Tag Archives: Fine Gael

From top: members of The Black and Tans ; Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, right, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, centre, with Minster for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation Heather Humphreys, left, and Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Michael Ring (second from right) at a Fine Gael ‘think-in’ last September; a tweet from the taoiseach this morning.

This evening.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has released the following statement:

“As a Government, we have at all times sought to have a national programme of commemorations that is authentic, sensitive and inclusive.

“We very much support the recommendation that there should be specific State-led initiatives to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP).

“However, given the disappointing response of some to the planned event on 17th January, I do not believe that the event, as planned, can now take place in an atmosphere that meets the goals and guiding principles of the overall commemorative programme.

“Therefore, I am announcing its deferral.”

“I know that, regrettably, this decision will be a cause of hurt and upset to many people. I commit to proceeding with an alternative commemoration in the months ahead.

“As a next step, I will consult further with the expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemoration, with the all-party consultative group on commemoration and with other stakeholders, with a view to organising an event that is inclusive and fully respectful of all the traditions and memories on this island.”

Govt defers RIC commemoration event (RTÉ)

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Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin released the following statement in respect of the controversial ceremony to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police on January 17 in Dublin Castle…

“Over the last twenty years a model of inclusive commemoration has been developed and implemented by successive governments. Central to this has been the role of public consultation and expert advice.

“The government has caused an unnecessary controversy around this RIC/DMP event by abandoning this approach.

“Recommendations on the commemoration of the War of Independence and Civil War were submitted to government by an all-party and expert group two years following a widespread public consultation.

“These recommendations were accepted by government. While these recommendations included the sensible view that the role of the RIC should be remembered in some way, there was no discussion involving the most appropriate method of doing so.

“An all-inclusive event, remembering all who died during the War of Independence is already scheduled and it was understood by all involved that this would be an appropriate moment to demonstrate that we also remember those who did not support the struggle for national independence which was secured by the men and women who are the focus of many other events.

“It is important to explore every element of this period and use this time as an opportunity to properly discuss every aspect of a complex history.

“It is also undeniably true that many decent people joined the police force of the day for legitimate reasons but found themselves on the wrong side of history. Indeed, elements of the RIC worked closely with those fighting for Irish freedom at great personal risk.

“I am acutely conscious also of how this controversy, and some of the language being used in the debate surrounding it, will be received by different traditions in Northern Ireland.

“We need to have a calm and mature discussion. In my view, the event organised by the Justice Minister is not the appropriate vehicle to explore such complex themes.

“It was an error of judgement compounded by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and their reaction to those who have decided not to participate.

“They should withdraw their accusation that, to quote Minister Flanagan, those who choose not to attend this event are abandoning “mutual understanding and reconciliation”.

“The years ahead will have many anniversaries that will pose difficulties and confront us with challenging questions about the country’s journey to independence.

“It is critically important that we come through this process in a spirit of honesty and reconciliation.

“We need to rediscover the generosity that informed the 1916 commemorations and return to the open engagement and consultation of that process.

“This event will go ahead, and those who wish to participate in it should be fully respected in doing so.

“However, I also believe that the special cross-party committee on commemorations should be reconvened to consult on future commemorations and that it be asked to look again at the question of how we appropriately appraise and remember the activities of the RIC and the DMP over the course of the coming years.”

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From top: Dublin City Council Fine Gael councillor Anne Feeney; How Dublin City Councillors voted last night on the motion to boycott the RIC commemoration service;

This morning.

On RTÉ’s Today with Seán O’Rourke, presented by Cormac Ó hEadhra.

Fine Gael councillor on Dublin City Council Anne Feeney spoke to Mr Ó hEadhra about last night’s vote by the council to boycott the national commemoration service for the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The motion to boycott the event was passed by 38 votes to ten.

Ms Feeney was one of the ten councillors to vote against it.

This morning, shetold Mr Ó hEadhra:

“Firstly, what I want to say, I want to acknowledge the great job that state and the country and Government, and all parties involved, did, in relation to the commemoration of the 1916 patriots and events.

“We did that with great respect and with great dignity.

“And I think people generally felt part of that. And many of us remember the relatives who fought and sacrificed in relation to that.

“We’re now heading into much trickier water with the forthcoming commemorations around the War of Independence, the Civil War and various others.

“And I’m not sure we’re ready for this.

“My personal view is that we maybe should reconsider these commemorations in terms of what we’re trying to achieve. And are we just opening up division and derision which I’d hoped we were leaving behind in relation to how Irish we are.”

Asked if she’ll stay away from the commemoration or if she’ll attend, she said:

“Well I wasn’t invited, so that hasn’t arisen at this point. But, you know, I prefer to look forward and I prefer to…”

When she was asked if she thinks it’s a “good thing to commemorate the RIC”, she said:

“It depends on the commemoration really. And it depends on the appetite for it in the country. You know, I think we have to listen to people, we have to listen to the public and certainly there were very decent people in the RIC as well as rogues.

“And, you know, I think, for a family of deceased members of these, some form of commemoration that would be apt for them, at least appropriate. But I think we need to take, you know, take on board the temperature and listen to people.

“A lot of people feel it’s not appropriate at this point.”

It was put to Ms Feeney that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who supports the initiative, suggested that councillors or mayors who do not wish to attend should “at least allow someone in their stead”.

Ms Feeney said:

“Well I think they should allow them go. But I think, you know, it’s up to individuals to make up their own mind in relation to it.

“And what Minister Charlie Flanagan has stated is, is that this commemoration is to commemorate the role of Irish men in the RIC police force in Ireland, not the black and tans, not the rogue ones, not the dysfunctional ones.

“Now that’s the official line on that but we just need, we all need to be sensitive and respectful of each other as we go forward.

“I think as a nation, we should have matured that much.”

Listen back in full here

Earlier: “Obscene”

Pic of votes: Claire Dunne

“Well, if Fine Gael sought to silence her, we well and truly failed – I think is the first thing to say.

“And I think the second thing to say is the decision to deselect her is looking better by the moment.”

Health Minister Simon Harris commenting on deselected Fine Gael Wexford candidate Verona Murphy’s most recent comments.

Earlier:

A roadside Verona Murphy Poster in Wexford during the recent by-election

This morning.

Deselected Fine Gael Wexford candidate Verona Murphy gave an interview to South East Radio’s Morning Mix.

Via Independent.ie:

She said she was silenced by the party and subject to a media ban in the final days of her recent by-election campaign.

Speaking to South East Radio on Thursday, Ms Murphy said she had raised the issue of migrants as a security issue. “I apologise for the words I use. I stand over the fact it is a security issue,” she said.

In her unsuccessful by-election campaign, Ms Murphy said asylum seekers coming to Ireland have to be “deprogrammed” as they “carry angst” and may have been “infiltrated” by Isil. She also claimed that children as young as three were being “manipulated” by Isil.

Ms Murphy said that in her role as president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) she was at the “coalface” of the issue of migrants trying to get into the country.

She said she had attended security briefings from MI5 and Interpol on the issue of migration. “I doubt anybody in Dáil has as much experience of the migrant issue as I have,” she said.

Now watch me migrate to the far right

Listen back here

‘Do we have to wait to have a London Bridge incident on Wexford bridge?’ – Verona Murphy insists she’s not a racist (Independent.ie)

Verona Murphy to decide on future as general election independent candidate (RTÉ)

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fine Gael Wexford by-election candidate Verona Murphy

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ:

Verona Murphy has confirmed to RTÉ News that she is to be deselected as a general election candidate by Fine Gael.

Ms Murphy said she is going to take a break from politics over Christmas, and will assess her options in the New Year.

During the by-election campaign Ms Murphy apologised after claiming that some asylum seekers coming to Ireland have to be “deprogrammed” as they “carry angst” and may have been “infiltrated by ISIS”.

Murphy confirms she will be deselected as a Fine Gael candidate (RTÉ)

Previously: Verona Murphy on Broadsheet

This morning.

Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy announced his resignation.

The party has just released the following press statement on behalf of Mr Murphy:

“Last night, on Tuesday the 3rd of December, I met with Acting Ceann Comhairle and gave him a letter informing him of my decision to resign my seat in Dáil Éireann.

“The contents of the letter are included below.

“I also met the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night and spoke to him about my decision. I will commence a new position in the European Commission today.

“I will of course co-operate with any relevant statutory procedure that may be initiated.

“In addition, I would like to acknowledge and give thanks for the support I have received from so many people: the Taoiseach and the Fine Gael party, at local and national level; my family; and most importantly I would like to thank the people of Cork North Central.”

Letter:

“Dear Acting Ceann Comhairle,

I would like to inform you that I am resigning my seat in Dáil Éireann with immediate effect. I would ask you to please inform the House at an appropriate time. I would also like you to please convey my gratitude and best wishes to all members and staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

It has been an honour to represent the people of Cork and work with so many fine people for the past nine years. I would also like to thank you for your professionalism and courtesy.

Dara Murphy”

Meanwhile…

Wrong Murphy but still.

Dara Murphy resigns as Fine Gael TD (RTÉ)

Yesterday: Cheating Us All

UPDATE:

Leo Varadkar (left) launching his ‘Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All’ campaign, when he was Minister for Social Protection in May 2017; Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy (right).

Communications Minister Richard Burton said Mr Murphy now needs to show his expense claims were justifiable.

Mr Bruton said: “Now he needs to account for what claims he made and whether those claims were justifiable.

“I mean, a lot of questions have surfaced in the media and they do have to be answered, I think it’s important that the committee on members’ interests investigate this and thrash it out,” Mr Bruton said.

Fine Gael Minister Says Murphy Should Pay Back Expenses (Irish Examiner)

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton in the lobby of his department in Dublin this morning

ThIs morning/afternoon.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton has said he is “absolutely confident” that the no-confidence motion in the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy will be defeated in the Dáil tomorrow night.

However, he added that if Opposition parties want to have a Christmas election then they should “bring it on“.

FIGHT!

Earlier: That Seemed To Go Well Part 2

That Seemed To Go Well

Previously: Too Posh To Be Pushed

Rollingnews

Saturday.

The National Show Centre, Dublin

Scenes from the Fingal by-election count. From top: Fianna Fáil candidate Lorraine Clifford Lee: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre) and Fine Gael candidate Dr James Reilly (left); Taoiseach Varadkar (second right) and Dr Reilly (far right) ; winning Green Party Candidate Joe O’Brien; Dr James Reilly.

Earlier: That Seemed To Go Well Part 1

Sam Boal/Rollingnews

Saturday.

St Joseph’s Club Community Centre, Bishopswater, Wexford.

Scenes from the Wexford by-election count. From top: Fine Gael Director of Election Charlie Flanagan; Fine Gael candidate Verona Murphy; Mr Flanagan and Ms Murphy observe the tally; Fianna Fáil candidate Malcolm Byrne celebrates his win; Mr Flanagan and former Fine Gael government minister Avril Doyle following the result.

Eamonn Farrell/Rollingnews

Saturday: ‘All To Play For’