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TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY would not be drawn today on whether Angela Kerins and Frank Flannery should be compelled to attend Public Accounts Committee hearings.
Speaking to reporters in London, he reiterated his opinion that “anybody associated with the section 38 and section 39 to do with charities should be fully attentive in their duties…and go before the committee”.
Asked whether the former Rehab executives should be compelled to attend, he said:
I don’t know the answer to your question in the sense that whether they’re going to attend or whether they’re not going to attend but my view is that anybody associated with the 38 or 39 should of course attend at these things.
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“This is in the interests of the charities, that’s why Minister for Justice has appointed a regulator, that’s why these charities all need to be audited, not that they’re attempting to do things wrong deliberately but that the public and those who contribute to charities can be fully happy that when they make their donations that they’re going for what was intended.”
Both Angela Kerins and Frank Flannery have been invited to appear at the PAC hearing tomorrow morning but it is not yet clear if they will attend.
According to reports this morning, they are not expected to turn up to Leinster House. The group will have representatives at the PAC tomorrow – but at the moment, those on the list include chairman Brian Kerr, finance director Keith Poole and members of the remuneration committee.
Rehab has announced a “root and branch” review of its structures and governance, appointing management consultant Dr Eddie Molloy to look at the level of pay and transparency at the charity.
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@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Booking.com has all available properties in the east of Ukraine and there are even reviews done for the last week. Something just ain’t right here
@Anonymous User: please tell the millions of citizens who are forced to leave Ukraine after their homes have been destroyed where is safe from russian terrorism and where there are no bombing sirens at 3am, they would love to hear from you
@Thomas Reddy: ah this parroted nonsense argument again lol. The West and in particular Kiev is still vulnerable to air strikes. If all of the NGOs, UN and other nations (who have to take these people in ) are prepared to agree that the whole country is not safe then…. That doesn’t bode well for that ridiculous argument that has been farted out by morons for the past 1.5 years . Why would European countries say it since they are struggling to take them and others in as refugees – asylum seekers ? All the major nations say “do not travel” when they comment about Ukraine . They tell their own people to leave the area. Situation “extremely dangerous across all of Ukraine including in Kyiv and Western Regions “ Without qualification (Irish Dept of FA) even the booking websites warn of risks
@Stevie Doran: Stevie, right now there have been 14 thousand views on this article; why do you believe 600 likes in 2 hours is some suspicious anomaly?
@Anonymous User: Sure, Jan.
Let’s spell it out. Russia under Putin has taken young men from jails and orphanages to use as cannon fodder in a needless war. The idea is to crush the people of Ukraine. In every way. This is why they have evacuated their partners and their next generation in the hope that they will have a future to return to when they can rebuild what Russia has damaged.
More power to Ukraine. They didn’t ask for this to hit them and they’re not giving in.
@Stevie Doran: not one for thinking outside… actually not one for thinking at all it seems …Now…this country is having the biggest level of homelessness in the history of the state…I don’t need to tell you how messed up literally everything is at the moment…Ireland has taken Thousands among thousands of Ukrainians to the point that they are sticking them in tents…Just stop taking people in, we can’t cope with Irish people…let alone all the Ukranians but to keep them coming it is maddness and not fair on anyone.
Mute he didnt take the 120k because he already got it s
Favourite he didnt take the 120k because he already got it s
Report
Oct 2nd 2023, 12:55 PM
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: yet people from the west are leaving in their droves to avoid joining the army, and here we are spending our motor tax to give them water treatment plants
@Anonymous User: Men would be forced to actually fight for their country. Easier to take the cowards way out and hide in Europe. Hopefully their country remembers them.
@F Fitzgerald: While I agree with the evacuation of partners and the next generation, how do we account for the younger men who arrived here after driving across Europe as shown on RTE news even before we opened the country to refugees. The Ukrainian President said all men of fighting age were to remain to defend their country. In an interview on RTE this lunchtime with Michael Martin , the figure of approximately 94,000 Ukrainan refugees now in Ireland was mentioned and that this was one of the highest rates per capita in Europe Thats a population in crease of almost 1:50. They accepted these people in an emergency, 20 months later its not an emergency situation any longer its a farce the government continues to preside over reeling from sham to sham failing them and by extension us.
@Thomas Reddy: people like me also have the means ability and willingness toe smite that your fate is with your face down in the mud with a bullet to the back of the head . Behave yourself and know your place
@Sean Wilde: hardly . Russians aren’t going to risk bombing a place full of European leaders . They won’t want a full out war with the West . The favour could easily be retuned . They know that , everyone knows that . Not the same for ordinary people who won’t have the luxury of top security detail and are out in the open
@: Churchill travelled all over the world during WW2 . No attacks . It’s just not the thing to do . There are some rules in war that are respected based on the ease of retaliation attacks against the other side’s political leaders
Corruption in Keeeeeeev. That €210m will never find its way to Ukraine. Remember the big guy, and all the guys under him have got to get their cut, and Mrs. Zelensky has her expensive shopping trips. This war ends tomorrow if Biden calls up Putin and says – 1. we will stop arming and funding Ukraine’s military and 2. we’re willing to engage in meaningful discussions on the new European security framework that you’ve been asking for for the last 15 years. Biden will never do this, of course.
@Brendan O’Brien: Putin can be stopped diplomatically, but that means your favourite mild war would end and youd struggle to signal your virtue a little more. Cry harder.
@Brendan O’Brien: think you have it wrong there. Barrack o’bama got zelensky in through a military coup. Then he bombed the Russian speaking donbass region for 8 years ( that’s like ireland launching rockets at the protestants up North for 8 years and expecting England to do nothing) sorry but wake up to the facts have a read of the Minsk accords. Nato expanding to the east in which they agreed not to with who oh Russia that country. Putin has been very restrained in this war. I think we in the western society are the war mongers not Russia on this occasion. But it is sad to see so many uninformed people on here who actually want more war, not on behalf of Ukraine who have had there army literally destroyed but on behalf of the USA and NATO.
@Derek Ryan: How did Obama get Zelensky into power in a military coup when Obama wasn’t president of the US when Zelensky got into power in 2019 Trump was the US president at the time.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: eh, Putin’s own words and the words of his cronies and media make it clear that the fantasy of a new Russian Empire are not lies
@Christy Dolan: Wikipedia have a website which deals with Russian interventions. Worth checking if you have an hour or two. Georgia only one in an endless list (and that’s only since 1991).
@James Brohan: Russian bot!!
Why should Biden call Putler and say we’ll stop arming Ukraine and enter meaningful discussions?
Putler invaded Ukraine an illegal invasion and against all conventions, it is up to him to pull out, put down arms and make good the damage his so called army rabble caused.
What has Russia given you that you feel the need to spout out Russkie diatribe every day??
@: a little more reliable than you. You really think Wikipedia is going to invent interventions? These are all well documented and familiar interventions. What surprised me wasn’t that, but how many of them I had forgotten. There are just so many of them.
@Alan: how is it more reliable than me when I can login and change it to say what I want?. So it’s as reliable as changes a person makes. Is there a wiki page for American interventions?.
Who’s list is bigger the Americans or Russian?
@honey badger: How many times have you called Putin mad and unpredictable? You also claimed he would take a lot of other European countries if he’s not stopped. But here you are now saying he’s not mad. You missed my point but that’s typical of you.
@: Where did I say he wasn’t mad? Come on ferret, your comprehension is letting you down. The shortarse bully lives in terror of a ficticious NATO threat. He has sent drone swarms and cruise missiles at Kyiv regularly. He won’t today. He’s a chickenshit deep down.
@honey badger: you clearly work for the journal.ie or you are creating a new account every day to talk on here. Do you have the balls to go over to Russia and call Putin a shortarse bully?. Nope your only brave behind your keyboard
@honey badger: It’s ok to be upset lad I fully understand. Your virtue signaling didn’t work and with Ukraine losing its Western support and pretty soon you’ll be useless. You’ll need a new hobby soon
@: Ok dopey. I’ll see if I can squeeze it in between setting up my new accounts here every day. So pleased I cracked the 6 month blue circle thing beside my name. I thought I’d fooled everyone too. Not you though! ;)
@honey badger: You won’t need new profiles when the war is over will you? The war has been going on for 19 months. Would you care to explain how you’ve been posting as “honey badger” on every article the journal has published on Ukraine for 19 months with a 6 month profile?. it’s also quite clear honey badger is only one of the many usernames you post under. If you don’t like stamp collecting pick something else. The only thing I know about you is your virtue signaling war mongar who thrives on the deaths of white Europeans.
@Ah dopey, another vacuous contribution. I trust you’ll take what little comfort you can from this fairy tale you’ve created.
Rather than explain why I should not support Ukraine defending itself against a murderous invasion you’ve decided that:
1. I work for the journal – Lol, you can’t be serious.
2. I have multiple accounts – Many agree with my stance on Ukraine but I imagine it makes you feel better thinking this way.
3. I’ve never ever missed any article on Ukraine – Even the ones with comments closed and yes I have missed lots but thanks for monitoring the journal so closely. A bit odd but you do you.
4.Virtue signaling white European deaths -This is a little more insidious, calling me racist. Groundless desperate and fact free. The best example of the type of hail mary that ferrets deployed when out of ideas.
5. War mongering – Supporting a countrys decision to defend itself against an imperialist invasion. This is called agency. The Ukrainians will decide their own future. I support them and any decision they reach. Its their, and only their, decision.
Roy, you must really miss your old account. Personally it made things easier for me. I recall the reason why I started ignoring everything you posted. You’re an inveterate liar, a rabbithole whataboutist, a fantasist and worst of all, really quite boring.
@honey badger: let’s skip to 4 and 5 shall we. 4. Yes you only care about white Europeans hence why you all your other accounts always seem to avoid articles of wars and invasions in countries such as the middle east and Africa. Yet you’re on when Ukraine is mentioned. 5. “The Ukrainians will decide their own future” no no that won’t. Those who support Ukraine will determine their future. Pull the support Ukraine falls. Zelensky has literally said Victory can only be achieved with the EU support. Several EU countries are already showing they don’t want to support Ukraine. So no Ukraine doesn’t get to choose its own fate. Have you chosen a new hobby when this war is over?
What’s it like spending your day waiting for articles on Ukraine so you can call people childish names?
@: ‘Fraid not, ferret. If only life let us ignore all the things we regret saying and doing! You’ll need to provide the evidence supporting your little porkie pies.
(I gather they provide you with much comfort, but self delusion isn’t a good look and you’re only kidding yourself.)
Points 1,2 & 3 are things YOU’VE asserted, so I’d be eternally grateful if you shared your proof with everyone here, or just admit you’re a desperate porkie pie telling ferret without a shred of integrity.
Once you’ve cleared your own inital claims up, I will of course be more than happy to discuss the rest of your gibberish claims.
@honey badger: No gibberish from my side. Just from your childish insults.
I already shared proof. War ongoing for 19 months your profile you’ve been commenting on all Ukrainian THAT HAVE COMMENTS OPEN as “honey badger”. Your current profile is 6 months old as you stated yourself. Clearly you make new fake profiles to comment on here.
Keep up the insults lad I’m reporting to everyone off them to the journal for breach of comments rule. So let’s discuss hobbies for when the war is over. How about model train sets, i think it’ll go when with your child name calling.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: there you are with your propaganda again, making things up. Yes my friend there is a war there, it’s all over the news. Just out of the echo chamber and you’ll see. The point is that parts of the country are clearly unaffected by war. So much so that political leaders can go there & tourism is advertised in parts of the country also
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Yes, Sean, but why are they fleeing to Ireland when it is apparent that the west of Ukraine is safe for EU leaders to meet willy-nilly?
@Dancey McDonagh: Free everything. Ireland has been turned into a free for all. Irreparable damage is being done deliberately, with the end mission of permanently destabilising European Countries. We wont forget the cheetleaders on here who want this.
@Dancey McDonagh: if you’re too dense to understand why it might be safer for leaders of countries to be in Ukraine then normal civilians then it’s best to stay quite
@Martin Mongan: Okay Martin, come on so; explain it to me. Explain why the leaders of the EU are perfectly safe from attack in Kiev but Ukrainian citizens are not?
Ukrainians are fleeing their own government and the likelihood of being drafted for the meat grinder. The are arriving in the furthest flung Western island of Europe because the social welfare benefits and subsidised housing prospects here are more attractive than anywhere else in Europe.
Maybe it you who is dense; maybe it would be best if you would stay quiet.
@Dancey McDonagh: yeah everyone’s leaving Ukraine because they want 200 quid a week and pay over the top for everything, im sure there falling over themselves to live in tents and army barracks. Absolute twaddle of course. Like I’ve already told you, if your too dense to work out why it’s safer for leaders to be there then stay quite.
@Martin Mongan: considering the 200 quid a week on its own represents more than the average wage in Ukraine, and the fact that the vast majority of those who have arrived here from Ukraine are not living in tents, and the fact that in addition to their welfare payments, they have housing, utilities, food and transport paid for and exemption on car tax or driving requirement for driving licenses then yes, I’d say they are falling over themselves to get here.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Now, have another go if you believe you can explain why it’s safe for EU leaders to meet in Kiev but it’s not safe for Ukrainian welfare tourists to go back?
Or maybe you’re too dense and should instead stay *quiet*.
@Dancey McDonagh: yeah 200 quid is a lot of money IN Ukraine, but not in Ireland. That’s why your dense, because you think people are cueing up to get 200 a week in the most expensive country in Europe my god hahahaha. I can’t believe it actually needs explaining you really are dense…. Why in the name of Christ would putin drop bombs on western leaders? Does he wanna start ww3? Also it’s good to know you’ve done a census and can tell us all that all the refugees are coming from Kiev.
@Dancey McDonagh: and just even the quickest of google searches shows how full of nonsense you are, they have to pay 10e a day and 5e for kids for food in temp accommodation. Sources citizens information.
@Martin Mongan: You conveniently ignore the other “perks” these economically-motivated war flee’ers have given to them on a weekly basis. Here’s a list, Mongo: Weekly maximum welfare, PPS number (madness in itself), Free food, Bills paid for, Free phones, Free postage, No car tax, No car insurance, and most of all – special treatment over native Irish people. This is the one that proves us natives are being treated like second class citizens. I dare you to try play this down. Prove to us how thick you are.
@Martin Mongan: Everything here is paid for; food, accomodation, utilities, internet & phone, transport etc. They are sending their “lot of money IN Ukraine” back to Ukraine. That you cannot undedrstand or recognise how the Irish public are being ripped off here is an indication of how dense you are.
@Dancey McDonagh: Lviv being hit with cruise missiles. And it’s just to the east of the Polish border. People should familiarise themselves with maps before commenting. As for the beach, try a few days at Odessa.
@Alan: No, the fact people know what theyre up to is an embarrassment to them. Cant have people calling this out for what it is, goes against the obvious agenda.
@Martin Mongan: No Mongo head, if you look close enough and use your neanderthal brain a little harder you’ll see what I’m saying is true. Although ye clowns struggle with the truth a lot so I wont hold my breath.
@Alan: The embarrassment to them is that the ubiquitous establishment narrative hasn’t completely brainwashed everybody and some people are capable of independent thinking.
.
@: and yet here you still are, day after day, whinging and moaning that it’s all a conspiracy :L but no you’ll make page after page complaining in the most unironic fashion
@John Brennan: yes. I’ve seen your comment hundreds of times here. Always from people who give the impression that their ideas emerged out of their capacity for independent thought. Of course, when you ask where they get their information it is from the MSM….that is, social media. Amazing that people don’t see how social media drains off whatever chance they have of thinking objectively. algorithms are a huge problem. But not for these geniuses
Check out Lviv and other Ukrainian cities on Booking.com. Based on some of the comments above I thought I’d have a look at how many hotels are open and have vacancies in Eastern Ukraine for next weekend. In Lviv alone, there are 509 hotels available that get a score of 8+, that’s 509 hotels and not rooms! Never mind the many more that get below a score of ‘8’. Furthermore there 503 apartments available to book in Lviv!! I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Now I am not for a second suggesting that thousands of innocent people have not had to flee horrific suffering in the West of the country but it is a simple fact, if there are so many hotels available and open for business in cities like Lviv, then why is Ireland paying for Ukrainians to stay in Irish hotels and accomodation and providing them with so many free benefits? Why, when they have tonnes of immediately available accomodation in Eastern Ukraine as per Booking.com.
My comment is nothing to with where they are from. It is merely asking a rational question that does not clearly add up. If somehow the same situation was in the West of Ireland and the East of Ireland, I’d ask the same question (before someone tries to claim that there is something else behind my question).
@Steve: There are several new website that have opened up recently allowing tourists to book holiday packages in Ukraine. It lets people know what they need to do to holiday in Ukraine.You can book flights to Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. By your train tickets to Ukraine, and book your hotel all in one place.
@Steve: just to correct myself, I meant why is there plenty of accommodation available in the West of the country (I had wrongly written ‘the East’ instead of ‘the West).
Doing a great job Mr Martin, as per usual advertising to the world that Ireland is included in this war supporting the Ukrainians year. We cannot support our own country. Send them all back to Kyiv, if the place is habitable for so-called leaders, only wasting taxpayers money on a fake war.
Time finances were definitely cut and time for these so-called supreme leaders to go home do their jobs in their elected countries and fix our own problems
@Sean Wilde: I did naz see that coming.
Turdo was disgraceful.Apologising for everyone else but taking no responsibility himself
I’m sure himself and Leo are twins
I actually can not believe that any Irish government official has publicly attended a meeting in the capital of a country so dangerous the residents are eligible for asylum all over the world. I cant believe he is there at all but even to tell the world while he is there is surely looking for trouble?
@Dramafree 2023: Michael took a garda security squad with him. He wasnt the first irish politician to go there. Leo was there but it was unannounced. And we can’t forget the Timmy Dooley and Billy Kelleher visit as well.
No surprise to see the pro corrupt Uki bots here on multiple accounts doing their job calling other people insults, regurgitating the same bolus of a meaningless rant. Slovakia has wised up to Ukraine with a new party. Polish President (after Zelensky spoke to a 1/3 UN meeting calling Ukraine a drowning man wanting to drown others. Even the US has told Ukraine that the time has come – no more money. As we can see from Irish public opinion, the tide is turning here too, no matter what our ex school teacher Táni says in Kiev. He couldn’t deliver for Ireland in all his years, and now he wants to deliver for a foreign nation corrupt to the core. Not even AI could make this story up, it’s so artificial without the intelligence.
@Caoimín Ó Muircheartaigh: as you can see from Irish public opinion? the comments on the journal are representative of a fruitcake conspiracy theorist bunch of lunatics that do not represent the people of ireland, although i can see why you think this as it’s such an echo chamber
@eoin fitzpatrick: You packed a nice load of insults in there in such a small space without any hint of evidence for anything. Abuse is not an argument.
@eoin fitzpatrick: so Eoin the fact that so many people are questioning what exactly is going on, and their comments are getting support, everyone is a fruit cake….what a pathetic comment.
I think there are increasingly large proportions of the Irish population asking themselves serious questions at this stage about how much the Irish government are involving our country at the tax payers expense in this conflict, but yet they seem to feel they are not answerable to that very sognificant part of the electorate.
At what point in a democracy did it become normalised to not have to answer to public opinion and concern?
@Steve: Or you don’t speak for the public? You’d leave wounded people untreated for some bully to attack in a hit and run because they don’t seem ‘sognificant’ to you? Good luck with that attitude. I’m off to donate blood. Go off and help someone other than yourself this week.
@F Fitzgerald: Nice virtue signal.
But I think it’s fair enough to say that the public are largely in agreement with Steve’s take on this; certainly the >75% of respondents to the Sunday Business Post poll on Ireland’s immigration/asylum/IP situation earlier this summer suggests that to be the case.
@Steve: this government is licking Europes backside,for their own gain,the game is up,what do the constituents,in Cork think,when their elected TD,hardly ever in the country now
I’m beginning to wonder have we no serious issues here in Ireland that needs urgent attention. You wouldn’t think so at the rate our so called politicians are touring the world.
We have done more than enough for the warmongers. We should be promoting peace and peace talks . Varadkar does not speak for a large majority of Irish people . The US people also do not want to finance this sh*tshiw any more. Poland does not support endless spending on war.
@Brendan O’Brien: no.. it should be directed at everyone . This is the most corrupt of wars . There is more lies and deception , smoke and mirrors.
I support peace … not mor war. War is for idiots and those that support killing and destruction are not deserved of any support
@Brendan O’Brien: Minsk agreement not adhered to
8yrs of shelling civilian areas, 14,000+ dead
Shelling increased 10 times from 19th feb to 24 feb according to OSCE data.
Russia bad Ukraine bad.
13 trillion euro worth of minerals has nothing to do with anything
My no to war is ,have your Civil War and leave the rest of us in peace.
Unfortunately that’s not up to the Ukrainians or Russians
People are getting pretty tired of Ukraine, the war is in the east of the country, even the US don’t want to give military aid there anymore. They will never beat the Russians in the east, they will be still at it in ten years time.
seems that someone has told our “government” that we have to join NATO. too many meetings, press releases etc this year. Why anyone would think the Irish people can be persuaded by the numpties in FFG is beyond me. Neither Leo nor Micheal could persuade me to join TAYTO much less NATO.
Good luck with the high level trip to Kiev. BTW, if Mr. Martin or any other cabinet minister should take a train from Connolly Station to Sligo, they’ll learn that there is no tea trolly service on board.
@F Fitzgerald: It must be. Kiev’s national metro is getting upgraded while Ireland still doesn’t have one. Much of what little rail service we do have is being decommissioned.
It’s a highly secret meeting in a war ravaged country, the Irish embassy and countries around the world have advised their citizen’s not to travel, but the politicians are safe.
They know the US has pulled the plug and they are making their last, WW1 and WW2 type PR stunt, before it ends.
Eoin Fitzpatrick, Honey Badger & Brendan O Brien all support the continuation of the war without question, they support the endless slaughter of both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, used as cannon fodder by both sides. But yet they continue to virtue signal at those who dare to question how long this can continue….I look forward when this war is over and how people like them will use what ever excuse they can to justify their support.
@EMcD: I support Ukraine’s right to defend itself against attack. You would do better to direct your energies towards condemning this brutal and outrageous invasion, rather than talk as if the two sides were somehow equal.
@Brendan O’Brien: Nope. Preaching condemnation on this decrepid platform doesnt go further than the readers mind. Also, what happens over there has absolutely nothing to do with us. We have far bigger problems here in Ireland to deal with.
@EMcD: Even up to 1981 some people still…vehemently even, chose to wear flairs and keep their side-burns. But as 1982 dawned, they quietly embraced the idea of a new decade and new ideas hitherto alien to them. I think soon enough the idea of peace will come to those whose fashion of war will soon be an outdated mode. But do not expect said people to broadcast their change of mind…rather they will simply and silently retire their style, if apologetically.
@Brendan O’Brien: where did I say the two sides were equal….there you go again Brendan, trying to twist comments to suit your narrative. I sad that there’s thousands of soldiers on both sides being used as cannon fodder while you preach to the rest of us from your couch that this should continue…how many more thousands do you want to see killed before a truce is called? We all know Russia won’t surrender so some sort of negotiations need to start before more poor men on both sides are killed. So the sooner the better in my opinion talks commence. The only lot who don’t want this war to end are the arms manufacturers!
We should call Ireland Fiddleland because we are literally being played like one. This is what happens when you have intellectual midget career politicians playing a very dangerous game. This will have very serious repercussions for us down the road, this fool represents a supposedly neutral country but has chosen to ignore our constitution. He should be arrested for treason as he is putting a foreign power ahead of his own nation. Bet you he didn’t mention the destruction of the Nordstream Pipeline and the greatest one off release of methane in human history into the atmosphere or maybe even the possibility of a ceasefire, not a chance for this WEF, UN, EU, NATO puppet. Brings nothing but shame to our nation.
Why don’t you lay some roses where homeless people have died on the streets of this country…Sorry for what you’re going through Ukraine but we’ve done all we can do for you…
@damien leen: Better off handing white roses to the cowards who’ve fled Ukraine rather than fighting for it. Like the cowards of WW2 got. Help us, while we flee and leech off you.
Why is Mr Martin openly supporting Ukraine. This act could indeed put every person in Ireland in danger of being bombed. Why are we still letting in more Ukrainians when there is no war in the western part of that country. There is plenty of accommodation available in western Ukraine. Its safe enough for Mr Martin to go on holidays there so it safe enough for Ukrainians to live there too instead of coming to Ireland for a free never ending holiday
I was about to say he’s committing treason, but then I wonder if it even occurs to Micheál Martin that he’s endandering Ireland with these petty PR stunts? The rodent-like creature that’s behind the controls in his head probably lacks the necessary mental faculties.
@F Fitzgerald: I do see from your other posts that you’re more interested in abusing people personally rather than addressing the core of the story and situation. Now where’s the sense and maturity in that? That’s no way for an adult to behave.
Ireland doesn’t owe Ukraine anything. Ukraine didn’t come to Irelands aid when the 6 county’s were robbed from us. 6 county’s we still never got back yet.
Let’s remember how corrupt Ukraine was before the war before we give a welcome to them to join the EU.
Everyone knows money can buy you anything there and it can buy you freedom , if that’s what you need and have the money.
I’m not saying don’t invite them.
In case you’re Ukrainian and reading the pro Russian nonsense in the comments just know there is no pro Russian party in Ireland and these special bots on here are just a screeching minority. When I say a minority I mean a minority they literally don’t have one candidate representing them in the Dail because most Irish people don’t support Russia. Ireland is actually one of the most pro Ukraine countries and despite what the bots say limited military training does not affect our neutrality and the 210 million financial aid we have given is ok but hardly unaffordable. Also despite the screeching about Poland and Slovakia above, Poland continues to send Ukraine armaments and Slovakia is in coalition discussions so even that is not a foregone conclusion for Směr SD. I have lived 6 years in Poland, 1 year in Ukraine and 2 years in Czech Republic, I speak fluent Polish, conversational Russian and I understand Slovak and some Czech so I’m a bit more informed on all sides of this debate than the usual headless chickens on here.
@Andrew Purfield: Lol, the vast majority of Irish people don’t support Russia OR Ukraine. We don’t have any affiliations to either. The vast majority want our crooked politicians to look after IRISH AFFAIRS, not jet off to Ukraine and squander our tax money on a hopeless situation. This is an absolute fact. You are the minority here.
@Andrew Purfield: A Sunday Business Post poll revealed that >75% of the Irish population (the representative sample polled) believe that Ireland has taken too many Ukrainian refugees. This was several months ago.
Do you believe that this position has substantially changed in the interim?
@Andrew Purfield: On Poland the only armament they are sending is they already agreed to send. Once that is sent they won’t be sending anymore armaments. The polish PM has also told Ukraine if it continues to push Poland on the grain it’ll stop other Ukrainian goods coming into poland. So why try to make out nothing has changed. It’s a massive loss of support for Ukraine. On Slovakia it’s not a forgone conclusion but it’s likely the Fico will be getting back into power and thus pulling his country’s support. He said he’ll join Orban in challenging the EU support of Ukraine. Another massive hit to Ukraine. Let’s not forget the biggest hit to Ukraine and the US stopping financial aid.
@Andrew Purfield: Everything you said is utter rubbish. First of all no Irish people are pro russian simply because they question why our government is failing the Irish people is so fixated on helping Ukraine. All but one government department in this country are utter failures with revenue services the only one that seems to be doing what it’s meant to be doing.
@Andrew Purfield: ,,Ireland is actually one of the most pro Ukraine countries”……When you say this, are you referring to the Irish Government or the Irish people? Because, in this case, there are two totally different things………….
@Andrew Purfield: I seldom look at The Journal so I’m not one of the usual headless chickens.
In 2014 I compared the Donbass to Northern Ireland and wondered if Russia was the ROI would the troubles have lasted so long.
I don’t support Russia but I don’t support Ukraine more.
As usual I’m sure the majority of Ukrainians if asked would stop the war BUT in the fight for democracy they can’t vote.
I mean Zelenski won with the promise of peace and it wasn’t the Russians that told him to F off or we’ll shoot you
@ Your man above: I would hope (John) Lennon would at least say ‘Give peace (talks) a chance’. regardless of what a shadowy commentator suggests about his character. Re: your comment, pretty abysmal thing to say about a legend, but dire comment on Lennon aside, how disposable Lennon’s philosophy when it comes down to the wire. Ahh…peace talks in peace time such an easy thing.
Also glad to see Ireland trying to push forward Ukraine’s EU membership for soon after the war ends. It’s about the one thing I’d give the government credit for. Glad to see it pi$$es the usual spas.
@Andrew Purfield: Fair enough Andrew. But why exactly are you so glad to see our government push for Ukrainian membership of the EU?
Is it just due to the people or personalities holding the opposite opinion? Or do you believe that Ukraine actually has something beneficial to bring to the EU?
@Dancey McDonagh: Ukraine no doubt has a lot to bring, as a large and quite well developed country, but it’s also a matter of showing solidarity to a country that has suffered so much through no fault of its own, having been invaded by a brutal neighbour.
@Brendan O’Brien: So not a great deal then.
Internationally recognised as one of the most corrupt countries in the world before this conflict broke out and surely no longer a well developed country with all the destruction and so forth.
So, what exactly does Ukraine have to offer to the EU?
@Dancey McDonagh: You responded to only half my comment: what about the showing of solidarity to a brutalised neighbour? Clearly that means nothing to you.
As I said, Ukraine is a well developed country; it is also a democracy and produces massive amounts of food. The path to EU membership may be quite slow, but it’s the right path, and Europeans will benefit from the extension of peace and entrenchment of democratic norms through EU expansion, as they always have.
@Brendan O’Brien: Hahahahahahaha! More virtue signalling. Im starting to think you’re a leftie-bot, not an actual person. No way could someone conjure up such reckless comments while being so serious about it.
@Brendan O’Brien: But that’s just it Brendan. Ukraine is not Ireland’s neighbour and, if the shoe were on the other foot (for example, in a hypothetical situation where Ireland was under attack by the UK), Ukraine would not provide anything like the same support for refugees fleeing Ireland.
@Brendan O’Brien: What difference does it make to you if another commenter is anonymous? You know why some are reluctant to express their honestly help opinions under their real identity; we have covered this many times.
You also know how easy it is for one commenter to imitate another commenter’s identity as you have seen others post as Brendan O’Brien. We also know that your Brendan O’Brien identity could be just as fake as anyone else’s.
So, instead of resorting to this tired and lazy deflection tactic again and again, why not just address the substance of the comments rather tan attacking the commenter?
@Dancey McDonagh: I am not talking about anonymity. Why can’t the person use a name of some kind (any kind) rather than none at all? It makes dialogue impossible when multiple people have nameless accounts, and it shouldn’t be allowed.
@Nestor: GDP per Capita PPP in Ukraine is expected to reach 10828.00 USD by the end of 2023 (higher than Russia’s). What a shame they’re having to waste so much on defending themselves.
@Brendan O’Brien: You only want to use comment precedence to try warp peoples view. Plain and simple. There are several reasons why I choose to not display my name, most of them covered by the rather informed Dancey McDonagh. Why don’t you take up a useful hobby in your golden years Brendan? We all know your history. All you’re doing here is sowing division amongst your fellow countrymen. You must have had a dreadful life as a journalist.
@Brendan O’Brien: it is not a well developed country…it actually is and was before the ear the poorest country in Europe & corruption is rife. It’s got grain…it’s chief export, thats a kut the one thing that is well developed there.
Social Media: The means and vehicle by which many who have nothing to say, and are of no relevance to any and all, will propagate the meaning of their existence by way of forcing irrelevant data upon others. The act of publishing becomes dominant over that which is published.
Although I am not a fan of our present government it is never the less important that our democratically elected leaders are seen to stand up against bullying
I wonder were those roses for Stephane Bandera Nazi fallen soldiers, how long before we Mr Martin and the dail give a standing ovation to a Nazi, like Mr Trudeau and Zelenskyy in the Canadian parliament. Shame he wasn’t so vocal about American invasion of Iraq or NATO invasion of Libya, what a puppet, sold our neutrality for what. He should be held for high treason, allowing the British to occupy six of our counties, there air force to fly in our air space and there ships and submarines in our waters.
a Waffen SS division of 80,000 **volunteer** Ukrainian men assisted in the extermination of around 250,000 Jews and thousands of Poles when the Nazis invaded Ukraine. That stain can never be removed from the face of Ukraine, any more than the Germans will ever be free of the fact that recently, they were monsters.
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