The Greens have not lost their moral compass ; they have buried it

by Louise Sun Feb 14, 2010 15:32

It was good to see the resignation of Deirdre de Burca and the hard hitting letter of resignation she published even if there may be a doubt that her actual reasons for resigning are as high minded as she claims.

As a green voter who will not vote for them again, its been sickening to see them continually ignore issues they campaigned on before and hear the spin about compromise being necessary in government.

The last straw for me was their refusal to stand up to Cowen/Lenehan on the U turn on pay cuts for 600 highly paid public servants. Cowen would surely have given way on this issue which would have brought money into the states depleted coffers. If the Greens voted against it and given that some of the independents would have also opposed it, Cowen would have backed down rather than see the government fall.

It would have been politically popular for the Greens because how can any fair minded person support 5% cut for public sector cleaners on a payscale stopping at €24,000 pa which is an actual net pay cut of 5% since its unlikely they were liable for tax anyway whereas any pay cut for these top people is in fact only HALF the gross cut because they are on the top rate of tax and paying income and health levies.

Years ago some greens supported the concept of a maximum income though it never was party policy. it is bizarre that gormley and Co supported the U turn for these highly paid people. if it would have caused 'pain', it would be that they might find it difficult to pay their loans on their second, third, fourth properties in bulgaria and god knows where else.

Perhaps Gormley' s moral compass is typified by the revelation that he has been claiming Dail 'turning up' money which is officially for travel and subsistence. Before he got the Ministerial eco car in mid 2007 he had no travel expenses because he cycled from his home which is near to the Dail and lost no opportunity for a photo opportunity on the bike.

According to the Sunday Tribune late last year, he claimed over €14,000 in 2006 for turning up money. This was the last full year he was a back bencher. Contrast that €14,000 with the €10,000 pa a single unemployed person gets.

How could a person of any integrity claim all that taxfree money for expenses he didn't have. Yes, it was within the rules but the politicians write the rules.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Sun Feb 14, 2010 17:17

The following message was sent by me to Eamon Ryan during the Green's negotiation/acceptance of fall guy status prior to formation of the current state/corporate power structure -

'Will Corrib be a non-negotiable plank or do we become a pragmatic pawn? I would caution against the latter at your peril. (This is NOT intimidatory!) Maura'

For the record, the text was sent to mobile no 086 829 4429, the number Ryan had when he was using the Rossport 5 to get his bum on a seat in Leinster House; after he got there he ditched that mobile.

by donkylemore Mon Feb 15, 2010 00:43

I'm not quite sure that I understand your text. Were you in some sense being prescient with regard to events which you anticipated would unfold in a particular manner. And having expressed caution you further expressed concern that your protest would be disregarded by Mr Ryan if and when he got into power?

If indeed you did send the test as I have interpeted it , it was indeed prescient .
I think we were all taken in by the Greens.
They have rolled over on every occasion and for each cause they had espoused prior to their going into government.
It is clear just how cravenly and unashamedly accommodating they've been for FF

They are despicable ; beneath contempt.

Have you any replies from Ryan. ? If you had some evidence that he held a particular view which he later abandoned for political convenience - for which , read gross betrayal of his electoral base.
This is also the reason he darent leave office now.
Why should he sacrifice a ministers pension and other perks for you or me or the people of Rosport or indeed the country - None of any that matters ; all that matters is Mr Ryan.
Principles are for losers .
If they ever had one between them I think their brains would go into an unstopable chain reaction , and cause a seizure of 8 on the Richter scale
I grieve for that sad all enduring smile on Ryan's face - its a '' feel- my -pain-kind of look .Dont you?
It makes me want to puke as Holden Caufield might have said.
If you had any messages from Ryan , why not write them into an opinion piece here .

Don

by donkylemore Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:34

How must you feel this morning . The greens voted with the FF to support a slanderer in Minister O Dea. The transcript of the tape is being published in the limerick leader. The offended SF party may be on Browne tv3 tonight Thurs.

I too am disgusted , but not surprised that Gormley is taking his money for show.
I have written to him requesting a list of the Green party members and their associates who will be travelling out of the country on St Pats. day- on government business and in receipt of state funding .
Needless to say I have recd no response. I shall have to pursue it by bay of a FOI request or a PQ.
Don

by Louise Thu Feb 18, 2010 14:46

Yes, it does get worse. Was listening to extensive coverage of the Willie O'dea issue this morning

You need a very black sense of humour.

Good luck with your FOI request/PQ.

Gormley et al will hang on to clock up more ministerial pension and expenses.

Just wondering if there is any chance Dan Boyle will walk.....but the Seanad is the best part-time job I know and thats without considering the unvouched expenses.

by Tony Gregories seat Thu Feb 18, 2010 19:13

I also noticed that Fintan McGrath And O'Sullivan ( ex Tony Gregory) abstained. So called independents. They must be pro Fianna Fail.