Texts and E-mails Tuesday 15 June
Topic: The Saville Report, the Confidence motion in government, and Fine Gael troubles.
Guests: Michael Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Jimmy Deenihan, Fine Gael; Leo Varadkar, Fine Gael; Niamh Lyons, Irish Daily Mail; Tom McGurk, Sunday Business Post.
Vincent. How very civilized Africa is today! It plays world cup football! Sick.
Mr. P.
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Not one of you even mentioned the fact that the Louth hospital is to close July 1 and we even have a waster of a minister from the home town in Dundalk. Sure his expenses will cover hi in the mater private, he doesn't care.
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Vincent. The flag on the Dáil Éireann is one, tie corporate Ireland!
Mr. P
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Vincent, how come a government building like the Dáil has a smoking room when other government buildings don't?
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Between them all, it's like playing musical chairs on the deck of the Titanic. Some laugh.
Joan, Waterford
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Vincent, I would like you to tell Michael Martin that we don't want them out of government and I don't want them near my door.
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Will the leaders of Fianna Fáil ever apologise to the people of Ireland for the devastation they have inflicted on our lives?
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At last, a decent show.
Pat, Swords
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Glad to see Enda Kenny is being challenged, he should go.
Kath
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I would vote for Enda but never again for any of the gangsters in power now. yes, we want a general election.
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Smoking room in the Dail. Pardon?!
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Your show is just a mini Dial Éireann where politicians throw dirty digs at each other on TV. The truth never gets told, you won't even read texts out. TV3 must be stuck for a slot to fill, your programme ... I'm gonna watch only fools and horse.
Paul, Dundalk
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No one wants FF except the banks.
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M. Martin is badly mistaken, nearly everyone I know wants Brian Cowen to go.
Kathleen, Donegal
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"To not have your suffering recognized is an almost unbearable form of violence." From Andrei Lankov, and expert on North Korea.
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It's amazing how Fine Gael managed to grab the headlines on the day the Saville report comes out.
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Why couldn't the Lisbon Treaty have been written/explained in this manner? Astounding that "Leo" is "too busy" to have not mad the Report a priority?
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I wish the parties would grow some balls and represent the public opinion. Get Kenny, Cowen and FF out, they have had their day.
Fran, Dublin
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It would be nice if our own politicians could learn something about unequivocal apology from the British Prime Minister.
Amanda
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Why didn’t Mr. Cowen name the British Army in his official statement. That army murdered 14 people. If you did it, you would be named.
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Still no word about the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
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To Michael Martin, out with you and Brian Cowen and Fianna Fail.
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What is that waster Martin on about, they still won't stop the cover-up on the Dublin bombings.
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I'm sick of hearing people criticise Richard Bruton's timing of this leadership contest. Bruton was repeatedly asked by the media whether he continued to support Kenny. He should be commended for being brave enough to tell the truth in the interests of the party and the country, and to deal with the consequences.
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Perhaps recent opinion polls show that people realise that Fine Gael is as representative of the vested interests as FF, i.e. lawyers, doctors, accountants, builders, etc. and do not want a Taoiseach from either party.
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Such arrogance, condescension and poor judgment from Leo Varadkar and the rest of the motley crew. They won't change Fine Gael policies or the direction of the party, but they will do us a favour by being more popular now that Enda Kenny has done the donkey work. What a shallow assessment of the electorate and what it takes for Fine Gael to get into power! Enda was right to sack Richard Bruton--you learn nothing by getting kicked by a mule twice!
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The point about the British Army is that it is an imperialist army and that is why it is in Afghanistan. This being so, there is no guarantee that it will not behave in the same way again.
Kieran, Tralee
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Mr. Martin says that the public views don't matter. Kenny, step down gracefully. You're like a child, if you don't play with me you are not in my gang.
Fran, Dublin
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Don't you mean the North of Ireland.
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I am not a Fianna Fail supporter, bur I feel Albert Reynolds was never given the credit he deserved for his enormous contribution to the peace process. Before he departs this world, he should be honoured for it.
Dolores
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Kenny cost Fine Gael the 2007, he is a liability. Fine Gael TDs who can't see are out of touch.
Danny
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If Enda wins, how will Leo cope on the back bench.
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If Fine Gael cared about the country, they wouldn't be having this conversation at all.
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Haw haw haw. So Fine Gael has talent in depth--yeah, down deep with the Titanic.
Larry
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What does Jimmy Deenihan think of the punishment of Paul Galvin having been tried by Sunday game panel?
Ger, Dingle
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Tell Jimmy to talk about football. He is getting all wound up about politics.
Noel, Limerick
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How can FF be so self-righteous. They created the mess knowingly. Michael is a joke, a very bad one. By the way, I am not Irish and think that FF is not Democratic.
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Vincent, pass the sick bucket. I can't take any more of M. Martin's smugness. Get him off, please.
Susan
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Fine Gael Mayor in Limerick wants to drive young parents and their children into poverty and now he wants to start hanging people. What decent-minded person could vote Fine Gael?
Mary, Min. wage worker.
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This gossip politics or mudding of the waters, be it tribunals, the Church, the in-fighting, the fixing of finances after the event, paralyses issues--and is meant to do so. Hidden today is the absurdity of public servants awarded in wages the savings they should have implemented years ago, and would (chose) not to.
Disappointing that the only thing worthy of discussion today, The Saville Report, has been relegated by this rabble. The haunting images, the tears and anger and shock are still there. Can anyone imagine the fear and pain of 17-year-old kids as they bled to death?
That our nauseating TDs can squabble and claim their petty expenses, no doubt, on such a day of justice is cringe-inducing, an insulting of two Irish men.
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Is Fine Gael timing not very good for FF, since it is distracting people's attention away from the really important issues affecting the country?
D, Clare
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Mr. Martin, like all the rest of FF, are in denial about the mess they have this country in. Brian Cowen is the worst Taoiseach we've ever had, and if he thought anything of the people of Ireland who don't want him, he would step down.
Alma, Kilkenny
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My family and nephews and nieces have immigrated for work. I am disgusted with all politicians.
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Vincent, will you ask Jimmy Deenihan if Jack O'Connor will be sacked when Limerick beat them in the Munster final.
Pat
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Is this Bruton's Keano moment
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The only opinion poll that counted was the 2007 election, which he lost (sign the contract). That's when these rebels should have moved to remove him. P.S. 30 years in the Dail and how many ministries?
Nick
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The timing might not be good, but for Fianna Fail, the good news is that the bank crisis and the economic crisis is not going to go away anytime soon, and methinks that Fianna Fail won't be let off the hook in the long run. They're still fiddling while the country burns.
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Vincent, yes it's time for Michael Martin to make his move. It's time to get rid of our pint drinkers leaders. We need a leader with personality.
Mike, Galway
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Leo Varadkar is the best for the job. Bruton is no different than Kenny.
Bob, Crumlin
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Vincent, does Leo realise that he could have told Bruton--now is not the time.
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Young people think that Kenny is crap.
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How can Mr. Martin not see that the bank guarantee is fatal for Ireland. No other country even contemplated such an idiotic move. And then NAMA, a complete waste of the people's money. I can't wait for Fianna Fail to follow the PDs into oblivion. Unfortunately, it's too late for Ireland.
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Not only should Fianna Fail go, they should all be put on the Dole. Arrogance beyond belief. In the face of a banking report. And well done to Fine Gael, now we can look forward to a Sinn Fein Labour government. Thanks.
Jessie
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Enda must feel like Caesar; "et tu Bruton," rings a bell.
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Richard Bruton and the other front benchers who support him have not been disloyal toward Kenny. They have given him eight years to connect with the public and he hasn't managed to do so. There comes a stage when one has to do the right thing and act in the country's best interests.
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There has to be another agenda, or are Richard Bruton and his lapdogs closet Fianna Failers, because no one in their right mind would do what they did.
Tony, Thurles
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Vincent, Right! Get them out, they're cowboys, Fianna Fail.
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Honohan is not infallible. He is pro the establishment. What else could he have said about the guarantee? But he is wrong. He is supporting the continuing corrupt practices in the banks. Hedge funds, short selling and big bonuses are alive and well. Nothing has changed.
Dolores
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Get us an election before September.
John, D14
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Enda Kenny needs to fall on his sword. The damage to the party caused by his reluctance to acknowledge that he can no longer lead the party will only serve to benefit the FF government and may lead to an endorsement of the last 10 years of economic sabotage. Fine Gael needs a change at the helm. It must happen now.
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I am no supporter of Fianna Fail, but Michael Martin is a class act!
Tony, Athboy
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Vincent, Deenihan is a dinosaur. God, is this what it comes to, listening to some former footballer saying nothing, only clichés. What a joke.
Joe, Limerick
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The idea that the popularity of a leader means electoral success for a party is a farce. Mary Harney was the most popular leader in the country while the PDs were wiped out!
Success at the elections and the electorate are a lot more complex than those who spin headlines and feed from opinion polls want us to believe!
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Brian Cowen was not elected leader!
Tom
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Vincent, isn't it great to hear Fianna Fail and Fine Gael attacking the Labour Party at every opportunity. Maybe it's time they got into bed together and then we could have real politics here. Maybe your panel could tell us the difference between them.
Tony, Roscommon
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Michael Martin is a petrol pump politician!
Ciaran, Roscommon
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Bonfire of the ugly vanities.
J.W., D14
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Martin for Taoiseach? Jesus, no! We're bad enough!
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Could you ask Leo the Pitbull of Irish politics, without the lipstick, why has he been so disloyal to his master.
Peter, Palmerstown
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A lot of our politicians should be comedians, because they really make me laugh with their funny answers. They are great at avoiding the real question. I hope Enda Kenny gets a chance to run our country, he couldn't do any worse than what has made a total mess of it.
Margaret
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Vincent, what size neck does Michael Martin have? Just ask him please. It must be 50" upwards.
Jim, Cork
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Michael Martin should be locked up--he's seriously hallucinating tonight.
M., Carrigtwohill
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Vincent, what do we have to say or do to let FF know that we have no faith in them. Are they despots or thick?
Bernie
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No FF minister has the guts or the will to go to the voters. Mr. Martin is another yes-man, too, the man who wrecked this country. More waffle from the buckos who put us into this disaster.
Mattie, Westmeath
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Paul, you can tell the minister the opinion of Irish people is more important than that of the EU, and we don't want Cowen (Mr. More Taxes) in charge.
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This is the Irish way now, back-stabbers and rats. We need a new political system with less pay for those snakes. We could do with a St. Patrick for the Dail.
Liam, Cork
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Brian Cowen is a disgrace, if he was managing a company he would have been sacked long ago and told to clear his desk. His days are numbered, I hope to God, or help us all.
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Get rid of FF, the bankers seem to be running the country.
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Will you ask martin why Anglo are now withholding information from investigations when we now own the albatross hanging around our necks.
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Vincent: Politics--same face, different masks! They live in an oblong box. Tell us to look at the other wall, ceiling, floor. Same old box. Babylonian brotherhood, fiat money department, and then now.
Mr. P
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Vincent, as a member of Fine Gael, I feel it's the inability of anyone at the top to voice the views of the people in the big questions, i.e. making a stand against the top earners and the Israeli question. No strong messages.
Paul, Cavan
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Brian Cowen is tainted by Bertie Ahern's corruption, and is not fit to be the leader of the country. Cowen should be investigated by C.A.B.
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If there was ever a case of shooting oneself in the foot, Bruton and his Muppets have left the party legless.
Ray, Bantry
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Michael Martin is a Muppet for EU bureaucrats, expelling the Israeli diplomat. Silly, silly chappie, sleep well Michael. You are about to fall.
Ann
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Vincent, you have these politicians on week after week. They are all liars, FF should never be let run a country again until all the current politicians are retired.
Paul, Dundalk
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Tell Michael Martin that all the people in Ireland want the bankers to be made to pay for what they did, not the ordinary people.
Betty, Cork
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I will not vote Fine Gael after the way Enda Kenny has been treated by his front bench. What a laugh. Fianna Fail are laughing at us, what bull. I will not vote for either party, I do not know who to trust. I do not trust you Leo, you are a joke.
Marie
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M. Martin, bully boy. Saw it all tonight. You one that one, Vincent. Good on ya.
Anne, Kilkenny
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Hi Vincent, we must look at Fine Gael as a Formula 1 team. Enda is a top rate mechanic but a lousy driver. Let Bruton drive, he may crash on the first lap but he just might win, so Enda to the pits, literally.
Declan, Cork
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Fine Gael, take note of how Fianna Fail stick together and can talk the talk.
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What's more important--what Irish or other people think about Brian Cowen? Gordon Browne ran away from him on YouTube.
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The problem with Fine Gael is they have to many quality TDs who are all capable of leading our government. The problem for FF is that they have none capable of anything, and that's why there is no dissent within their ranks! At least Fine Gael will try to be honest about it.
P.S. Vincent, you have every right to dismiss this government. I will certainly do so come the next election.
Denis, Cork
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Vincent is such a bully in whatever topic he is asking his guests. He drives his opinion down their necks. We are all sick of his arrogance.
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I had a meeting with the minister more than three months ago and we've still never heard back from him. He wrote three foolscap pages in relation to our business. It's a joke, his word is nothing and he's part of a team running our country into the ground. He's a joke.
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Fianna Fail caused the problem and some of the people will have no bread and butter if they keep cutting the incomes of the ordinary people. Surely Michael Martin doesn't believe what he is saying, the rest of us don't. The only people endorsing their policies are the rich, because they aren't the ones suffering the need to support the banks because of Fianna Fail policies. If they had done their jobs right, the banks would not need help.
Catherine, Cork
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Fair play to you, Vincent. Ask him would he live on 200 Euro a week.
Bridget
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Vincent, will you please get Michael Martin off and anyone connected to Fianna Fail and the Greens after the corruption, greed and leaving the country bankrupt they still don't know when to shut up. Thanks.
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That the leader of the paratroop regiment was rewarded with an OBE three months after Bloody Sunday ...
Des, Monaghan
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Should Bruton start his own party, maybe a national party.
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I hope the victims of the Dublin get the justice they deserve, also. Time the British government admitted its responsibility, instead of withholding information from inquiry.
Dave, D8
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Why did Cowen not do the right thing five years ago when he was spending all our money.
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The most incompetent shower of wasters ever have led our country from the last 13 years. They have bankrupted the country and laid waste to an entire generation. You would think that anyone who could stand up and open their mouth and speak would win the next election! And yet those fools in Fine Gael cannot hold it together long enough to get into power and try to change things a bit! How sad and disheartening this is for an ordinary pay worker.
G, Sligo
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Vincent, you think you will get better of Michael, think again.
Maura
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Fine Gael facing the next general election is better served taking on the demagogue that is Fianna Fail in the psyche of the nation as the most popular party than falling prey over a spurious leadership crisis when teh foundation for party unity and growth have been laid by the leader and seasoned politician Enda Kenny.
Get real, Richard Bruton. Your actions are a retrograde step for the progress of Fine Gael in changing the political landscape of this country for the betterment of the people
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Are the Fine Gael 10 going to join Fianna Fail.
Kieran, Roscommon
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Enda is the Alpha male, and let the ones who challenge him lick their wounds, because he deserves to bee the next Taoiseach after salvaging the party. Why should he not get his just rewards. His own people tried to crucify him and let Brian Cowen have a good laugh.
Birdie, Bruree
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On you Vincent: Think Michael is trying to bully you. At nothing our Vincent. Good on you, I call this intelligence on your behalf.
Anne, Kilkenny
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What's right for the people of Ireland? That's rich coming from a party who has put a noose around the people of Ireland's necks. I don't care for a word he says.
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Vincent, I believe Enda has suffered so badly in the polls because he has taken too much advice from people like Anton savage. I fhe advises Enda anything like the bombast he speaks on your show, it is no wonder Enda is a dead man walking.
Ken, Ashbourne
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You tell him, Vincent!
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This government are popular with foreign creditors, as they put the creditors' interests before citizens'.
C.C.
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Both Cowen and Kenny should be thrown out. Get them a job picking blackberries.
Mary, Cork
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Michael Martin is talking rubbish. He has not a clue like the rest of them. The banks, the government have caused this mess. We need an election and we need it now. Fair play to you, Vincent.
Eliz
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Cowen has to go, the Greens need their heads examined to be voting confidence in this man who was the Minister for Finance when the banks ran rings around him.
Ciara
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Seeing as Fianna Fail are so highly regarded abroad, any chance they would shag off to another country or maybe Disneyland.
Tony
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The TDs are not listening to their grassroots, they are only looking after their own corner.
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Pleas ask Leo, why didn't Richard Bruton not challenge Enda Kenny when George Lee decided to leave Fine Gael?
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Vincent, the only reason Cowen is there is that nobody in FF has the balls to take him out. They know they are hated and they are now in such denial that there is no point even talking to them.
Morgan
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The point about government is that you govern in the best interests of the country and not according to the shifting and changing whims of the public as reflected by polls. There is only one poll that counts.
Fiona
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Are FG doing things properly? Surely if Enda loses confidence motion then there is a vacancy and open to nominations?
Donal, Limerick
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It's up to you to keep us awake, Vincent.
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I do not support thieves stealing welfare and then being chauffeured away. FF are criminals.
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Is Eamonn McCann going to be on, as a person who extensively covered Bloody Sunday. If not, I don't want to waste my time listening to the usual hypocrites and will watch The View.
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Michael Disney Martin. Tell him to go away.
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Tell Leo and his snobby mates if they are successful, enjoy, cause it won't last. Cannot stand the sight of the 10 of them. A grass root for the next 48 hours.
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Can't believe Vincent what I am hearing from Michael. Put it down to head shops! Can't be in right mind, poor lad.
Anne
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Could Dermot Ahern please act on the promise he made when he said that the Louth Hospital would be closed over his dead body?
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Michael Martin hasn't got a clue! Won't hold his seat next time! Yippee!
Martha, Cork
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Could you put Martin in his place, he would make you sick.
Monica
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Vincent, in these troubled times and Fascism is rearing its ugly head in Israel, we need a laugh.
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This was a very emotional day for the people of Derry. Why did it take the British government 38 years to issue this apology?
Teresa, Rathdangan
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Enda Kenny must go! A complete idiot. He will never be a leader, he will always be COO material and never CEO material. Richard Bruton is far superior.
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Ask Michael about our present health services. Think he certainly should know from his days as minister for health when he sat on his hands.
Anne, Kilkenny
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Another one telling us what we want yet not actually listening to us! Never-ending ... sigh ...
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Mike Jackson today said that the UK Prime Minister gave a "fulsome" apology over the deaths. Does he realise that the word means insincere. Perhaps he does!
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Same old story. Bickering by FG. Sad to see Kilkenny TD Phil Hogan not seeing the wood from the trees. Kilkenny concerned voter, elections come around again Vincent. Thank you.
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One of Enda Kenny's failures of leadership is his refusal to criticise the Labour party, which has allowed Labour to overtake Fine Gael as Labour's tax and spend agenda escapes scrutiny. They need to realise that they are not just competing with Fianna Fail, but with Labour, too.
Joe, Wexford
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Did you see Après Match on RTE, Vincent? The lads got you, Joan Burton and Brian Lenihan, Perfect!
Ciaran, Galway
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Fair play to the people of Derry for fighting for justice for their families. When are the people of Dublin going to get their justice for the stardust families, 30 years on and still Fianna Fail and the media won't give families justice.
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Vincent, this country is in a serious financial state. The last thing we need is 166 gobshites jockeying for power. Kenny put the nail in his own coffin as far back as when the vote on Lisbon II was held, when he should have told the people to vote "no". We Fianna Failers are the masters.
Mike, Galway