Fianna Fáil's 'conscience' in trouble?

[Eoghan Mag]

Fianna Fáil will be healthy this year as they keep eating their Greens.

[LaurelEye]

Is Ciaran 'Chemical' Cuffe not one of the old guards?

He's been horrid quite and in a time where he's come from a 5 seater that will be a 4 seater it's not the time to be hiding one's light under a bushel.

He'll surely be Minister for Organic Turnips soon enough (either him or Mother Superior White - no-one would be crazy enough to let F*** You Deputy Gogarty near a position of responsibility). He'll get plenty of chances to display his (low-energy) light.

In the next General election there will be him, Eamon Gilmore, Mary Hanafin, Barry Andrews, and an unknown FGer (Dinosaur Barrett surely won't run again) and the auld wans' favourite Trot, Richard Boyd Barrett, all vying for the 4 seats. It could get very nasty!

Gilmore and a FGer (probably Willie O'Dea's best friend Eugene Regan) are shoo-ins. Boyd Barrett, Hanafin, Andrews, and the second FG and Labour candidates should be slogging  it out for the last two. Can't see Cuffe being in the hunt at all.

Today's fiasco ironically probably makes Trevor the only Green who's likely to hold on next time. (It helps that what he did comes across as being motivated by naivety and good intentions overreaching rather than malice as with O'Dea.) I can't see any of the other Veggies surviving. What does Billy think?

[Hardy]

I find RTE handling of the Sargent story incredible, especially having their Williegate treatment so fresh in our minds with which to contrast it. No pejorative terms are being used to describe Trevor's behaviour - it's not a scandal, he hasn't brought politics into disrepute - it's not a disgrace, but an "error of judgement", a lapse.  We have reporters and political commentators falling over themselves to commend Trevor's "dignity" and "character", while a solicitous Brian Dobson muses with Trevor over how could have "overlooked" the possibility that he could get into trouble.

This is not to suggest that Willie was unfairly treated - quite the opposite: the "loutish little bousy" as he was so perfectly described by one commentator didn't get half enough opprobrium. It's just that this episode starkly illustrates how much our perceptions are manipulated by the media and by the personal preferences and prejudices of those who choose and present the news.

[Pangurban]

Well spotted Hardy, excellent point, if liars in the Media were forced were forced to resign, we would have a healthier democracy, or perhaps just even a democracy, that in itself would be an advance

[muppet]

I find RTE handling of the Sargent story incredible, especially having their Williegate treatment so fresh in our minds with which to contrast it. No pejorative terms are being used to describe Trevor's behaviour - it's not a scandal, he hasn't brought politics into disrepute - it's not a disgrace, but an "error of judgement", a lapse.  We have reporters and political commentators falling over themselves to commend Trevor's "dignity" and "character", while a solicitous Brian Dobson muses with Trevor over how could have "overlooked" the possibility that he could get into trouble.

This is not to suggest that Willie was unfairly treated - quite the opposite: the "loutish little bousy" as he was so perfectly described by one commentator didn't get half enough opprobrium. It's just that this episode starkly illustrates how much our perceptions are manipulated by the media and by the personal preferences and prejudices of those who choose and present the news.

That is exactly why we have had the same government for so long. Isn't that right Senator Harris?

[Zapatista]

I find RTE handling of the Sargent story incredible, especially having their Williegate treatment so fresh in our minds with which to contrast it. No pejorative terms are being used to describe Trevor's behaviour - it's not a scandal, he hasn't brought politics into disrepute - it's not a disgrace, but an "error of judgement", a lapse.  We have reporters and political commentators falling over themselves to commend Trevor's "dignity" and "character", while a solicitous Brian Dobson muses with Trevor over how could have "overlooked" the possibility that he could get into trouble.

This is not to suggest that Willie was unfairly treated - quite the opposite: the "loutish little bousy" as he was so perfectly described by one commentator didn't get half enough opprobrium. It's just that this episode starkly illustrates how much our perceptions are manipulated by the media and by the personal preferences and prejudices of those who choose and present the news.

Surely not? The very honest George Lee wouldn't be seen with a crowd that behaves like that, would he?

[Billys Boots]

Today's fiasco ironically probably makes Trevor the only Green who's likely to hold on next time. (It helps that what he did comes across as being motivated by naivety and good intentions overreaching rather than malice as with O'Dea.) I can't see any of the other Veggies surviving. What does Billy think?

Well, in Dublin North FF will probably lose a seat (Kennedy) to Labour (Ryan) or Socialist (Daly) - if both those gain seats, Trevor will lose his.  Hard to call at the moment. 

Interesting point about the media reaction - I think most were genuinely stunned: (a) by boy-scout Trevor having sinned, and (b) by his prompt medicine-taking.  And the reaction was also coloured by the fact that Trevor appears a decent bloke and Willie, ahem, doesn't.  Mad week, and it's probably not over yet.

[Zapatista]

Eamon Ryan had earlier said he does not know how the story that brought about the resignation of Mr Sargent came out.

Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time programme last night, the Minister for Communications said it was not for the Green Party to be 'suspicious' or 'to throw stones'.

Minister Ryan was speaking following claims by both Fine Gael and the Labour Party that Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern had questions to answer arising from this affair.

Mr Ahern has emphatically denied leaking the letter that led to the resignation of Mr Sargent as Minister of State for Food & Horticulture, adding that he was sorry to see his colleague go

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0224/sargentt.html

Did Ahern Threaten Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin with leaking documents during the week? I heard Gimore refer to it but didn't hear it myself. Ahern is a very similar type of politician as O'Dea, they have no rules when it comes to attacking opposition.

[Declan]

Interesting post Hardy. The fourth estate is incredibly powerful alright and reminds me of Gorbachev's comment to Reagan when he said that they had Pravda and Isvestia for years yet he was in awe when he saw and heard the American media and their propogandising.
I agree with Billy though in terms of the difference between O'Dea and Sargent

I think most were genuinely stunned: (a) by boy-scout Trevor having sinned, and (b) by his prompt medicine-taking. 

Still wonder how that info got to the Herlad though

[Billys Boots]

From RTÉ at lunchtime:

Sargent contacted senior garda over case

Former Minister of State Trevor Sargent contacted a senior garda earlier this month concerning the case which caused his resignation yesterday.

Today's Evening Herald carries a letter in which he asks the local Superintendent in Balbriggan to keep an eye on the proceedings.

In the letter dated Monday 15 February, he said 'I refer to our previous correspondence regarding Mr McGowan.

'I would be grateful if you could keep an eye on this case as I fear for the safety of Mr McGowan who faces his attacker in court again in the Central Criminal Court this Friday, 19th February 2010 as a witness to his own attack.'

The Garda Commissioner has appointed a senior officer to investigate how the letter to a garda in Balbriggan came into the public domain.

Fachtna Murphy has appointed John Twomey to examine and inquire into all circumstances surrounding the public disclosure of the correspondence.

Separately, Mr Murphy has also directed the officer to investigate the complaint made by a member of the Green Party against former Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea.

Mr Sargent said he has 'no suspicions' about how the Evening Herald got a copy of his letter on behalf of his constituent.

Speaking on LMFM, Deputy Sargent echoed the comments by the Taoiseach, dismissing as 'beneath contempt' claims by the Opposition that he had been 'taken out' in revenge for Willie O'Dea.

He said the whole matter was being investigated by gardaí and he would await the outcome of that inquiry.

Mr Sargent said he had full confidence in the gardaí to investigate the matter.

Earlier, Green Party Deputy leader Mary White defended her party's record in Government, despite Mr Sargent's resignation.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms White said the Greens had an honourable record in Government.

Eamon Ryan had earlier said he does not know how the story that brought about the resignation of Mr Sargent came out.

Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time programme last night, the Minister for Communications said it was not for the Green Party to be 'suspicious' or 'to throw stones'.

Minister Ryan was speaking following claims by both Fine Gael and the Labour Party that Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern had questions to answer arising from this affair.

Mr Ahern has emphatically denied leaking the letter that led to the resignation of Mr Sargent as Minister of State for Food & Horticulture, adding that he was sorry to see his colleague go.

Still wonder how that info got to the Herlad though

Looking less and less likely we're going to find that out now Declan!

[Denn Forever]

I know it is probably in Politics 101 but can elected officials e.g. councillors, TDs ask gardai for qualification of a point/grievance raised by a constituent?

Ever?

[Bogball XV]

Does anyone know what actually happened in the initial incident between mcgowan and a.n.other? 

[Shamrock Shore]

McGowan challenged 2 10 year old girls who were wrecking a sign by swinging out of it. A. N. Other waded in and berated McGowan for having a go at two girls. Schmozzle ensues. AN Other gives yer man a Glasgow kiss. AN Other has a string of convictions for all sorts.