Texts and Emails Tuesday 04 May 2010
Topic: the issue of political funding.
Guests: John Moloney TD, Leo Varadkar TD, John Devitt of Transparency International, Eoghan Corry (travel writer) and Brenda Power (Irish Daily Mail).
Really enjoyed the contribution from your new guest Eoin Curry. Hopefully we can see more of him.
Lorna, Leopardstown
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There no more friendly Irish in hotels or restaurant.
Richie, Tallaght
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If ferries potentially could become more important why are you closing the Rosslare Waterford railway line.
Angela Dunne, Wexford.
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Is the volcanic ash keeping Jim McDaid out of the Dail.
William, Clonmel.
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Find out how much the developers paid for the ads in the Fianna Fail book. Eur10000 per ad is not far off the mark.
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The Greens will get corporate donations banned!
John Fitzgerald, Kilkenny.
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Programmes getting better, more variety.
Frank, Naas.
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I’m doing a history of the Lenihan fiefdom in Athlone. That’s some story.
Cath, min wage worker.
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Oh lighten up Vincent don’t u want the Marques back at the races? Be a sport do you think we are all "buying the judge"? U chaps once you get free education you think you know it all! How do you think our boys - the sacrifices - get to the top of this heap? Donations to Charities? Heck u so dense!
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What a country. Laws made to favour the rich cos they give big donations.
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Beckett couldn’t create (john) moloney.
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Nothing but lies lies and more lies. Can any of them tell the truth? Oh some one told me Mary Harney is doing a great job it must be true!
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The bloke representing Fianna Fail doesn't get it. He's in denial.
EH
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Vincent what's your problem. I've sent about 60 texts and you haven't read one. This is the last.
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Vincent why haven’t u got the balls to say that politicians have accepted bribes. You’re like the barbers cat. Full of wind and shit.
Eamonn Mc Carthy, Cork.
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All the money in the world given 2 Fianna Fail. THEY will not win next general election.
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A well known builder who gave large amount of money 2 fianna fail gave it so that he would get government contracts, which he did.
Marie K.
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Vincent, find out how much the developers paid for the ads in the fianna fail book. eur10000 per ad is not far off the mark.
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VINCENT WHAT UR SAYING ISNT LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD UR SAYING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AS CORPRATES.
JAMES HOEY.
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Vincent as some one who runs a small business, and works very hard to keep it trading, I want you to ask the politicians why any business person would want to give a donation to a political party? That money is hard earned and why would a business owner give that money away, for no apparent reason? And what about donors making donations to multiple parties - what is the motivation behind this?
Karen.
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FF have a good ally in FG tonight. Citizens beware.
Paddy Hathaway, Dublin 7.
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Get that fianna fail 'poser' off the show or I will switch off now. He makes me want to puke. I’m sorry I ever voted for FF.
William H, Dublin.
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Wrong Vincent. In local elections expenditure period was brought back two months.
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If the money is not for favours how come we never hear of anyone leaving money to political parties in their will?
Marie Shortall, Kilkenny.
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The big builders funded ff for many years and got planning permission in return. Anglo directors funded ff party to turn a blind eye, many brown envelopes passed hands. That’s how no one has been brought to justice. It’s all hush money. Politicians are licensed criminals with a mandate of greed.
Keith, Drogheda.
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Jesus I can't stand listening to FF TDs defending the indefensible. The parties should not have private funding. Disgraceful and corrupt.
Dolores.
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The problem with this country is... It’s an I’m ok jack f**k u society. The shit comes from the top down. We need a revolution!
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Vincent I see you got FF 's chief waffler on again !
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Don’t people who support partys also sponsor various events as well?
Tom Clarke.
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If all partys gave 10 percent of their income they would not have to beg at church gates for funds.
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Tell those politicians especially the FF guy that he who pays the piper calls the tune and everyone knows it :)
Paddy Hathaway, Dublin 7.
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Distinguish between money going through a party treasurer and going personally into the pocket of a politician.
Phil, Sligo.
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Quite simply the FF rep on your panel uses your name so often he comes across as a pleading desperatum.
Frank.
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There is no difference between FF and FG. Their builder buddies run the partys.
Richie, Dublin 3.
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TELL THE JUNIOR min to donate his second chin to The Third World-there is enough fat there to feed a multitude.
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Vincent you mention that some political parties don't have the finances to stage expensive campaigns but look at Lisbon!! Wasn't that a campaign that left us all wondering where funds came from!!
Jennifer
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The best thing to ever happen to this government now, is for the people to storm the buildings and burn them out of it. We need to grow some balls as a people in this country and make ourselves heard...through force. Re-Thailand, France.
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Vincent, fundraising is ideally aimed towards those who have money. What twat would try to raise money from people who have none. Surely this would be unfair.
Larry Butler.
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Vincent, it's not the donation was the problem but the brown envelope it came in.
James, Wexford.
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How can John Moloney keep a straight face. Contributions to big partys earn political favour. Typical example the Galway tent, this can be linked to banks. I wonder how much Michael Fingletons donation was.
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If we did not give donations to FF We would not get the E.U parliament tours so we had to give to get them. This was in a travel company.
Lou.
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Vincent, considering the Green Party are the only party who do not accept corporate donations why oh why are they not presented in tonight’s discussion?
Karen.
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Vincent, you pretend to be angry by the corruption but you are having a cosy chat and a laugh with that guy John Maloney from Fianna Fail. The country is being ruined and the outcome is frightening. If you are angry, be angry, stop pretending. We are sick of the corruption.
David Corbett, Templeogue, Dublin.
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Why do all political parties not get a share of union subs which are not only paid by Labour party supporters?
Oliver, Dublin.
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Corporate donations =bailout for builders and NAMA put onto taxpayer.
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FF are gangsters.
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I had to resign from union to avoid contributing to the labour party.
Tony, Civil Servant.
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Tell Leo to stop dying his hair.
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That elimination of stamp duty would have mostly benefited the left seeing as they have the largest interest in profits of stock trading. It doesn't totally benefit them!
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Vincent ask minister would he join Fine Gael and if not why.
Tom Clarke.
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Vincent Wake up. Political parties represent everyone. Don’t you know that?
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The people now have no money. We’re just living day to day as I am.
Jacinta, Drogheda.
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Mr. Ryan died. RIP. I feel Ireland has gone mad! It is sad but a natural death. WHY HAS IRELAND GONE INTO "DIANA MANIA?
Eve Keating, Dundalk.
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What about TACA? F and F used it to give all the good contracts to there backers.
Tony, Roscommon.
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J Moloney is just giving lip service. I worked for big travel company, big Fianna Fail supporters and they always asked for money and to buy tables at private lunches in city west. The scam on airline tickets was criminal by the ministers. The DPP should ban this immediately.
Lou.
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WHY ARE WE DISCUSSING THE BRITISH ELECTIONS?
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I agree with Vincent, the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael has a head start with the donations they get from the better off. It’s probably their way of saying thanks for the political favours they got. I’m voting Labour next time.
Red star, Donegal.
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Corporate organisations and individuals should be allowed to donate as much money to whichever party they support, as long as that donation is done transparently!
Brendan O Farrell, Young Fine Gael, Dublin South.
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Vincent he is a typical FF. He waffles his way out of question. Your wasting your time Vincent. Bertie you should have.
Richie, Tallaght.
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G. Ryan left one and only one legacy: he totally vulgarised the national airwaves and prepared the way for the depravity of Podge and Rodge, the wildboys bestiality shows, the debauchery of 'jack ass' to mention just three RTE sìcko shows. But who am I to dare contradict our Taoiseachs and President's assessment of Mr Ryan’s contribution to our society!?
Tom, Longford.
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Where do Sinn Fein get their money? They are reputed to be the wealthiest political party in Ireland.
Martin Whelan, Limerick.
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THE ONLY CLEANING UP OF POLITICS THE GREEN PARTY IS INTERESTED IN, IS POLITICAL DONATIONS, TO PUT THEM ON AN EQUAL POLITICAL PLAYING FIELD.
Peter Preston.
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If u don't contribute to F.F. then u don't get an ear, corruption is our 'DEMOCRACY' need I say anymore.
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My English trade union has told me to vote Labour. Does that balance the books?
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Donations! No such thing as a free dinner in Ireland. That’s why we’re in the state we are.
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Mr. FIANNA FAIL there is a joke. Democracy my foot. Money means favour. Tacit or otherwise. The Galway tent was not about democracy. Stop insulting our intelligence.
Fran, Dublin.
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Vincent the fella who gave 10 shillings to Dev is actually the one who started off all this crap, he should have given him a good kick up the arse.
Joe, Limerick.
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We should apologise to the Brits for all the trouble and ask them to take us back. Thanks FF. FG. LAB. You were all there.
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Nobody should give a penny to any party. It’s time they gave money back to all they have robbed. Any box should be kicked up in the air. We are in a recession for gods sake.
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Well that Fianna Fail fellow I don’t know who he is, readily conceded that that party is the party of the rich. Honesty at last. So welcome.
Paddy Hathaway, Dublin 7.
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Great Vincent keep bringing on these fianna fail guys lest we forget how badly we need to get rid of them.
Martin, Co. Clare.
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The party political system by its very nature ensures a certain degree of corruption. In this country the party corruption system ensures a certain degree of politics!
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I really don't want to show disrespect but don't you think people have gone OTT eulogising Gerry Ryan. If Gaybo dies I suppose he'll have to 'Lie in State'!
Brenda, Blackrock.
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Unions back Labour financially here and UK. Also time to limit number of posters at election time. Would make it fairer.
Fergal, Carlow.
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Vincent what’s the point of texting your show when you don’t even bother to READ them.
Katie, Dublin.
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Is that a wig he’s wearing. Now stop smiling.
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CAN’T SEE HOW POLITICAL FUNDING CAN BE EITHER MONITERED TRANSPARENTLY OR FAIRLY.
JAMES HOEY.
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Vincent, do you honestly expect a Fianna Fail minister to condemn the use of corporate finance for political parties in any jurisdiction?
Frank, Ennis.
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Who is running the country Brian Cowen or the Greens? The Greens are raising the cost of living at an alarming rate!
Morgan, Newbridge.
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Could you tell me where are we getting the money to bail out Greece when we can’t bail out ourselves.
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I was booked to fly on the 21st of April to New York. I have got a new date for my flight but my hotel in America took 50 % of my rates due to a cancellation. I gave them 5 days notice.
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Re G Ryan - Listening to the love-in on RTE at the weekend, one can only conclude that a liquid lunch lifestyle has put one more Irishman into an early grave.
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Even if political donations were ended, politics are inherently corrupt, and some politicians will always be corrupt.
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THE SICK APATHY TO MY PROTEST OUTSIDE THE DAIL, TO COVER-UP A POLITICAL SCANDAL, PROVES BEYOND DOUBT VERONICA GUIREN DIED IN VAIN AND THE EVIL FINDINGS IN THE RYAN, MURPHY REPORTS CHANGED NOTHING. PLEASE ASK RUIRI QUINN, JOHN O DONOHUE ETC. IS MY PROTEST IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST?
Peter Preston.
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