009 07:21PM

murphaph wrote: »

If the people of Kerry South re-elect this thief then all the Kerryman jokes are entirely justified. I don't care if other idiots in Mayo or Tipp re-elected their own local thieves. Kerry can stand up at the next general election and be counted!

Sure he might not even have to get re-elected! The game he's playing here is to formally stay in office until the government possibly falls next weekend, then he is automatically re-elected until possibly 2014...

bonzos · 07-10-2009 07:42PM

Darragh29 wrote: »

What I'm wondering is should JOD not have to repay the taxpayers money he used, regardless of the fact that he has resigned??? Say they can get 100-200K off him, that would pay for 3-6 teachers for a year...

Not a hope of getting a cent from him!do you think a greedy focker like JOD is just going to hand back money without a fight?it will be interesting to see if he treats himself to the same comforts (1st class flights,5 star hotel etc..)from now on when is coming from his own pocket

Mr.Micro · 07-10-2009 07:44PM

murphaph wrote: »

If the people of Kerry South re-elect this thief then all the Kerryman jokes are entirely justified. I don't care if other idiots in Mayo or Tipp re-elected their own local thieves. Kerry can stand up at the next general election and be counted!

He will probably get re-elected with a bigger majority as logic does not apply in Ireland. Either way even if he quits he will get his pensions equivalent to 100k plus so no fear of the self indulgent, over inflated person it all shows on his features, too long at the trough. He has that florid, heavy look of a man who has had too much rich food, wine and port and probably now gout as well.

Drumpot · 07-10-2009 07:46PM

bonzos wrote: »

Not a hope of getting a cent from him!do you think a greedy focker like JOD is just going to hand back money without a fight?it will be interesting to see if he treats himself to the same comforts (1st class flights,5 star hotel etc..)from now on when is coming from his own pocket

Wonder what sort of "golden handshake" he will get somewhere with a wink wink nudge nudge . .

Seriously people , this is just ridiculous . The very fact that my first sentence is serious and there is a strong possibility he will be "well off" when leaving his post, just highlights the true scandal of this whole affair . .

JOD is not alone and until we have complete transparency in all PUBLIC SERVANTS pay, there will always be loopholes to be exploited .

ronbyrne2005 · 07-10-2009 08:10PM

On radio they said while in America JOD paid 700dollars in tips to a limo driver, but he also claimed one euro for a one euro conation to UNICEF! Now strikes me as strange as the type of person who claims for a small donation to charity doesnt give out big tips! Could he have been declaring tips that were in fact spending money for him?

SLUSK · 07-10-2009 08:11PM

I blame you Irish who keep insisting on voting FF...

Drumpot · 07-10-2009 08:15PM

SLUSK wrote: »

I blame you Irish who keep insisting on voting FF...

Incorrect . .

Its the Irish who keep voting in T.D's based on their "cute hooer" , "sure hes a good skin" traits . .

Because FF have been in power the spotlights have been on them. FG and Labour werent demanding JOD's head until there was too much public pressure . . Theres only one reason for that (and its not because they were observing respect for the JOD's position!). .

walshb · 07-10-2009 08:19PM

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

On radio they said while in America JOD paid 700dollars in tips to a limo driver, but he also claimed one euro for a one euro conation to UNICEF! Now strikes me as strange as the type of person who claims for a small donation to charity doesnt give out big tips! Could he have been declaring tips that were in fact spending money for him?

I can well believe he tips, and generously; the thing is, it's not from his pocket. He, like most greedy sods, are great at throwing other peoples money around.

seclachi · 07-10-2009 08:25PM

TDs are like the local GAA, no matter how crap they are, people will still support them cos there local. How else do people like the flynns get back into power again and again.

DirksDiggler · 07-10-2009 09:00PM

I see the biggest bollox of them all has made some rather unsurprising comments on this fiasco:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1007/breaking80.htm

O'Donoghue 'a fine politician' - Ahern

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 20:14

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern today said he had sympathy for Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, who he claimed was always reluctant to travel during his time as tourism minister.

“He was a fine minister, a fine politician, a very hard-working person and I know that John O’Donoghue was one of those ministers who was reluctant to travel,” he said.

“The perception is that he wanted to be away all the time. That is not the case.”

Mr Ahern, who nominated Mr O’Donoghue for the post of Ceann Comhairle, said he was sorry for his party colleague.

“I think most of the things that are down as expenses are things that he hadn’t got control over because they were arranged by other departments, and other things he said sorry about some weeks ago,” he said.

Mr Ahern was speaking in Belfast, where he was attending a book-signing event to mark the publication of his autobiography.

Makes you want to vomit, doesn't it? :mad:

john-joe · 07-10-2009 09:11PM

DirksDiggler wrote: »

I see the biggest bollox of them all has made some rather unsurprising comments on this fiasco:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1007/breaking80.htm

Makes you want to vomit, doesn't it? :mad:

They should send copies of the Berties book to that school in Cork, after all its only worth wiping ur arse with anyway!:P

KetchupKid · 07-10-2009 09:20PM

walshb wrote: »

It's very very hard to have respect or sympathy for a guy like John. I do however feel that his family, children especially, should be considered here. They will suffer from this and have had to endure an awful lot of negative and damaging coverage. If only greedy John could have thought about the what if before he acted in such a despicable way.

I have sympathy for his family, but they aren't our problem. No one cared for my family when I was made redundant or the families of any of the thousands in this country that are unemployed.:mad: And I and most of the unemployed did absolutely nothing wrong. It's sad because those that act despicable get nice big bonuses and the honest people get stepped on! If JOD gets a big payout or gets to keep his job, there should be a revolution!!!!

john-joe · 07-10-2009 09:26PM

walshb wrote: »

It's very very hard to have respect or sympathy for a guy like John. I do however feel that his family, children especially, should be considered here. They will suffer from this and have had to endure an awful lot of negative and damaging coverage. If only greedy John could have thought about the what if before he acted in such a despicable way.

Was he wife not with him in these luxury hotels and trips away??

hard to have sympathy with 'anyone' who would go along with this...

Of course his wife or family members could have refused to accept gifts and luxuries at the expense of taxpayers!:mad:

juuge · 07-10-2009 09:31PM

I see on tonight's RTE news that 'little willy' O'Dea has crawled out from under a rock to voice support for O'Donoghue - say no more!

deepriver · 07-10-2009 09:33PM

DirksDiggler wrote: »

I see the biggest bollox of them all has made some rather unsurprising comments on this fiasco:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1007/breaking80.htm

Makes you want to vomit, doesn't it? :mad:

bertie, what a twit, its incomprehensible how this half-wit was expected to run our country, or rather didnt... what a twit, what an unbelievable twit, bertie and JOD should get one way tickets to the other side of the planet courtesy of the tax payer

who_ru · 07-10-2009 09:33PM

Dilly O' Wee T.D. to you sir :pac::pac::pac:

Biggins · 07-10-2009 09:46PM

Job Application!

Found here: http://www.recruitireland.com/job/clown-comhairle-nationwide/14206746/

john-joe · 07-10-2009 09:51PM

are kerry men excluded?

ConsiderThis · 08-10-2009 06:49AM

Biggins wrote: »

There's probably no tight legal way to make him do that.
If he wanted to keep his job before Gilmore jumped with his "no confidence" he might have offered to pay back some.

As it is now they will stay stum on the payback issue, pay him off handsomely and wish the whole matter to go away quietly.

Contrast the way we deal with this sort of thing to this http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6863022.ece story about an aide to the London Mayor who has been given a suspended sentence and 100 hours community service for misusing £156.70 of his publically funded expenses.

Biggins · 08-10-2009 07:41AM

ConsiderThis wrote: »

Contrast the way we deal with this sort of thing to this http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6863022.ece story about an aide to the London Mayor who has been given a suspended sentence and 100 hours community service for misusing £156.70 of his publically funded expenses.

O' I know. I posted that same news as soon as it happened.
There's also a thread about it here somewhere.

Simply put its a hell of a difference and is a terrible indictment about how we need to change the system here in a number of ways.

dlofnep · 08-10-2009 09:19AM

So he's getting a €112,000 payoff. This country needs a good kick in the head.

Darragh29 · 08-10-2009 09:52AM

dlofnep wrote: »

So he's getting a €112,000 payoff. This country needs a good kick in the head.

Honestly, isn't start to look like something out of a Laurel & Hardy episode?!?

John O'Donoghue and his travel spending spree

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