Donie Cassidy - “No one makes any money out of politics"

[Andromachus]

Where's Odie?
Falling down on the job....

[MsAnneThrope]

maybe through his lucrative Dublin airport deal where he gets wads of cash for doing "nothing"

There is more to come on the whole Dublin Airport/Thomas Read deal. It's also interesting that within just 2 years of becoming a Fianna Fail senator in 1982 he's had the franchise to sell the CDs, and subsequently DVDs, at Dublin Airport. A cosy little deal that still exists 25 years later...

[Mitsui]

How did he afford that lot then?

Tips.

The whole off FF is funded by tips.

Because they fetch and carry so well.

[Mitsui]

This Gombeen personifies all that is wrong with Irish politics.

And has done for many decades: plus ca change, etc.

I'd say majority if those in politics in Ireland entered at least partly to the money that can be made from it. Not only salary and expenses and pensions and freebies but the connections one makes thru politics and power that one gains and inside info which your family and friends can use to make money.

+1. Except with FF you can remove the words "majority if (of?)".

Cassidy actually seems to think politics should be about making money and an ideology free zone.

As distinct from which other central FFer?

[TommyO'Brien]

From Times Online an article by Stephen Dunne ... "TDs are still living high on the hog".

In the article Senator Donie Cassidy defends the current unvouched expenses system. He insists that politicians are “incredible value for money”. He said Irish politicians’ expenses are “completely in line” with their colleagues’ in Europe and are “just adequate”. Asked about the levelmof expenses paid to senators and TD's he said that "there has been a reduction in what we used to get 10 years ago.”

Asked why members of the Oireachtas should have meals bought for them, Cassidy argued that the private sector offers “these standards”. He added: “No-one makes any money out of politics and if anybody says they do, I would like to meet them".

“Give credit where credit is due. What has been done for Ireland in the past 12 years by public representatives from all political parties has been incredible, the envy of Europe as a matter of fact.”

So there you have it boys and girls. Our politicians dont make any money from politics and are the envy of Europe!!!

You couldn't make this sh1t up. You really couldn't.

I honestly dont know how things have come to this. I'm so frustarted and angered by this idiot and the rest of the incompetent gombeen lying currupt FF ba3tards that are in power that I dont know whether to laugh or cry.

His comments simply show the extent to which he is chronically out of touch with reality.

[MsAnneThrope]

Where's Odie?
Falling down on the job....

He'll be here later defending Cassidy to the hilt, despite only two weeks ago saying:

Politicians are self serving scumbags, who seek power for the sake of power and their lofty ideal have long been pimped out in the sake of a self serving degree of their own importance. Always has been that way and always will be that way.

[The Field Marshal]

My late father used to say there is something wrong with a man who does not drink.

The more I look at Donie Cassidy the more Im convinced of the truth of that statement

[Jock_the_Waster]

Cassidy,

listen up you pathetic WIG WEARING bald headed freak,

I have heard that you will be amongst the first to be brought to trial

the evidence against you is strong

It is most likely that you will receive the ultimate sentence for crimes against the people

[TommyO'Brien]

Cassidy,

listen up you pathetic WIG WEARING bald headed freak,

I have heard that you will be amongst the first to be brought to trial

the evidence against you is strong

It is most likely that you will receive the ultimate sentence for crimes against the people

Oh give it up with your silly posts. It is bad enough listening to a deluded senator and his fantasies about politicians' pay without that sort of childish sh1te being posted in reponse. What age are you? nine?

[Pauli]

There is more to come on the whole Dublin Airport/Thomas Read deal. It's also interesting that within just 2 years of becoming a Fianna Fail senator in 1982 he's had the franchise to sell the CDs, and subsequently DVDs, at Dublin Airport. A cosy little deal that still exists 25 years later...

This is an example, one of many, where crony capitalism has prevailed. Crony capitalism is not uniquely Irish but is so pervasive in this country that anybody with ambitions in business would be better off leaving the country rather than battle against a rigged market. In many areas where the State has a role to play, a level playing field does not exist. FF believe that the role of the State is to reward its cronies and acolytes with the benefit of the State's involvement being slanted in the direction of its cronies.

This a part of the pattern of corruption that makes political reform imperative if Ireland as a country is to survive and thrive. I am not holding my breath.