Tag Archives: Fine Gael

Thanks Blueshirt.

Via Wikipedia:

Dillon temporarily resigned from Fine Gael in 1942 over its stance on Irish neutrality during World War II. While Fine Gael supported the government’s decision to stay out of the war, Dillon urged the government to side with the Allies.

A passionate anti-Nazi, Dillon described the Nazi creed as “the devil himself with twentieth-century efficiency”. His zeal against Hitler drew him the ire of the German minister to Ireland Eduard Hempel, who denounced him as a “Jew” and “German-hater”.

Even Eamonn De Valera, then Taoiseach, was not spared the fierceness of Dillon’s rhetoric; when the Taoiseach ridiculed Dillon’s stark support for the Allies, noting this meant he had to adopt a Pro-British stance, Dillon defiantly retorted

My ancestors fought for Ireland down the centuries on the continent of Europe while yours were banging banjos and bartering budgies in the backstreets of Barcelona.”

Olé.

FIGHT!

From top: Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and former justice minister Charlie Flanagan; Tullow solicitor Mary Morrissey’s appointment in July to the Circuit Court bench as reported by The Carlow Nationalist

Yesterday.

Via The Sunday Times:

Several District Court judges also applied for the vacancy on the Circuit Court bench that was filled by [Mary] Morrissey, a solicitor who once worked in a law firm with Charlie Flanagan, the previous Fine Gael minister for justice. Last week The Sunday Times revealed that Morrissey canvassed for a Fine Gael councillor in the local elections in 2019.

The Sunday Times has learnt that at least three candidates for the post were approved by the JAAB, but McEntee brought only one name to cabinet. She has declined to say whether she discussed the other names with the taoiseach and Ryan or with Leo Varadkar, the tanaiste and leader of Fine Gael. “Discussions between ministers are confidential,” McEntee said.

The taoiseach would not comment on whether he was aware the JAAB had approved more than one candidate. A government spokesman said: “The minister for justice recommended Mary Morrissey and the cabinet agreed. The normal process was followed and she informed the taoiseach.”

Several judges put in bids for Circuit Court post handed to Mary Morrissey (Stephen O’Brien, Sunday Times)

RollingNews

Former Junior Finance Minister Michael D’Arcy who is resigning his Seanad seat to become the Chief Executive of a lobbying group for the funds sector, the Irish Association of Investment Management (IAIM)

This afternoon.

[Sinn Féin President] Ms [Mary Lou] McDonald, referring to Mr D’Arcy leaving the Seanad for a “big job”, asked what it says to families and businesses who are relying on the Government to stand up for them, to go and bat for them.

She said the Tánaiste welcomed the new job of Mr D’Arcy, while other ministers have concerns and wanted to know what action the Taoiseach proposed to take.

Mr Martin replied:

“I believe there should be an effective cooling-off period and I am not happy or in any way comfortable with people taking up a position who have been in office particularly in the area where they had responsibility.”

Taoiseach ‘not comfortable’ with D’Arcy appointment (RTÉ)

Yesterday: Mr D’Arcy Takes A Job

RollingNews

Former Minister of State at the Department of Finance Michael D’Arcy (left) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe,  at the National Economic Dialogue last year

 

This morning.

Former junior finance minister Michael D’Arcy is to resign his seat in the Seanad to become chief executive of the Irish Association of Investment Management (IAIM), the representative body for the funds and investment industry here.

Mr D’Arcy, who worked on policy towards the funds sector in his role as Minister for State with responsibility for financial services and insurance, takes the job as the industry faces major changes in the wake of Brexit…..

Good times.

Former junior finance minister to head funds sector lobby group (Irish Times)

Rollingnews

Update:

From left: Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd; Testing centre at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2 in May

This morning.

People are afraid.

Let’s make them more afraid.

Via Independent.ie

More than 1,300 people have refused a Covid-19 test despite being at risk of the deadly disease after being in close contact with an infected person.

The startling figure showing 1,314 have snubbed the offer of a test was revealed by the HSE to the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.

Dr Lorraine Doherty, HSE national clinical director for health protection, said they are concerned about people not turning up for tests.

She said: “It shows that the public are becoming disengaged with the idea of having a Covid-19 test if they are symptomatic or if they are a contact, because they understand the implications of having a test and that they would need to restrict their movements.”

…Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd said: “The gardaí may need to call to people’s doors if they refuse to come for a Covid-19 test.”

Good times.

Covid tests refused as people fear quarantine restrictions (Independent.ie)

Rollingnews

Fine Gael Leader Leo Varadkar and former Senior Minister Michael Ring

“Any minister whose main focus is their own constituency is actually neglecting most of the country so ministers must have a national remit and that’s the way I would certainly expect all ministers to think.”

A statement from Leo Varadkar earlier this week apparently directed at Mayo Fine Gal TD Michael Ring, who lost his role as a Senior Minister under the new three-party government arrangement..

Meanwhile…

I don’t know what he meant by that comment but… if any other minister did more for Ireland and for rural Ireland….You ask the councillors around the country, you can ask the elected representatives, ask the communities what I’ve done for them…

“I will look after Mayo and I make no apologies for looking after Mayo. The people of Mayo gave me 15,000 votes and elected me on the first count, the only Fine Gael TD in the country that was elected on the first count.

Leo Varadkar got 8,000 votes and it took him five counts to get elected. Between himself and Paschal Donohoe, they got 12,000 votes and I beat the two of them put together. So I make no apology for representing the people.”

Michael Ring in conversation with Midwest Radio news editor Theresa O’Malley

Taking it well.

Ring For Taoiseach? Mayo TD Takes Major Swipe At His Party Leader  (Anthony Hennigan, Western People)

Rollingnews

UPDATE:

Fine Gael has given a resounding backing to the programme for Government will all groups within the party voting in favour of entering a coalition with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.

Overall 80% backed the programme which will pave the way for a government that would be led by the Fianna Fáil leader for the first two-and-a-half years of its term in office.

This afternoon.

Fine Gael HQ, Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Party workers count votes to see if Fine Gael members want to enter government with Fianna Fáil and The Green Party.

Meanwhile…

This afternoon.

The Clayton Hotel, Dublin 2

Fianna Fáil workers count ballots, from their party’s membership on the Programme for Government.

More as we get it.

Earlier: Taking Shape