Category: Fine Gael

Rabbitte rabbiting on as the country goes down the tubes

Once again we see the greed and arrogance of politicians as they help themselves to even more money from the taxpayer’s pocket as the country goes down the tubes.

Minister for something or other, Pat Rabbitte, was not pleased when questioned about his Labour colleague Jan O’Sullivan pocketing an extra allowance of €17,205 per year on top of her minister’s salary of €130,042 (Morning Ireland, 2nd item).

In a barely tolerant voice at being asked such trivial questions Minister Rabbitte responded:

Well, sometimes our public debate has an unerring instinct for the peripheral. Jan O’Sullivan was promoted to Cabinet and has got the rate that goes with the job…

I mean if this is the level of discussion at a time when the country is virtually bankrupt as a result of the dysfunction of Fianna Fail I really find it very difficult to take it seriously.

When it was suggested that unwarranted expenses should be addressed the Minister became angry and did what all puffed up ministers do when they’re asked hard questions, he wandered off talking about something else.

Well are you suggesting that a tiny island nation that’s trying to trade with the rest of the world shouldn’t promote itself and promote the Taoiseach when he meets foreign leaders and tries to sell Ireland abroad?

I mean this has to be seen in perspective; government has to do its job to the best of its ability to sell this country…

It would be best if this kind of pernicious ad hominem, personal rumours by Sinn Fein were ignored and better that Fianna Fail be ignored given what they’ve done to the country.

Meanwhile, a very angry Pat Kenny, put the following question to Fine Gael TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor regarding the government levy on personal pensions.

What is the moral basis for putting their hands in people’s pockets and stealing their money?

Pat, you know and I know that there’s no money in the country and we have to take extraordinary measures.

We’re depending on outside agencies, the IMF, EU and ECB to keep the country running.

Tell that to the so-called left wing socialists Rabbitte and O’Sullivan.

The Cllr. Kennedy expenses scandal trundles on

Email to Fine Gael Headquarters.

To Whom It May Concern:

It is reported in today’s Irish Independent that Fine Gael considers the controversy surrounding Cllr. Kennedy’s expenses to be an internal matter. Is this correct?

Yours etc.
Anthony Sheridan

Dear Anthony

You are incorrect. This is very much a public matter, but as it is the subject on an internal investigation, I am precluded from comment.

Regards,

Vincent Gribbin
Head of Internal Communication
Fine Gael Headquarters
51 Uppr Mount St, Dublin 2

Damn, foiled again by the ‘I am precluded from comment until the investigation is complete excuse’.

Cllr. Kennedy: It was an honest and genuine mistake

I finally received the Cllr. Kennedy report last Friday. Its contents were predictable.

Cllr. Kennedy outlined the matter pretty much as it appeared in media reports.

His principal point was that he had made an honest and genuine mistake which, when it was brought to his attention, he immediately refunded the payments.

Limerick City Council, after considering Cllr. Kennedy’s excuse, decided that he was telling the truth.

The Council summed up as follows:

The matter highlights the importance of ensuring that claim forms are properly and accurately completed before being submitted for payment.

Having regard to this and the requirement for openness and transparency in the public service, the undersigned have decided to refer a copy of this report to the Standards in Public Office Commission for their information.

It would, of course, have been astonishing if the outcome had been any different.

I considered submitting the complaint to SIPO but it’s an absolute certainty that the outcome would be the same – and Christmas is nearly upon us.

Cllr. Kennedy refunding money to all and sundry

I’m still waiting for that promised report from Limerick City Council regarding allegations that Fine Gael Cllr. cheated on his expenses.

In the meantime it seems that Cllr. Kennedy can’t stop paying back money to all and sundry.

A report in yesterday’s Irish Independent tells us the Cllr has refunded a further €2,600 to two national bodies from which he claimed mileage expenses.

This is in addition to the €1,700 he refunded 18 months ago for travel expenses that he wasn’t entitled to.

Update on complaint against Fine Gael Cllr. Pat Kennedy

On 20th Oct last I received a letter from Limerick City Council informing me that Cllr. Kennedy (Fine Gael) had been requested to submit a report by 1st November to the Council regarding allegations that he cheated on his expenses.

This arose from my formal complaint regarding Cllr. Kennedy’s activities.

The Council assured me that they would contact me after reviewing Cllr. Kennedy’s report.

Having heard nothing since I rang the Council today and was informed that Cllr. Kennedy’s report was to hand and would be forwarded to me very shortly.

Enda's judge

I see the Taoiseach’s friend, Patrick Durcan, has been appointed a District Court judge.

Here’s what Durcan had to say last February after Enda Kenny’s election victory.

It is a great day for Ireland, as Ireland is now led by a Taoiseach who is incorruptible, honest and who has a vision for the country.

And in case any of you cynical people out there think that Enda the incorruptible had any influence on this appointment.

Mr Kenny’s spokesman dismissed any suggestion the Taoiseach would have influenced the decision.

So there – it’s all transparent and above board.

Politicians still abusing expenses

Once again we see the political expenses system being abused without any serious reaction from so called regulatory authorities.

Fine Gael councillor Pat Kennedy claimed travel expenses for the use of his car to attend five conferences and seminars in February and March 2010 when, in fact, his car was off the road due to an accident (Irish Independent).

Cllr. Kennedy told Limerick City Council that the car he rented for the period in question was changed on a number of occasions by the rental company.

When challenged Cllr. Kennedy chose not to provide any other car details and repaid the money (€1,690.65) in April 2010.

Limerick city manager, Tom Mackey, accepted the payment from Cllr. Kennedy and took no further action.

I contacted the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) this morning with the intention of making a formal complaint but was informed that I must first make a complaint to the Ethics Registrar of Limerick City Council (Copy of complaint below).

This latest scandal raises a number of questions.

Did Limerick City Council officials check with the car rental company to verify Kennedy’s claim that his rented car was changed on a number of occasion?

Company records would immediately confirm or otherwise this claim or, indeed, if he rented a car at all.

Is there a requirement/duty on public officials like city managers to report matters of this kind (to anybody) or can they just nod and wink behind closed doors?

I wish to lodge a formal complaint under Part 15 of the Local Government Act, 2001 against Fine Gael Councillor Pat Kennedy.

The complaint concerns a report in the Irish Independent dated 4th October 2011 in which the following allegation is made against Councillor Kennedy.

That he claimed travel expenses for the use of his car during the period October 1, 2009 through to March 31, 2010 when his car was off the road due to a traffic accident.

Specifically, Councillor Kennedy claimed that his car was used to travel to five conferences and seminars in February and March 2010 when, in fact, his car was not available to him during this period.

Yours Sincerely
Anthony Sheridan