Texts and emails, Wednesday 10 February 2010
Topic: Enda Kenny's leadership of Fine Gael
Panellists: Alan Dukes (former leader of Fine Gael), Kathleen O'Neill (community activist), Prof. David Farrell (UCD)
i'm fed up hearing about enda kenny and george lee. How about talking about the loss of 750 jobs in the bank and 55 in musgraves
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its blatantly obvious that richard bruton acted like a spoiled child when g. Lee joined fine gael,what a joke and he wants to be leader,i voted fg but this has opened my eyes will never vote again they are like children
Joe, Limerick
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Where is cowen? Hes a coward who wont talk to us, im jobless as is my husband, 3 young kids and no guidance 4rm government, fas screwed, we r lost.
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in light of bank of scotlands announcement do you think it is wise to have them as the programmes sponsor?
Stephen, Swords
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I do believe George Lee resigned since he expected to be put on a pedestal, on the Front Bench on Day One, he has proved that once he got into Dail Eireann he was in the wrong job as if not "If the mountain does not come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain,has let himself down, also the people of Dublin South,
Margaret Walshe, Dublin 6
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do think lobbying undermines the democratic process?
Sean MacNally, Dublin
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did u realise ur sponsors left 750 people go? or is dat nat topical enuf 4 ya?
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I have just bought a new striker for 60million.should i lave him on the bench for a few weeks in case he gets too cocky?
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Will Uz get on with da real issues. See mary harney is lookin after her former mate tom parlon in da cif. More tax breaks for da developers to inflate da property market. Get down to real issues and stop messin around.
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i cant understand why no one has taught that george left finna gail for what he seen of the party was not what they claim they stand for but only to discover their just as reckless and full of broken promises just like finna fall
Joan, Co. Kerry
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Maybe Enda Kenny could remain the Fine Gael team manager and maybe its time for them to look for a new captain
Peter Behan, Palmerstown
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If you're continuing your personal anti kenny and fg bias three 20 mim ad breaks would be great.
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I cannot understand the obsession with enda kenny. We had an non english speaking taoiseach who still has 2 explain large unearned money. Surely integrity is important. There is a lot of ignorance in this country. Kenny is great . Nuala
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Im supprised the job cuts at bank of scotland dont get a debate on the programe seeing as they sponsor it, maybe therein lays the answer
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george was right to go . Kenny is playing the good boy . Bad boy game . kenny should give his teachers pay up and the 14 other teachers in . Gvmt . Kenny is on almost 30yrs paid leave of absence. Dukes is another . 3000.€ a meeting in . Anglo .
Bill Byrne, Tullow
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regarding the commercial breaks - grow up, either ur production team or ur viewers are taking the piss out of u, inventing seemingly critical issues out of the banal. Take the breaks at intelligent, even periods like everyone else.
Paul, Clontarf
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As a member of FG I wasnt sure but Enda Kenny has handled this whole Lee affair very well & has regained the respect of the party. Give the guy a break.
Jim, Dublin
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we need 2 continue 2 campaign an lobby settin up new political parties is waste of energy shud challenge wots there wit human rights to the fore margaret oshea knpwdi
The problem with ''leaders'', is that they are surrounded by acolytes and sycophants who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. Hence the 'they dont get it' syndrome.
Nick Martin
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Fine Gael do not yet know what they hav done.
MB
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As a non aligned voter enda should be given fair play. He seems a decent individual and he has not created the mess we are facing for generations to come. Christy in Limerick
about receipts for tds for high expences well if a td cant get a doggey receipt who can
Mick O'Toole, Navan
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George cannot take the storms on the windward and is now in the lee.
K mac ginley
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The Media are a Club,no Critisism of each other. The R.SEA Poll and other Polls are Rubbish:
Mr. Leahy
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Name Where S.Fein are going to get 8pct-13TDs?, Inds 9pct-15TDs?
Pat, Castleisland
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of course the new format of ur show is the right idea their was far to many ads the other way why are al these ads needed on ur show anyway
Des, Galway
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Enda Kenny and his poor judgement are as much to blame for Ireland's problems as the government. He should resign now!
Mark
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that guest from UCD is living in the clouds Fine Gael people never have or ever will change or cross their votes they always back the party and not the candidate, as the old saying goes you can never trust a blueshirt
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I note ur program is sponsored by royal bank of scotland and no word from vincent of 750 jobs gone etc will u read this out vincent from
Paul, Mayo
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George Lee should get award from people of Ireland being only politician to put his country b4 his own self advancement Enda who cares
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Bertie was charismatic but look what he did to the country? Enda has ingrained honesty, he would make a great taioseach.
Teresa O'Brien
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The new expenses issue for T.D's don't go far enough. As a voter and therefore one of their employers. They should present a receipt for all taxpayers money they spend...
Martin, Dublin
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Instead of being dynamic by using Lee we got more of the same 'party before the public' from Enda, and the people are crying out for a passionate speaker in their leader.
John Woods, D14
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Enda kenny ìs a cringe-inducing self-satisfied consequence. Not Taoiseach material r status at all.
Michele, Dublin
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we have a sayin in kerry its nice 2 b nice!
Margaret O'Shea
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Where all all the jobs that fine gael and fianna fail promised us wit lisbon . Sinn fein were d only party honest wit people about lisbon .
Aaron, Laois
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Enda compared himself to Obama. Flashback to 'you're no Jack Kennedy'.
Stephen, Thomastown
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the people put george lee in for his expertise they saw no obvious contribution if in the private sector results would be expected within 3 months george lee was honest to his voters how much more of this charade have we to listen to
Carmel, south Dublin
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Greece vs Ireland The issue is apathy the wish to be told what to do and do it, that those Southerners losing out most fear being confrontationary, being further beaten down and refuse to riot. Gombeen political elite, gombeen enslaved population.
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the only reason Fine Gaels ratings have risen slightly, is because the government and Taoiseach we have, are useless, and if Enda Kenny had any leadership skills theis ratings would be through the roof, Richard Bruton is the only man for that job, and the sooner the better,
Liz, Sandymount
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bertie was not a nice guy like everything else about him he was a just a pretender
Thomas, Enniscorthy
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To the detriment of the future and wellbeing of Ireland our politics are geared towards keeping control inside the Pale. If you want a film star for Taoiseach go to Hollywond. ENDA is a decent honest man who leads by concensus rather than dictat, a democrat. Fiann Fail make the Mafia look like choirboys. Time we faced up to the fact that Fianna Fail survives on croneyism and probably blackmail.
John Fair, Castlebar
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Here is a joke about george lee. Question. Why did george lee leave government after 9 months. Answer. He thought he was in labour.:-D
Jessie, Mallow.
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its more than likely that the dail will run its full term. Do we have to listen to this for the next 2 years. The only question is he a good leader of fine gael?
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He couldent have done any worse than bertie ahern not much out of him now rubbish blatant anti anyone outside the spin machine
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I would like to say enda kenny is a genuine honest person and he did not force george lee to resign. I think george let the people that voted for him especialy down and he just could not take the preasure and walked out like a coward. Also he wanted to get too far too quick.
Olivia
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we were occupied by the english for 500 yrs thats why we are not out on the streets like the greeks .but we should b.
Ann, Mayo
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Kenny is not a good leader At the moment Homer Simson would have the oppision ahead
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I believe u might prefer bertie than honest enda to run the country. Imagine anyone ever defending bertie. .
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given how fianna fail have made such a mess, a chimpanzee could lead fine gael and theyd still win the election.
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George Lee was honest and not a spine less Yes man like most of our lot Shame on them my vote will go to independents from now on
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i am sick listening to george lee he is leaving for a very high paid job i wonder if he would have walked if he had to join dole que
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all the opposition parties ever do is criticise-never give any alternatives-n party whips should be abolished
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I THINK Its a very sad day 4 irish politics that george lee has resigned if the gov listened 2 his advice we wouldnt be in this mess shame on enda 4 not using him properly
Kate, Mayo
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Why are you discussing enda kenny should you not be discussing brian cowan and the state his crowd have the country in
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Enda kenny did not bring the party along. It was people who opened their eyes and saw how corrupt f.f are. Also of course george lee brought a lot of people to f.g including myself. But now now.
Joe, Kerry
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Congrats to Alan Dukes who has articulated accurately the integrity and leadership of Enda Kenny,
Fergus Ahern, Boyle
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FGs biggest problem is not the lack-lustre Enda Kenny. It is their abandonment of their conservitive right wing ethic that has made them indistinguishable from FF or Labour. This country is crying out for a party that will stand up for meritocracy, prudence and law&order.
Brian Geoghegan, Walkinstown
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The BEST Taoiseach regardless of his/her party allegiance - would be the ONE who takes on the Banks and gives US BACK OUR MONEY e.g. Shane Ross Indep.
Martin Gallagher, CPS
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what did george lee think he could achive in 9 mths. I feel he let his voters down or has he has another agenda?
M. Keena
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How can former fg. Leader discuss e kenny when he cant remember his previous position. Typical of him.
John, Thurles
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how long is it since you had a sinn fein rep. On you're programme.
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Whats this 30% women canditates? 50/50 would be true democracy!
Anne, Wexford
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decisions are already influenced by small numbers of people and made in their interests. Referenda wouldn't make that any worse.
Dµnall Marron, Bundoran
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I think it is a great insult to women when the talk is about a greater % of females are needed in politics. Females make up 50% of married couples and it's time they got themselves properly organised. " The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world ", or should do.
John Fair, Castlebar
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listening again to what kn b an open debate but quite frustrating they say they sign of a good leader esp n times of recession s to stand up and rally motivate etc the crowd i have hardly seen brian cowen on tv over d last week alone and yet 750 people hav lost there jobs n hallifax sme i belive told by phone conference that there jobs were gone enda kenny kd now at this time take advantage of ff state does he now want to bekme leader in a country on its knees. Goerge lee was right. Saw what really went on n gov ministers happy to sit bak on their rears once they gt elected dont ruffle or upset the party hav we gt lap dogs. Enda kenny says he now will b his own person and say hw he feels. Who was enda kenny last week to make such a statment. Spin docs again.
Jay, Carlow
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ENDA KENNY DOESNT KNOW HOW 2 TAKE ON THE OPPOSITION THE LEADER DOES MATTER GEORGE LEE IS A SMART MAN AND A BIG LOSS HE SHOULD HAVE HAD A BIGGER ROLE FINE GAEL LOST A VERY GOOD MAN
BERNIE COTTER, CORK
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It is my experience and I challenge you to say on air:Many of the Community Development Projects did not reach the target groups. That is why there funding was cut.
Anon, D12
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To b elected because of gender rather than ability is crazy.
Joan
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the only one talking sense on the panel is ALAN DUKES and you wont let him talk
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If Kathleen doesn't see Enda as a good alternative Taoiseach, is she happy to comtinue with B Cowen !!
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What about the question of the constitution, and the structure of the government (parties in the Dail) not being suited to giving us a democracy.
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I am absolutely delighted that all these CDPs have had their funding slashed. Why should taxpayers money be allocated to unelected non qualified busy bodies who are merely apeing the work of social workers?
Brian Geoghegan, Walkinstown
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Fina gael is only in this position due to ff's demise. Is kenny a weak link? - of course he is! The on going discussion itself is the evidence! Where are the propositions for ideological changes in this country? The blaspheming law- the begging law- thats what we are producing.
Aidàn
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