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Sex Work Alliance Ireland members Dearbhla Ryan and Kate McGrew as they held a vigil outside the Dáil last year. Leah Farrell

'This approach will not help victims of trafficking': Groups at odds as sex bill passes final stage

The new laws criminalise the purchase of sexual services in Ireland.

A NUMBER OF groups have expressed their disappointment with a new bill which criminalises the purchase of sexual services and increases penalties for aspects of the work.

Part four of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 has jumped its final hurdle and will be sent to President Michael D Higgins in the coming weeks to become law.

Four human rights groups said they were disappointed that their concerns were not taken into account and said the amendments to the current law make sex workers more vulnerable.

However, the groups welcomed the last-minute inclusion of a three-year review and limited decriminalisation of street sex workers, following extensive lobbying by the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) and others.

Niall Mulligan, executive director of HIV Ireland said his organisation advised strongly against this course of action, which goes against the expert opinion of the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS.

Criminalisation of the purchase of sex drives sex work further underground, forcing workers to take more risks and work less safely. This in turn risks increasing the rate of HIV transmission.

Edel McGinley of the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) said the new laws will not protect the most vulnerable – migrants, asylum seekers, refugees doing survival sex work. She said: “It promotes harmful stigmatisation and obstructs access to justice. We know from our decade of work on human trafficking and forced labour that this approach will not help victims of trafficking.”

The Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and Amnesty International Ireland echoed the views of McGinley and Mulligan.

However, Ruhama strongly welcomed the legislation. The group, which supports prostituted women, said it has long advocated for legislation to focus on the demand of sex buyers as a key measure to curb expansion of the exploitative sex trade in Ireland.

The organisation has also advocated for many years for the repealing of the offence for soliciting for prostitution to give the clear social message that no person should be criminalised for their own exploitation.

Ruhama CEO Sarah Benson said: “We commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald for taking landmark measures to address the demand of sex buyers as the group directly responsible for perpetuating the commercial sex trade.

“Without demand there would be no supply. We witness every day the ugly consequences of prostitution and sex trafficking, where the most vulnerable women and girls from across the globe are targeted to be used in Ireland’s brothels. At the same time, in removing the offence for soliciting, the spirit of this law is clear: those in prostitution should not be criminalised.”

Kate McGrew, coordinator of SWAI, said the group is appalled that this Government is going against international expert opinion to bring in a law which jeopardises our safety, removes our bodily autonomy, and puts us at further risk of poverty.

She added: “When we say that criminalisation increases harm and risk in the industry, we’re talking about people like Galina Sandeva, a Bulgarian worker in Norway where the purchase of sexual services is criminalised. When she went missing her friends did not contact the police until they had found her body themselves. Criminalisation clearly further damages trust in the police.””

Read: The curious case of how a British cop went undercover among Irish protesters>

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154 Comments
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    Mute watersedge
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:12 PM

    Fair play to Martin. Someone needed to take Arlene down off her high horse, the stubborn mule.

    462
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    Mute Éanna McClean
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:59 PM

    Get the popcorn out. It’s good to fun watching her come back down the earth

    93
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    Mute Henry Porter
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:43 PM

    @watersedge – aren’t you mixing your metaphors a bit there. A stubborn mule on a high horse?

    11
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    Mute Tony Daly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:57 PM

    Anyone see the bitter humour in this call for an investigation by Arlene Foster?

    358
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:29 PM

    Clever (but cynical) political manoeuvring.

    The same parties and individuals will be elected next time.

    And around and around we go….

    87
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:37 PM

    @Diarmuid: And what happens if the same elected parties next time decide not to go around and around.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:47 PM

    Chris, unfortunately that will not happen. It’s in the very nature of the parties. It’s built into the system.

    Power-sharing results in a flight to the extremes, divided along sectarian lines.

    It suits DUP/SF to rabble rouse, condemn the other side, whip up their bases, play the victim.

    NI is decades away from any grown-up form of democratic government (if ever).

    79
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    Mute Billy Larkin
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:50 PM

    Jaysus a sniper wouldn’t take her out

    188
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:54 PM

    Diarmuid, everyone was calling for her to step down, not just SF.

    220
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    Mute jane
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:58 PM

    I was looking at the lovely Arlenes FB page yesterday and there was a lot of criticism for her and a lot of it coming from unionists. Maybe the UUP will gain somewhat from this controversy.

    150
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:23 PM

    @Mr Phil Officer: That was before yesterday Phil, the prospect of an election changes the run of play….

    7
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    Mute Paddy Lions
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    Jan 10th 2017, 6:50 PM

    @Tony Daly: Yes, only Shinners can be victims.

    32
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jan 10th 2017, 8:07 PM

    All politicians are over paid lazy idiots who have a completely stupid public who vote for them. Imagine Noonan should have had a vote of no confidence put down by Sinn Fein since the vulture fund program yesterday. They are all the same.

    14
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jan 11th 2017, 12:52 AM

    @Gerry O’Rourke: well said. Again why is no Irish politician looking for him to be sacked.

    8
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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:16 PM

    Foster had a go at SF for causing instability and putting the peace process in jeopardy and called it irresponsible! She must be very peed off considering that the DUP sees that as their job if not divine right. They can’t stand the fact that they are the ones this time who are at fault and they can’t play the sanctimonious better than thou card.

    347
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:06 PM

    In fairness, the DUP didn’t collapse the Assembly when the continued existence of the PIRA terrorist group was confirmed.

    DUP let Sinn Féin off the hook that time.

    69
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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:10 PM

    The now updated story is that she now wants an investigation! Sorry Arlene but I don’t think that it will do you any good. SF called your bluff and now you are trying to cover your tracks. The DUP have spent so long on their high horses that they forgot that sooner or later they are bound to fall off them. Now they are in the shite and should get used to it because they have thrown enough of it around for long enough.

    If the other NI parties have any sense they will find out who it was benefited from the RHI scheme and I would be willing to bet that the vast majority are nice rich DUP donors. It won’t be them who will feel the pain of cuts to services that the lower income DUP voters will have to face because of the £400 million shortfall due to the RHI.

    208
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:18 PM

    @Diarmuid: “when the continued existence of the PIRA terrorist group was confirmed.”

    dermo, you were trying that one on a year ago before your last account was banned. You kept postig PART of a sentence from a statement to ‘prove’ your point.

    Have you used your time in the wilderness to come up with actual proof?

    183
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:23 PM

    Just pointing out Shinner hypocrisy…

    P.S. Know any “Good Republicans” who could fill this gap in the British Exchequer?

    52
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:29 PM

    @Diarmuid: ‘Pointing out’ by using a statement you can’t back up.

    Good lad dermo, new account, still nothing to add.

    159
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:34 PM

    Pointing out that the DUP did not collapse the institutions during the last crisis?

    Silly post-truth Shinnerbot.

    47
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:41 PM

    @Diarmuid: Thank you for help proving my point that you’ve nothing to add to the converstion.

    At least you finally managed to prove something, and sure enough it was a point made by someone else.

    Missed u hun x

    141
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    Mute Colm Ó Liatháin
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:46 PM

    @Diarmuid: the lads with that few quid from the northern bank

    41
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:50 PM

    Good point Colm. Lots of good sources of money from “Good Republicans”.

    Slab Murphy will be soon released too, perhaps our resident shinnerbots can tap him up for some sponds.

    45
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:53 PM

    Anglo loans was another source of good money.

    95
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    Mute Colm Ó Liatháin
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:58 PM

    @Diarmuid: im a republican and im broke

    20
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jan 10th 2017, 4:13 PM

    Lots of “good republicans” in the Republican Party.

    45
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:19 PM

    It’s very hard to sympathise with arlene foster in this debacle. Every other party asked her to stand aside temporarily and without predjuice, but instead she has spent the last month pointing fingers and making ridiculous inflammatory statements. It had to be brought to a head, and it was by yet another (and hopefully not final) statesmanlike act from Martin McGuinness.

    279
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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:03 PM

    Lols. Shinners have taught her well…

    When you’re in trouble, just scream “political policing” or “threat to the Peace Process”.

    53
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    Mute Hugh Davison
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    Jan 11th 2017, 3:36 AM

    @Diarmuid: Give over, will you?

    2
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    Mute The Viking
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:06 PM

    The Lady who oversaw and ran the show is looking for an inquirery into it. Am I missing something here. Has she not thrown enough money over the side of a cliff..

    173
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:16 PM

    @The Viking: So now the British government can carry out the inquiry into RHI instead which is what the MP’s in Westminster are now calling for.

    78
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    Mute The Viking
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:26 PM

    @Chris Kirk. I hear you. Tho it would be only right for her to put her hands up and admit responsibility and then hand in her resignation. That way it would save money that would be pumped into inquiry. Also possibly she may be able to walk away with some dignity. POSSIBLY….

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:28 PM

    @The Viking it was a PAC investigation she wants. Same shite as we have here. Investigate and shut the window. Nothing happens so it continues.

    72
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:31 PM

    @The Viking: True, but I don’t think her DUP colleagues would allow that to happen, they are like rats in a barrel

    55
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    Mute Bhiniáimin Ó Beith
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:12 PM

    The arrogance of Arlene Foster is astounding someone who has not the humility to resign after such a misappropriation of taxpayers money has no place in politics. Now the proverbial has hit the fan she’s not so smug trying to back peddle from the position she maintained only a few days ago. She might wanna burn all the evidence while she’s the chance.

    137
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:26 PM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: I think she should seek some professional therapy, she obviously has a problem working with other people.

    83
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    Mute David Clarke
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:38 PM

    Don’t worry fg/DUP will do their best to put the blame on sf when it was all the parties who have called for her to step aside but after watching the program last night on rte she should not be the only one who should go but that won’t happen

    106
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    Mute Paul
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:33 PM

    Luckly for people i NI, 18 seats are been cut this for this election.

    75
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    Mute Right2change Midwest
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:44 PM

    Foster wants an independent enquiry of which she wants her officials to setup. Now that’s INDEPENDENT!!!

    72
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    Mute Éanna McClean
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:57 PM

    Remember Arlene, pride comes before a fall. And by the looks of it your going to be hitting the ground mighty hard when your hot air balloon comes crashing down to earth

    68
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    Mute Richie Smith
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:17 PM

    Will an election actually solve anything? The DUP will throw out a load of sectarian nonsense on the campaign trail and their core voters will just lap it up like they always do. SF have no viable opposition so their seats will be largely unchanged. So where do they go from there?

    61
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:41 PM

    It would be more of an innovation if those who supported removing any cap on the free heating subsidy were obliged to pay the money back. But that’s too responsible a move for politicians to consider. At lrast they haven’t brought in consultants to explain where the scam wasted public taxes.

    54
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    Mute mrmeade
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    Jan 10th 2017, 4:30 PM

    Her bluff was called and now the pennys finally dropped for her. She’s only now realising that she would have been better off standing aside. This was she gets turfed out by SF.

    53
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    Mute GO GREEN
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:09 PM

    Not just in NI but in Europe the whole bio energy wood scheme is not green at all, but is even worse than coal in terms of emissions and involves the deforestation of millions of trees in US and Europe, trees that had they not been cut would have acted to curb emissions. As regards Foster all she had to do was step aside for a few weeks but instead chose to bring NI back to the brink of madness and create a vacuum for the hard men to strut their stuff.

    51
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    Mute Dan Henry
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:41 PM

    Arlene Foster should have walked long go the world knows that but look at the state of her she wouldn’t walk far fair play to Martin I will vote Sinn Fein next time for sure..

    48
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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:44 PM

    If she had done the honourable thing and voluntarily stepped aside for the duration of the enquiry she would have enhanced her reputation all round if she was found to have done no wrong. The question so is what is she hiding that compelled her not to step aside temporarily?

    45
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    Mute Irish big fellow
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:33 PM

    About Time for those politicians in Northern Ireland to grow up and leave baby infants class. The day of handholding by politicians outside the jurisdiction of the six counties is over. Surely they cannot expect another big effort by the US government and the UK government to force them to become reconciled. So much effort has already gone into the establishment of the Northern Ireland executive.

    40
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:03 PM

    @Irish big fellow: Well at least they won’t have to concern themselves about the EU and brexit negotiations now being dictated by Theresa May. If the parties don’t sort themselves out in the north then perhaps the UK government could cut their wages and put an end to sectarian politics.

    23
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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:16 PM

    Provisional SF proving again how unsuitable they are for Govt, letting DUP off the hook and letting all the people down rather than dealing with the issues of BREXIT

    36
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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:21 PM

    @Stephen Kearon:
    So to be suitable for government you have to accept whatever the bigots want?strange logic.

    125
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    Mute Paddy Lions
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:28 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: Another waste of taxpayers’ money. Only the truly stupid could fall for the antics of a gang that has been responsible for so much.

    21
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    Mute Lennie
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:54 PM

    Hello Green Beard, your views are outdated.

    30
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    Mute Brendan Luke Ferron
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:05 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: In fairness this is a guy who worked for for Dick Roche while FF were destroying the country and inviting the trokia in the door, your party does have one thing in common with the DUP though, the penchant for fondling in the greasy till – seriously a person like you lecturing anybody about their suitability for government given how your lot behaved in power is laughable – as the man said it’s like the hunchback of Notre Dame giving a lecture on good posture.

    80
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    Mute richard fennessy
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:45 PM

    New fianna fail slogan Well done “unsuitable for govt”

    40
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:12 PM

    Stephen Kearon is another FF Gombeen, joke of a man!

    34
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    Mute The Edge
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:09 PM

    What a general election followed by a border poll, I don’t see that happening

    22
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    Mute Éanna McClean
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:58 PM

    Elections? WTF aren’t you jumping the gun a bit

    16
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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:41 PM

    Mother of god, if Mary Loo spent as much time worrying about what is going on in the 26 counties she might find there are far more pressing matters than a bunch of self serving, sense of entitlement clowns up north making idiots of themselves. The sight of the entire SF parliamentary gathered around a Mike outside the dail this evening commenting on northern rubbish made my blood boil. Gob$@ites the lot of them

    21
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:53 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: Well said, Mary Gloo should be tending to matters within her own costituency to help the homeless…

    15
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 10th 2017, 2:50 PM

    Sur why don’t he make a treble out of it and predict an election in the south as well.

    19
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:09 PM

    If you think this is bad then surely the idea of a united Ireland is even more unrealistic.

    17
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:40 PM

    Calling an idea that hasn’t even been debated yet as “unrealistic” is a tad premature.

    47
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:46 PM

    @Mr Phil Officer: I think chris has already had the “If Sinn Feins for it, I’m against it” debate with himself in relation to reunification.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:55 PM

    Think you’ll find that Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA don’t own the idea of unification….

    19
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    Mute Mr Phil Officer
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    Jan 10th 2017, 4:10 PM

    The realities of economic situation will push the drive for unification, judging by the speed at which some in the north have rushed to get Irish passports that realisation seems to have already set in.

    44
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    Mute Crom Cruach
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    Jan 10th 2017, 4:33 PM

    @Chris Kirk: Arlene Foster – future Taoiseach in a DUP/FG coalition?

    26
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:30 PM

    @Mr Phil Officer: Where have you been Phil, the question over a proposed United Ireland has been on everyones lips since brexit was announced. Now we can see how stupid the idea is……

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    Mute Connell Murdock
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    Jan 10th 2017, 8:20 PM

    Horrible woman

    14
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    Mute Val Martin
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    Jan 10th 2017, 6:21 PM

    I don’t know about the poker in the eye, but the well to do farmers grabbing all the money could do with poking the wood chip renewable fire.

    14
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 11:25 PM

    @Val Martin: I don’t think it ends there Val, according to the leader of the NI farmers they have signed contracts for the RHI scheme and will expect to be compensated for the cost of installing the expensive biomass boiler systems if the contracts are withdrawn……Arlene Foster was a solicitor in her previous life.

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    Mute Crom Cruach
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    Jan 10th 2017, 4:31 PM

    It would be great if Brokenshire ordered a full public enquiry of his own volition. Let’s not forget that neither Sinn Fein or DUP want that, but every other party and the public are calling for it. The NI legislation is nearly 99% identical to the GB scheme, with the main difference being the omission of cost controls by a removal of one paragraph.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:40 PM

    @Crom Cruach: Indeed, several MP’s in Westminster today are now calling for it and Brokenshire acknowledged their calling saying that if the parties can’t settle their differences over the coming days then he will call an election. This in effect will allow the UK government to investigate the norths RHI scheme along with everything else the NI executive was doing. Arlene Foster might then wish she played the game instead of the hard ball.

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    Mute Toon Army
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    Jan 10th 2017, 7:44 PM

    Agree McGuiness had fair reason to stand down but could this be a shrewd move by the Shinners? Triggering an election as anti-Brexit sentiment grows. Remember NI voted to remain. Interesting to see the debate that could be sparked on the door steps, you can imagine Sinn Fein will drive a pro ‘new’ Europe approach potentially putting the Unionists in an awkward position clinging to the coattails of Brexit that, by that time, starts to unravel.

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    Mute Mr Gabby
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    Jan 10th 2017, 6:15 PM

    The Shinners should have knee capped her or took her from her home in the dark of night never to be seen again, Like the good old days.

    8
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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Jan 10th 2017, 6:08 PM

    What about the sisterhood?

    8
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    Mute Congress Tart
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:03 PM

    WTF is cash for ash? Why doesn’t the article say? It’s in the bloody headline.

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    Mute Imogene Blignaut
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:25 PM

    @Congress Tart: There is a link in the article to an explainer.

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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:26 PM

    @Congress Tart:
    To paraphrase it..a scheme to promote the use of wood pellets for heating which basically paid out £1.50? for every £spent..and lead to the ludicrous situation where large empty building and barn’s etc were being heated to turn a tidy profits. while the taxpayers in NI have been caught to pay the projected overspend of about £400,000,000..whilst people of both communities are suffering fuel poverty..kind of clusterf##& that normally has the handprints’ of democratic parties like FG/FF all over it..puts the money wasted on electronic voting in the hapenny place..but doesn’t look bad when compared to IW..

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:47 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: That seems to be the gist of it, besides which it turns a tidy profit for Balcas the supplier of biomass wood pellets.
    Seeing as Leinster House is a biomass customer of Balcas, I wonder did they benefit from the RHI scheme….big empty barn like.

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    Mute Roman Shortall
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    Jan 10th 2017, 5:54 PM

    Like kids fighting in the school yard. Pathetic the lot of them.

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    Mute Ben Moylan
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    Jan 10th 2017, 7:17 PM

    I See Mary Lou Is Back,She Was On Sick Leave When Gerry Adams Was Being Questioned About The Murder Of Prison Officer Mr. Stack.. A Fianna Failer Who Looks Like A Monica Lewinsky Distant Relative…

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    Mute Phil Swan
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    Jan 10th 2017, 10:41 PM

    Jaypers Mary Lou leave the shovel at home next time yer putting on foundation.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Jan 11th 2017, 3:24 AM

    @Phil Swan; I hope someone got you a set of knitting needles and pink elastic leg bloomers at xmas to match that bi tch of an attitude you have there!!!!

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    Mute henry2014
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    Jan 11th 2017, 7:30 AM

    She should keep her nose out nothing to do with her

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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:26 PM

    Typical SF blackmail tactics.

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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 10th 2017, 3:24 PM

    It all stinks to high heaven especially the SF guys allowing the whole thing to get this far.

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