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Malnourished Indian children (no names available) eat a meal at the Apanalaya center, an organization working for the betterment of slum children, in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Rafiq Maqbool/AP/Press Association Images

Hunger remains 'major' global threat to world’s poorest and most vulnerable

The newest Global Hunger Index shows the unsustainable use of land, water, and energy are the biggest factors affecting the food security of the most vulnerable people around the world.

HUNGER ON A global scale remains a major threat to the world’s poorest people, with twenty countries having levels of hunger that are now classed as “alarming” or “extremely alarming,” according to this year’s Global Hunger Index.

The Annual Index report found that the unsustainable use of land, water, and energy are the biggest factors affecting the food security of the most vulnerable people around the world.

Two of the three countries with extremely alarming levels – Burundi and Eritrea – are in sub-Saharan Africa; the third country is Haiti. South Asia is the other region that continues to suffer from the highest levels of hunger.

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) report presents a multidimensional measure of global, regional, and national hunger using data data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), various national demographic and health surveys, and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

A woman sits next to a pot full of dried mud cookies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011. The mud cookies are made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening and are one of very few options the poorest people have to stave off hunger. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

The seventh annual report shows that, despite the proportion of hungry people around the world declining since 1990, global hunger remains at a level characterised as ‘serious’.

The Index is published for the seventh year by Concern Worldwide, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and German non-profit development organisation Welthungerhilfe

Speaking at the launch of the report, entitled The Challenge of Hunger – Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under Land, Water, and Energy Stresses, Shane McEntee TD, said: “Last year, in addition to the ongoing programmes funded by Irish Aid, my Department provided almost €8.5 million to the World Food Programme for emergency actions and for protracted relief and recovery. We recognise the need to deal with emergencies as they occur and the special funding we provided to Haiti at the beginning of last year shows our commitment to this cause”.

The Minister also referred to the guidelines agreed by the FAO’s Committee on Food Security last May, which were aimed at helping governments to safeguard the rights of people to own or access land, saying it served as “a mechanism for consensus-building at international level and policy promotion at national level.”

Read: Ireland to provide €3 million in vital aid to Somalia>
Read: Generation of North Koreans ‘stunted and malnourished’>

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6 Comments
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    Mute Katherine Nolan
    Favourite Katherine Nolan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:54 PM

    Then they’ll meet him for a pint, slap him on the back and say “Sorry bud, but you know we had to do it. Optics and all that”.

    They are far beyond the point where gestures like this can have any meaning.

    151
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    Mute Benjamin Guy Saunders
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 8:42 AM

    Very true Katherine. In my mind FF have no longer any logical mandate as a party.

    5
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    Mute david whelan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:55 PM

    FF should disband now – corruption goes to its very core.

    129
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    Mute Jason Comerford
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 11:10 AM

    The people could have disbanded FF in one general and one local election if they wanted, starting last Feb, but look what happened. Alas, some sheeple never learn.

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    Mute Susie Chester
    Favourite Susie Chester
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:52 PM

    Great . What about Pee Flynn, Albert Reynolds , biffo, and the rest ? Of and you too Mícheál. FF disbanded.

    125
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    Mute Susie Chester
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:29 PM

    Adrian not as dumb as ff’ers

    7
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    Mute foggy_lad
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 5:11 AM

    Don’t forget the other waster who wanted to be president, disband the toxic party and burn them bastard bond holders so they never gamble away other people’s money again!

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    Mute Joe Mc Dermott
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 10:19 AM

    dont stop there,, he should be done for treason

    2
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    Mute Susie Chester
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 11:01 AM

    Yes . Treason is the only answer.

    2
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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:03 PM

    Load of rubbish. Too late. Every senior member of FF and that includes you Martin knew what was going on for years. You are fooling no one with this proposal of kicking him out. FF were and still are now a disgrace.

    94
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    Mute david whelan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:16 PM

    You are so right!

    43
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    Mute Gerry campbell
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:18 PM

    Interesting generalisation from someone without facts to back it up,an endearing Irish trait , ur aptly named.

    14
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    Mute Alan Hayes
    Favourite Alan Hayes
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:59 PM

    Bertie won’t give a fiddlers. He has his pension and his appearance fees. He’s laughing all the way to the bank… oh wait a minute?

    90
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:56 PM

    Probably not an Irish bank, though.

    20
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    Mute Debbie Ennis
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 7:57 AM

    Appearance fees I imagine is gone as who or what want to be associated with the lying two faced prick !!!!!

    5
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    Mute Debbie Ennis
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:57 PM

    If they don’t throw him out now they condone all the lies and corruption that has gone on in the FF party !!! And therefore should disband !!! Oh and take back his pig fat pension and make the lying snake pay what’s owed to the tax man on that €165,000 Gift !!’

    85
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    Mute Mark osullivan
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 12:52 AM

    That a Japanese spitz?

    7
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    Mute Niamh Leahy
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:58 PM

    Tom Gilmartin was found by the most part to be a believable witness, How is Michael Martin going to explain now the 5000 grand that was given to him by Gilmartin and put into his wife’s account. The ” that was the way it was done” excuse isn’t going to wash anymore.

    61
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:14 PM

    Its amazing that Martin feels he has no case to answer as he sat as a senior minister in Bertie’s government.

    53
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    Mute david whelan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:19 PM

    The whole party is engulfed in this corruption – that why they should disband. Never forget, never forgive.

    37
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:29 PM

    True David but FG aren’t without sin either.This report has done alot to destroy what little trust the Irish people still had in politicans.Time for FG to kick out a few members if they haven’t already,Labour have a few skeletons also.Jail is the best place for these scumbags then seize the money that bought their votes.

    32
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    Mute Martin Crehan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:07 PM

    If the Fianna Fail party disband I’m having a Project X style party and everyone who’s unemployed is invited…

    49
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    Mute david whelan
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:13 PM

    Please can I come along too? Am working but I hate the bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    38
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    Mute Cal Mooney
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:37 PM

    Instead of bitching about it, and suggestign there is no alternative to FF other than than SF…. Start your own party!!!!!!!!! I will watch this space ;)

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    Mute Martin Crehan
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 12:50 AM

    Hi Cal I never suggested there was no alternative to Fianna Fail and no one mentioned Sinn Fein.
    “Project X” is a film about a house party. That is what I would have if they disbanded, a house party.

    9
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    Mute Gerry campbell
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:05 PM

    Susie, I feel ur pain but Brian Cowan cannot b mentioned in the same breath as those people, he was not under investigation and u won’t find a hint of corruption connected to him. I am sure he is as hurt and embarrassed by theese people as the rest of us, more probably.

    45
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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:12 PM

    Boll!x. He was a very senior member of FF. he knew exactly what was going on and kept quiet or tried to brush it under the carpet. He is as guilty as bertie.

    81
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    Mute Ryan oneill
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:21 PM

    Brian ‘the jowls’ Cowan was at it like the rest of them, only he never got caught out. ! FF are rotten and I mean ROTTEN to the very core!

    66
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    Mute Susie Chester
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:36 PM

    Careful now Gerry campbell….
    I did not say Brian Cowen , …….. Biffo is what I said , funny that you assumed B. Cowen :)

    23
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    Mute Bua_na_cainte
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:50 PM

    Do they think the irish people were born yesterday? If there was any truth or conviction behind their words they would take away his €2800 a week pension and replace it with state pension rates. Them throw him in jail. Couldn’t agree more with begrudgery, it’s not like any of this is new ground breaking news, every one of them knew what was going on and are equally as guilty for turning a blind eye.

    41
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    Mute Dave O'Shea
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 12:35 AM

    Yes they do think we were born yesterday and we prove it everyday by sitting on our holes doing nothing.

    20
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    Mute Tom Kehoe
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:21 PM

    Unbecoming of a member of Fianna Fail… cos he was caught?

    34
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    Mute Fiona Maguire
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:16 PM

    Ahearns Conduct was unbecoming of the dogs in the street

    33
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    Mute Paige C Harrison
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:23 PM

    Even a cursory review of this party’s history would suggest that Bertie Ahern’s conduct was entirely becoming of a FF leader/member. Just saying.

    31
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    Mute Kevin Doherty
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:47 PM

    In 2007 all of FF were behind Bertie backing him up and dismissing the tribunal and their questioning, why? Because he was electoral asset, no he is a major liability and they are dropping him like a hot snot and cant get far enough away from him.

    Politics is all about getting elected and then re-elected. Chameleons the lot of them

    31
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    Mute Michael Farrelly
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:28 PM

    Big change from Micheal Martin compared to his very strong support for Bertie during the tribunal. God they are great at changing to whatever way the wind blows. If he wants to be in anyway serious he should STOP THE CORRUPT MINISTERIAL PENSIONS – NOW!!!!!

    27
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    Mute Neil Young
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:19 PM

    Conduct unbecoming? Will someone tell me please what could anyone possibly do in FF that could be regarded as unbecoming by their standards..?

    26
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    Mute Enda McCabe
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:33 PM

    Get caught?

    49
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    Mute Susie Chester
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:40 PM

    :) :) :)

    7
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    Mute Mary Rose Joshua McQuinn
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 10:21 AM

    @ Enda McCabe – Classic!

    2
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    Mute Enda McCabe
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:11 PM

    Oh look, there’s the horse over on the far hill, shut the doors anyway. Pack of gobsh1tes.

    25
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    Mute Gerard Walsh
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 9:58 PM

    This country was builted with brown envelopes, so bloody what.

    22
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    Mute Dhakina's Sword
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 4:54 AM

    So bloody what?. I’ll tell you. People are starving!. That’s so what. People are under enormous stress and are afraid of losing their homes, that’s what. And if the point was not made clear enough for you, people are committing suicide.! Now, do you get it?.

    22
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    Mute Andrew Dunne
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:37 PM

    FF disbanded thank u …

    21
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    Mute Paddy BeBop
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:51 PM

    Roll on the revolution. A lot these Fianna Fáil boyo’s will be in Gulags for their crimes

    19
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    Mute Tom Kehoe
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 10:23 PM

    Oh now I get it… ‘unbecoming’ is another word for ‘typical’

    19
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    Mute Karl O Flynn
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:19 PM

    No revolution here !!!! People are not eating grass on the side of the road “YET”. There’s one thing for sure. Fianna Failure are finished for good. Good riddens!!!!!

    17
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    Mute Kevin daly
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:23 PM

    Exactly paddy! God speed the day!!!!let justice prevail! Can’t wait for the day when someone dances on Bertie’s grave! Like haughy!

    11
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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 12:26 AM

    love the way everyone has tunnel vision blame FF for everything now let’s rewind… the mahon report names a lot of FG corruption why are u guys not calling for their heads… the current gov are liars cheats and more corrupt than FF… SO CMO N LET’S CALL A SPADE A SPADE AND GET THEM OUT

    12
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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 1:17 AM

    Exactly Martin, the tribunal’s report doesn’t find Ahern guilty of corruption, something it does of many FF/FG/LAB councillors. They are all as bad as one another but the government are only too happy to let the media go after Ahern while keeping stum about their many sinners.

    11
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    Mute Michael J Hartnett
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 5:41 AM

    I think if these guys are brought yo the courts they should loose all pay related to their political careers. This is treason!

    6
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    Mute Brendan L Collins
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 5:24 AM

    Why don’t a go one step further and expel him from the country. My fear is that he will be send to jail for tax avoidance, ending up choosing the tax payer more money.

    5
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    Mute Cian Devane
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 1:46 AM

    His behavior is FF to its core. Haughey sowed the seeds, Bertie followed through.

    The bigger issue here is that the body politic is a shambles, the civil servants have the real power and the people are suffering now because another corrupt institution EU/ECB has Ireland on its knees.

    Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. FG is next.

    5
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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 7:42 AM

    Does anyone know if they get to keep their pensions after being expelled?

    3
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    Mute Pat Shannon
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 1:43 AM

    just going on from what “bua” said. Although Bertie wad cleared and is said to have done nothing illegal what about Phadraig Flynn will they strip him off his pensions or will they let him go

    3
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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 7:49 AM

    Does anyone know if they get to keep their pensions is expelled?

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    Mute Andrea Rock Massey
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 9:19 AM

    Yes, of course. If only it were that easy…

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    Mute Dermot Murphy
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 12:16 PM

    Oh you can be sure they will all keep their lavish pensions.All their pensions should be . stopped.Anyone convicted of dishonest conduct should pay the price.Why does the CAB not arrest bertie.They would if it was me or you.

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    Mute Gerry campbell
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    Mar 22nd 2012, 11:47 PM

    Nice one susie, and that Adrian should apologise to you, too no nee for rudeness

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    Mute Susie Chester
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    Mar 23rd 2012, 1:51 AM

    Gerry campbell
    What are you talking about , make sense man . … !
    And why can’t you put your comment under my name ? I would have been able to respond to it sooner :)

    5
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