Gilmore, media in firing line as Bull charges

[DCon]

Should be fun today. RTE are broadcasting live on TV.

OUTGOING Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue will hit out at the media and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore when he resigns as chairman of the Dail today.

The embattled TD will speak unchallenged for 15 minutes in an attempt to explain his lavish spending over the last number of years.

His resignation marks the end of his tenure after months of revelations about his high-flying lifestyle. Mr O'Donoghue's special adviser, Dan Collins, will also have his €108,000-a-year contract ended today. But Mr Collins will walk away with a package worth over €33,000, while his boss will be handed a €112,500 lump sum meant to soften his drop in salary from that of Ceann Comhairle to a backbench TD.

His position as Dail chairman will also be used as an excuse as to why he could not answer his detractors.

He will also refer to the fact that he was denied the chance to address the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission -- the body chaired by him that overlooks the expenses system in the Dail and Seanad.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore's dramatic declaration in the Dail last week that the Ceann Comhairle would either have to resign or be removed from office means he could also be singled out by the Ceann Comhairle for his role in leading the charge against the Bull.

Gilmore, media in firing line as Bull charges - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

[Rich OC]

Bull in a china shop blames everybody else for broken crockery.

[greengoose2]

Bull in a china shop blames everybody else for broken crockery.

Idiots who let bull into china shop are to be blamed! Go figure...

[descartes]

I have been thinking of "Junket Johnnys" treatment in the Dail by mr Gilmore! It would appear that when the press made Mr Gilmore aware of the excesses of "junket Johnnys" travelling expenses, Mr Gilmore was so overcome with moral indignation he forgot all rules of decency and proceedure and "fired from the hip" and isolated "junket Johnny" in his own forum without any means of address. Now, the question to be asked is this the actions of a man or a wimp?
I have actually no sympathy for the behaviour of "Junket Johnny" but there is a way to deal with this.
My question to Mr Gilmore is ....is he going to act on the known abuses, even by members of his own party, that he has full knowledge of...I shall be looking at this closely

[Iarmhi Gael]

Said it yesterday - He will make serious claims against the media. A few legal challenges imo is his only option to clear his name.

He won't have liked the allegations and some sentiments expressed in the media - including the likes of politics.ie Will charge out all guns blazing, but as he'll know he will not be able to defend himself. But for 20 mins todays he'll be the victim of one big media witch hunt against him and his family. If we had an election tomorrow he may even bring home 2 running mates.

All attack today verbally and will be followed up with some threats but nothing of substance

[Prester Jim]

I have been thinking of "Junket Johnnys" treatment in the Dail by mr Gilmore! It would appear that when the press made Mr Gilmore aware of the excesses of "junket Johnnys" travelling expenses, Mr Gilmore was so overcome with moral indignation he forgot all rules of decency and proceedure and "fired from the hip" and isolated "junket Johnny" in his own forum without any means of address. Now, the question to be asked is this the actions of a man or a wimp?
I have actually no sympathy for the behaviour of "Junket Johnny" but there is a way to deal with this.
My question to Mr Gilmore is ....is he going to act on the known abuses, even by members of his own party, that he has full knowledge of...I shall be looking at this closely

Whatever about anyone else, johnny cash knew about is own behaviour as CC and would have known that it was similar to that as tourism minister.
he knew this was coming and was going to try to weather the storm, he had weeks to explain himself and hid behind procedure to avoid it.
now he will speak for the fools and supporters and only those will accept his rubbish unquestioned.

[Prester Jim]

In any other EU state he would have been fired forthwith for bringing his wife on junkets at our expense.
He can shove his deluded self-pity where the sun don't shine.

[Econdo]

Whatever about anyone else, johnny cash knew about is own behaviour as CC and would have known that it was similar to that as tourism minister.
he knew this was coming and was going to try to weather the storm, he had weeks to explain himself and hid behind procedure to avoid it.
now he will speak for the fools and supporters and only those will accept his rubbish unquestioned.

I'm not going to even try and make any excuses for JOD, but it sounds to me like you are already trying to make excuses for others that may well be pulled up....

[red-365]

Damp squib warning!!

O'Donoghue will be measured and moderate in his speech today, and will respect the dignity of the office that he holds. No all-out attack on Gilmore or on media should be expected.

[The Dude]

Gilmore in the firing line? Oh but I thought it was all because of the Shinners?