FG TD rescued by opposition after own party refused to give him Dáil speaking time

[tonic]

I'm also unconcerned about peoples outrage over the treaty. Thats a storm in a teacup if ever I saw one.

Sounds like something your grandfather might have said.

[Craiced]

Opposing views are healthy and necessary and should be encouraged in every party.

But some people seem to think that their every opinion is of such consequence that it needs to be expressed in public/to the media asap, rather than to party colleagues when policy is being formulated. And the media loves to encourages them in this.

There are some politicians who really should not ever join a political party. They should have the courage of their convictions and be prepared to stand alone as the independents they really are. That would give them the freedom to express their opinions when and to whom they choose.

In fairness to Peter Mathews he has been very quiet since getting elected in Feb. I'd say anonymous. He is certainly not one who thinks his every opinion is of such consequence that it needs to be expressed in public/to the media asap. He has sat patiently on the back benches perhaps with the hope that he can influence decision making quietly.

It was a perfectly reasonable request to ask his Fine Gael party for speaking time in the Dail about a matter which formed the basis of his election to Dail Eireann. (Eurocrisis and bank bailout) The denial of speaking time was a snub to Peter and people who voted for him.

[mickmaverick]

Could F.G. and F.F. form a government? they should fit very well together apart from that ould civil war rubbish, two faces of the same coin me thinks.
Matthews could join the opposition.

You may have just foretold the future with this. This is a very frightening prospect that may come true very soon. Labour and FG split for any one a multiple of reasons: cuts, Euro, new treaty, etc. Then as it is decided that this is a National Emergency, FG and FF get together to form a "National Government". Mammy, I want my Mammy!

[myksav]

The FG'ers are quite defensive over this. Methinks embarassment may be scratching them.

You can guarantee that if things were reversed, FG in Opposition would not have done the same.

[Libero]

It seems to be only a matter of time before he jumps. He's no servile backbencher. Thing is, he stood for FG and knew the rules when he won his seat.

In fairness to him, he might have thought FG meant what it said about the banks and their bondholders.

He knows better now.

I'm also unconcerned about peoples outrage over the treaty. Thats a storm in a teacup if ever I saw one.

You need a history book. One about the early years of your own party!

But some people seem to think that their every opinion is of such consequence that it needs to be expressed in public/to the media asap, rather than to party colleagues when policy is being formulated. And the media loves to encourages them in this.
There are some politicians who really should not ever join a political party. They should have the courage of their convictions and be prepared to stand alone as the independents they really are. That would give them the freedom to express their opinions when and to whom they choose.

What if the politician believed his party had a certain view on one of the most important issues facing the country, but it then turned out the party was abandoning that view?
What then?

[johncam13]

He must have been going to say something that his party did not want him to say. Good on the opposition TD's for giving him the time. FG are beginning to look more and more like the last government every day!

[johncam13]

Probably the truth as hard as he is on the ears Mattews is the expert on the banks and talks sense not like the rest of FG

[culmore]

what did he say, anything new

[Gimpanzee]

The government ministers are probably now realising that the majority of the electorate are actually living hand to mouth

Are you in Somalia or Ireland?

[Mackers]

Dirty tricks already?