Ganley "chickens out" of another Lisbon debate

[mccafferty cat]

There's a story in several papers today which says that Declan Ganley cancelled his appearance at a debate at the Humber Summer School in Ballina, despite giving personal assurances to the organiser that he would attend.

The Irish Times

The accusation was made by John Cooney, organiser of the Humbert Summer School in Ballina, Co Mayo, which opens on Thursday evening.
"Mr Ganley's unexpected late withdrawal came as a shock because he had personally assured me that he would be there to take part in the debate," he said.

"Obviously I have to take his staff's explanation that he has to be in America, but I suspect that they are shielding him from public engagement with such acknowledged EU experts as Senator [Eugene] Regan and [former secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs] Noel Dorr."

The Daily Mail adds that Mr. Cooney said:

I have told his office that I feel badly let down by Mr. Ganley for not keeping his word

This is the third major debate that Ganley has ducked out of, for one reason or another. The others were the well-publicised appearance against Peter Sutherland which he cancelled, and a debate in Galway with Enda Kenny and Eamon O'Cuiv.

Mr. Ganley seemed to have enough time on his hands in recent months to canvass on the streets of Sligo, Dublin etc., travel the country on a bus, speak at Libertas meetings, and ring into radio stations on a regular basis.

Why is it only when debating one-on-one with a formidable speaker that he suddenly has business engagements?

Rather amusingly, a Libertas spokesman told the Irish Times that he had debated with French President Nicolas Sarkozy since the Referendum.

Do Libertas consider a 2-minute presentation at the French embassy to be a cut-and-thrust debate?

[Nagy]

I don't like Ganley but the Irish Times has been so shamelessly a cheerleader for the government on Lisbon that they have lost all respect in my eyes.

[mccafferty cat]

I don't like Ganley but the Irish Times has been so shamelessly a cheerleader for the government on Lisbon that they have lost all respect in my eyes.

The story is repeated almost verbatim in the Daily Mail, who were anti-Lisbon as far as I could see, and the Daily Mirror (who cares what side they were on)

[smitchy2]

I don't think there is any need for him to attend debates about Lisbon since the referendum is over.
The government should be ensuring that the peoples wishes are listened to and attempt to get some better conditions for this country.

[Bobert]

Wow, Mr. Cooney is very much on the fence, don't you agree?

Anyway, yes, Declan is a business man first and foremost. I'm sure if they arranged another date he'd more then gladly attend.

[Supermanpolitician]

Wow, Mr. Cooney is very much on the fence, don't you agree?

Anyway, yes, Declan is a business man first and foremost. I'm sure if they arranged another date he'd more then gladly attend.

Indeed he is an English businessman. He has never faced a democratic election in Ireland.

Not surprised he turns down a debate. People are now begnning to think that they were sold a pup by the no campaign.

"There is no better deal avalable"
"There is no fall in the number of girls having abortions"
"We still have Fianna Fail in charge"


Time for Dec and the boys to get real!

[Bobert]

Wow, Mr. Cooney is very much on the fence, don't you agree?

Anyway, yes, Declan is a business man first and foremost. I'm sure if they arranged another date he'd more then gladly attend.

Indeed he is an English businessman. He has never faced a democratic election in Ireland.

Not surprised he turns down a debate. People are now begnning to think that they were sold a pup by the no campaign.

"There is no better deal avalable"
"There is no fall in the number of girls having abortions"
"We still have Fianna Fail in charge"


Time for Dec and the boys to get real!

Sorry. WHAT?

[Clanrickard]

I don't think there is any need for him to attend debates about Lisbon since the referendum is over.
The government should be ensuring that the peoples wishes are listened to and attempt to get some better conditions for this country.

Quote so the IT shames itself once more. Treaty rejected. End of story.

[Supermanpolitician]

Wow, Mr. Cooney is very much on the fence, don't you agree?

Anyway, yes, Declan is a business man first and foremost. I'm sure if they arranged another date he'd more then gladly attend.

Indeed he is an English businessman. He has never faced a democratic election in Ireland.

Not surprised he turns down a debate. People are now begnning to think that they were sold a pup by the no campaign.

"There is no better deal avalable"
"There is no fall in the number of girls having abortions"
"We still have Fianna Fail in charge"


Time for Dec and the boys to get real!

Sorry. WHAT?

Sorry did you not read the NO to LISBON posters?

We were promised cumly maidens at the crossroads if we rejected it.

[Magror14]

Are people surprized? The one thing you can count on is that Libertas do not engage in open debate. The risk for them is that people would find out what they stand for.