Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh got bank loan due to political connections

Canvasser · 11-08-2012 07:06PM #1

"BANK OF SCOTLAND (Ireland) described Fine Gael politician Brian Walsh from Galway as “an individual for the future both politically and commercially” in internal records pushing for approval for a loan of €475,000 to buy overseas properties in 2006.
The bank said in a loan application for Mr Walsh, who was elected to the Dáil in 2011, that he was “extremely well connected in Galway city” and that there were “ambassadorial factors” in lending money to him “given his political profile” as mayor of Galway city.
The application states that the purpose of the loan was to buy two apartments, in London and Dubai."

Deputy Brian Walsh is also a former manager at Anglo-Irish bank. So is this the sort of politician that is expected to bring change to Irish politics? I think I'd side with Eamon O Cuiv before this chancer. Fine Gael are full of gombeens.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0807/1224321633041.html

snubbleste · 11-08-2012 07:08PM

Was this not in the news last Sunday?

ronnie3585 · 11-08-2012 07:15PM

If you even bothered to read that article you might have noticed this little nugget of information:

Mr Walsh told The Irish Times he did not proceed with the purchase of the overseas apartments or draw down the loans from Bank of Scotland (Ireland).

Avatarr · 11-08-2012 07:17PM

Canvasser wrote: »

"BANK OF SCOTLAND (Ireland) described Fine Gael politician Brian Walsh from Galway as “an individual for the future both politically and commercially” in internal records pushing for approval for a loan of €475,000 to buy overseas properties in 2006.
The bank said in a loan application for Mr Walsh, who was elected to the Dáil in 2011, that he was “extremely well connected in Galway city” and that there were “ambassadorial factors” in lending money to him “given his political profile” as mayor of Galway city.
The application states that the purpose of the loan was to buy two apartments, in London and Dubai."

Deputy Brian Walsh is also a former manager at Anglo-Irish bank. So is this the sort of politician that is expected to bring change to Irish politics? I think I'd side with Eamon O Cuiv before this chancer. Fine Gael are full of gombeens.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0807/1224321633041.html

Very similar to Phil Hogan , who had a loan personally approved by Michael fingleton Irish nationwide, 330,000 to buy family home in Kilkenny, 450,000 house in haddington square d4, 10 year interest only loan as was the
Next 430,000 borrowed to buy an apartment in Portugal.

We are in two tier Ireland.

gordongekko · 11-08-2012 08:07PM

ronnie3585 wrote: »

If you even bothered to read that article you might have noticed this little nugget of information:

What does that matter?

nuac · 11-08-2012 08:22PM

In the good times all the banks favoured political movers and shakers

Seaneh · 12-08-2012 01:12AM

When I was 21/22 and working in a not ver ywell paid job and I have AIB offering me a morgtage for 440k for a house in Athlone.

That was 6 years ago.

Nothing about this **** surprises me.

U2sir · 12-08-2012 07:57AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnie3585
If you even bothered to read that article you might have noticed this little nugget of information:

Quote:
Mr Walsh told The Irish Times he did not proceed with the purchase of the overseas apartments or draw down the loans from Bank of Scotland (Ireland).

What does that matter?

Shows he might be a pretty good decision maker. Smart boy.

_Kaiser_ · 12-08-2012 12:46PM

snubbleste wrote: »

Was this not in the news last Sunday?

Or more accurately, is this even news? Surely everyone is well aware of the two tier system in this country at this stage - this is just business as usual

Still, as long as we continue to pit each sector of the economy against each other and have this immature "me too/first" attitude to EVERYTHING, is it any wonder it continues regardless of which bunch are at the controls.

In other countries there'd be mass protests, riots or even anarchy - but sure we might miss the GAA or Eastenders if we did that :rolleyes:

Canvasser · 12-08-2012 01:46PM

U2sir wrote: »

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnie3585
If you even bothered to read that article you might have noticed this little nugget of information:

Quote:
Mr Walsh told The Irish Times he did not proceed with the purchase of the overseas apartments or draw down the loans from Bank of Scotland (Ireland).

What does that matter?

Shows he might be a pretty good decision maker. Smart boy.

I'm not sure how smart he is. He certainly doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the box and is rumoured to have large debts from his property speculation. He'll fit right in on the backbenchs on Dáil Eireann.

[Jackass] · 13-08-2012 01:51AM

Somebody gets loan approved because they are good at their job and have a promising career.

Let's start a thread on Boards.ie ..."FINE GAEL TD USES POLITICAL POWER TO OBTAIN LOAN APPROVAL, POSSIBLY WITH THE MOTIVE OF GIVING UNFAIR PLANNING APPROVAL DOWN THE LINE TO DEVELOPERS IN HAUGHEY STYLE ABUSE OF POWER..."

I chuckled at it a week ago and I chuckle at it again. The desperate grasps at straws to try and find a scandal...

Canvasser · 13-08-2012 07:55AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

Somebody gets loan approved because they are good at their job and have a promising career.

Let's start a thread on Boards.ie ..."FINE GAEL TD USES POLITICAL POWER TO OBTAIN LOAN APPROVAL, POSSIBLY WITH THE MOTIVE OF GIVING UNFAIR PLANNING APPROVAL DOWN THE LINE TO DEVELOPERS IN HAUGHEY STYLE ABUSE OF POWER..."

I chuckled at it a week ago and I chuckle at it again. The desperate grasps at straws to try and find a scandal...

Where's the evidence he's good at his job?

[Jackass] · 13-08-2012 08:37AM

Motive established. Credability lost. Thread ended.

(and to answer your question, his job is being popular and his job was mayor of Galway, that's what banks look at, not at his policy on the corrib gas fields or his stance on abortion. When's the next Fianna Fail / Sinn Fein Ard Fheis by the way?

)

Head The Wall · 13-08-2012 09:00AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

Motive established. Credability lost. Thread ended.

(and to answer your question, his job is being popular and his job was mayor of Galway, that's what banks look at, not at his policy on the corrib gas fields or his stance on abortion. When's the next Fianna Fail / Sinn Fein Ard Fheis by the way? )

Who was it that voted him in as mayor, yes other councillors in Galway that also decided to rezone development land for him against the wishes of ABP

Sleepy · 13-08-2012 09:08AM

I think the key words here are "internal documents". It seems to me that it was the Bank who were looking at his political profile rather than him pushing them on that basis.

There's a very famous story in banking circles about a certain Mr Haughey who when questioned about his outstanding loans in the 80's reminded the chairman of AIB that he was the man who decided the taxation levels on the banks profits. How true it is, I can't say but when working as a cashier in BOI in my early twenties I heard it from quite a few of my older colleagues and their friends from other banks. It certainly wouldn't seem to have been out of character for the man.

One of these cases would be a case of a politician using his influence, the other a private (at the time) business making a commercial decision on the basis of their recognition of a politicians influence. This may not have even been anything untoward: the banks in Ireland have a long history of not chasing bad debts where the debtor is a "pillar of the community" on the basis that being seen to harass such a character can be more damaging to the banks local profile than the writing off of the debt.

washman3 · 13-08-2012 09:11AM

The Bluehirt apologists have arrived on this thread...;)

Fat chance of any of these FG/LAB gombeens taking on the likes of Fingleton and Seanie Fitz.!! just imagine the can of worms that would be opened...

[Jackass] · 13-08-2012 10:02AM

Head The Wall wrote: »

Who was it that voted him in as mayor, yes other councillors in Galway that also decided to rezone development land for him against the wishes of ABP

And who voted him in as a councilor? And his success is measured by the fact that he was senior enough to be the one chosen to be the Mayor of Galway.... What exactly is it that you are trying to suggest? Are you implying that there is even a shred of corruption about anything surrounding the article? Because he's a successful politician and because he was approved for a loan based on his career prospects, somehow there is corruption involved?

Please explain what, if any, link there is between this loan approval and any corrupt behaviour on his part? Have you ever seen a underwriters notes on any loan application ever? Recommendations are always made, one way or the other.

I don't understand what your point is here?

washman3 wrote: »

The Bluehirt apologists have arrived on this thread...;)

Fat chance of any of these FG/LAB gombeens taking on the likes of Fingleton and Seanie Fitz.!! just imagine the can of worms that would be opened...

Bizarre comment to say the least.

So this is a party issue for you? Judging by the way you use blueshirt as though is a derogatory term, the only mention I made of political parties earlier was that, as with the article and as with the previous poster, the only reason they are making any issue is that they're trying to tarnish someone based on political party lines and it's a very weak attempt. There's literally nothing to this, which is what makes it so comical, but I suppose whoever is in Government is always going to be a target and I respect the media keeping tabs on our Governments, but it just seems that they've been so spoiled with dirt for decades that the well has run dry and anything worth commenting on for the dirt diggers, and this is what they came up with.

Your comment quite simply sounds like the rants of a tribal fool and if you wish to back up your above comment with anything remotely resembling a coherent and rational thought, then be my guest, but I suspect your only contribution is based along party lines and not based on any facts, but similar to the article, hopeful presumptions with absolutely no evidence to back it up.

Canvasser · 13-08-2012 10:05AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

And who voted him in as a councilor? And his success is measured by the fact that he was senior enough to be the one chosen to be the Mayor of Galway.... What exactly is it that you are trying to suggest? Are you implying that there is even a shred of corruption about anything surrounding the article? Because he's a successful politician and because he was approved for a loan based on his career prospects, somehow there is corruption involved?

Please explain what, if any, link there is between this loan approval and any corrupt behaviour on his part? Have you ever seen a underwriters notes on any loan application ever? Recommendations are always made, one way or the other.

I don't understand what your point is here?

Bizarre comment to say the least.

So this is a party issue for you? Judging by the way you use blueshirt as though is a derogatory term, the only mention I made of political parties earlier was that, as with the article and as with the previous poster, the only reason they are making any issue is that they're trying to tarnish someone based on political party and it's a very weak attempt. There's literally nothing to this, which is what makes it so comical.

Your comment quite simply sounds like the rants of a tribal fool and if you wish to back up your above comment with anything remotely resembling a coherent and rational thought, then be my guest, but I suspect your only contribution is based along party lines and not based on any facts, but similar to the article, hopeful presumptions with absolutely no evidence to back it up.

Since you're such a Brian Walsh lover perhaps you could tell us what he had delivered for the people of Galway in his time in politics?

[Jackass] · 13-08-2012 10:10AM

I actually know absolutely nothing about the man. All I know is that he has been successful out west and that there's an article about him that people are trying to make something of when quite simply I don't see it.

I'm not defending the man on any personal tribal lines, I'm defending him because he's being talked about by apposing tribal lines as though there's anything he needs to defend...

If I smelt a rat I'd be the first to say it, but it seems like the usually possy, looking for dirt where there is none and I suppose to question what mostives or evidence you may have at all is met with a completely irrelivant question sent back in my direction, as though there is some burden on me or any other poster to prove a mans innocence, when all I'm doing is pointing out the lunacy of your comments...

Canvasser · 13-08-2012 10:14AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

I actually know absolutely nothing about the man. All I know is that he has been successful out west and that there's an article about him that people are trying to make something of when quite simply I don't see it.

I'm not defending the man on any personal tribal lines, I'm defending him because he's being talked about by apposing tribal lines as though there's anything he needs to defend... If I smelt a rat I'd be the first to say it, but it seems like the usually possy, looking for dirt where there is none and I suppose to question what mostives or evidence you may have at all is met with a completely irrelivant question sent back in my direction, as though there is some burden on me or any other poster to prove a mans innocence, when all I'm doing is pointing out the lunacy of your comments...

Brian Walsh is a former manager at Anglo-Irish Bank and a failed property speculator. He made all sorts of great promises about change and reforms and new roads etc but has done sweet FA in his time in politics. Yet you think you are morally superior for sticking up for him simply because you're not part of some "tribe".

http://galwayindependent.com/stories/item/1841/2012-15/Galway-politicians-declare-interests

It's clear that Brian Walsh is only in politics to build up his own little empire.

[Jackass] · 13-08-2012 10:29AM

Well I'm not going to get dragged in to a debate on this other than to reiterate that you are making baseless points about corruption when there is none, using his decloration of business interests as evidence, compliant with transparency

If we were talking about something undeclared and he had some hand in planning etc., then I would be agreeing with you. You'll note that the article you linked lists similar business interests for about a dozen other politicians across all party lines...

Anyway, I've said my piece, I'll leave it at that, as politics and religion are two areas where you can't debate, just argue, as peoples opinions are often written in stone and will never change.

Chucky the tree · 13-08-2012 10:41AM

Maybe Canvasser or Washman can explain why Brain Walsh is at fault in this situation?

antoobrien · 13-08-2012 10:50AM

Canvasser wrote: »

Deputy Brian Walsh is also a former manager at Anglo-Irish bank.

Mr Walsh worked with Anglo Irish Bank for a year in the late 1990s and later joined Mr Mulryan’s business before selling his property interests with Mr Mulryan to pursue a career in politics. He also ran a financial management business for 12 years.

So working for a bank for 1 year in the late 1990's is enough to damn somebody now?

Or working for a period of time with a successful property developer that is not drowning in debts?

I see you left out the bit that he sold his interests off when he was elected to GCC. Did your buddies the Crowes do this? Doesn't Mike Crowe still run his property business?

What about all the times he excused himself from city council votes where developments involving Liam Mulryan's businesses were under discussion so as to avoid potential conflicts of interest?

Canvasser · 13-08-2012 02:32PM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Maybe Canvasser or Washman can explain why Brain Walsh is at fault in this situation?

No one is saying he broke any laws. But he is exactly the sort of politician Ireland doesn't need ie close to the banks and developers and of very limited intelligence.

Head The Wall · 13-08-2012 02:39PM

Personally I don't think getting your councillor buddies to vote on it is much better, ideally councillors from some other jurisdiction altogether should make the decision.

I see he is still claiming the site in Roscam is for family use even though he has permission to build 4 detached houses on it. Councillors should in no way at all be involved in property development

Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh got bank loan due to political connections

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