From top: Michael D Higgins, Liadh Ní Riada, Seán Gallagher (centre) with wife Trish (right) and head of RTÉ Radio One, Tom McGuire); Gavin Duffy; Joan Freeman; Peter Casey, with daughter Siofra (left) and wife Helen (right); all the candidates

This afternoon.

RTÉ Radio studios, Montrose, Dublin 4.

Presidential candidates gather for the the second radio presidential debate, the first debate to have all candidates present, greeted by Head of RTÉ Radio One, Tom McGuire.

More as wzzzzzzzzzz

Funding and expenses dominate Presidential campaign debate (RTÉ)

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64 thoughts on “Damp Squib

    1. Patrick O'Sullivan

      I love the way the RTE guy covers himself with the umbrella every time, even changing hands on different sides

  1. Ron

    Michael D earns a salary of €249,014 pa and he goes begging for €50,000 on crowdfund to pay for his campaign. And the mental part of that is that people have contributed 32k to it already! Ha ha ha.. He is laughing all the way to the grubby banks he helped bail out. Is it any wonder they get away with all they get away with when you have stupid like that in this country. Is it any wonder that Leo and his band of merry mediocrity continue to give the Irish electorate the middle finger and they do it in the knowledge that they will still be re-elected. The majority of the Irish electorate are so pathetic and dumb its just laughable now. It’s one of the many reasons the Irish are the laughing stock of the world.

    https://crowdfund.michaeldhiggins.ie/

    1. Dub Spot

      Interesting collection of donors: Labour luvvies, wannabes, and Anons included. It’s like the luvvies are trying to be seen putting more than a fiver into the collection at 11:00 AM Mass on a Sunday…

      Ailbhe Smyth 50.00EUR
      PROINSIAS DE ROSSA 100.00EUR
      Ursula Barry 100.00EUR
      Michael D. is definitely my choice for President – his way with language to convey complex ideas is always something I have admired – and he is nearly always on the same side of the issues that I support.
      Niamh Bhreathnach 50.00EUR
      Michael D the President who knows the job
      Joan and Pat Burton/Carroll 650.00EUR
      best wishes for a successful campaign. Look forward to Micheal D’s second term as inspirational as ever.

      How many of these are real names, who knows…
      (Contd page 94)

  2. Eoin

    €49,000 for a Learjet from Dublin to Belfast for Michael D Higgins? The train would cost around €30 standard return, first class around €60. No wonder he wants to keep his costs secret.

    1. Lilly

      No need to exaggerate the truth, Eoin. This was the total cost of his government jet trips for his entire time in office, not just a single trip to Belfast.

      1. Ron

        We don’t know the full extent of what MDH has cost us. But don’t let that stop you in your rush to canonise him as the greatest thing to ever come out of Ireland. He is laughing all the way to the grubby bank on the Government Learjet and he does it on the taxpayer. Is it any wonder he decided to backtrack on his promise to only be a one term President. He has seen many gravy trains during his state career and probably just couldnt believe how much money there was to be taken with zero oversight and accountability. He squeed with sheer delight when realised he had finally reached the political equivalent of sugar candy mountain . Sure why would anybody want to give up a gig like that.

          1. Ron

            I pay all my taxes in Ireland. Almost 45% of my earnings every month. Not that it’s any of your business where I live.

          2. Ron

            it’s people like you that think your the smartest person in the room that have this country in the mess we are in. It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Run along now old geezer.

          3. Cian

            Be nice to Ron. If he’s paying 45% of his salary in tax then he’s only earning €200K. Leaving him only 109,000 after tax. A mere €9,100 per month.

            No wonder he is jealous of MDH

          4. Ron

            your maths is almost as pathetic as your posts Cian. Run along old man. It’s not challenging enough for me when I have to respond to you. simpleton

          5. Cian

            Sorry Ron – did I burst your bubble.
            my maths are wrong? Oops – you must be earning more than 200K – sorry if I ruffled your petals.

      2. SOQ

        He’s not that busy that he can’t take a friggen train like the rest of us.

        McAleese was up and down the M1 like a fiddlers elbow and this boyo needs a fanfare every time he nearly takes a poo?

    1. shortforBob

      Clearly says “greeted by Head of RTÉ Radio One, Tom McGuire.”

      Did Broadsheet update the copy without include a note to say they’ed updated it again?

  3. Pee Pee

    Of those three dragon lads, I think Gavin Duffy comes across as the only one who seems normal. I’ll vote for Liadh and Miggeldy.

  4. john f

    Fine Gael and Fianna fall wisely (IMO) did not run a candidate in this election because they knew that person would lose. Neither wanted their names attached to losing candidate, more importantly, but the general election coming in the not too distant future they didn’t want to waste the resources needed to fund a proper campaign. That is what Sinn Fein is doing at the moment.
    All those posters and canvassers cannot be cheap.
    Michael D will likely walk this election. I would not be surprised if he ends up getting more than 60% of the vote.

  5. Ron

    So is anyone able to tell me what Michael D’s top 5 achievements whilst being President have been? Tell me his top 5 things outside of signing legislation. He is conditionally obliged to do that. What are the 5 things he has done have had a lasting effect on a large population of citizens in this country? What does he stand for? What actions has he taken that make him so deserving of the adoration that many people give him?

    1. Lilly

      He travelled down to west Kerry to meet Emma Mhic Mhathuna, which gave her solace in her final months. Admittedly he went by helicopter, but he didn’t ignore her distress or hide behind his busy schedule as others might have. Credit where credit is due.

  6. retroboy

    From photo 6, it would be clear that Peter Casey is running to get his daughter an introduction to the media.
    Look at how Helen is “‘miring” Siofra, not her husband.
    Next reality-bullpoo star.

  7. Dub Spot

    Surely, “Is anyone able to tell me what top 5 achievements whilst being President have been?”

    I am not a fan of Michael D or No Smoke Without Salmon Labour, but 1) I do think he has brought some dignity back to the post after the appalling McAleese and her ecumenical grandstanding. 2) Michael D’s engagement with new migrants and citizens, kids (An Gaisce) is a worthy open door, 3) his outspokenness on poverty and homelessness, 4) his staying true to his ideal (yes, I think Castro had good points), 5) and the images published last week of him and Sabina with Emma Mhic Mhathuna and family made a powerful point about him basically giving a fig.

    I could also add 6) he’s a dog lover and 7) he has no time to write poverty as strong advantages.

    1. Ron

      So just as I thought. Nobody is able to identify even 5 achievements of his Presidency. But don’t let that stop everyone in their rush to canonise MDH as the greatest Presidential candidate we could have. Pathetic

      1. Cian

        Can you tell me what you consider an achievement? Like of all the previous ones – what were their achievements

        1. Ron

          My question isn’t difficult to understand. Are you asking me to explain the word achievement to you Cian?

          1. Cian

            Yes. What achievement has any Irish president made?
            Dub Spot mentioned some achievements. And you ignored them. So it must be a really simple question for you – with you massive intellect.

          2. Ron

            well if that’s your idea of an achievement Cian that’s kind of sad. I can’t fix your stupid Cian. Sorry old man.

          3. Cian

            Thanks for ignoring the question Ron.

            Put you money where your mouth is. Name some achievements of previous presidents.

          4. Qwerty123

            I really hope Ron is some type of broadsheet shill, trolling for clicks. Else they are an incredibly sad, angry and pathetic person.

  8. Dub Spot

    Seán Gallagher (centre) with wife Trish (right) and head of RTÉ, Tom McGuire) caption competition: “You need teeth like ours. We have the same guy do 2 for 1”.

  9. Stan

    The idea that MDH is pompous and extravagant doesn’t really fit with the guy I’ve seen show up to games at Dalymount and Richmond with only a driver for company and with no palaver.

    1. Vanessa off the Telly

      Same here Stan
      I remember the night himself and Sabina turned up in Ashbourne (afair it was in Ashbourne RFC) to support the Ireland Women’s Rugby
      Totally out’ve the blue and without hoohaa and ceremony

      I won’t be voting for him
      For a number of reasons already stated around here
      But I have to agree he’s taking too much shy te from a certain quarter
      And for no reason other than lazy cheap electioneering from campaigns that won’t even get their deposits back

      1. Lilly

        What do you think of Liadh Ní Riada, Vanessa, would you give her a vote? I considered Joan Freeman but the bishopy vibe put me off.

        1. Vanessa off the Telly

          She’s a good candidate
          And would be a good President
          I voted for Martin last time out anyway
          So yeah
          She’s getting my No 1

          I won’t be doing any down ticket preference voting

          1. Lilly

            That’s good to know, I’ll take a closer look. I was half-inclined to vote for Michael D because a) it would spare us another pension and b) I like Sabina, but one term is enough for anyone really.

          2. SOQ

            Nothing personal to Liadh but she would be the most divisional president this country has ever seen. War broke out but nobody turned up doesn’t even begin to describe it.

          3. Vanessa off the Telly

            We are a divisional culture anyway Same’oh
            A Civil War does that

            Pro or Anti
            Tá or Níl
            FF or FG
            Roy or Mick

            My friend (and hairdresser) Marco uses the beautiful expression all the colours of the rainbow a lot
            And you can get away with that in Dublin and Cork
            But overall
            the Paddies
            For all our talk and singsongs and liberal government

            Are a basic binary DNA code

          4. SOQ

            This is supposed to be a position which represents all the people of Ireland. Are you seriously suggesting that at this point in time a member of SF can do that? Not that I am advocating any of the other either of course.

          5. Vanessa off the Telly

            Yes I am
            Because a vote will take place on a United Ireland
            An Island is an Island is an Island
            within the next 10years
            And it will be a Shinner President who signs it in
            And most likely a Woman

            If that’s not all to yere taste
            Well unfortunately
            Ye’ll have to grin and bare it

          6. rotide

            You’re delusiional if you think a vote for a united ireland will 1. take place in the next 10 years and 2. pass.

          7. Vanessa off the Telly

            @Cian
            Ask that of someone who has expressed an opinion on the matter Scottish Independence; since I haven’t I don’t know why you would direct that question to me

            @Rotide
            We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, I think I remember you making similar remarks about my state of mind when I called the 66/67 Tá.

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