George Lee resigns from Fine Gael and as a TD

[O'Loingsigh]

George Lee, on News at Six playing a blinder and hammering nails in Kenny's coffin.

He was terrible on the 6.01

He'll gather himself tonight I'd say, and he should be back to himself tomorrow - maybe for a slot on drivetime.

[borntorum]

For Glee's own sake he should get off the media for a while. The more I've seen of him today, the more self-important and vainglorious he gets. At this rate he'll be licking cream off his torso on Prime Time

[imokyrok]

Mass protest don't work in Ireland, unless it is something that directly affects people e.g. taking anyway their medical cards. I think Labour did some protest about NAMA or something like that at one point and about 10 people turned up. It's not just an Irish thing they don't work in Western Europe or even really in the US.

Fine Gael's big mistake in all this is they didn't use George Lee enough. Mainly he should have been in the media a lot more and I'd love to hear Enda explain why he wasn't.

It's great pity on many levels. Obviously FF are delighted and as we can see from this site it has created more disillusionment in Irish politics.

Everything really depends on how Fine Gael react now. Hopefully it will be the kick up the arse the party needs because it has gone down-hill recently even before George Lee resigned.

I've been on some massive protest marches in Ireland. There was one against this government a year or so ago that had a massive attendance - over 100,000 if I recall correctly. I think we are just so beaten down and demoralized at this stage that we've given up. When the people want an election and the government refuses point blank to hold one the people are sidelined and they know it.

[turdsl]

George was a politician in a hurry, rushing to put the country back on its feet, he should have known after 20 years around the Dail there is no such thing.

[cyberianpan]

I had high hopes when Lee declared for FG:

5th May 2009
This is excellent news for FG, George Lee is a solid, sane , sober economics commentator : he saw the problems coming - but as importantly he also saw what was good about the Celtic Tiger

Personally I din't put much stock in Bruton as a economics guy[SIZE=1]*[/SIZE] - if Lee gains big influence in FG: then they are on course to deserving being in government ... up until this they've looked like ending up there due to default

cYp
[SIZE=1]* and I'm well aware of his backround in the area[/SIZE]

I was puzzled afterwards as to why he hadn't had impact... now it turns out he was muzzled

The people saying "only 9 months in the job, what did FG owe him ?" are missing the point

After 6 weeks in a job I was qualified for: I'd be expecting to make impact... by 6 months I'd expect to be totally at home. Lee was exceptionally well qualified for politics in the current climate

• Proven polished media commentator
• Solid economics credentials (Msc from LSE, epxerience with Central Bank etc)
• Track record of working in commercial sector (Riada Stockbrokers)
• Track record of being right with his predictions
• Solid trust with the public
• ... but most of all: a true sense of public duty

Fine Gael owed it to the country to use him better... they should have been falling over themselves trying to figure out how to use him... instead they muzzled him.

George should have hit the ground running, been given major responsibilities commensurate with his experience and proven ability ... instead he was made toe the part line, a sad ethos of mediocrity, parochialism and nepotism. We all know now: there's no room for true professionals in Fine Gael: just hacks.

cYp

[borntorum]

I've been on some massive protest marches in Ireland. There was one against this government a year or so ago that had a massive attendance - over 100,000 if I recall correctly. I think we are just so beaten down and demoralized at this stage that we've given up. When the people want an election and the government refuses point blank to hold one the people are sidelined and they know it.

Populist rubbish. The government are elected to govern for five years. I'd rather they did that then slavishly respond to Liveline and to every opinion poll in the interim

[Keith-M]

He was terrible on the 6.01

He'll gather himself tonight I'd say, and he should be back to himself tomorrow - maybe for a slot on drivetime.

I'm sorry bit that FG avatar is clearly dulling your sense of judgement. Lee nailed FG and especially Kenny. Poor Olivia Mitchell was put in there for damage limitation but the points were demolished by Lee.

[O'Loingsigh]

George was a politician in a hurry, rushing to put the country back on its feet, he should have known after 20 years around the Dail there is no such thing.

I begrudgedly agree.

[O'Loingsigh]

Unfortunately not Keith, watch an interview tomorrow when he's more composed. That, I suspect, will be no prisoners time.

[imokyrok]

Populist rubbish. The government are elected to govern for five years. I'd rather they did that then slavishly respond to Liveline and to every opinion poll in the interim

Three quarters of the country beg to differ.