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THE GOVERNMENT PLANS to send a much higher number than usual of senior ministers to the United States for St Patrick’s Day in an attempt to lovebomb the new Trump administration.
While the new ministers are bedding in this week, it is understood the list of destinations for the annual Patrick’s Day exodus of government ministers and junior ministers will be drawn up shortly.
Senior sources have confirmed to The Journal that increasing the number of senior ministers going stateside is being considered this year to try to prevent any dramatic policy decisions from being taken which would adversely impact Ireland’s economy – which US president Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to do.
Last year, apart from the Taoiseach travelling to Washington DC for the White House visit, just three senior ministers travelled to the US: former Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin travelled to Nashville and Austin in Texas; former Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys went to Chicago and Madison; while former Justice Minister Helen McEntee travelled to New York.
A total of seven junior ministers were also sent to the US for St Patrick’s Day last year, but an argument is being made within government to beef up the number of people in the top jobs being sent to key states in March.
A total of 38 government representatives visited 48 countries last year for Patrick’s Day, which exceeded the 44 countries travelled to in 2023.
With the number of junior ministers for this government set to be a record high, these numbers could be broken again.
It is understood that a bigger footprint of ministers on the ground might be needed this year, particularly in states such as California where the big tech companies – which are so important to the Irish economy – are situated.
Asked about whether the country will put forward a “charm offensive” to the pharma and multinational sector as part of efforts to dissuade them from shifting production to the US, Tánaiste and Trade Minister Simon Harris said yesterday that the government will “absolutely be engaging with them”.
Speaking in Brussels, where Harris was attending his first European Foreign Affairs meeting as Tánaiste, he said it is his intention to bring forward proposals to government in the next week to establish a new trade consultative forum.
“What I want to do here is get people around the table,” said Harris, highlighting the need to promote “Team Ireland”.
Sources say that since November, Ireland’s ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and senior diplomats have been working tirelessly to create links with the Trump administration.
Irish-American power brokers and business people have also been reached out to to use their influence and speak up for Ireland’s interests while also dissuading the Trump administration from making any decisions that would negatively impact the Irish economy.
Harris’s comments in Brussels came as stockbrokers Goodbody warned in a report that Ireland could face major policy issues if Trump decides to implement aggressive tariffs on the EU and cut corporation taxes in the States.
The report called for a Brexit-style response to the new US administration in a bid to protect Irish attractiveness and competitiveness. Goodbody’s also called for a whole-of-government approach to protect sectors such as ICT, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals in Ireland.
However, there are concerns within government circles that the invite to the White House for St Patrick’s Day might not come this year.
While it would be an unprecedented move, there are fears that there is strong lobbying from Israel against Ireland, due to the position the government has taken on Palestine.
Former special envoy to the US, John Deasy has said there is evidence that the US wants Ireland to change its position on the proposed Occupied Territories Bill, or else the St Patrick’s Day itinerary could be impacted.
Those The Journal spoke to in government said they did expect the Taoiseach to be invited to meet President Donald Trump, but they also said they would not be surprised if the celebrations at the White House were pared back.
Ireland has previously been described as the “hardest soft power in the world”, going under the radar to use its influence on St Patrick’s Day. The St Patrick’s Day hoopla draws critics every year.
But, while on the surface it appears to be full of fluff, shamrocks, speeches about the home country, the government views the diplomatic relations it fosters as vital, particularly in such times of uncertainty.
Harris said yesterday’s meeting in Brussels gave him the opportunity to have a bilateral with the EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.
The Tánaiste said the commission knows Ireland “very well” from the Brexit days, another period where Ireland’s trade was under severe threat.
“I think it’s absolutely vital that the European Union and the United States establish a deep, meaningful working relationship. The United States is reliant on foreign direct investment. It was before the US presidential election, it is after the US presidential election and the US and the EU are dependent on each other,” said Harris.
“Now that President Trump is in office, it’s really, really important that we engage intensively on trade and how we can do business together,” he added.
Harris said the best way to engage with Trump on the matter of trade is speaking to the benefits of doing business with the European Union.
“We can do business with the Trump administration. My country has done business with every US administration. There’ll be challenges, there’ll absolutely be challenges, but we’ve got to control what we can control,” said the Tánaiste.
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Well done Lorraine you have just boosted Ming’s popularity.Is being an idiot a prerequisite for joining Labour?
No hope of a vote now from me as this shows how childish you take your campaign. You should have spent your time promoting yourself and not playing stupid games. This has backfired badly.
Re Gracie
Same from me. I heard her comments on Luke a few weeks back attacking the fact he smokes and straight away that was her knocked out.
One of the golden rule of selling. Don’t concentrate on the other guys product to sell your own, you give him a platform for consideration where before he had none and it leaves the impression that your own product wasn’t good enough to sell on its own. So now Im thinking what’s wrong with her that she needs to attack another candidate to sell herself. Is she that insecure? Can’t be voting for someone like that.
…anyway whoever heard of keeping the turkey at home?
Its backfired on here perhaps were Ming has alot of support – its humourous – sin é – and the comments highlighted on here were all negative – were there no positive ones at all?
How is you calling Labour Party members ‘idiots’ any better than her calling Ming a turkey? What if Ming called her a turkey? Would you be on here attacking him?
People call politicians of all different party names far worse than turkeys on thejournal.ie every single day, yet feign outrage when a politician does the same to another?
Hypocrisy much??
Ignore I didn’t call any Labour members idiots, I think you should maybe read a little more throughly. I posed a question.
She is just saying publicly what everyone knows privately. He’s a bluffer, a full waste of space.
Ignore I’m already me so how would a prerequisite to be me apply? Think about it ,that really was a stupid reply.
Btw for a guy who has claimed not to be a Labour member on countless occasions you certainly go above and beyond to defend their actions, just saying.
I think your previous response about the correct use of ‘prerequisite’ was a bit pedantic too.
When you are as desperate as Labour are, you resort to this.
Ah diddums did I upset the non Labour member?
Ming is just a parasite looking for a third pension to add to his council and Dail ones
Because the rest of them don’t? They’re all as each other at least with Ming you kinda know where ya sta d.
Is hiding behind a false name , a way of enabling you to express yourself.
Ya Anna, you stand getting conned up to the eyeballs , but you get what you vote for .
You didn’t upset me at all, Norman! I stand by my original comment that it’s hypocritical to attack politician X (any politician from any party) for insulting politician Y by you yourself insulting politician X.
You can try and dance around it all you want by saying you didn’t call her an idiot but the fact is you inferred it by stating that “Is being an idiot a prerequisite for joining Labour?” By your logic, because she didn’t actually call Ming a turkey but instead used a simile then she’s not actually calling anybody a turkey. And maybe the Dustin face is just a complex metaphor… but that would be a ridiculous assertion to make.
Finally, look at some of the comments of people on this page alone: clowns, idiots, tramps: no hypocrisy there??
@Ignoreland, you deliberately miss the point. Of course it’s okay for commenters on thejournal.ie article comments to call politicians idiots; they usually are idiots.
The issue is that to mock or deride another election candidate is a dishonourable and underhanded way for a politician to conduct his or her own campaign, suggesting weakness, spite, pettiness and immaturity which most would find undesirable in a senator and potential elected representative in Europe.
But then, you knew that…
I disagree, Daffy. Why should you hold politicians up to a higher standard than yourself? When people post comments on pages like these they’re expressing opinions. And the reason you express an opinion is to convince others that you are right. As these opinions are public, then you too should conduct yourself in the manner you would hope your public representatives would act too. It’s the same as condemning a politician for smoking weed while lighting up a joint yourself; hypocritical.
Ignore what we call people is one thing but someone who is supposed to be running for election stooping this low isn’t very professional she might be entitled to her opinion but should not say it in public, but we as the voters can call labour idiots simply because they are
Perfect reply, but im afraid Mr ignore wont understand it, as he shows he is a labour Idiot too
Idiots are idiots because they’re idiots. Very intelligent comment there, Tom. Great reasoning.
You must therefore also think that it’s perfectly acceptable for a person to castigate Ming for smoking weed while puffing a joint themselves. Hypocrisy clearly doesn’t bother you.
Ignore…she has kissed goodbye any chance of election just admit it dude
Same here, cross her off the list. Keep it up Ming…..’Put Someone Useful in Europe’….
Ming Flanagan has done more for this country than FG and Labour have put together.
I fully respect him because he knows what’s right admits when he’s wrong. Luke is not in it for the money either, he donates half of his salary to his constituency unlike other politicians.
Flanagan will do more for us in Europe than any of the other clowns running.
Or maybe its Berlin way
Loving the aversion to the very legitimate point I’ve raised about the hypocrisy of commentators on this story. Sure don’t people get annoyed at politicians for doing that too: not answering the question/ deflecting the issue raised. The same commentators calling for a ‘new politics’ and ‘revolution’ and ‘sure aren’t they all the same’ are acting like the very people they are criticising. We really do get the politicians we deserve.
Wrong. You should say the hypocrisy of SOME commentators.
But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your labour defending antics.
And ps, since people on here are not looking to get elected it doesn’t really matter what they say. The fact she did what did and couldn’t foresee the public reaction is a stupid thing to do and to me says she couldn’t be trusted to do the job she is trying to get.
Sorry, Doctor but did I say “ALL” commentators? No, I did not.
And secondly, if you read my comments I did not once defend her actions: I merely pointed out the hypocrisy of some people criticising her for lowering herself to the same standard that they themselves demonstrate on this site; on this very story.
Well at least when Ming is in Eueope we can be certain that he speaks for Ireland and not Frankfurt….
I think she
is trying to take “the glorified piss”!
But isn’t that what Enda Kenny does all the time in Dail Eireann? He is constantly denigrating FF and SF instead of getting on with his job of running the country.
Ha ha, almost feel sorry for her, almost. She probably did all the “right” things, student politics etc to set her up for a nice career leeching off the rest of us but now poor diddums is being usurped by what she and her ilk would see as a “pot smoking waster”. Clocked her as one of those types as soon as I saw the poster
Keep it up Ming, though I cant help but feel a lot in the Dail will be relieved to see him head off to europe
Ming is, Gobble Gobbling up your votes now!
He gives us half his wages to charity my friend…
At least he hasn’t used taxpayers money to buy an island or sold the country to rich foreign interests, or bailed out a pack of crooks etc etc etc.
And she isn’t the only Labour TD exhibiting pettiness: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/mother-i-will-do-prison-before-paying-fine-for-littering-with-torn-up-election-leaflet-629993.html
A hysterical article and fair play to the woman!
The rules of “selling ” never change.
You NEVER criticise an opponents product . Have enough confidence in your own and make sure the customer returns . Would definitely not vote for this lady . Immature and shallow
What has Ming done for the country ??
Ignore is that what you call an intelligent comment ?
Norman, I think you’re being very unfair to ordinary decent idiots!
Lorraine deserves a more special place in the hall of shame.
That would only make me want to vote for “Ming”, if the shoe were on the other foot and he did something like this against her the sisterhood would be out in force to condemn the male chauvinist git but when it’s like this it’ll just be a joke.
Very immature indeed Senator Higgins, your obviously not the caliber of person we need in government!! I think your the turkey and you’ve just voted for Christmas.
At least she did it in her own name: Chris Andrews of Sinn Fein is no stranger to fake twitter campaigns to smear enemies.
That is the type of stuff that you learn in FF
Just shows that Chris was paying attention in junior FF classes
They brought him in so they could learn from the masters
Labour must be really struggling :-)
You’d never tell by the polls!
Only one poll counts and that’s on the 23rd.
Can’t see this stunt and the recent water charges screw up helping her tbh.
If Ming has any sense he won’t make any comment on this. The damage to Labour has been done. No need to undo all her good work for Ming’s campaign
Ming is well able Andrew, he could do a lot more damage to her than the other way around.
They must be very hard up to pick her as a candidate……
@Niall o’ Sullivan
I know what you mean. But why give her the chance to muddy the waters? Labour are in a hole of their own making. I wouldn’t be giving her or Costello (whose comments on RTE and Adams are desperation writ large) the least opportunity to get more publicity. Leave them to their digging and get on with your own work
If I were him I would go after her, because clearly she has the capacity to make an idiot out of herself and she should be attacked for that childish stunt.
Maybe sending Dustin the turkey to Europe isn’t such a bad idea after all. After all he’ll be representing a puppet state.
…….or even a Muppet state.
I’d take Dustin as a candidate for Europe over any Labour candidate every time. Labour are a joke of a party, filled with clowns but lacking a punch line.
The tramps are t,he ones going around dressed like millionaires and lying to the people, at least Ming is a voice that can be trusted and a fighter for the people who are being forgotten by the very stylishly dressed politicians
That child won’t be getting my vote now !!!!
I don’t particularly like Ming, but this is absurd, childish and not what I’d expect from a senator.
Not a fan of all his policies, but I worked in the Oireachtas for a time and found him to be one of the most in touch, humble and personable of all the TD’s I dealt with.
Silly woman, who would vote for someone who behaves like this?
How are we meant to tackle cyber bullying if politicians like Lorraine Higgins perpetuate its existence. Shameful conduct.
I never looked at it that way, well spotted. I think you just buried her with that comment.
Well between this and http://www.topic.ie/news/item/591-woman-tears-up-election-leaflet-fined-%E2%82%AC150 the Labour bloke in Mullingar setting the litter warden on a woman who ripped up his flyer, I reckon Labour are perilously on the brink of loosing it completely. Roll on 23rd, who’s bringing the popcorn?
Saw that Sam. Beyond disgraceful.
What’s new Sam gov way is blackmail roll onn 23
That’s ridiculous ! Surely she was well within her rights if he was on her property and she tore it up? The mind boggles
The indignity of it all!
Poor Ming, he who turns up to the Dail every day in his very best geansai and slacks cos he respects so much the parliament we fought for.
he goes around looking like a tramp!
John yeah because the guys in suits have and are doing a great job.
Even our heros who established our nation could wear a suit: they were proud of what they achieved and wanted to treat the House with respect, and in turn the electorate and sacrifice they represented.
The current generation should not forget that.
Well done at steering the conversation away from the article. This is just another reason to not vote labour.
John you have exactly the same writing style of an idiot called Richard Rogers who frequently posts on this site, anyone ever tell you that?
No, but I’ll look out for him. Sounds like a fascinating guy, well worth reading.
John try the mirror, he’ll be looking back at you, as another poster stated this is your usual off topic tripe.
Just because they wear “charvet shirts” they can do what they like???? Gangsters, robbers and liars….. In white collars!!!! Not much respect there!!!! No comparison to the old brigade!!!!
You are just stereotyping. I often think you Ciarroch and Werejammin are the same person too; you have the same shouty style with no substance. But I have the mental capacity to envisage there are indeed 3 of you, sad as that may be.
That made me smile…
John/Richie why do you always seek to turn the article comments away from the subject matter, just curious?
It’s called whataboutery. A very popular approach you often use yourself; similar to your preference for ad hominem attacks rather than civilised discussion.
“our hero’s” were a bunch of hypocritical church controlled fools who settled for buttons and watched idle as Europe collapsed under the effects of war. The true patriots unfortunately died fighting for an Ireland they believed could stand shoulder to shoulder with our neighbours , not the cowardly lot left to run our new state , hiding on the sidelines waiting to support the winning side. Our heroes me arse
Did any if the 1916 men ever get to sit in the House ? Noel Browne might be the only hero who sat in the House
“Our Heros”? Thankfully the older, more backward thinking generation of this country, much like yourself john, as a becoming an extinct species. Heros my arse
The clothes don’t maketh the man. You want him to fit your narrative of what is deemed ‘respectful’. I mean FFS, Harold Shipman wore a suit to work…
Charlie Haughey had some lovely shirts, I believe.
What a hero.
Bertie had a beautifully canary yellow two piece ensemble, linen I believe and that crook didn’t even have a bank account, he got his payouts in cashhhhhhh.
The important 2 words here is ‘every day’
What’s this obsession with wearing a suit.I think they look totally boring and all the same.people wearing them trying to convay the impression that their on “business” absolute joke.
All bankers wear suits
and they are all upstanding and honest
You never see any of them getting sent to prison
Even the defendant can wear a suit, what the hell does what someone is wearing have to do with their competence?
If people are voting on the basis of a nice suit then that might explain the mess that this country is in.
You’re supposed to vote for people in terms of their ability. And Ming has delivered more than most people expected of him (not all popular moves, but at least he’s doing something)
Manners maketh ten man not a suit
There s many a rich heart under poor mans clothes
One in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I hope Ming can use this to his advantage and this senator eventually loses her seat because of this stunt! I didn’t know who she was before this and to be honest I’ve forgotten her name again, perhaps a cheap attempt at getting her name on the national agenda!
That’s a big ‘box’ he’s standing in!
Who the fcuk is lorraine higgins !
Hacked I suppose. NOT.
Maybe it was the same person that hacked Alex Whites account aswell.
Hacked my eye, her earlier tweet obviously didn’t garner enough of a response so she went one step further with the Dustin one https://twitter.com/LorHiggins/status/464032003151904768
Attention seeking woman, petty and childish. That type if behaviour should have stayed in school.
Senator? Hardly appropriate behaviour, another Labour fool.
“A sick joke”? Get over yourselves, Twitter users.
Has Labour lost complete control of its candidates? First that eejit in Westmeath reports a woman for tearing up his leaflets and has the Litter Warden fine her €150 and now this juvenile tweet. Grow up, Labour!
No wonder this country if fecked when the likes of johngahan has a vote. Luke has done a massive amount for an independent td. Shows up the other clowns for what they are. Sponges and spineless.
First they ignore you, then laugh at you, then attack you, then you win. Keep up the good work Ming, a voice of the people unfettered by the dogmatic restraints of yesteryears…
Lorraine Higgins is normally too busy sending press releases to the local media about the opening of a packet of crisps to try and make herself relevant. The local papers must be getting tired of her now so she has to resort to this ridiculing of a decent candidate
Higgins is clearly desperate – and as for comments on Ming’s sartorial efforts, I think Ming’s been a better representative than a load of the expensively, smartly-dressed liggers and freeloaders that mostly ride the Dail gravy train.
I also wish he’d tell the Labour women calling on him to withdraw his sexist remark, to go fcuk themselves.
Where’s the sexism? Am I missing something?
“withdraw his remark that Lorraine Higgins only wanted to get to Europe to ‘look good’
There’s none Mart. It’s bogus.
She decided to use his image in a derogatory way, but the second he makes a comment about her image – they call it sexism and look for an apology.
Total horseshit.
In fact Mary Lou is right now calling Quinn sexist in the Dail because he used the term ‘thank you for your motherly concern for labour’ in some spat they were having. The IT are running with it.
I remember when criticising women was sexist. Nowadays, criticising A woman is sexist
If you ask me, viewing women as one homogenous being is sexist
Just sent my first tweet ever Etienne. Sent it to the Senator above.
I think more of this is needed
Liven the whole shitty mess up
Personal insults..doctored pics..
Flaming bags of shite flung from
Moving election vehicles now
Thats entertainment
No, it’s dirty politics. And we don’t need it.
If you can’t run for election on the work you did or pledge to do in respect of a vote, then you shouldn’t run at all.
This type of dirty political tactics belong in the movies, our system is a mockery enough without this type of behaviour.
Who would vote for her, just because she made a (non) funny picture?
The same people who would actually vote for Dustin if he was running!
She’s making a mockery of our democracy. Those posters are an enough of an eye sore, without this type of (IMO) crap.
Whether a Dáil member wears a suit or not has NO bearing on his/her ability.
Case in point; James Reilly? Pat Rabitte? Brian Hayes?
Lorraine Higgins is a failure. She failed to get elected to both the Dail and the Seanad and only has her job because it was handed to her on a plate as one of the Taoiseach’s eleven.
That she has to resort to such childish means to make an impact shows what an irrelevance and a failure she is.
I’m sure “failed to get elected to the European Parliament in 2014″ will soon be added to her Wikipedia profile.
On the bright side, her election record makes Ivana Bacik look good. If that’s not a sexist remark.
When she fails to get elected as a mep she will crawl back to the Seanad and her big expenses. I wonder does she claim her election canvassing as Fg expenses…..
Ming No.1
HA that is brilliant and hilarious.
Proper banter – we need a bit more of this.
I’m a big fan of Ming. I’ve followed his career since he first got elected to the RCC. I don’t agree with all his policies, but there are many of his causes I am totally behind.
Honestly? I laughed at this.
And I’d say he had a laugh at it too when he seen it first.
It’ll do him no harm anyway. All publicity is good publicity.
I’d say Dustin’s creator could sue for breach of intellectual property rights.
And Ming could sue for defamation, although being compared to our Dustin is surely an accolade rather than an insult.
Lol – someone with a derivation of Karl marx name talking about property rights.
Theirs only one turkey i see and that’s the Labour Party . Fine Gael pluck them and roast them every budget imagine what the Eurocrats would do to Lorraine. Sit down there now and shut up like a good Lil Labour Lightweight she’s be told.
Ah, Lorraine, Lorraine, just how desperate are you? You are deluding yourself if you think that this stunt will do you any good. Goodbye and …………
Does four negative comments on Twitter count as “outrage” now?
And seeing as 27 have favourited the tweet and 51 retweeted it which is far more than those who tweeted against the picture, it would seem that it’s been more favourably received than the story suggests.
many of the electorate will like her humour, literally calling a spade a spade.
Does anybody know anyone who is going to vote for this lady? Live in mayo, work in roscommon with lads from as far away as Cavan, Donegal and south Galway and I am yet to meet anyone who knows (a) who she is and (b) what her policies are apart from the obvious Labour ideology of kowtowing to Berlin and exporting our educated kids.
Well I’m voting for Ming so I couldn’t give a jot who she is!
You’ve only got more support for him fair play and u made a complete spa out of yourself in the process and cheers for for the roach paper from your campaign leaflets ya clem
Labour women have some cheek to be calling on Ming to retract his comment or apologise. Lorraine Higgins made a huge mistake in posting that and will no doubt lose an immense amount of votes.
Fair play Nikki. Admirable comment.
When a rat is cornered they will bite
Reminds me a bit of the Conservatives’ ‘New Labour, New Danger’ poster in the UK (late 90s). There was a big sh1tstorm over that; this is lighthearted in comparison.
This was all done for attention and a few articles online with the hope of getting more press coverage, in a way it would have killed her if no one reported it.
I was hoping to see Ming elected. It would have been an entertaining spectacle to see him deal with EP rules.
Dress Code.
In accordance with the delegate’s diplomatic status a formal dress code is required. For male
delegates a tie is obligatory and for female no revealing outfits are allowed. Informal clothing,
such as jeans and trainers, also traditional or religious outfits are out of order. The secretariat
reserves the right to expel a delegate due to his or her dress code.
“I was hoping to see Ming elected” you know the election hasn’t happened yet?
Norm, Sorry, it might be an overly complex grammatical construct for you – I can break it down:
Heretofore I had been hoping to see Ming elected. Now that he will be associated with being a Dustin the Turkey protest candidate, I do not expect his election is likely.
Hope this helps.
So you couldn’t post correctly, instead of admitting you were wrong, you compound your mistake by behaving like an a……. you fill in the blank Richie.
English not your first language?
Is staying on topic beyond your capabilities?
Norm, this isn’t about me, it’s about Ming and his image and how he like to portray himself. Read the article. Is he or is he not a turkey candidate and was the Dustin gag worse for him or its creator? I’m on the fence; it’s not particularly good for either of them.
John last response to you, try reading the article correctly, it is not about Ming’s image it is about a Labour candidate engaging in negative campaigning and the backlash she has attracted on twitter.Now I’m done with you.Annoy someone else if you wish.
“Now that he will be associated with being a Dustin the Turkey protest candidate, I do not suspect his election is likely.”
So, what, you think that Costello’s lame photoshop has fatally wounded Ming’s campaign? You really are misunderstanding how this little stunt has been perceived.
She and HIV Phil need to shit stir to get media attention. While Emer pretends she is TheSwan and has a total face transformation for her election posters. The reality and the posters are “poles” apart. If Labour get a seat I will be amazed.
Just asking a question here! Could she have been fraped? I’ve no idea of who this lady is but it beggers belief that anyone could be that stupid! She would have been as well off to say forget me and vote Ming! I can’t get my head around how anyone with any level of intelligence could not see how this can backfire!
Do you remember Pat Rabbite ‘s little gem when asked about election promises, his answer was “isn’t that what you tend to do during an election”.She is a member of the same party.
Though obvious, it was refreshing honesty from Rabbitte as each party tries to out-top the other in an election campaign with promises they have no idea whether they can deliver or not, nor a crystal ball.
Its Labours tactic to have a go at others, you wait they’ll land on your doorstep and the first thing they’ll do is attack Sinn Fein.
Ming looking to get on the Euro Gravy Train!!
What about the rest ,are they going to donate their wages and expenses to the poor if elected?
bribing the electorate with an ‘I’ll work for free’ promise to hand over your wages means even the candidate themselves doesn’t see their contribution as of being any value. Not a swing factor for me. Totally impractical given the expense of commuting to Europe; but Ming is no stranger to impracticality.
Zzzzzzz
Saying she is running for euro elections to look good is not a sexist remark because being a woman was not mentioned in it. no more than america is getting involved in Ukraine to look big and tough is a sexist remark
“My view is that he’s a populist candidate,” she says.
Why do people take perfectly acceptable terms and turn them into veiled insults these days?
“A supporter of Populism, a political philosophy urging social and political system change that favors “the people” over “the elites”, or favors the common people over the rich and wealthy business owners”
Sounds pretty good to me.
Such an arrogant BITCH.
She’s not wrong…
That’s a matter of opinion,prefer Ming over a member of a party that voted to withhold the Trichet letters.
Norman, as you say, it is a matter of opinion. That is mine…
Norman, you’re definitely going to feature in comments of the week with your 1500 green thumbs! And you’re a Minger too. Who knew?!
Told you O’Reilly, Independent all the way and Ming in my opinion is the best Independent in my area, Mullins has way too much baggage (dogma) for my liking.
Btw I will take it as a veiled compliant.
Good night O’Reilly.
So you’ve just put another hole in you’re already sinking ship bye bye LABOUR payback time for all the lies 23rd May.
Ming is a scruffy twit! If he was to get to Europe how would he travel! Between the smell of turf and scruff who’d sit anywhere close to him! (Apart from Mick ‘sideshow bob’ wally and the moan Clare Daly)
Ha ha, almost feel sorry for her, almost. She probably did all the “right” things, student politics etc to set her up for a nice career leeching off the rest of us but now poor diddums is being usurped by what she and her ilk would see as a “pot smoking waster”. Clocked her as one of those types as soon as I saw the poster
Keep it up Ming, though I cant help but feel a lot in the Dail will be relieved to see him head off to europe
How is that a sexist comment? It was a personal comment, about one person that happened to be a woman.
Stupid move, woman. Or wait, is it sexist to refer to the woman as a woman!!
Why is Ming going for Europe anyway? He’ll have to give up his Dail seat and somebody from the bigger parties will probably take his seat….thus losing all the ground he has made up over the last few years….
Nil vote!!
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen in ages and it’s funny cos it’s true he is a turkey and he shouldn’t be elected here let alone Europe
Jaysus you don’t get out much do you?
Fitz it shows that an established party is running scared of an independent and resorts to cyber bullying to try to damage an election opponent. Maybe we will have another politician in custody before this campaign ends.
She’s responding to him having a sexist go at her. She really shouldn’t have reacted to the fool.
Ah yes, the Independent – torch bearer of truth and impartiality.
Bob, maybe I am missing something but one person saying another is running for election to “look good” is not sexist in any way shape or form. If she had said the same of Ming would we see demands to withdraw the sexist comment. Please people show some common sense, the phrase “look good” is unisex and can apply equally to men and women. I am shocked that anyone would regard this as a sexist comment.
Sorry Kevin but to me he is being sexist – he is playing on the stereotype of women being more interested in cloths and make-up than men. It’s pretty obvious to me.
Bob, with all due respect where in his comment, does he mention clothes and make up, the term looking good is not a sexist term and should not be hi-jacked as such. It might be said we are posting here to “look good” is there even a hint of sexism in that. I am amazed that anyone, could regard “look good” as sexist.
Kevin – I am amazed and shocked that you are disputing what ‘looking good’ means in this context.
It’s bloody obvious he is referring to the fact that she is always well groomed.
If we take the positive meaning you want to project, then why is Ming sad? He is criticizing her for looking good.
What an absolute backward idiot she is. I can’t believe what she has just done. Childish. This is outlandish pathetic and worrying. She needs to apologize and start focussing on the things that matter.
She won’t be punished but the votes she gets will get her indirectly. Moron. Would far far prefer Ming than her.
Ming might seem out there but the man tells like it is. Absolute moron Higgins. Should just leave.
Both of these ‘turkeys’ only in it for the MEP gravy! Vote for neither.
I’d rather vote for Ming, who at least worked from the ground up and got himself elected than Ms Higgins who couldn’t even scrape together the handful of votes needed to get into the Seanad!
Doctor anything you like, your the only Ming-ing party in the Daíl. Labour are no more and you’re going to be just a distant memory following up and coming elections…… Good rid dens to turn coats and fraudsters
Haha brilliant. But portraying him as a turkey was a little generous.
Great to see them talking about the real issues. What ever you do don’t mention the ttip! Ffs
She just pressed the self-destruct button on her election, should lose her seat in the Seanad for improper conduct too.(shouldn’t be there to begin with)
This will certainly backfire on stupid Higgins.
I hope Ming tops the poll.
Who is the fool ….looks like no europe for lorraine….bye bye
labour will do anything to deflect media away from questioning gilmores resolute defence and support for shatter…….as regards turkeys are they any different from the pigs whose noses have been stuffed in the euro troughs for the last 4 years….at least Ming represents his constituents and with the other independents have been the strongest opposition in the dail.without them the whistleblowers would never had been heard…bit rich coming from a labour senator whose party campaigned for its abolition and instead of stepping down from the seanad is happy to enjoy the pay and perks…..hypocrite
Certainly no fan of Luke Ming but lorraine ,ever heard of “look after your own side” enough turkey’s in Labour to keep you busy after the count.
obviously for all of labours spin about positive reception at the door they are well and truly fked……
Not usually a follower of Ming, but he’s doing a fine job exposing the rot in the government…..I guess that’s why the comments. Go Ming.
Better send a turkey than a RAT from labour l
Ah no, I was hoping to make a comment about Lorraine Higgins’ policies for Europe but I put it straight into the fire when it arrived yesterday. I asked my partner was there any post this morning and she said there were two flyers from Fine Gael Candidates, I asked her who they were from and she said I don’t know I threw them on the fire. Come Labour and Fine Gael more literature please we could use it during this unusually cold spell.
Senator Higgins’ name will be on the ballot paper handed to me on 23rd, I wonder will hell have frozen over by then?
Give her back her deposit now. It would save her neighbours the embarrassment of pretending they voted for her on election day
bye bye labour!!
Wat a childish thing to do and shes looking for a seat forget it
Labour Party RIP .
It’s a shame the Journal didn’t use Ming’s full quote but then again they only tend to do anti-Labour hit pieces. Saw we’re up and the rest of the parties down in the last SBP poll. Didn’t see it getting an article of its own?
Ever occur to you that ye guys make it so easy to do a “hit piece”?
Lorraine being a cyber bully and the Cllr in Mullingar setting the litter warden on a young mother.
Not going to end well on count day tbh.
Hi Adam, we haven’t used any quotes from Deputy Flanagan as he not yet responded to requests for comment.
Any chance you’d ask the Labour women calling on him to retract his comment for a comment too Nicky?
Send them the link to this page and let them read what people are saying here.
Dipsticks.
“the Cllr in Mullingar setting the litter warden on a young mother.”
Gerry Sheridan is the name of that councillor, that’s Gerry Sheridan running in Mullingar.
That name again is Labour councillor for Mullingar Gerry Sheridan.
Dustin could not be reached for comment.
Mings a wolf in turkey clothing!
Well it looks like when the pressure is on a major party the will stoop to noting less that engage on a dirty tricks campaign to win favor from the electorate, miss Higgins there is a saying that is often used if you don’t like the heat of the fire then get out of the kitchen .
if you have issue with Mr Flanagan in respect of a comment he alleged made on a radio programme he has a natural human right to free speech, but you responded in a assault on his character and his public standing knowing and intentionally knowing that your actions would result in causing some harm and damage to Mr Flanagan, and you then didn’t deny you engaged in a personal attack and assault on him , you need to take step back and reflect on how you are going to implement damage control and bow out of this election with some dignity still in place , you are lucky Mr Flanagan is not taking any further action against you because if he did you will deserve it and it would be your own fault , but if you had any maturity the best thing you can do is apoligise to Mr Flanagan in public and in writing, he dosent deserve noting less
@Nicky Ryan:
….”Flanagan standing in a peat box,”…
Someone’s nicked his box!
their is a lot of turkeys looking 2 get elected a lot of them are going 2 get plucked.
would all of the politions grow up and act their age,tit for tat.this country is in a mess ur acting like school children.
Very FUNNY.
Double standards = Double facepalm
(－‸ლ)
For me, nothing is more boring than press coverage of spats on social media. Other than a candidate’s dreams, nothing quite has less bearing on anything in the real world.
I agree entirely Lorraine!
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