Now there is a complete change of direction for you…a FF politician advocating that someone should put the good of the country first above their own…like they did when they were in power….selflessly thinking of the country and not how they could assist all their buddy’s in lining their pockets

If a FF elected rep. was to go and put the good of the country above their own parties needs or the needs of their own pockets or donors he would be a pariah in the party.

You go along to get along in FF and you condemn the previous man for being caught acting corruptly and you willfully turn a blind eye to all the corruption that is such a part of the party and that always will be because you are waiting your turn.

may be he tought it might be a bit liet the GALWAY TENT. WHAT A CHANGE country b4 themselves a we bit late i think.

No fan of Gilmore but he was right. Men only. How very Islamic.

100% correct????

It seems its only segregation when it comes to male only networking groups, Women only networking groups are promoted thoughout this island with impunity…

Our foreign Minister snubbed an organisation in an attempt to score points with the champaign socialist liberal middle class who are so thwarted by political correctiveness what is right or wrong is no longer the issue…ignorant double standards apply liberally.

“Throw them some fishes and watch clap their hands like seals” Mayor Quimby, The Simpsons

Islamic?? The chatholic church is one big men only club!

Larry is absolutely correct as much as we don’t want to admit it.

Would somebody tell Larry David’s mummy that he is here and she can come and collect him.he is having a baby rant.

But he has no problem with social segregation, does he? Hammering the disadvantaged in our society while protecting those easily capable of contributing more. And from a so-called socialist. Just more posturing as far as I’m concerned.

agree Larry,
I am a woman myself, – but this is just more, ‘politically correct’ posturing from Gilmore.
Bet the feminist harpies, will be screeching with outrage though…

Not alone the Islamic tradition. You only need to go as far as your nearest primary school unfortunately. I say Fair play to him. You don’t often see anyone in the government showing backbone these days. Not that ill be subscribing to his fan club any time soon, but still, I admire his conviction on this issue.

@ Matthew Donoghue What about Nuns and Convents? Oh dear, you didn’t think it through…

I can’t stand Eamon Gilmore, but for the first time, he’s done something I can actually respect.

He is 1000% WRONG!!. His job is to represent the country NOT his personal views. I find it strange agreeing with Kenny, but he is right this time ““It is Ireland’s interests that must come first – not the interests of Minister Gilmore or the Labour Party,” – but since when did Gilmore put the countries interest first? He’s a thundering disgrace and embarrassment to this country, and the sooner he’s banished from government the better.

Zoe And Larry – There is an entire body of economics literature on the importance of women’s groups in enhancing female independence, empowerment and subsequently improving child and household welfare in developing countries. This is as females are typically discriminated against in securing finance and assistance through normal financial channels. Hence these women’s groups and in western society women’s networking groups are there to enhance a need that is not fulfilled through normal market interaction given traditional gender roles and the patriarchal society we live in.

This research and the benefits of it have been widely published in top academic journals. It is completely different to a males only group that excludes women only because they are women and for no other reason.

You are just showing your ignorance by proclaiming ‘feminist harpies’ will be against them.

Additionally Zoe while you may be female I’ve often seen you proclaiming your anti-choice for women stance on abortion on the journal so I’d be inclined to think you’re anti- women yourself and hence agree so readily with Larry even though you are uneducated on the topic.

Use whatever Label you want, ‘anti women’ ‘uneducated’ etc.
I couldn’t care less.
My grandmother has an Irish American friend, whose parents left Ireland about a century ago.
They left with only the price of their boat fare, – & never saw Ireland again.
Groups like the Hibernians, helped them survive, and make a home in the States.
In Ireland we have forgotten our past, – the only thing that now matters, with the Labour Party, is the creation of their ‘Champagne Socialist’ Utopia.

Actually you said you agree with Larry who gave out about ‘women’s only groups acting with impunity’ and you then went on to rant about ‘ feminists harpies’ (without any understanding about these groups and why they exist). I take issue with you saying solely because you are a woman that you can say he is right when he isn’t.

If you support this group who are apparently anti- gay and anti- women because someone you don’t even know got assistance from a group like then that’s your choice but that reasoning has nothing to do with you being a woman.

If it had been a Woman institute dinner would he have boycotted it.

What about every sports organisation in this country that separates the sexes from an early age. People need to cop on. Men only clubs are not about segregation. They are just about doing stuff together that they wouldn’t do in front of women. You never hear of men complaining about women only societies. As usual, Gilmore has got it wrong and it’s only the fanatical liberal lunatics that think he got it right. They are just as bad as the Nazis.

All members are men. Is that just how it is or because women are not allowed join? Big difference between the 2 in my opinion.

Ah yes. ‘They are just as bad as the Nazis’. What a theoretically sound, and not even marginally ridiculous statement. Ahem.

If ‘Labour’s Way’ Gilmore showed a little backbone when it mattered rather than cheap stunts like this, his party would be better than 9% in the opinion polls. Empty gesture by an empty politician.

If theyre born and raised in the US theyre American NOT Irish at all.

FF do well out of party dinners in America that are organized by the A.O.H..

Like most FF statements there is always a money trail behind it.

most irish women not stupid, – they can see through Gilmore’s smug self righteous posturing & recognise it for what it is.
The order of the Hibernians, have done more for Irish people in their times of need,- than he has ever done – or will ever do.

Guess what Zoe, the people being ‘helped’by this organisation these days are American and not Irish at all!

@ Alan O’connor:

you obviously haven’t heard of our two blueshirt TDs ??

Timmy Dooley is the dumbest man that has been ever elected in this state, from any party. You’ll find his own party colleagues coined the name “Dimmy Tooley”.

@ 549646984:
maybe – you haven’t heard of our two blueshirt geniuses, Carey & Breen ??
i imagine very few outside of The Banner have.
on second thoughts – maybe you have ?
maybe your’e one of the geniuses who voted them in ?

aithníonn ciaróg, ciaróg eile.

The head of the ICA is male

How would he get in? Cross dress?

That’s a stupid argument. I suppose Gay Pride marches are discriminatory against straight people too? Women may not be a minority in terms of numbers, but in terms of power and place in society they are.

Once the real status quo is equal then it will be fair to comment in all female assemblies

Straight people are very welcome at gay pride

Only fools or criminals at this stage.

true Peter.
They provided help & assistance many Irish people, – especially those who in previous generations left Ireland with NOTHING.
We have short memories in Ireland, – & just more posturing from Gilmore.

Maybe so, but we shouldn’t let that blind us on the fact that they currently ‘represent’ the Irish abroad and openly practice discrimination. Just because it was okay in the past, doesn’t mean we should support their continuation of it.

If the rules and membership of that society are a matter for that society only, then who the Tánaiste sits down to dinner with, it a matter for him only too. You can’t be consistent by saying on the one hand that the society are entitled to their own opinion, but on the other hand, that Tánaiste isn’t.

As for your point regarding him not taking a principled stance “the night he and his coalition colleagues consigned many future generations of Irish people to a commitment to pay the failed gambling debts of private bankers”, Labour were on the opposition benches the night of the banking guarantee AND they voted against it; the only party to do so.

‘The rules and membership of that society are a matter for that society only, it’s nobody else’s business’

What a stupid comment. So if the organisation supported stoning woman for sex before marriage, anti black or jew sentiment, corruption etc ….should these issues be ignored as they’ve done some things which benefit Irish abroad?????? Simple fact is, the Hibernian society do some good and important work for Irish in USA and should be applauded. BUT Mr Gilmore is correct to decline an offer to an event which he morally, politically and personally objects with and which the Irish government is fully against in its own policy (May have been more appropriate to decline offer of dinner but request alternative event be arranged by Mr Gilmore’s office)

Mr. Gilmore should have gone as a representative of the people of Ireland. Sometimes you must overcome your personal views to represent the country’s best interests. President Higgins made this very point during his election campaign. That he may have to undertake duties that are personally unpalatable to him, but are necessary for the country’s best interest.

This is an organisation, despite their gender make-up, that has assisted many thousands of Irish immigrants and their families for generations. Let their internal rules/structures remain as such, provided that they are not committing any breaches of national or international law, which they are not.

Did he refuse to meet the Chinese VP last year because of his previous stance on human rights. No, because it was in the country’s best interests. Did he refuse to meet with the US Sec. of State last week because if his previous anti-war stance. No.

Was the Taoiseach wrong to send a personal video message to the same organisation last year? Did Mr. Gilmore object to that?

It’s an over reaction on his part in order to pander to a section of his party.

@Peter O’Neill…. but the Hibernian Society, to my knowledge, does not support the stoning of woman for sex before marriage, nor have the expressed anti black or jew sentiment, or corruption. Have they Peter?

Who’s making stupid comments now. See my reply below also.

Reply above actually….

@John Clarke Yes and Mr Gilmore went to an event organised by Hib Society in a different area just not the men only event.

It was the Savannah equivalent of the Healy-Raes and Muppet Ming that Eamon Gilmore was refusing to sit down to dinner with.

When did he sit down with the Saudi royal family? Or are you just making this up as well?

Never said he sat down with them but if the situation arose that if he was on an all expenses paid trip to Saudi Arabia and representing the Government would he refuse to go on a state dinner with them because the taxi that would take him to the palace can only be driven by a male

And by the way what else did I make up…the use of the word aswell

Nope, the anti-FF society !

Where has he said men and women shouldn’t marry each other? Supporting same sex marriage does not mean he opposes mixed sex marriage.

@ John Carberry:

ah but – supporting ‘mixed’ dinners does mean apparently that he opposes ‘men only’ dinners.

& he has no problem either with handing over little babies to ‘men only’ …. ahem … families !!

….and the award for ‘Comment most lacking in logic and point, whilst managing only to make the commenter look stupid’ goes to…

@ dee

spot on Dee
& the award goes to ……… Gilmore
all for –
‘men only’ marriage
handing little babies over to ‘men only’ …… ahem ……. ‘families’
BUT – against ‘men only’ dinners.
true for you, Dee – not very logical, at all, at all.

you wouldn’t know, Dee, how the ol geezer feels about ‘women only’ dinners ??

I think probably not, William. Neither in the modern definition of the word “gay”, nor it’s original meaning of “blithe happyness”. They’re bloody dismal!!

Tell ye Bertie Boy wouldn’t of refused, in there like a light.

Bertie can sniff out a free dinner, flights, hotel and a possible appearence cheque from 3,500 miles.

We don’t which is why so few of them exist these days. This crowd of eejits expecting our Tanaiste to support their event celebrating Irish men and women while banning the latter are as bad as the KKK. If the KKK organised the event and invited our Tanaiste to a dinner which banned Irish American Blacks and Jews would Fianna Fail be fine with that? Probably. Sure what’s a few brown envelopes between misogynist or racists.