Dick Spring on RTE radio this morning - 26 Aug 2007

[jerryp]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

[Kieran-walsh]

Agreed, but isn't it easier to be reasoned when your outside, looking in.

[Leopold Bloom]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

Doesn't he sit on the boards of something like 2 zillion companies nowadays? Socialism's loss was Capitalism's gain!

[jerryp]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

Doesn't he sit on the boards of something like 2 zillion companies nowadays? Socialism's loss was Capitalism's gain!

Not exactly a crime now is it ? He might be a property owner on the golden mile in Donegal and would people think less of him ?

[Kieran-walsh]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

Doesn't he sit on the boards of something like 2 zillion companies nowadays? Socialism's loss was Capitalism's gain!

And what have you done in your life to improve the lives of other people? Very Little i guess, judging by your constant sniping and berating of others.

[Leopold Bloom]

And what have you done in your life to improve the lives of other people? Very Little i guess, judging by your constant sniping and berating of others.

A damned sight more than Groucho Spring, I'll hazard: you know absolutely nothing about my personal/private/public life. And, contrary to what you say, the main target of my sniping here is aimed at people who espouse violence for political goals.

Spring was a fairly average politician, good in spots like the curate's egg, but by no means great.

[Kieran-walsh]

Leopold,I don't know you at all, that is true, i was being rude when i wrote that, Apologies!

But I am Curious, whom, in modern(ish) Irish politics are you drawing your comparisons.

I Think that Dick Springs record speaks for itself, and he would be a much more competent Minister than any of the Cabinet. It can be a little pretenious to play the hypothetical game, but do you really believe that he would have let the Health Service be in such shambles, wasted millions of Irish taxpayers money on spectacularly wasteful projects too numerous to list in full.(I will if You ask!)

Spring had a very good record in Government, he had good vision as to understand the mindset of the younger generation of that day.Someone, who has that ability should contest the Leadership of the modern Labour Party.

Younger people do not have faith in any Government to actually deliver. The reasons for this are clear to see, people under the age 35 have experienced a democratic dictatorship and with human instinct, resists change, which leads to the cycle repeating.

We see too many average politicians these days, there through the grace of tarmacadam. I dont believe Dick was one of them, do you?

[dubsthcentralboy]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

I thought it was very odd how he was talking about congestion on the M25 (I'm guessing he meant the M50) and kept referring to the head of the HSE as 'Professor David Drumm' (I'm sure his name is Brendan Drumm). A little bit out-of-touch for my liking.

[Leopold Bloom]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

I thought it was very odd how he was talking about congestion on the M25 (I'm guessing he meant the M50) and kept referring to the head of the HSE as 'Professor David Drumm' (I'm sure his name is Brendan Drumm). A little bit out-of-touch for my liking.

I missed the interview but if that's true then it's hilarious: the M25 is London's ring road and David Drumm is CEO of Anglo-Irish bank. I'm sure all the eminent Freudians on this site will have a field-day working out these two particular slips.

[kerrynorth]

Only when listening to his intelligent, reasoned contribution to the programme would you realise what a loss to national politics he is.

I thought it was very odd how he was talking about congestion on the M25 (I'm guessing he meant the M50) and kept referring to the head of the HSE as 'Professor David Drumm' (I'm sure his name is Brendan Drumm). A little bit out-of-touch for my liking.

I missed the interview but if that's true then it's hilarious: the M25 is London's ring road and David Drumm is CEO of Anglo-Irish bank. I'm sure all the eminent Freudians on this site will have a field-day working out these two particular slips.

I heard the M25 faux pas alright. He had to be corrected rather than realising the error himself.