I have always liked David Norris as a person, but as a candidate there are questions that public officials need to answer - And watching the Prime Time interview, I was not happy with the way he deflected and avoided valid questions on correspondence to do with the letters written in support of Ezra Nawi, a former boyfriend of David Norris - and let us not forget this - convicted of statutory rape.
Deflection on the grounds of disclosure or a trial being held in camera are no excuse.
Names, dates and locations can be excised and redacted, but details and context are valid questions.
Its not the first time that he has tried to intervene in a similar case.
In 2008, Norris called for a documentary, Fairytale of Kathmandu, to be postponed. The film documented visits to Nepal by poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh, during which he is alleged to have had sex with young men - about 16 years of age.
It questioned whether he was sexually exploiting the boys.
I have always felt very uncomfortable about the case, its not really clear - but clearly a charity worker having sex with 16 year olds (regardless of gender) is failing in duty of care, and remember here in Ireland the legal definition of a child is someone under the age of 17 for the purpose of the sexual offences (juristiction) act 1996
The sexuality of a person does not matter, but abuse of a minor does.
As an atheist I have to say for all the senators protestations about strong christian values, he would do well to remember Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea
Certain crimes should not and cannot be forgiven.
An adult who abuses a minor through violation of trust, position etc. is a criminal.
It is especially important to point out both cases involved poor, dependent persons of a foreign culture.
Various bleating by Norris about the pederasty in classical Greece with such echoes to a trial like this is both unwise, and I feel sinister.
We need more transparency in our body politic, not more cover-ups.
On that note from the Irish Independent on the 5th we learned that David Norris received a disability payment for 16 years while out of work as a Trinity College lecturer -- even though he was well enough to be a "full-time" senator for the entire period.
Mr Norris confirmed to the Irish Independent he received the payment, but could not specify exactly how much it was worth. He also initially refused to say what his disability was.
The payment began in 1994 and ended in 2010.
Over the period, while claiming disability he also received a senator's salary of about €61,073 and an annual leader's allowance -- the €23,383 Independent senators receive in unvouched expenses every year -- for his Seanad work.
However, he initially would not say what the disability was, and insisted it did not stand in his way of being president, insisting he is in "perfect health".
So at first, Senator Norris refused to comment on the disability payments - this is the clarification (?) recently released.
At his official campaign launch this morning, he has revealed the payment is currently around €2,500 a month. It is non- A, B or C Hepatitis, contracted from drinking water in Central Europe in 1994......left him so tired he was unable to do his job lecturing in Trinity
“I was medically advised it was not possible for me to undertake the stress of the very intensive lecturing and tutorial duties that I had,”
Mr Norris said it was the university authorities who decided to place him on permanent disability and replace him with another academic, giving him time to focus on the Seanad.
So well enough to lecture in the Senate, but not the School?
He did concede that if it were now he may think differently about taking the payment while having another job: He insisted his health would not be an issue for him to become President
Thats nice to know, so he can work then - even though it seems he may still receive disability payments!
“For three years I did not take any alcohol at all, which you’re advised, with the small exception every Sunday at St Patrick’s Cathedral.” What is it with religion again??
Further in that interview in relation to the abuse case Mr Norris again stressed he was acting on legal advice from Israeli and Irish lawyers .......which stops him disclosing controversial clemency letters he wrote for an ex-partner convicted of statutory rape.
“This case involved real people,” he said.
“It changed their lives and left deep scars.
Real people, real scars?? No Shit Sherlock!!!
Letters can always be released after censorship - and it seems all the correspondence related to gaining clemency for the abuser - so far as we can tell, not having seen the correspondence.
But, as with the disability payments - this was done on advice - as were the disability payments but when asked to comment initially he asked not to go into the disability payment, saying there "was a whole story about that".
Im sure there is!
For the second time in a Presidential campaign we see that this may involve (another) rapid verbal u-turning change of tune - perhaps after "mature recollection"
GUBU speak is alive and well in Joyces Dublin
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Showing posts with label irish political corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irish political corruption. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Privatising Ireland
Well, we know they want to privatize water, which is not a commodity but a human right.
But other state assets are being sold to create a short term solution to bail out banks - in an effort that will fail, that is, the bank bailout.
Already our natural resources have been sold, as with gas and oil resources - or with coillte, will be sold.
We as a country do not have the best track record with privatization. Our Eircom flotation was a failure, Sugar and Steel went to the wall. Sugar in particular was a very bad deal, very short sighted and caused real loss.
Aerlingus shares fell from over 2 euro to just over 60 cents. Aerlingus landing slots are worth more than flight revenue - this is a service, not a business.
Now the ESB- the very foundation of our socio-economic structure is now up for sale. The ESB is a strategic company. The plan is not to retain any of the ESB but flog it.
Control of the network grid is where the money is, and with our shabby history of regulation, better a public than private monopoly.
It is a bad time to sell, the buyers know we are in a bind, it's like going to the pawn shop instead of the antique stores.
Pat Rabbite talks about giving an assurance to the potential buyers that we could sell in the future. This neglects the point that this will hamstring future governments.
The ESB and rural electrification was the jewel in the crown of the early free state. We need to think in creative terms, as they did - ambition on behalf of the nation, rather than assisting the private debts of banks.
We need to look at visionary projects like Spirit of Ireland , keeping control of distribution, improving the grid and generating jobs and income - rather than that the current Government want to sell off an asset that has the real potential to really do something radical and creative and create work, improving the lives of the majority.
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But other state assets are being sold to create a short term solution to bail out banks - in an effort that will fail, that is, the bank bailout.
Already our natural resources have been sold, as with gas and oil resources - or with coillte, will be sold.
We as a country do not have the best track record with privatization. Our Eircom flotation was a failure, Sugar and Steel went to the wall. Sugar in particular was a very bad deal, very short sighted and caused real loss.
Aerlingus shares fell from over 2 euro to just over 60 cents. Aerlingus landing slots are worth more than flight revenue - this is a service, not a business.
Now the ESB- the very foundation of our socio-economic structure is now up for sale. The ESB is a strategic company. The plan is not to retain any of the ESB but flog it.
Control of the network grid is where the money is, and with our shabby history of regulation, better a public than private monopoly.
It is a bad time to sell, the buyers know we are in a bind, it's like going to the pawn shop instead of the antique stores.
Pat Rabbite talks about giving an assurance to the potential buyers that we could sell in the future. This neglects the point that this will hamstring future governments.
The ESB and rural electrification was the jewel in the crown of the early free state. We need to think in creative terms, as they did - ambition on behalf of the nation, rather than assisting the private debts of banks.
We need to look at visionary projects like Spirit of Ireland , keeping control of distribution, improving the grid and generating jobs and income - rather than that the current Government want to sell off an asset that has the real potential to really do something radical and creative and create work, improving the lives of the majority.
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Monday, March 7, 2011
A New wave of Nepotism
Keep an eye on your local councils. Lets see how many family members are appointed to council seats now vacated by elected TDs moving to the Dail.
In fairness it has been pointed out to me that Labour want to avoid this -
The Labour Party alledgedly are trying to stop nepotism in the party, but after the FG deal we will have to wait and see.
" LABOUR FAMILY dynasties are at risk following an edict from head office that relatives of TDs will not be considered for vacated local authority seats. "
Already the Michael Healy Rae seat on Kerry coco seems to be going to retired TD, and father, Jackie.
Some of these are double whammys, in that the newly elected TD's sometimes have two seats, one at county and one in town.
The other appointments now coming are the Taoseachs appointments to the Senate, a 60K per year job not including expenses.
It is astounding that the caretaker Taoiseach, a man who is no longer an elected official, has the gall let alone the right to appoint a failed Fianna Fáil election candidate - Darragh O Brien - to the Senate
They have no remorse.
The media are even worse -Terry Prone (Irish Examiner)
Toughest of all, of course, is the situation, today, of those who lost their seats, their livelihood, and in some cases, their self-respect. We have become so furious and cruel a society that the general reaction to their loss is “serves them right”.
It is deeply insulting to the millions of Irish people who are victims of our corrupt political system to witness self-righteous journalists like Prone accuse them of being cruel because they are furious and want justice.
his is especially the case when failed politicians get massive pay-outs having instigated policies that saddle the tax payer with massive debt.
And of course, the most sycophantic of the lot - RTE's Marian Finucane:
This must be a terrible personal tragedy for him (Brian Cowen’s fall). I mean to see the party he loves so much, to be at the head of Government of a party that you’re so proud of that brings in the IMF, I mean on a personal level that has to be very difficult.
Isn’t it amazing that a politician who has led a privileged life, who won a seat on the basis that daddy died and he got the by-election - who has never wanted for anything, who was among the best paid politicians in the world, who is retiring with a fortune at the expense of the people he betrayed can be described as a tragic figure?
It is for these reasons of corruption, of unwarranted influence, this unacceptable cost that I helped start Amhran Nua
LIST OF COUNCILLORS ELECTED TO DAIL EIREANN 2011
Ann Phelan (LAB) - Carlow/Kilkenny
Kilkenny County Council (Thomastown)
Pat Deering (FG) - Carlow/Kilkenny
Carlow County Council (Tullow)
Sean Conlan (FG) - Cavan/Monaghan
Ballybay Town Council, Co. Monaghan
Heather Humphreys (FG) - Cavan/Monaghan
Monaghan County Council (Clones)
Tom Barry (FG) - Cork East
Cork County Council (Mallow)
Sandra McLellan (SF) - Cork East
Cork County Council (Midleton) & Youghal Town Council, Co. Cork
Jonathan O’Brien (SF) - Cork North Central
Cork City Council (Cork North West)
Dara Murphy (FG) - Cork North Central
Cork City Council (Cork North East)
Jim Daly (FG) – Cork South West
Cork County Council (Skibbereen)
Noel Harrington (FG) – Cork South West
Cork County Council (Bantry)
Padraig MacLochlainn (SF) – Donegal North East
Donegal County Council (Inishowen) & Buncrana Town Council, Co. Donegal
Charlie McConalogue (FF) – Donegal North East
Donegal County Council (Inishowen)
Thomas Pringle (IND) – Donegal South West
Donegal County Council (Donegal)
Pringle replacement: 31 year old teacher John Campbell, Glenties, Deputy Pringle’s Director of Elections.
Robert Dowds (LAB) – Dublin Mid-West
South Dublin County Council (Clondalkin)
Derek Keating (FG) – Dublin Mid-West
South Dublin County Council (Lucan)
Clare Daly (SP) – Dublin North
Fingal County Council (Swords)
Alan Farrell (FG) – Dublin North
Fingal County Council (Howth/Malahide)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (LAB) – Dublin North Central
Dublin City Council (Clontarf)
Sean Kenny (LAB) – Dublin North East
Dublin City Council (Donaghmede)
Dessie Ellis (SF) – Dublin North West
Dublin City Council (Ballymun/Finglas)
John Lyons (LAB) – Dublin North West
Dublin City Council (Ballymun/Finglas)
Michael Conaghan (LAB) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Ballyfermot/Drimnagh)
Eric Byrne (LAB) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Crumlin/Kimmage)
Joan Collins (PBP) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Crumlin/Kimmage)
Eoghan Murphy (FG) – Dublin South East
Dublin City Council (Pembroke/Rathmines)
Kevin Humphreys (LAB) – Dublin South East
Dublin City Council (South East Inner City)
Sean Crowe (SF) – Dublin South West
South Dublin County Council (Tallaght Central)
Eamonn Maloney (LAB) – Dublin South West
South Dublin County Council (Tallaght South)
Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) – Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Dun Laoghaire)
Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) – Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Dun Laoghaire)
Paul Connaughton (FG) – Galway East
Galway County Council (Ballinasloe)
Colm Keaveney (LAB) – Galway East
Galway County Council (Tuam)
Derek Nolan (LAB) – Galway West
Galway City Council (Galway East)
Brian Walsh (FG) – Galway West
Galway City Council (Galway East)
Sean Kyne (FG) – Galway West
Galway County Council (Conamara)
Arthur Spring (LAB) – Kerry North/West Limerick
Kerry County Council (Tralee) & Tralee Town Council, Co. Kerry
Brendan Griffin (FG) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Dingle)
Tom Fleming (IND) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Killarney)
Michael Healy Rae (IND) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Killorglin)
Catherine Murphy (IND) – Kildare North
Kildare County Council (Celbridge)
Anthony Lawlor (FG) – Kildare North
Kildare County Council (Naas)
Martin Heydon (FG) – Kildare South
Kildare County Council (Athy)
Barry Cowen (FF) – Laois/Offaly
Offaly County Council (Tullamore)
Brian Stanley (SF) – Laois/Offaly
Laois County Council (Portlaoise)
&
Portlaoise Town Council, Co. Laois
Patrick O’Donovan (FG) – Limerick
Limerick County Council (Newcastle)
Robert Troy (FF) – Longford/Westmeath
Westmeath County Council (Mullingar West)
Gerald Nash (LAB) – Louth
Louth County Council (Drogheda East) & Drogheda Borough Council, Co. Louth
Michelle Mulherin (FG) – Mayo
Mayo County Council (Ballina) & Ballina Town Council, Co. Mayo
Regina Doherty (FG) – Meath East
Meath County Council (Dunshaughlin)
Peadar Tóibín (SF) – Meath West
Navan Town Council, Co. Meath
Ray Butler (FG) – Meath West
Meath County Council (Trim) & Trim Town Council, Co. Meath
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (IND) – Roscommon/South Leitrim
Roscommon County Council (Castlerea)
Tony McLoughlin (FG) – Sligo/North Leitrim
Sligo County Council (Sligo Strandhill) & Sligo Borough Council
Michael Colreavy (SF) – Sligo/North Leitrim
Leitrim County Council (Manorhamilton)
Seamus Healy (WUAG) – Tipperary South
Tipperary South Riding County Council (Clonmel) & Clonmel Borough Council
Ciara Conway (LAB) – Waterford
Dungarvan Town Council, Co. Waterford
John Halligan (IND) – Waterford
Waterford City Council (Waterford South)
Simon Harris (FG) – Wicklow
Wicklow County Council (Greystones) & Greystones Town Council, Co. Wicklow
There are also two MEP positions, Joe Higgins in Dublin and Alan Kelly from Tipperary.
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In fairness it has been pointed out to me that Labour want to avoid this -
The Labour Party alledgedly are trying to stop nepotism in the party, but after the FG deal we will have to wait and see.
" LABOUR FAMILY dynasties are at risk following an edict from head office that relatives of TDs will not be considered for vacated local authority seats. "
Already the Michael Healy Rae seat on Kerry coco seems to be going to retired TD, and father, Jackie.
Some of these are double whammys, in that the newly elected TD's sometimes have two seats, one at county and one in town.
The other appointments now coming are the Taoseachs appointments to the Senate, a 60K per year job not including expenses.
It is astounding that the caretaker Taoiseach, a man who is no longer an elected official, has the gall let alone the right to appoint a failed Fianna Fáil election candidate - Darragh O Brien - to the Senate
They have no remorse.
The media are even worse -Terry Prone (Irish Examiner)
Toughest of all, of course, is the situation, today, of those who lost their seats, their livelihood, and in some cases, their self-respect. We have become so furious and cruel a society that the general reaction to their loss is “serves them right”.
It is deeply insulting to the millions of Irish people who are victims of our corrupt political system to witness self-righteous journalists like Prone accuse them of being cruel because they are furious and want justice.
his is especially the case when failed politicians get massive pay-outs having instigated policies that saddle the tax payer with massive debt.
And of course, the most sycophantic of the lot - RTE's Marian Finucane:
This must be a terrible personal tragedy for him (Brian Cowen’s fall). I mean to see the party he loves so much, to be at the head of Government of a party that you’re so proud of that brings in the IMF, I mean on a personal level that has to be very difficult.
Isn’t it amazing that a politician who has led a privileged life, who won a seat on the basis that daddy died and he got the by-election - who has never wanted for anything, who was among the best paid politicians in the world, who is retiring with a fortune at the expense of the people he betrayed can be described as a tragic figure?
It is for these reasons of corruption, of unwarranted influence, this unacceptable cost that I helped start Amhran Nua
LIST OF COUNCILLORS ELECTED TO DAIL EIREANN 2011
Ann Phelan (LAB) - Carlow/Kilkenny
Kilkenny County Council (Thomastown)
Pat Deering (FG) - Carlow/Kilkenny
Carlow County Council (Tullow)
Sean Conlan (FG) - Cavan/Monaghan
Ballybay Town Council, Co. Monaghan
Heather Humphreys (FG) - Cavan/Monaghan
Monaghan County Council (Clones)
Tom Barry (FG) - Cork East
Cork County Council (Mallow)
Sandra McLellan (SF) - Cork East
Cork County Council (Midleton) & Youghal Town Council, Co. Cork
Jonathan O’Brien (SF) - Cork North Central
Cork City Council (Cork North West)
Dara Murphy (FG) - Cork North Central
Cork City Council (Cork North East)
Jim Daly (FG) – Cork South West
Cork County Council (Skibbereen)
Noel Harrington (FG) – Cork South West
Cork County Council (Bantry)
Padraig MacLochlainn (SF) – Donegal North East
Donegal County Council (Inishowen) & Buncrana Town Council, Co. Donegal
Charlie McConalogue (FF) – Donegal North East
Donegal County Council (Inishowen)
Thomas Pringle (IND) – Donegal South West
Donegal County Council (Donegal)
Pringle replacement: 31 year old teacher John Campbell, Glenties, Deputy Pringle’s Director of Elections.
Robert Dowds (LAB) – Dublin Mid-West
South Dublin County Council (Clondalkin)
Derek Keating (FG) – Dublin Mid-West
South Dublin County Council (Lucan)
Clare Daly (SP) – Dublin North
Fingal County Council (Swords)
Alan Farrell (FG) – Dublin North
Fingal County Council (Howth/Malahide)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (LAB) – Dublin North Central
Dublin City Council (Clontarf)
Sean Kenny (LAB) – Dublin North East
Dublin City Council (Donaghmede)
Dessie Ellis (SF) – Dublin North West
Dublin City Council (Ballymun/Finglas)
John Lyons (LAB) – Dublin North West
Dublin City Council (Ballymun/Finglas)
Michael Conaghan (LAB) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Ballyfermot/Drimnagh)
Eric Byrne (LAB) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Crumlin/Kimmage)
Joan Collins (PBP) – Dublin South Central
Dublin City Council (Crumlin/Kimmage)
Eoghan Murphy (FG) – Dublin South East
Dublin City Council (Pembroke/Rathmines)
Kevin Humphreys (LAB) – Dublin South East
Dublin City Council (South East Inner City)
Sean Crowe (SF) – Dublin South West
South Dublin County Council (Tallaght Central)
Eamonn Maloney (LAB) – Dublin South West
South Dublin County Council (Tallaght South)
Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) – Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Dun Laoghaire)
Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) – Dun Laoghaire
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Dun Laoghaire)
Paul Connaughton (FG) – Galway East
Galway County Council (Ballinasloe)
Colm Keaveney (LAB) – Galway East
Galway County Council (Tuam)
Derek Nolan (LAB) – Galway West
Galway City Council (Galway East)
Brian Walsh (FG) – Galway West
Galway City Council (Galway East)
Sean Kyne (FG) – Galway West
Galway County Council (Conamara)
Arthur Spring (LAB) – Kerry North/West Limerick
Kerry County Council (Tralee) & Tralee Town Council, Co. Kerry
Brendan Griffin (FG) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Dingle)
Tom Fleming (IND) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Killarney)
Michael Healy Rae (IND) – Kerry South
Kerry County Council (Killorglin)
Catherine Murphy (IND) – Kildare North
Kildare County Council (Celbridge)
Anthony Lawlor (FG) – Kildare North
Kildare County Council (Naas)
Martin Heydon (FG) – Kildare South
Kildare County Council (Athy)
Barry Cowen (FF) – Laois/Offaly
Offaly County Council (Tullamore)
Brian Stanley (SF) – Laois/Offaly
Laois County Council (Portlaoise)
&
Portlaoise Town Council, Co. Laois
Patrick O’Donovan (FG) – Limerick
Limerick County Council (Newcastle)
Robert Troy (FF) – Longford/Westmeath
Westmeath County Council (Mullingar West)
Gerald Nash (LAB) – Louth
Louth County Council (Drogheda East) & Drogheda Borough Council, Co. Louth
Michelle Mulherin (FG) – Mayo
Mayo County Council (Ballina) & Ballina Town Council, Co. Mayo
Regina Doherty (FG) – Meath East
Meath County Council (Dunshaughlin)
Peadar Tóibín (SF) – Meath West
Navan Town Council, Co. Meath
Ray Butler (FG) – Meath West
Meath County Council (Trim) & Trim Town Council, Co. Meath
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (IND) – Roscommon/South Leitrim
Roscommon County Council (Castlerea)
Tony McLoughlin (FG) – Sligo/North Leitrim
Sligo County Council (Sligo Strandhill) & Sligo Borough Council
Michael Colreavy (SF) – Sligo/North Leitrim
Leitrim County Council (Manorhamilton)
Seamus Healy (WUAG) – Tipperary South
Tipperary South Riding County Council (Clonmel) & Clonmel Borough Council
Ciara Conway (LAB) – Waterford
Dungarvan Town Council, Co. Waterford
John Halligan (IND) – Waterford
Waterford City Council (Waterford South)
Simon Harris (FG) – Wicklow
Wicklow County Council (Greystones) & Greystones Town Council, Co. Wicklow
There are also two MEP positions, Joe Higgins in Dublin and Alan Kelly from Tipperary.
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Quangocracy Ireland
In 1961 Eisenhower in his farewell address warned against unwarranted influence, and we in Ireland should be warned by this due to our current situation, because forewarned is forearmed.
We the People failed in our democratic process to guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by a media, financial and political complex.
The potential for failure due to the rise of misplaced power exists, and as we have seen in Ireland, has had direct and dire effects, with 150% of our current tax collecting ability tied up in a dysfunctional banking system.
This danger as we have seen exists, and it persists, and has had a direct effect on our sovereignty with the IMF/ECB control of our financial independence.
We have had in Ireland, in the past ten years a confluence of these interests, bankers, developers, speculators, an utterly corrupt political establishment and an utterly incompetent, unaccountable civil service.
The situation is that while relatively few people really benefited from the boom - we had the biggest gap between the rich and middle classes after the USA - the ruthless greed of the few has caused the situation to become strange in that private debt has become a public burden.
Our schools, hospitals and people will suffer due to the greed of the few for decades.
As I have said before, a disproportionate amount of Irish politicians come from dynastic political families.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are really two cheeks of the one arse in that they go to the same schools and colleges, the same restaurants, the same social events, take the same vacations, own holiday homes in the same areas and as we saw recently belong to the same golf clubs.
Politicos rely on developers, business and bankers for political funding.
Politicos rely on control or collusion with the media for political support.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the influence of Tony O Reilly
As I have said before, You don't need a formal conspiracy when interests converge.
They don't need a meeting, they have like interests and know what is good for them and their ilk - and they are getting it.
We seem to have an unseen, unelected government on this Island - a Quango state.
Legislation is not determined by elected officials, it is now determined by private meetings, Quangos whose appointee's are not subject to approval by parliamentary oversight.
These quango decisions are made in private, in secret.
No official should be able to withhold from a free press and public the facts they have a right to know, as these decisions and facts affect peoples lives.
Fianna Fail, with their abuse of the Freedom of Information act, have stifled a great deal of information - in particular with unvouched expenses, undisclosed earnings and details of meetings that have been supressed.
The concept of secrecy should, as JFK said, be repugnant to a free and open society.
For a fuller disclosure on quangos I would advise you visit this excellent thread at politicalworld.org - but this is a list of the quangos you pay for, whose decisions form government policy, and many of whom you may never have heard of.
The other thing you will find is that a great many people have multiple appointments, due to nothing more than political affiliation, so this system of patronage ensures they have additional income for their loyalty.
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We the People failed in our democratic process to guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by a media, financial and political complex.
The potential for failure due to the rise of misplaced power exists, and as we have seen in Ireland, has had direct and dire effects, with 150% of our current tax collecting ability tied up in a dysfunctional banking system.
This danger as we have seen exists, and it persists, and has had a direct effect on our sovereignty with the IMF/ECB control of our financial independence.
We have had in Ireland, in the past ten years a confluence of these interests, bankers, developers, speculators, an utterly corrupt political establishment and an utterly incompetent, unaccountable civil service.
The situation is that while relatively few people really benefited from the boom - we had the biggest gap between the rich and middle classes after the USA - the ruthless greed of the few has caused the situation to become strange in that private debt has become a public burden.
Our schools, hospitals and people will suffer due to the greed of the few for decades.
As I have said before, a disproportionate amount of Irish politicians come from dynastic political families.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are really two cheeks of the one arse in that they go to the same schools and colleges, the same restaurants, the same social events, take the same vacations, own holiday homes in the same areas and as we saw recently belong to the same golf clubs.
Politicos rely on developers, business and bankers for political funding.
Politicos rely on control or collusion with the media for political support.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the influence of Tony O Reilly
As I have said before, You don't need a formal conspiracy when interests converge.
They don't need a meeting, they have like interests and know what is good for them and their ilk - and they are getting it.
We seem to have an unseen, unelected government on this Island - a Quango state.
Legislation is not determined by elected officials, it is now determined by private meetings, Quangos whose appointee's are not subject to approval by parliamentary oversight.
These quango decisions are made in private, in secret.
No official should be able to withhold from a free press and public the facts they have a right to know, as these decisions and facts affect peoples lives.
Fianna Fail, with their abuse of the Freedom of Information act, have stifled a great deal of information - in particular with unvouched expenses, undisclosed earnings and details of meetings that have been supressed.
The concept of secrecy should, as JFK said, be repugnant to a free and open society.
For a fuller disclosure on quangos I would advise you visit this excellent thread at politicalworld.org - but this is a list of the quangos you pay for, whose decisions form government policy, and many of whom you may never have heard of.
The other thing you will find is that a great many people have multiple appointments, due to nothing more than political affiliation, so this system of patronage ensures they have additional income for their loyalty.
Advisory Board for Irish Aid
Advisory Council for English Language Schools
Affordable Homes Partnership
Agriculture and Food
An Bord Bia
An Bord Pleanála:
Advisory Council for English Language Schools
Affordable Homes Partnership
Agriculture and Food
An Bord Bia
An Bord Pleanála:
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta
An Daingean Education Support Centre
An Post (ta Total Mayhem)
Office of the Appeal Commissioners for the purposes of the Tax Acts
Aquacultural Licensing Appeals Board
Army Pensions Board
Arts Council, The
Athlone Education Support Centre
Athlone Institute of Technology (ta Total Mayhem)
Attorney General, Office of the
Beaumont Hospital Board (ta Total Mayhem)
Blackrock Education Support Centre
Board of Trinity College Bord Altranais
Bord Gais (ta Total Mayhem)
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Bord na gCon
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge
Bord na Mona (ta Total Mayhem)
BreastCheck The National Cancer Screening Service
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (ta Total Mayhem)
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (ta Total Mayhem)
Building Regulations Advisory Board (ta Total Mayhem)
Carlow County Enterprise Board
Carlow Education Support Centre
Carrick-on-Shannon Education Support Centre
Cavan County Enterprise Board
Cavan Education Support Centre
Censorship of Publications Appeal Board
Censorship of Publications Board
Central Statistics Office
Chester Beatty Library
Chief Medical Officer of the Civil Service
Chief State Solicitor, Office of the
Children Acts Advisory Board
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna
Citizens Information Board
Civil Defence Board
Clare County Enterprise Board
Clare Education Support Centre
Classification of Films Appeal Board
Coimisiún Logainmneacha, An
Coiste an Asgard
Combat Poverty Agency
Comhairle na Nimheanna
Commission for Aviation Regulation
Commission for Communications Regulation
Commission for Energy Regulation
Commission for Public Service Appointments, Office of the
Commission for Taxi Regulation
Office of the Commissioner of Valuation and Boundary Survey of Ireland
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests
Companies Registration Office
Company Law Review Group
Competition Authority
Comptroller and Auditor General, Office of
Connemara & Árann Education Support Centre
Córas Iompair Eireann (ta Total Mayhem)
Cork City Enterprise Board
Cork Education Support Centre
Cork North Enterprise Board
Courts Service
Crafts Council of Ireland
Dental Council
Dental Health Foundation
Digital Hub Development Agency
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Donegal County Enterprise Board
Donegal Education Centre
Drug Treatment Centre Board
Drumcondra Education Centre
Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin City Enterprise Board
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Dublin Port Authority
Dublin Transportation Office
Dublin West Education Support Centre
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board
Dundalk Education Support Centre
The Economic and Social Research Institute
Economic and Social Research Institute Committee on Top-Level Appointments in the Civil Commission on Public Service Appointments
Employment Appeals Authority
Enterprise Ireland
Environmental Protection Agency
Equality Authority
European Regional Development Fund
European Social Fund Financial Control Unit
Fáilte Ireland
Family Support Agency
FÁS
FÁS International Consulting Limited
Financial Regulator
Financial Services Ombudsman’s Bureau
Financial Services Authority of Ireland
Fingal County Enterprise Board
Fire Services Council
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Foras na Gaeilge
Forfás
Further Education & Training Awards Council
Gaisce Gradam an Uachtarain
Galway City and County Enterprise Board
Galway Education Centre
Garda Siochana Complaints Board
Gort a Choirce Education Support Centre
Health and Safety Authority of Ireland
Health Information and Quality Authority
Health Insurance Authority
Health Research Board
Health Service Executive
Heritage Council, The
Higher Education Authority
Higher Education and Training Awards
Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal
Horse Racing Ireland
Houses of the Oireachtas Commission
Housing Finance Agency
Industrial Development Agency
Information Commissioner, Office of the
Injuries Board
Inland Fisheries Board
Institute of Public Administration
Institute of Public Administration
Central Bank of Ireland
Integrate Ireland Language and Training Awards
International Education Board of Ireland
Ireland - US Commission for Educational Exchange, Fulbright Commission
Irish Auditing & Accountancy Supervisory Authority
Irish Aviation Authority
Irish Blood Transfusion Services Board, The
Irish Dental Health Authority
Irish Film Board
Irish Film Classification Office
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal
Irish Human Rights Commission
Irish Manuscripts Commission
Irish Medicines Board
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Irish National Stud
Irish National Opera
Irish Prison Service
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
Irish Sports Council
Irish Water Safety Association
Kerry County Enterprise Board
Kildare County Enterprise Board
Kildare Education centre
Kilkenny County Enterprise Board
Kilkenny Education Support Centre
An Daingean Education Support Centre
An Post (ta Total Mayhem)
Office of the Appeal Commissioners for the purposes of the Tax Acts
Aquacultural Licensing Appeals Board
Army Pensions Board
Arts Council, The
Athlone Education Support Centre
Athlone Institute of Technology (ta Total Mayhem)
Attorney General, Office of the
Beaumont Hospital Board (ta Total Mayhem)
Blackrock Education Support Centre
Board of Trinity College Bord Altranais
Bord Gais (ta Total Mayhem)
Bord Iascaigh Mhara
Bord na gCon
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge
Bord na Mona (ta Total Mayhem)
BreastCheck The National Cancer Screening Service
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (ta Total Mayhem)
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (ta Total Mayhem)
Building Regulations Advisory Board (ta Total Mayhem)
Carlow County Enterprise Board
Carlow Education Support Centre
Carrick-on-Shannon Education Support Centre
Cavan County Enterprise Board
Cavan Education Support Centre
Censorship of Publications Appeal Board
Censorship of Publications Board
Central Statistics Office
Chester Beatty Library
Chief Medical Officer of the Civil Service
Chief State Solicitor, Office of the
Children Acts Advisory Board
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna
Citizens Information Board
Civil Defence Board
Clare County Enterprise Board
Clare Education Support Centre
Classification of Films Appeal Board
Coimisiún Logainmneacha, An
Coiste an Asgard
Combat Poverty Agency
Comhairle na Nimheanna
Commission for Aviation Regulation
Commission for Communications Regulation
Commission for Energy Regulation
Commission for Public Service Appointments, Office of the
Commission for Taxi Regulation
Office of the Commissioner of Valuation and Boundary Survey of Ireland
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests
Companies Registration Office
Company Law Review Group
Competition Authority
Comptroller and Auditor General, Office of
Connemara & Árann Education Support Centre
Córas Iompair Eireann (ta Total Mayhem)
Cork City Enterprise Board
Cork Education Support Centre
Cork North Enterprise Board
Courts Service
Crafts Council of Ireland
Dental Council
Dental Health Foundation
Digital Hub Development Agency
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Donegal County Enterprise Board
Donegal Education Centre
Drug Treatment Centre Board
Drumcondra Education Centre
Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin City Enterprise Board
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Dublin Port Authority
Dublin Transportation Office
Dublin West Education Support Centre
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board
Dundalk Education Support Centre
The Economic and Social Research Institute
Economic and Social Research Institute Committee on Top-Level Appointments in the Civil Commission on Public Service Appointments
Employment Appeals Authority
Enterprise Ireland
Environmental Protection Agency
Equality Authority
European Regional Development Fund
European Social Fund Financial Control Unit
Fáilte Ireland
Family Support Agency
FÁS
FÁS International Consulting Limited
Financial Regulator
Financial Services Ombudsman’s Bureau
Financial Services Authority of Ireland
Fingal County Enterprise Board
Fire Services Council
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Foras na Gaeilge
Forfás
Further Education & Training Awards Council
Gaisce Gradam an Uachtarain
Galway City and County Enterprise Board
Galway Education Centre
Garda Siochana Complaints Board
Gort a Choirce Education Support Centre
Health and Safety Authority of Ireland
Health Information and Quality Authority
Health Insurance Authority
Health Research Board
Health Service Executive
Heritage Council, The
Higher Education Authority
Higher Education and Training Awards
Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal
Horse Racing Ireland
Houses of the Oireachtas Commission
Housing Finance Agency
Industrial Development Agency
Information Commissioner, Office of the
Injuries Board
Inland Fisheries Board
Institute of Public Administration
Institute of Public Administration
Central Bank of Ireland
Integrate Ireland Language and Training Awards
International Education Board of Ireland
Ireland - US Commission for Educational Exchange, Fulbright Commission
Irish Auditing & Accountancy Supervisory Authority
Irish Aviation Authority
Irish Blood Transfusion Services Board, The
Irish Dental Health Authority
Irish Film Board
Irish Film Classification Office
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal
Irish Human Rights Commission
Irish Manuscripts Commission
Irish Medicines Board
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Irish National Stud
Irish National Opera
Irish Prison Service
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
Irish Sports Council
Irish Water Safety Association
Kerry County Enterprise Board
Kildare County Enterprise Board
Kildare Education centre
Kilkenny County Enterprise Board
Kilkenny Education Support Centre
Labour Court
Labour Relations Commission
Land Registry
Laois County Enterprise Board
Laois Education Centre
Law Reform Commission
Leargas The Exchange Bureau
Legal Aid Board
Leitrim Enterprise Board
Limerick City Enterprise Board
Limerick County Enterprise Board
Limerick Education Centre
Local Government Computer Services Board
Local Government Management Services Board
Longford Enterprise Board
Louth County Enterprise Board
Marine Institute
Mayo Education Centre
Mayo Enterprise Board
Meath Enterprise Board
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
Medical Council
Mental Health Commission
Mining Board
Monaghan Education Centre
Monaghan Enterprise Board
National Advisory Committee on Drugs
National Archives
National Building Agency
National Cancer Registry, Ireland
National Centre for Guidance in Education
National Centre for Partnership and Performance
National Centre for Technology in Education
National College of Ireland
National Concert Hall
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism
National Consumer Agency
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
National Council for Special Education
National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery
National Council on Ageing and Older People
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Evaluation Unit
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Information Office
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Information Technology Unit
National Disability Authority
National Drugs Strategy Team
National Economic and Social Council
National Economic and Social Forum
National Education Welfare Board
National Gallery of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
National Milk Agency
National Museum of Ireland
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
National Rehabilitation Authority
National Treatment Purchase Fund
National Roads Authority
National Safety Council
National Social Work Qualifications Board
National Treasury Management Agency
National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission
National Development Finance Agency
National Social Work Qualifications Board
National Sports Campus Development Authority
National Standards Authority of Ireland
National Statistics Board
National Tourism Development Agency
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Navan Education Centre
Offaly County Enterprise Board
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Office of the Ombudsman
Office of the Information Commissioner
Office of the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service
Office of the Appeal Commissioners
Office of Public Works
Ombudsman for Children, Office of the
Ombudsman, Office of the
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
Opticians Board
Ordinance Survey Ireland
Patents Office
Pensions Board (?)
Pensions Ombudsman (?)
Performance Verification Group: Civil Service
Performance Verification Group: Education Sector
Performance Verification Group: Health Service
Performance Verification Group: Justice and Equality Sector
Performance Verification Group: Local Government
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Pobal
Port of Cork (Authority?)
Port of Waterford Company
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
Press Council of Ireland
Private Residential Tenancies Board
Probation Service
Property Registration Authority
Public Appointments Service
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
Railway Procurement Agency
Registrar of Friendly Societies, Office of the
Registration of Titles Rules Committee
Registry of Deeds
Rent Tribunal
Revenue Commissioners, Office of the
Roscommon County Enterprise Board
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (Board?)
Safefood
Science Foundation Ireland
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)
Shannon Development
Skillnets.Ltd
Slig County Enterprise Board
Sligo Education Support Centre
Social Welfare Appeals Office
State Claims Agency
Social Welfare Tribunal
South Cork Enterprise Board
South Dublin Enterprise Board
St Luke's Hospital Board (Hmm)
Standards in Public Office Commission
State Laboratory
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Tarbert Edcuation Support Centre
Teaching Council, The
Teagasc
The Abbey Theatre
The Arts Council
The Building Regulations Advisory Body
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board
Thurles Education Support Centre
Tipperary North County Enterprise Board
Tipperary South County Enterprise Board
Tralee Education Support Centre
Tuam Education Support Centre
Údarás na Gaeltachta
University of Limerick
Valuation Office Ireland
Valuation Tribunal
Veterinary Council of Ireland
Western Development Commission
Labour Relations Commission
Land Registry
Laois County Enterprise Board
Laois Education Centre
Law Reform Commission
Leargas The Exchange Bureau
Legal Aid Board
Leitrim Enterprise Board
Limerick City Enterprise Board
Limerick County Enterprise Board
Limerick Education Centre
Local Government Computer Services Board
Local Government Management Services Board
Longford Enterprise Board
Louth County Enterprise Board
Marine Institute
Mayo Education Centre
Mayo Enterprise Board
Meath Enterprise Board
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
Medical Council
Mental Health Commission
Mining Board
Monaghan Education Centre
Monaghan Enterprise Board
National Advisory Committee on Drugs
National Archives
National Building Agency
National Cancer Registry, Ireland
National Centre for Guidance in Education
National Centre for Partnership and Performance
National Centre for Technology in Education
National College of Ireland
National Concert Hall
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism
National Consumer Agency
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
National Council for Special Education
National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery
National Council on Ageing and Older People
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Evaluation Unit
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Information Office
National Development Plan Community Support Framework Information Technology Unit
National Disability Authority
National Drugs Strategy Team
National Economic and Social Council
National Economic and Social Forum
National Education Welfare Board
National Gallery of Ireland
National Library of Ireland
National Milk Agency
National Museum of Ireland
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
National Rehabilitation Authority
National Treatment Purchase Fund
National Roads Authority
National Safety Council
National Social Work Qualifications Board
National Treasury Management Agency
National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission
National Development Finance Agency
National Social Work Qualifications Board
National Sports Campus Development Authority
National Standards Authority of Ireland
National Statistics Board
National Tourism Development Agency
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Navan Education Centre
Offaly County Enterprise Board
Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Office of the Ombudsman
Office of the Information Commissioner
Office of the Chief Medical Officer for the Civil Service
Office of the Appeal Commissioners
Office of Public Works
Ombudsman for Children, Office of the
Ombudsman, Office of the
Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
Opticians Board
Ordinance Survey Ireland
Patents Office
Pensions Board (?)
Pensions Ombudsman (?)
Performance Verification Group: Civil Service
Performance Verification Group: Education Sector
Performance Verification Group: Health Service
Performance Verification Group: Justice and Equality Sector
Performance Verification Group: Local Government
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
Pobal
Port of Cork (Authority?)
Port of Waterford Company
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
Press Council of Ireland
Private Residential Tenancies Board
Probation Service
Property Registration Authority
Public Appointments Service
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
Railway Procurement Agency
Registrar of Friendly Societies, Office of the
Registration of Titles Rules Committee
Registry of Deeds
Rent Tribunal
Revenue Commissioners, Office of the
Roscommon County Enterprise Board
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (Board?)
Safefood
Science Foundation Ireland
Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)
Shannon Development
Skillnets.Ltd
Slig County Enterprise Board
Sligo Education Support Centre
Social Welfare Appeals Office
State Claims Agency
Social Welfare Tribunal
South Cork Enterprise Board
South Dublin Enterprise Board
St Luke's Hospital Board (Hmm)
Standards in Public Office Commission
State Laboratory
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Tarbert Edcuation Support Centre
Teaching Council, The
Teagasc
The Abbey Theatre
The Arts Council
The Building Regulations Advisory Body
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board
Thurles Education Support Centre
Tipperary North County Enterprise Board
Tipperary South County Enterprise Board
Tralee Education Support Centre
Tuam Education Support Centre
Údarás na Gaeltachta
University of Limerick
Valuation Office Ireland
Valuation Tribunal
Veterinary Council of Ireland
Western Development Commission
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