Dermot Ahern throws a strop - pulls out of GRA Conference address.

[Newsy]

Ahern is 100% right.

Its of critical importance that the Garda is apolitical.

The GRA needs to disbanded if this is what they think their role is.

The Defence Forces are not the same as nurses and teachers.

If we lived in 'ordinary' times, I would agree with you 100%.

However, we DON'T.

This gov turned a blind eye to what was going on in the building trade, banking institutions, regulation........they took their eye off the ball........

Now because of the collapse in our economy and the massive debts that are layed on this country.......and no one in this gov taking ANY RESPONSIBILITY for what happened.....it truly beggars belief.

[goosebump]

He should have attended and spoken his mind.

He shouldn't have.

The Minister for Justice should not be engaging in political debate with Garda representatives.

He says. They do.

That's it.

[turdsl]

Is this the same minister of justice was seen jeering and acting like a boot boy on the front bench during the the debate of complete confidence on W O Dea a man who had used an untrue smear to damage a Sinn Fein candidate in a local election, his behaviour not only brought his office into disgrace but our whole political system after his behaviour that day and his subsequent vote of confidence leaves him in the position that he is entitled to lecture nobody about democracy.

[KATHY]

Like all bullies its seems he can dish it but he just cant take it. I guess his forte just lies with heckling the opposition in the Dail. He actually said '“No democrat could tolerate such political interventions by any member of a police force.” now coming from him is that not more than a bit rich? Remember its not that long ago when he was prepared to put whatever resources it took in place, regardless of monetary/time costs, in order to 'clear his name ' on the issue of Trevour Sargent While I have absolutely no time for Coughlan at least she had the guts to stand up in front of the teachers union and explain her position face to face. This wimp has run away, not once, but twice now from the GRA. How the hell can he hope to command any kind of respect as the Minister for Justice. Coward.

[Newsy]

Is this the same minister of justice was seen jeering and acting like a boot boy on the front bench during the the debate of complete confidence on W O Dea a man who had used an untrue smear to damage a Sinn Fein candidate in a local election, his behaviour not only brought his office into disgrace but our whole political system after his behaviour that day and his subsequent vote of confidence leaves him in the position that he is entitled to lecture nobody about democracy.

+100

His behaviour that day was a total disgrace.

[goosebump]

If we lived in 'ordinary' times, I would agree with you 100%.

However, we DON'T.

This gov turned a blind eye to what was going on in the building trade, banking institutions, regulation........they took their eye off the ball........

Now because of the collapse in our economy and the massive debts that are layed on this country.......and no one in this gov taking ANY RESPONSIBILITY for what happened.....it truly beggars belief.

You know, will you just ever cop on?

Your thesis seems to be that the State's security forces can absolve themselves from their duty because they don't agree with Government policy.

Your knowledge of politics would embarrass a X Factor contestant.

[devnull]

Definitely agree with the second sentence- but Ahern flouncing out of the conference just looks a tantrum. "Taking his ball and going home" as one delegate put it.

He should have attended and spoken his mind.

Nah.
It's a waste of time for ministers to go to PS union conferences - it's merely an opportunity for people to have a good protest.
They can't decline for fear of being criticised, but it was very thoughtful of the GRA to give him a good excuse.

[FakeViking]

o

His behaviour that day was a total disgrace.

He only has one mode of behaviour. And it's not so long since he was writing letters to the then MoJ asking for leniency to be shown to a constituent, who happened to have been convicted of membership of the CIRA. And now he won't attend a GRA conference, the guys tasked with dealing with them. Great consistency there, Dermo?

[Nipper]

The GRA isn't a statutory body.

Its the Guards 'Union'.

so how would you disband them?

[goosebump]

Like all bullies its seems he can dish it but he just cant take it. I guess his forte just lies with heckling the opposition in the Dail. Believe it or not he actually said '“No democrat could tolerate such political interventions by any member of a police force.” now coming from him is that not more than a bit rich? Remember its not that long ago when he was prepared to put whatever resources it took in place, regardless of the monetary/time costs, in order to 'clear his name ' on the issue of Trevour Sargent While I have absolutely no time for Coughlan at least she had the guts to stand up in front of the teachers union and explain her position face to face. This wimp has run away, not once, but twice now from the GRA. How the hell can he hope to command any kind of respect as the Minister for Justice. Coward.

Really encouraging to see that FG supporters have a good understanding of the role of the Gardai and their relationship with Government.

I suppose we'll have Eamon Gilmore issuing a statement in the next half hour promising to give the Gardai a pay increase.