Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman
A small group of people with a very clear agenda have been making allegations about me on social media over the last few days.
I’m taking this opportunity to set the record straight. pic.twitter.com/AKKLkauYvg
— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) July 6, 2020
This morning.
Minister for Children rejects ‘ridiculous’ online claims over paedophilia (irish Times)
Previously: ‘Report, Report, Report’
Minister for Agriculture Barry Cowen on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics
“I’m in public life, I have to accept responsibility for my actions. It was a serious lack of and lapse of judgement.
Mr Cowen said that, while he wasn’t driving unaccompanied on that occasion, he had done so previously while on the provisional driving licence.
The Laois-Offaly TD said he was “humiliated” and “embarrassed” by the incident but had to “accept the punishment that has been given”.
Mr Cowen said in hindsight he “maybe” should have told Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin at the time, about the disqualification.
Meanwhile…
#BarryCowen inability to drive didn’t affect his ability to claim max expenses for his 3 month driving ban. pic.twitter.com/HKelstYywS
— Estebantz 🥃 (@ActingTheGom) July 5, 2020
Barry Cowen says drink-driving after All-Ireland was ‘terribly stupid mistake’ (Irish Times)
Saturday: What The L Were You hHinking?
From top: Public Expenditure and Reform, Secretary General Robert Watt; Reply to Ken Foxe
Last month, as he has done for years, Journalist Ken Foxe asked through Freedom of Information how much is being paid in lump sums, pensions, or termination pay to former TDs Senators, judges, etc.
He was rebuffed.
Leinster House said under new GDPR rules that the public interest in knowing how/where public money is spent does not outweigh the privacy rights of former public representatives.
Meanwhile.
This morning.
Via The Irish Examiner:
Internal emails released by the department show [Public Expenditure and Reform, Secretary General Robert Watt] expressing surprise at the decision and asking why nobody had asked him about it.
Mr Watt had been sent a media report about the case, and wrote: “Who took this decision? I was never consulted …”
In response, an official said:
“We sent note and detail to you on this at the time.” Mr Watt answered back saying: “I don’t understand why we should not release the information.”
An official responded: “The decision not to release the information was made on the basis that it is personal information but the aggregate data was released i.e. the total amounts paid in pensions to ministers.”
Top civil servant queried change to political pensions info rule (Irish Examiner)
Previously: Making Personal Payments From the Public Purse Private
This afternoon.
Carlosfandango writes:
Beautiful camping in the garden of Ireland [Wickla] this weekend. Glorious.
Stop!
Do not attempt to remove the clamper’s keys/beard.
Clampers Outside writes:
Doing the rounds on WhatsApp and due to how I received it, I cannot confirm who filmed it. I’m told that this is on Parnell Street [Dublin 1]…
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu claims Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman is being bullied
I see trolls are out in force for my colleague @rodericogorman. Posting lies & creatively editing things people have written to present as ‘facts’.
Well our new Minister must be doing something right if these idiots are after him. Don’t let bullying win, report report report!
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) July 3, 2020
Last night.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu responds to online criticism of her Green Party colleague Roderic O’Gorman and his ties to British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Ms Chu urged her followers to report ‘trolls’ who are posting ‘creatively-edited’ lies about Mr O’Gorman, the newly-apppointed Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.
Mr Tatchell had stated in a 1997 letter that friends as young as nine had sexual experiences with adults which gave them “great joy”.
This week, a tweet (top) from 2018 showing Mr O’Gorman with Mr Tatchell, who was guest of the Green Party at the Dublin Pride Parade, resurfaced.
Previously: Consenting
Meanwhile…
As someone who was targetted for my sexuality I'm very familiar with homophobia.
The questions @rodericogorman is failing to answer are not about his sexuality but about his suitability for Childrens minister based on who he has been a cheerleader for. That is not homophobia. pic.twitter.com/CNOs1NOE0A— Keith Mills (@KeithMillsD7) July 4, 2020
From top: Barry Cowen (left) Minister for Agriculture and the Marine receiving his seal of office from President Michael D. Higgins (right) at Dublin Castle; Mr Cowen in 2016, the year his Renault Megane was stopped at a Garda checkpoint on his way back to Offaly from the All-Ireland football final
Last night/this morning.
Via Independent.ie:
The ban arose as Mr Cowen [age 49 at the time] was not driving on a full licence. He was categorised as a ‘specified driver’ as he was driving on a Learner Permit.
[Taoiseach and Fiann Fáil leader] Mr [Micheá] Martin didn’t know about the offence when he selected Mr Cowen as a minister.
Mr Martin said:
“I first became aware of this issue on Friday afternoon. I have spoken to Minister Cowen and I accept that his remorse about this incident is genuine.
“I am disappointed that I learned about it in this way and have made that clear to him.”
Revealed: Cabinet minister’s drink-driving ban (Independent.ie)
Meanwhile…
“The incident occurred on the night of September 18, 2016”
Meanwhile Tuesday, 29th Jan 2013https://t.co/09ro9gDWNo
— PieceOfPi552 (@PieceOfPi552) July 4, 2020
There you go now.
Meanwhile…
Get angry. Its one law for them & another law for others. Cowen is in good company with his Midlands Minister @RobertTroyTD and the curious case of the 3 missing summons and the penalty points quashed. And they have the neck to lecture the rest of us. 🙄https://t.co/UOVd72jXgs
— Politics Watch (@PoliticsWatch14) July 4, 2020
Meanwhile…
Barry Cowen timetable is not remotely credible.
1. Had 2 pints.
2. Went Croke Park for All Island final, 2 hours.
3. Left Croke Park and got food, minimum 1 hour.
4. Drove to Offaly, minimum 90 mins on All Ireland final day.
So, 4.5 hours after 2 pints he was over limit?
— Revolution 🐊 (@Revolution_IRL) July 4, 2020
Meanwhile….
Something very odd in this case . Barry Cowen TD is very 53 . Apparently he had a provisional driving licence at age 49.. It took me a few years to pass my test but 32 years that's a bit of a stretch or did he previously have a full licence and lose it ? Ff are back
— Caoimhin O Hailpin (@Cohailpin) July 4, 2020
In fairness.
David McCullagh and Caitriona Perry who will begin presenting RTE’s Six One News in September 2020.
Like an estate agents.
This afternoon.
Laura Fitzgerald writes:
RTÉ News today announced that David McCullagh will join Caitriona Perry as the new permanent presenter of the RTÉ Six One News.
Journalist and Broadcaster David who currently presents Prime Time on RTÉ One and This Week on RTÉ Radio 1, will join Caitriona Perry to co-present the flagship programme from September 2020.
David McCullagh said:
“After seven very enjoyable years on Prime Time, I’m really looking forward to joining Caitríona on the Six One News and continuing the work of our much loved colleague Keelin Shanley. Over the last few months the need for accurate information has never been greater, and viewers have turned to RTÉ News and Current Affairs in astonishing numbers. We aim to continue meeting that need, bringing viewers all the news of the day, as well as the big interviews that get to the heart of the issues.”
Pics: RTÉ
Free July11-19?
Kerry Pride writes:
Opening on Saturday, July 11 with Limerick Pride’s virtual parade and closing on Sunday, July 19 with Cuppa T with Tina D, a chat show hosted by the drag artist Tina D; Pride Inside is a week long festival full of online classes, workshops, panel discussions, watch parties, quizzes, music, and live streamed performances.
The Pride Inside online fundraiser is available (at link below) and the money raised will be put towards entertainment and the correct equipment to stream what is guaranteed to be a lively and exciting virtual pride experience.
Pride Inside Fundraiser (Gofundme)
