“Minister, there would be some unease about the fact that Denis O’Brien’s close political links may have been instrumental in his bid to buy Siteserv, the company that won the State contract to install water meters for Irish Water.
“I think the idea that powerful businessmen with close ties to the establishment still end up profiteering from decisions made by governments or semi-State bodies must be a worry for this Government as you promised that things would be different.”
“The very nature by which this gentleman ended up in possession of Siteserv is very questionable. He did a deal with IBRC where €100m of debt that Siteserv owed to IBRC, which was really the taxpayer, was wiped off….”
“…two higher bids for the company that would have earned the State more money were rejected and a former Fine Gael minister [Alan Dukes] was chairman of IBRC at the time the deal was approved”.
Independent TD Mick Wallace in the Dáil under privilege (*blows raspberry*) today.
“I think that is a very worrying set of assertions as opposed to a question…That politicisation of the public procurement system would be quite improper and unlawful … Bluntly, considering the deputy’s position, I am surprised at some of the assertions he has made.”
Minister Brendan Howlin responding.
Wallace says O’Brien’s Siteserv bid ‘questionable’ (RTÉ)
Previously: Denis O’Brien and That Siteserv Deal
Mick Wallace tried to get away with not paying his taxes and, as far as I know, still hasn’t.
He has a point though.
Yawn. Strawman
Thats not a strawman.
This is a strawman!
http://heritageaction.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Strawman.jpg
hay!
They should keep like a cloistered nun on the premises to ask all the questions – if she’s had a blemish-free life of no consequence, it might help the ministers getting distracted and maybe they’ll actually tell the parliament things we’re all entitled to know.
If it had been Hitler’s slight more anti-semitic ghost asking the question it’s irrelevant – minister asked question by elected representative in national parliament – answer it or you’re not doing your job.
show me a blemish free nun please sure they are all as durty as fupp
He came to an arrangement with the Revenue service.
Which is an acceptable and common course of action for them.
This is completely irrelevant to what he is doing here.
Your statement harms you more than it harms him.
I hope people show you better regard if you ever do anything wrong.
He’s taking about doing deals that cost the taxpayer.
He has a point but he is no position to preach. I don’t think anything in my post is unreasonable.
I didn’t spot any preaching at all, it even sounded restrained if anything.
he sold his Italian vineyard to his brother in order to pay his debts. real open and transparent there Mick!!
Was just about to say “in before the whataboutery”, but too late it seems.
g’wan the Mick!
FG have a very noticeable strategy of thinking they do not have to answer questions from opposition TDs, specifically Michael Martin, Clare, Mick, RBB and the shinners, due to either their ‘character flaws’ or past performance. They’re very good at substituting democracy for evasiveness and accountability for mud-slinging.
bertie did the same. and for pedantry’s sake howlin is labour in name at least
Is ‘bertie did the same’ a defence now? Good luck with that.
not a defence. just commentary
Next GE will be the dirtiest in decades. The indie crowd doing themselves well despite their so called “character flaws”
The man is doing a cracking job as an opposition politician.
Yes he is – as are the other independents around him. Pretty much the only positive from last general election. CD in particular is excellent.
he fixshed the eh, road
Didn’t O’Brien ‘happen’ to acquire an engineering company just before the contract was awarded, sad part is Wallace doesn’t really give a flying f in any case does he?
actually I believe he does.
I’d guess he may be disgusted, angry, etc.etc.., but wheres
the rest of the engagement?
Howlin in other words responds with
” ahya can’t be saying that sorta thing now without a confession filmed on a Hollywood grade camera equipment”
Wallace turns to check his seat is still where his arse left it and slumps back down.
Job done.
nothing indicts the irish democratic system more than the fact mick wallace is a prominent ‘dissident’ in it
Michael Lowry’s continued receipt of a salary indicts the quality of our electorate far more, IMO.
+ £420,000 sterling
just so but at least lowry only represents a small subset of pro gombeen eejits whereas wallace is prominent in media, dail debates etc.
“lowry only represents a small subset of pro gombeen eejits” – lol. where were you 15-20 years ago? i guess in school
present tense baby. stay current please. did someone say ‘school’?
What’s Denis saying on the mobile above?
“Hey Nena, I have what you want, these are my terms”
+99
hot air
It just shows how much of a sh*t Irish people, and by Irish people I obviously mean BS readers, give about the situation. Enjoy your auserity measures and rain. Go Mick, Shinners for winners, TD´s, government blah, blah, blah.
Is there a TD who doesn’t owe over a million euro in taxes to us that can say the exact same thing, please? Thanks
Careful now, you’ll be shouted down for that.
Mick can ask question till he’s blue in the face, The whole of Ireland (bar the policitians) could march through Dublin to the Dail protesting everything and the walls of Jericho could come tumbling down but those thick skinned, sleeveen, fat cat, gutter burger, backhander, jobs for the boys, gravy train jumping, expense whoring, theiving liars of policitians of ours will not change one iota. Water of a ducks back is criticism to them.
PS Mick, I don’t give two hoots if you don’t wear a suit but pink is not your colour.
We should get Christy to put that into a song
G’wan d’Murty
+ Da deedle idle doooo
did someone say ‘water’?
Thank heavens for Mick Wallace despite his flaws. And Clare Daly. More independents!
eh, you know that Siteserv isn’t the only company installing water meters?
The deal to buy Siteserv is questionable – but the bidding process for meter installation was open to all construction companies. A pity that Hairy Mickey decided to retire from actual work.
Just like the bidding process for the mobile phone licence so.
Be the hokey,
RTE, Irish Examiner and Irish Times report the Mick Wallace allegations.
Silence from Independent and Herald (at least online).
Could Anne Harris have been onto something in that early edition of the Sindo in July 2014 when she apparently wrote “In practice, he [Denis O’Brien] does [control INM, the company which owns Sindo, Indo, Herald and others]”