Next Minister of Defence

[hammer]

Are you saying that neither Fachtna Murphy nor Dermot Earley deserve their positions as GC and CoS?

Murphy was one of the most effective and experienced detectives in the force, first chief of the Criminal Assets Bureau and a deputy commissioner for operations.

Earley was one of the original 12 officers to received Ranger training in the US and was involved in setting up special forces training in the DF and later the Army Ranger Wing, he served in senior roles in the Military College and in the Operations wing of the DF, completed several tours overseas on UN duty, was a key military advisor to the UN Sec Gen and served as Deputy CoS.

Are you saying neither of these men is qualified for the position they hold and that they were only appointed to these roles because they were "friends" of Bertie or Biffo?

In any democracy, the military and police chiefs are appointed by the elected civilian government. That's the way it is in the US, UK and all our European partners. Are you saying we should be different?

These are top people. Top Top People.

They can answer directly to the Government. Not a little Willie or Tony Killeen.

[Grumpy Jack]

These are top people. Top Top People.

They can answer directly to the Government. Not a little Willie or Tony Killeen.

You are just being thick or trolling now.

The "Government" is made up of ministers appointed by the Taoiseach. Senior officials "answer directly to the Government" through their ministers. That's why we have ministers. Those ministers are appointed from among the TDs we elect to Dail Eireann. If you don't like the choice available blame the people - we elected them.

[hammer]

We have too many Ministers. Fachtna & Dermot are great leaders and highly respected.

[Grumpy Jack]

We have too many Ministers. Fachtna & Dermot are great leaders and highly respected.

But they need to be under elected civilian authority, hence a Government made up of ministers. You can argue on the numbers but the Constitution is quite clear on the make-up of the Cabinet:

Article 28.1

The Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than fifteen members who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Churchill put it nicely once: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

Winnie also said of the people: "They have a perfect right to kick me out. That is democracy."

[hopi watcher]

But they need to be under elected civilian authority, hence a Government made up of ministers. You can argue on the numbers but the Constitution is quite clear on the make-up of the Cabinet:



Churchill put it nicely once: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

Winnie also said of the people: "They have a perfect right to kick me out. That is democracy."

I'd be careful about becoming too fond of quoting 'Winnie', proper historians are beginning to see a new reality,

"With his lack of principles and scruples, Churchill was involved in one way or another in nearly every disaster that befell the 20th century. He helped destroy laissez-faire liberalism, he played a role in the Crash of 1929, he helped start WWI, and by bringing in America to help, prolonged the war and created the conditions for the rise of Nazism, prolonged WWII, laid the groundwork for Soviet domination, helped involve America in a cold war with Russia, and pioneered in the development of total war and undermining western civilized standards."
Adam Young

[Grumpy Jack]

I'd be careful about becoming too fond of quoting 'Winnie', proper historians are beginning to see a new reality,

"With his lack of principles and scruples, Churchill was involved in one way or another in nearly every disaster that befell the 20th century. He helped destroy laissez-faire liberalism, he played a role in the Crash of 1929, he helped start WWI, and by bringing in America to help, prolonged the war and created the conditions for the rise of Nazism, prolonged WWII, laid the groundwork for Soviet domination, helped involve America in a cold war with Russia, and pioneered in the development of total war and undermining western civilized standards."
Adam Young

Hopi, Winnie was sociopathic drunk but he did throw out a few gems over the years. And you can't really argue with either of those two quotes. Apart from "the people have spoken, the bastards", there are few other quotes that sum up democracy quite so succintly.

[SFInbhear]

It has been mentioned a few times in the media. The mid west needs a Minister

Thats a very narrow-minded and parochial viewpoint. Its that kind of attitude that we ended up with idiots like O'Dea and Coughlan on the front bench in the first place!

[hammer]

Tony Killeen mentioned again. Have FF no decent TDs ?

[teapot]

I'd be careful about becoming too fond of quoting 'Winnie', proper historians are beginning to see a new reality,

"With his lack of principles and scruples, Churchill was involved in one way or another in nearly every disaster that befell the 20th century. He helped destroy laissez-faire liberalism, he played a role in the Crash of 1929, he helped start WWI, and by bringing in America to help, prolonged the war and created the conditions for the rise of Nazism, prolonged WWII, laid the groundwork for Soviet domination, helped involve America in a cold war with Russia, and pioneered in the development of total war and undermining western civilized standards."
Adam Young

Amen to that - the megalomaniac ba$tard.. (you missed out Omdurman, Gallipolli and a lot of other young men...) My thoughts on him are in the signature.

[hammer]

The man most likely to replace damaged wee willie winky. Another FF legend

Revealed: Killeen in IRA bomb man plea - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie