Texts and emails, Monday 8 February 2010
Topic: The resignation of George Lee
Panellists: George Lee, Fine Gael's Health Spokesperson James Reilly, Shane Coleman of the Sunday Tribune, Niamh Lyons of the Irish Daily Mail, and Ian Kehoe of the Sunday Business Post.
I'm deeply saddened by George Lee's resignation today from Irish politics. An honest man, whom i had hoped would play a significant role in turning around our stifled economy. I commend his bravery to refuse to wait around, when we need urgent radical reform.
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If George Lee really believes in what he is saying he should go independent.
Martin, Meath
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George Lee did the right thing to protect his integrity. Sadly there is no room for honesty in the Irish political system.
Paul Daly, Kildare.
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Can you ask George what economic policies he wanted to introduce?
James, Dublin
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George Lee's ego has let fine gael, politics and the people of south dublin down. Himself and charlie bird have proven to me that rte stars can't survive outside cosey montrose.
Sean, wexford
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What about the waste of public money running another by-election so soon? George is making the public purse pay for your petulance.
Sean, Dublin 4
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Maybe there is an ego problem with rte people. First charlie bird and woe is me documentary, and now george lee not been treated like the messiah. Thanks for wasting the country's time George.
Billy FitzGerald, dublin.
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How in the name of god does fine gael think they can take on the big boys in the banks or the unions if they are unable to take on a lame duck leader . We do not need a chairman as leader imagine enda kenny up north on our behalf god help us all.
Maura mac loughlin
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im sorry but do u not think you have to work ur way up no matter what you did in the party you are a green horn to politics you had to learn the ropes but u didnt want to. If u were a party man you would have done the best for the party which right now is gaining them strenght so when fg were in power you would be in power in a stronger and more powerful party thanks to you. You are not in power how can u change how the country is ran if u did not put forward motions and put pressure on. I really feel you bit off more than u could chew its a shame because the country like your honest politics.
Ian
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Is there something in the RTE water? Charlie Bird and now George Lee two self serving overpaid and flakey egos.
Rory
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Would George consider setting up a new party of people who know what their talking about? He was fully correct to leave. Enda is weak.
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What a massive vanity project by George Lee. His naivety is breathtaking. Opposition parties do not produce detail policy until in government. What a farce.
Cathal, Dublin
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Listening to the excuses all day. Here's the story: George wanted to go back to RTE. And he had to do so within a year of leaving. The rest is just guff.
Sean, Enniscorthy
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Sad to see George go. His mistake -from his point of view - was not to stand as an independent to break the mould. FG's acceptance of gov't forecasts at last election makes them part of problem George was trying to solve.
Marc C
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Please ask george to start his own political party,and lead this country to its full potential.
Ger
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Ask George if he is a coward, a wimp or just a spoilt media star who couldn't cope with the real world?
John D, Galway
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George is certainly making up for lost time out of the limelight . Think he has been on every tv / radio programme to day . George obviously likes the attention!
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Lee is like a spoilt brat. He produced a 10 point plan, to sort the economy, that a first year economics student would manage. He is a disgrace and has wasted everyones time. Things have not gone his way so he has thrown his toys out of the pram. What wonderful econmic insights will we miss due to his departure.
Cathal, clontarf.
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As RTE's Economics Correspondent, George Lee was an adequate and sometime melo-dramatic commmentator on 'what had happened' but as a TD he never impressed in a 'cut and thrust' debate against rival politicians supposedely less qualified than himself and never presented any coherent solutions to our economic ills. I suspect RTE's cosy and comfortable work schedules did not prepare him for the hard slog of life as a backbench TD. Charlie Bird is home-sick for the Mammy that is Montrose too. Ask him for his policy. Let him show his so called talent.
James Morrow, Kilkenny.
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At last an Honest Man __ George Lee. Welcomed by Fine Gael to boost Party ratings then silenced ! ! Serve your time and become like us. Do nothing ! ! Dont rock the boat. Dont use your Brain. Waffle like the rest of us and achieve "Nada". Did'nt work with George. He wanted to change the system but was'nt allowed. A new Party is needed . One with Integrity, Honesty and the interests of the People at heart.
Mary, Drogheda
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ask george lee if he did not have a job in rte waiting for him would he have resigned so quickly?
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i'm very sad that george has left politics but he has the right to choose what he does and better to get out now before it took away his passion. I wish him the best of luck.
Annie.
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good on u george, u left before u could be corrupted.
From Traolac, co. dublin
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Would George think about setting up his own party? Someone with both financial expertise and integrity is badly needed. I admire u George.
Mairead, Dublin
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george lee has shown us that a person with great knowledge and a desire to make a difference is seen as a thorn in the side to the institution that is the dail.
Elaine doyle, dublin.
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he has no staying power ever heard of having to prove urself first george? surely he cud have held on and made a difference from the inside. Arn't we the licence payers blessed to have george & charlie bird back in their cushy numbers, we enjoy the prog vincent,
kate, mountmellick
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George is a thundering disgrace. We need his ilk in govt. He should have hung in there instead of throwing out his toys. He's an egomaniac!
Eamon Welsh, Shannon.
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by quitting and running away in a fit of pique George Lee has handed a massive victory to the government whose economic policies he once pretended to oppose. He had no right to exploit the high profile his publicly funded job had given him. Ireland will be poorer for his resignation, not because he is talented and able, but because he is a petulant fool who has abandoned his electorate to the builders bankers and crooks who have squandered the national treasury.
Arthur Deeny
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I was inspired as George Lee went into politics.It's a sad day for those who want system change, honesty+high standards.What do we do now?
D. Cahill,D4
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If george was going to the dole q and not back to a ministerial salary in R T E would he have resigned,very easy to be holier than thou ..he has let twenty seven thousand people down.. Why did nt he stay in and remain independent.
Mags, Mayo
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george was right to leave.the man gave up a lot to represent fine gael.in the end they prostituted him for image and to create a belief that fine gael are a serious party.we now they are not.regards.
padraig flynn
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Vincent tell George he was damn right. It didn't take him long to sum up the disfunctional political system we have in this country. Good on him.
Eileen, Donegal
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Am sorry to see George Lee resign from politics. The reason why George was so popular not just in Dublin South but the entire country was not because he was a "celebrity" it was because he was honest and people trusted him. Most of his critics today are those who would never want things to change and happy to pick up the cash for doing little. I want to wish him and his family well for the future.
Andy Murphy, offaly.
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fair play 2 george lee he must be the only t.d in dail eireann thats not a bullshiter.He says it the way it is its a pity the rest of them wouldnt get real people are sick of the lot of them.this could work in fianna fails favour in to the future ,if the people of the country vote for these wasters again then they deserve everyting we get.and i voted fianna fail.
aidan in galway.
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George got a taste of what a waste of time and resoures irish politics is. Fg are bad ff and greens are worse. He will be a big loss. We need something new.our political system stinks.
Damian, Lucan
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i understand how a person like george lee would be frustrated by not being able to use his expertise in our current financial emergency he is a loss to the people of the country and i wish him well in the future.
marie obrien
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I just want to say i fully understand george lees decision to quit politics today. He entered politics with a clear mandate from the people who voted for him, but enda kenny never gave him a chance to achieve this, maybe george was too honest for irish politics
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They are all eating out of the same trough, the system is tired and mundane, no room for ingenuity and ambition, thankfully George wasnt " if u cant beat them join em kinda guy". Fair play to you George.
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George's decision smacks of petulance and arrogance not unlike his former colleague charlie's reaction to his american adventure. What are Rte feeding them?
Tom, Mallow
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i think george lee is to be commended if we had more like him the country would be a better place if the politicians havent any input it beggars the question do we need as many in the dail good on you george and the best of luck
theresa from clonmel
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it was the same in the UN George when i was there. Most people want to forge and protect a career within the institution and are not interested in finding solutions. They find creative solutions threatening.
Roisin Sheridan
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George Lee must be very naive but he has shown he has principles. Many people go into politics with great intentions and morals but soon change just look at the greens.
Martin in galway
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George lee is like a child who didnt get his own way, absolutely disgraceful and what about the cost of a by election? its a shame the man who claimed to be the man of the people didnt consider those who voted for him. He can now go back to a cushy job where he gets to pontificate but we now know all the chatter is hollow.
Mary
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George is an example of honesty and a man willing to have a go at getting this country back on its feet. Shame on enda for not giving him that chance and then as he walks out offers him the front bench. Honest people with pride like george are a credit to this country. Well done george for ur stance on a principle so dear to u.
Denis connolly, Bantry.
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i dont understand what all the fuss is about. His only contribution to public life has been to act like a spoilt child who threw a tantrum because he didnt get enough attention. From sean o callaghan. Cork.
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George's i's are too close together,politics will be a better place without his Ego-
J Dillon-Leetch.
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as a new entrant to politics, George Lee is like an apprentice electrician who wants to bypass the apprenticeship and go straight to the electrical wiring of the State's economics.
Niamh Murray
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george is right he was 2 honest he couldnt listen 2 all de biggerin wastin time instead of tryin 2 get de country back
Ann
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maybe george is like tiger john terry or peter robinson women,there could be a dark secret
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I think george jus likes d attention. In fine gael wat changes could he have made towards economic change or growth in a party out of power?
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please ask george-why does he not tell us the real reason he resigned? He is beating about the bush since 1pm today!!! Enda kenny did listen to george!
Rita, Kerry.
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First Charlie Bird, now George Lee. Perhaps they could swap jobs!
John Enright, Lucan
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What type of person with a young family. Leaves a job when the old employee might send you to washington. Or just say they have no work for you just like hundreds of thousands. Bye the way rome was not built in a day. You really have let down the people that put you there.
Maurice from boyle.
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What a man what a backbone He has such integrity He has just shown Fine Gael for what they are All institutionalised We need more George Lees
Angela, Sandyford
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He missed looking at himself on TV. He is like a broken record.
Anon, Sligo
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Great to see a politician with balls.George wasn' t prepared to park his brain with his bike at the door of the Dail like all the other voting fodder back benchers.
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what about George lees mandate to serve the people of south co Dublin. Clearly he has zero interest in that. I voted for him and feel like hes never been in any way interested. Was he?
Eoin, Dundrum
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George lee is too honest for politics.
Olga, Monaghan
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I was involved in some public sector reform in dubai and keen to work with george. I joined fine gael , inspired by george and met with him. I think we have no time to act as a country, and I agree with george. We can't have competent professions sitting idle while the country burns. Our knowledge needs to be tapped in a timely manner. We have a burning platform, and this brings to mind nero was fiddling etc.
Anand Nicodemus
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I admire George Lee for sticking by his principles & leaving FG. I'm sure if he wasn't so principled he'd have a story or two to tell and i wish him all the best in the future.
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Seems like george's done a Charlie Bird! Left the safety of montrose in a bizarre midlife crisis and then returns to the mothership when he was nt met with unquestioning adulation. Just as well you left RTE, vincent!
Frank, Cavan
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disappointed that george has decided to leave but i understand his position. In the last nine months i have seen not one significant economic policy put forward by any opposition party that provides an alternative to what ff are doing. However he should have stuck at it because he now will never have any input into irish economic policy.
Darragh, Kilkenny
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..Will George join the live register.? Or is it back to the Institution of R t e..
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I think george lee should be ashamed he belives his own hipe he thinks he is more important than everyone else fine gale voters got him elected and he's let them down
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Send George Lee to Washington, Charlie Bird to Dublin South and Enda Kenny to Haiti.
Martin Pegg, Dublin 6W.
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well done George nothing like the truth we wish you well
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The impact this is having is a reflection of the man george is. He gave us hope in a failing system. Im disappointed he has left. But im beginning to see he did the right thing. Well done.
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George Lee should have joined Labour. FF and FG are the Tweedledum Tweedledee of irish politics with barely a cent difference in their economic policies.
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I do not wish to comment on Georges decision other than the fact that he is entitled to do so and i wish him and his family all the best-thank for trying
Why couldn't George do something like launch a new party rather than bow out of politics? Why does Fine Gael have to be his only option? Many people including myself do not wish to see him leave the stage.
John, Dublin
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It is very obvious to me that George Lee threw in the towel with Fine Gael simply because he would never be happy with Enda Kenny even if on the front bench or in a ministerial position in a Fine Gale govt.I believe that there are many Fine Gale TD's who secretly feel the same way. George did the right thing.
Martin, Balbriggan
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Back off george he gave it a go it wasnt for him, its like he was responsible for the holocaust the way you and the media have attacked him today , why dont you and tv3 offer him a job before rte snap him up again.
Gerard
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George picked the wrong party they av no direction or leader
Mike, Kerry
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Vincent is it not a care that this gentleman had de ideas to post out de economy however those in long term were afraid he would take de lime light. As they say u have to play ball with de big boys for a few years. Isnt politics only a game of two minds who play de biggest game of all.
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george was dead rite. Fine g wasted a proven talent. He representd so much hope 4 ordinary people like me. How cud r bruton have only given 2 mins 2 him in 8 months did they not realise that 27 thou votes wud have been replicated in any co.
Maura Donohoe, Galway
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We need more people with the courage that George has, in every walk of life, I wish him only the best.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick
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Please tell george that he did the right thing. He's an honest person and he didn't want to be part of the institutionalised croneyism of a failed dail system.
Aisling, Sligo
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I think George Lee has proved yet again that he has the country's interest above personal ambition. It's no wonder the politicians can't understand him! It's beyond them!
Elaine, Kilkenny
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george hook alluded to it on the late late show on friday night why hed never go for election and it looks like this is exactly what happend george lee.a mavrick bogged down in party politics,power play.manipulation and the old ways.george lee was too nieve for the dail.pity.
Cathal, Clare
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I have a description for George. 'COWARD'
Mary, Cork
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George Lee was The Hope in Irish Politics,I cant believe Enda,Bruton et al couldnt use their prized possession,was going to vote FG next time,now im not so sure.
Denis, Limerick
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does the panel think that Enda Kenny leadership is over
Gerry, D14
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Ask george why he did not go independent.
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Well done George.U were right. Politics destroys honest people.
Gemma, Roscommon
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It doesnt matter if JFK was reincarnated to join Fine Gael as the people elected Fianna Fail as a majority to wreck the country and appoint a dire Tanaiste!
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John rohan ere.do u think politicians are in just 4 d show n d money.judging by d revelations of all expenses on paper.its easy money.2g week or 3 in some cases
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Does george have an opinon on richards policies
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kenny should hav gone not george he is now a burden on fine gael.
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I think George Lee's main fault is he is "susceptible to flattery". Obvious all the major parties wanted him "off the air". Michael D has more vision. Why doesent george go the whole hog a let us know how corrupt the political scene is here in ireland?
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the fact is enda kenny and fine gael chased george lee and led both george and the country to believe that they really wanted to affect economic change when the truth was they sought george to raise the public profile of the party without any real intention of changing anything.i totally respect george's decision and i believe enda kenny has to stand down because he has shown himself to be utterly incompetent as a leader.
Stephanie, Clare
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The only honest man in politics has resigned george please go to tv 3 where you can talk without being muzzled just like vincent browne what a team the two of you
Ann, Cork
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George's mandate and responsibility was representing the people of the south dublin constituency that voted him in. Sounds like they were conned for his personal agenda and fine gael's desire for positive publicity rather than secure reliable hard working representation.
Andy, South Dublin
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george lee left irish politics not fine gael because he saw it g the rot it is! And no one can change it fair play to him from
Joan, Bray
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I am inclandescent with rage in how this entire mess has occured. Never before today & never more important has it been to remove the current Govt. Both Kenny & to an extent George are at fault. The only winners are Fianna Fail & that is a damn shame. Today should have been avoided at all costs.
Mark, Naas
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George has done irish politics a huge favour by publicly rejecting its dysfunctional state - at enormous personal expense. He's a man in a million. Has anyone ever sacrificed a sure fire irish political career on a point of principle before? He cannot possibly be "of the same mode" as you suggest. He's head and shoulders above them. Stop harrassing him. Well done, george.
Anne Kelly, Enniscorthy
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would U ever ask George Lee how often did he attend the Dail?? He walked out causing a bye election having keept Alex White out of the seat he has wasted public time and money because of his ego.
Tony, Roscommon
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Most people who change careers do so at own risk and have no rte job to go back to. How can George talk about unemployed people? It's a joke.
Paul Murphy, Ranelagh
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Fair play to George Lee for leaving. He is an honest man who went into government with a good heart and mind and Fine Gael wasted this asset. He is showing us what politics is about, not for the genuine honest person but for the players and those who tell people only what they want to hear. Irish Politics is a mess, George you did the right thing to expose this.
Sarah, Stoneybatter
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Fianna fail must be dancing jigs of joy at this development. Well done george you have helped to roll out the red carpet for the election of a fianna fail government in 2012/13
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Mr lee is showing his true colours. . Yellow. He is all talk and no substance. I hope the debate might shift to the real issue of how efficiently we govern. The real problem is T. D's are doing work that should be given back to the town and county councillors.
Lorraine, Ennis
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i usually tink ur amazing but what is ur problem tonite,george lee has obviously saw first hand how corrupt our whole political system is and how our elected representatives r milking this country and it sickened him 2 the pit of his stomach,hopefuly he wil av the guts 2 spil the beans on what we al kno is goin on,wel done george lee 4 making a stand against the fat cats,i respect ur honesty.
Mary, Louth
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George may well have made the impact on improveing the country he wanted to by leaving as this may shake up fine gael he may have done a really great thing today for politics.
Lucy, Kildare
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The country is banjaxed George knows this. He has achieved more than most he proves just how far removed from reality politicians are He wanted to have an input Was not allowed the politicians are idiots. Get a National Govt going George before the country sinks.
Margaret O'Leary
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George lee is repeatedly complaining of a lack of input in economic policy, yet he refuses to give details of his fundamental political outlook. There is more to economics than the current recession. He has also shown a blatant disregard for the notion of public service. How many times in one interview can you use the word 'i' george?
Niamh
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I think that George Lee is being disingenuous. The reality& grindstone of being a TD did not measure up to the starring role he saw for himself. When was his leave of absence up from RTE I wonder?!! This is only a personal & contrived decision on his part- not a political one.
Marie Gilligan
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Even regarding George Lee's impatient resignation, i believe there is an agenda where a certain leftwing rump in the media + among various pressure groups want 2 get rid of Enda Kenny. He is 2 decent 4 them. Enda Kenny is the best leader of Fine Gael 4 years.
Siobhan, Limerick
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wouldnt it be ironic if Richard Bruton became leader of Fine Gael leaving a vacancy at Finance Spokesman.
John, West Limerick