Irelands Greatest Figures

[Homer]

http://www.rte.ie/tv/irelandsgreatest/

The top 10 is Stephen Gately, bono, Adi Roche, Mary Robinson, Padraig Pearse, Noel Brown(who is he?), John Hume, Phil Lynnott, Michael Collins, James Connolly. That is probably in reverse order to reflect my opinions.

Holy Jesus!

[Canalman]

Dinny, without having googled it I think Noel Browne was a Clanna Poblachta TD. A bit of a trendy cause celebre choice imo but still a valid enough choice.
Personally have time only for Pearse , Connolly and Lynnott on the list.

[Capt Pat]

I suppose I knew who he was but still a fairly obscure choice. The free health service hasn't done me any favours so I won't be voting for him.

[Canalman]

Apologies Dinny, acc to Wiki he was kicked out of FF also.

[Denn Forever]

Go Noel Browne.  Surprised that he is there (i.e. that people knew about him when you have Gately in the top ten) but he has left a long legacy in Ireland.

From Wiki
Browne was a controversial public representative and managed to be a TD for five different political parties (two of which he co-founded). These were Clann na Poblachta (expelled), Fianna Fáil (expelled), National Progressive Democrats (co-founder), Labour Party (expelled) and the Socialist Labour Party (co-founder).

However during his term as Minister for Health, Browne would come in conflict with the Catholic Church and the medical profession over the Mother and Child Scheme. This plan, also introduced by the 1947 Health Act, provided for state-funded healthcare, a move which was regarded as radical at the time.

For all this he gets my vote.

The top five will have a short piece that will be aired on the Turbidy Late Late in Autumn.

[Hardy]

An alternative view of Browne is that while a fashionable hero in trendy circles, in reality he was a self-serving fool. He didn't understand the art of politics, the need for compromise to achieve progress, the value of negotiation, the necessity for alliances or the futility of attempting to install dogma as policy. And he didnt achieve the introduction of socialised medical care - he only succeeded in bringing down a government over it. It was a later FF government, not including him that introduced limited public healthcare.

He seemed to care more about getting one over on the Catholic hierarchy than about achieving any significant improvement in the healthcare provision for the most needy. He could have achieved significant results if he'd been prepared to act like a politician instead of a prima donna.

[Declan]

An alternative view of Browne is that while a fashionable hero in trendy circles, in reality he was a self-serving foo

That would be my view of him anyway

[Dinny Breen]

Very harsh there Hardy, considering the grip the Catholic Church had on the state up until the 80s he did well to fight that fight, his Mother and Child scheme lay the foundations for State Health, he was also fundamental in introducing the TB vacine and help found I think the IBTS, to say he didn't achieve any significant improvement in our healthcare provsion based on those two alone is just wrong. He's no Stephen Gately but a worthy candidate in my opinion.

[Boycey]

Not seen either of the first two editions of this (not sure I want to see the one on Bono to be honest) but I enjoyed Joe Duffys exploration into James Connolly last night. Although for the life of me I can't understand why he needed to interview Harry Crosbie about capitalism halfway through.

[Billys Boots]

Very harsh there Hardy, considering the grip the Catholic Church had on the state up until the 80s he did well to fight that fight, his Mother and Child scheme lay the foundations for State Health, he was also fundamental in introducing the TB vacine and help found I think the IBTS, to say he didn't achieve any significant improvement in our healthcare provsion based on those two alone is just wrong. He's no Stephen Gately but a worthy candidate in my opinion.

I'd be inclined to agree with you Dinny; it's strikes me as ironic that we consistently berate politicians for having no principles, yet castigate them as 'self-serving fools' (sorry Hardy) when they actually stand by what they (say they) believe. 

[Hardy]

Jesus lads I'll need a little time if you want me to justify something I said six months ago. For now, though - Billy your argument is from the particular to the general. The fact that I think* Browne was a self-serving fool shouldn't lead to the conclusion that I don't believe politicians should have principles.

(Well, thought anyway - now I might say egomaniacal ideologue).

[Billys Boots]

Are you saying that some politicians (in particular) should have principles, while politicians, generally, should not? 

[Hardy]

Maybe that's what 'm saying, but if it is, it's not what I mean to say!

[From the Bunker]

Have watched 4 out of the 5 episodes. Could not bring myself to watch the one about Bono. No offence to the man, but he is primarily a rock star and a minor human issues activist after that.

Of the 4 others, I would have no issue with any of them being honoured as a tele-vote Greatest.

[ross4life]

This is a long drawn out operation by RTE! one program & pick the Greatest, that would save the effort of having to watch Miriam, Joe Duffy & co