Tent at the Galway races

[Gladstone]

I've heard a refrence to this many times, often in a tone that sugests something semi-dodgey.

IS has something to do with fundraising I know that, can people expand on this?

[Johnny]

I've heard a refrence to this many times, often in a tone that sugests something semi-dodgey.

IS has something to do with fundraising I know that, can people expand on this?

Supposedly, it's full of builders and other property developer-types keen to get their spoke in with the brave Soldiers of Destiny.

[PinkoLeftie]

The other parties love to say, "Sure we all know what goes on in the tent at the Galway Races" with a wink and a nudge, but never make specific allegations. Can anyone explain to me what is morally wrong with FF's tent at the races?

Personally, I think other parties should stop whinging and set up their own tent.

[DSCH]

Whatever about its function, it has come to symbolise the naked and unashamed venality of FF and how the party exists only to serve the interests of its corporate backers.

I suppose the worst indictment of the whole phenomenon is that it allowed the po-faced Joe Higgins to indulge in a rare moment of levity at FFs expense by dubbing it the "sheiks tent." No doubt this was a brief departure from Joe's life mission which is to share in carrying the burden of the ordinary working people (TM).

[Gladstone]

Whatever about its function, it has come to symbolise the naked and unashamed venality of FF and how the party exists only to serve the interests of its corporate backers.

I suppose the worst indictment of the whole phenomenon is that it allowed the po-faced Joe Higgins to indulge in a rare moment of levity at FFs expense by dubbing it the "sheiks tent." No doubt this was a brief departure from Joe's life mission which is to share in carrying the burden of the ordinary working people (TM).

Thats ordinary decent working people :wink:

(middle class people are not ordinary, decent and don't work you see :wink: )

[doozer]

The other parties love to say, "Sure we all know what goes on in the tent at the Galway Races" with a wink and a nudge, but never make specific allegations. Can anyone explain to me what is morally wrong with FF's tent at the races?

Personally, I think other parties should stop whinging and set up their own tent.

During Rip Off Republic Eddie Hobbs did a piece on the Galway Races tent and put up a list of those attending. (I'm not sure if it was 2004 or 2003's list). Anyway it did include the 5-7 largest property developers in the country and one particular company that was under investigation at the time for dodgy practice I think. There has been specific allegations not least from FF faithful themselves who are not welcome in the tent unless they have someone with big bucks in tow!

[KingKane]

The other parties love to say, "Sure we all know what goes on in the tent at the Galway Races" with a wink and a nudge, but never make specific allegations. Can anyone explain to me what is morally wrong with FF's tent at the races?

Personally, I think other parties should stop whinging and set up their own tent.

You mean like the local FF members in Galway had to do!

[Gladstone]

Doens't the fact that that most people are not allowd in make it look dodgey, even tho there are no campagn finance laws against what they are doing, it's so...corrupt.

With so many links to property developers no wonder Cowen is saying "ahh sure it'll be grand the housing market will have a soft landing it'll be grand"

[PinkoLeftie]

You mean like the local FF members in Galway had to do!

Yes.

[DSCH]

Thats ordinary decent working people :wink:

(middle class people are not ordinary, decent and don't work you see :wink: )

I suppose working class people aren't either if the SP share of the vote is anything to go on.

As for the tent being dodgy, well it’s beyond that. If the opposition play footage of it during their broadcasts they will strike a chord with the electorate.