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Some of the TDs who make up the Dáil Technical Group (File photo) Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

16 TDs want a meeting with RTÉ because they're being treated 'very unfairly'

Members of the Dáil’s Technical Group claim that the national broadcaster is unfairly excluding them from a Prime Time panel. RTÉ argues that independents are not a political party and represent themselves.

THE DÁIL TECHNICAL Group of 16 independent and smaller party TDs have lodged a formal complaint with RTÉ and is seeking an urgent meeting with the station’s senior management over what they believe is unfair treatment of non-party politicians for TV debates.

All members of the grouping, which was established three years ago to secure speaking rights in the Dáil, have refused to take part in tonight’s Prime Time debate ‘What Good Is Local Government?’ because they have been excluded from the main panel.

A representative from the group was asked to participate in the audience where they would be asked for comment while the main panel for the programme would be made up of representatives from Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Labour and Fine Gael.

A spokesperson for RTÉ said that the grouping of deputies does not constitute a political party and “by definition, they represent only themselves”.

As a result the Technical Group has now formally complained to the national broadcaster and sought an urgent meeting with its senior executives. The complaint will be forwarded to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland if the group is not happy with RTÉ’s response.

In a joint statement issued today, the 16 TDs insisted that the fact they represent a third of the opposition and hold more Dáil seats than Sinn Féin means that RTÉ should respect the mandate given to independents.

“Add to that the current opinion polls which have Independents polling at similar levels to Fine Gael, above Labour and the other opposition parties and you can see that it becomes very unfair for RTÉ to structure their panels in a way that is not reflective of the audience’s mandate,” the statement said.

The statement added that “for too long now the status quo has been maintained and indeed proliferated” by RTÉ.

In its statement to TheJournal.ie, RTÉ said: “Each of the four largest political parties has been offered one of a necessarily limited number of seats on the panel. Tuesday night is Prime Time’s audience programme and contributions from the audience are integral to the programme.

“Independent representatives at national and local level are always taken into account by Prime Time.

“However, Independents are not a political party, their individual views cover the entire political spectrum,  and, by definition, they represent only themselves. For these reasons, it is simply not possible to have a ‘representative’ of ‘Independents’ on the panel.

“However, we do recognise that many voters choose to vote for independent representatives, and we would be delighted for independents to make a contribution to this debate on local government from the audience.

The Technical Group is made up of independent deputies Stephen Donnelly, Luke Ming Flanagan, Tom Fleming, John Halligan, Finian McGrath, Mattie McGrath, Maureen O’Sullivan, Thomas Pringle, Shane Ross, and Mick Wallace.

WUAG’s Seamus Healy, the Socialist Party’s Joe Higgins, and ULA TDs Richard Boyd-Barrett, Joan Collins, and Clare Daly are also part of the grouping.

Read: ‘Liberals don’t like my thinking’: TD claims he was ousted over abortion views

Read: Can expelled TDs join the Dáil Technical Group? Here’s why it’s ‘as clear as mud’

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122 Comments
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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    May 13th 2014, 1:46 PM

    Independents make up a large % of the current Dail, and also candidates this time round. It is absolutely right they be given more air time. But Clare Daly, Ming, Wallace get quite a bit. It’s the other ones that should get more time.

    283
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:47 PM

    All should get equal time no need to pick and choose.

    167
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 1:49 PM

    Our democracy depends on political parties – imagine if the whole Dáil was made up of Claire Daly and Mick Wallaces – the only thing that would be done would be an assault on our eyes and ears.

    128
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:51 PM

    Our democracy depends on equality, if our society continues to grow unequal more will turn to radical views as now shown across Europe. We need people like Clare Daly (that’s how its spelt) to fight for the little guy which she has done tirelessly since entering politics.

    226
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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    May 13th 2014, 1:57 PM

    Speaking rights in the Dail also needs reform – that’s a big part of the problem.

    149
    Reg
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    Mute Reg
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    May 13th 2014, 1:57 PM

    Don’t say that Inigo. Don’t you know that the country will be run perfectly the day the Dail is full of independents!!

    37
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:02 PM

    Ms Claire Daly having encouraged criminal behaviour in avoiding the bin tax is an opposition politician – politics is the art of compromise -that’s why she will never go into power and do something – she performs a function and that’s it… the work of government requires something else. She’s no Tony Gregory. That’s way the left wing always fragments – they live in cloud cuckoo land – but they perform a reasonable function – in power they would be a disaster in opposition a fun distraction.

    They perform the same function as the Daily Edge to the Journal.

    67
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:04 PM

    @Kevin oh and it’s ‘spelled’ not ‘spelt’ – spelt is a form of wheat. You’re welcome.

    58
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    Mute Ink Toner
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    May 13th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Not to mention the large pay off she got for giving up her council seat and her totally hypocritical friendship with the tax dodger in the pink shirt!

    64
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    Mute Colin
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    May 13th 2014, 2:16 PM

    is that not what we currently have

    8
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    Mute Anne-Marie McNally
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    May 13th 2014, 2:18 PM

    It is not a case of one ind representing other ind, the argument is that in the last General Election poeple gave a very clear message that they wanted to hear Independent Voices. They hold more seats than Sinn Féin and just slightly less than Fianna Fáil and as such represent one third of the opposition. Current polls suggest parity with Fine Gael.

    Now is it fair that such a large proportion of the population who are actively demanding independent voices don’t have them include, in a fair and comparable way, on the national broadcaster?

    It is a way for the mainstream political & media agenda to perpetuate itself and try and keep the status quo whilst relegating others to the sidelines. It is media framing at it’s most cynical. Don’t be a sucker to it. whether or not you agree with those voices is not the point, it’s a democracy and they should be heard as per the mandate of a significant portion of the electorate.

    If we allow a situation where the media decide who is ‘real’ and who is ‘alternative’ then we are no longer truly democratic nor do we have an impartial national broadcaster

    124
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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:26 PM

    I concur with that. We also live in a soundbyte driven politics/media relationship – that’s most unhelpful.

    If there was ever a need for a quota in politics it is for Independents to have a voice in the media, rather than gender quotas which are also ‘media framing at it’s most cynical’.

    63
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:27 PM

    @Ann-Marie – i agree about 20% of the population are nutcases – they must also be given airtime… succinctly put… couldn’t have put it better myself.

    16
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    Mute VF Counselling
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    May 13th 2014, 2:28 PM

    If it wasn’t for Daly, Ming and Wallace shatter would still be minister for justice and Callaghan head of the Garda

    138
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:30 PM

    @Vd Counselling don’t forget Micheal Martin…if you praise one you must praise them all!

    11
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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:31 PM

    That’s true, but there are many more other Independents out there that don’t get the coverage or invitations to VB on a regular basis. They have become the de facto spokespeople through media laziness. Meanwhile, much of the media seems content to also regularly seek out the opinions of unelected and largely unelected mouthpieces regularly, as if they were in fact the conscience of the nation. They are not.

    35
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    Mute Mary Ryan
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    May 13th 2014, 3:02 PM

    Wrong wrong – it was McDowell and Law Library that got rid of Shatter not Daly and Wallace. Look beyond the bleeding obvious to who gains by his absence. Not the general public but the people who would have been affected by the Legal Services Regulation Bill. Why do you think McDowell was acting for McCabe.

    20
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    Mute Frank Mc Carney
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    May 13th 2014, 3:38 PM

    Agree with you on that Kevin and I think RTE should watch out because after next general election there will be a huge increase in number of independents in the Dail. Political parties and use of party whip has been responsible for the stagnation of democracy in Ireland to the advantage of party interests

    50
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    Mute Brenda Malloy
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    May 13th 2014, 3:55 PM

    I’d probably consider your arguments more carefully if you weren’t hiding behind a fictional name. Not got the courage of your own convictions?

    10
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    Mute Virtual Architect
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    May 13th 2014, 4:07 PM

    Imagine if our government only consisted of mainstream political parties what a sham “democracy” we would have…. Oh wait….

    27
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    Mute Virtual Architect
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    May 13th 2014, 4:10 PM

    I used to worry about spelling and correct people. Then I realised it’s quite a waste of time. There are more important things to worry about and some very smart people are dyslexic.

    28
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 4:29 PM

    Dyslexics of the world – untie!

    10
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    Mute Eric Davies
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    May 13th 2014, 5:47 PM

    well they couldn’t do much worse than the last 2 shower of incompetent ,corrupt gombeens have done!

    18
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    Mute Patrick Lyons
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    May 14th 2014, 12:48 PM

    As opposed to the assault on our homes and wallets from the TD’s in political parties ?

    1
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    Mute June Tobin Maher
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    Jan 6th 2015, 3:18 PM

    Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

    1
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    Mute Gerard Casserly
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    May 13th 2014, 1:43 PM

    Our independence day WILL happen.

    174
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    Mute Rick Grimes
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    May 13th 2014, 1:49 PM

    For that to happen we need a populace that isn’t completely apathetic

    116
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    Mute Martin Bishop
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    May 13th 2014, 1:50 PM

    Yes Gerard, it will!

    We will destroy the giant alien spaceship in the sky using a man that works for Sky tv, he’ll use his Apple Mac to implant a virus into the ship to turn off its shields so we’ll finally be able to attack the giant spaceship successfully. It will be our independence day!

    The Irish airforce will save us!

    25
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    Mute Michael
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    May 13th 2014, 1:51 PM

    And parish pump politics, will prevail!!!!

    36
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    Mute P O' Neill
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    May 13th 2014, 2:23 PM

    Drinking early?

    24
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:45 PM

    To whom it may concern.

    On Sunday at 22:35 a debate for the Midland North West European
    election constituency will take place on Prime time on RTE television.
    The main debate will be between. FG Higgins mcguinness, FF Pat The
    Cope Gallagher, SF Carthy, Labour Lorraine Higgins Harkin.

    I would like to make an official complaint on the fact Luke ‘Ming’
    Flanagan will not be allowed in the debate. It is a disgrace that you
    would deny any politician his voice on a public broadcaster that I
    reluctantly pay for via the broadcast charge which more people go to
    jail for than corruption in this country.

    If you do not let him on I personally and many I know will be
    boycotting this debate as it is made clear where RTE affiliate
    themselves despite the general public paying the majority of your
    wages.

    Ill leave you with this message from your website, its a terrible
    shame to say I pay your wages as clearly its going down the drain.

    “RTÉ is funded in part by public money through the licence fee and we
    believe that our policies and operations should be open to public
    scrutiny and that access to our records by the public will show that
    we carry out our public service remit scrupulously and honestly.”
    (http://www.rte.ie/about/en/serving-our-audience/2012/0417/317444-rte-and-freedom-of-information/)

    Awaiting your reply,

    Kevin Higgins

    150
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 1:47 PM

    I think RTE losing you as one of their valued viewers should stir them into action Kevin.

    53
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:49 PM

    Loosing thousands would, I got 8 people to do it last night how many did you do?

    126
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 1:51 PM

    I opened up a bottle of wine, sat back and enjoyed the Dolores Keane Documentary and then Prime time… some fine viewing – i encourage 8 others to do the same.. so its equalled out.

    52
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    Mute Martin Bishop
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    May 13th 2014, 1:52 PM

    Kevin,
    If people won’t stop watching RTE because of the high cost of the tv license fee for the past few decades then they sure as hell won’t stop for your campaign.

    38
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    Mute Colm Mufc Connolly
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    May 13th 2014, 1:52 PM

    Is ming running for a seat in Europe ? If so then by all means he should be there but if not then he has no reason to be on that panel

    56
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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    May 13th 2014, 1:52 PM

    Inigo, you are the coalition’s wet dream

    93
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 1:55 PM

    @Gracchus – why thank you.

    16
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:57 PM

    Its not my campaign, its my right as a taxpayer. I will be boycotting this terrible licence soon.

    77
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    May 13th 2014, 1:59 PM

    You really struggle with the English language, don’t you Kevin? Your €160 p.a. isn’t paying too many peoples wages, get over it.

    9
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 2:03 PM

    Ive never struggled with the English language but I have struggled to get past peoples stubbornness. Everyone that pays the tv licence pays the majority of the running of RTE am I right?

    84
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    Mute Colin
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    May 13th 2014, 2:10 PM

    Good man Kevin
    you can make it 9 people email address is ‘info@rte.ie’

    55
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:14 PM

    @colin solidarity brother (or sister).

    7
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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    May 13th 2014, 2:18 PM

    @ Inigo. Never thought I’d share taste in movies with a blueshirt, shouldn’t you be using a character from some cheesy blockbuster instead

    43
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    Mute Were Jammin
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    May 13th 2014, 2:19 PM

    @ Kevin, make that 10, plus I forwarded it on to my mates.

    Ta

    58
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:19 PM

    @Blueshirt? how dare you sir! inconceivable!

    7
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    Mute Martin Bishop
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    May 13th 2014, 2:24 PM

    Kevin,
    you already pay this “tax”
    Its called the tv license fee,

    3
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    Mute Thomas Dooly
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    May 13th 2014, 2:24 PM

    Kevin , you’ve got to stop communicating (bickering even) with fake accounts!

    10
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    Mute P O' Neill
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    May 13th 2014, 2:26 PM

    Would you prefer the term ‘Free Stater’?

    18
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    Mute Thomas Dooly
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    May 13th 2014, 2:26 PM

    Oh ,Inigo, I will have to agree with you on the Dolores Keane documentary that was on RTE1 last night ,excellent !

    6
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:28 PM

    @thomas – that’s ok thomas :) – a fine West of Ireland woman… god bless her hope to see her live soon.

    5
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 3:18 PM

    Fake accounts are run by cheapskates, I have fun proving these people wrong

    21
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 3:18 PM

    Fake accounts are run by cheapskates, I have fun proving these people wrong

    15
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    Mute Colin
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    May 13th 2014, 4:10 PM

    From RTE Below – “all candidates have been invited” – not sure if this means they are on the panel – I will wait and see – but a very quick response

    Dear Colin,
    RTÉ Prime Time will hold a series of special election debate programmes running for three consecutive nights beginning this Sunday 18th May. All candidates standing in the European Elections in Ireland have been invited to take part in these studio debates.
    On Sunday 18th May, David McCullagh and Miriam O’Callaghan will present the debate on the Midlands-North-West constituency at 10.35pm. The candidates standing in this constituency are: Thomas Byrne (FF), Matt Carthy (SF), Mark Dearey (GP), T J Fay (Ind), Mark Fitzsimons (Ind), Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (Ind), Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher (FF), Ben Gilroy (DDI), Marian Harkin (Ind), Jim Higgins (FG), Lorraine Higgins (Lab), Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh (FN), Mairead McGuinness (FG) and Rónán Mullen (Ind).
    On Monday 19th May Miriam O’Callaghan and Claire Byrne will present the debate focusing on the South constituency beginning at 10.35pm. The candidates standing in this constituency are: Deirdre Clune (FG), Brian Crowley (FF), Jillian Godsil (Ind), Simon Harris (FG), Kieran Hartley (FF), Theresa Heaney (CD), Seán Kelly (FG), Liadh Ní Riada (SF), Diarmiud O’Flynn (Ind), Peter O’Loughlin (Ind), Dónal Ó Ríordáin (FN), Grace O’Sullivan (GP), Phil Prendergast (Lab) and Jan Van De Ven (DDI).
    The final special programme in the series will feature the Dublin consistency on Tuesday 20th May at 9.35pm presented by Claire Byrne and David McCullagh. The candidates standing in this constituency are: Lynn Boylan (SF), Nessa Childers (Ind) , Emer Costello (Lab), Thomas Darcy (DDI), Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), Brian Hayes (FG), Paul Murphy (SP), Eamon Ryan (GP), Brid Smith (PBP), Jim Tallon (Ind), Raymond Whitehead (DDI) and Damon Matthew Wise (FN).
    All three RTÉ Prime Time Election Debates will be broadcast live on RTÉ One, RTÉ News Now and available worldwide on the RTÉ Player.

    RTÉ Information Office

    8
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 4:33 PM

    Does these mean Kevin Higgins’ hunger (from RTE) strike is over?

    6
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    Mute selfsustainable
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    May 13th 2014, 7:27 PM

    No 11.

    12
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 10:53 PM

    No it means people with similar views are working together by sending complaints to our national broadcaster

    9
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    Mute Oisin Boyd
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    May 21st 2014, 6:35 AM

    Why do you have to open up your silly mouth on all of these Journal articles? Surely you’re trolling or just plain stupid? Either way you’re giving me a headache reading all your annoying comments. Beat it!

    1
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    Mute Dave cullen
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    May 13th 2014, 1:51 PM

    RTE have been at this since its inception! Their pro Fine Gael reporting is disgraceful ! Fortunately the majority of people now use other media sources to get the real picture! Ignoring its other faults Tv3 in fairness has a less bias attitude.

    96
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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:01 PM

    The IT has also become pro whichever party in in power over the years. As much as the Independent is a rag, at east with them you know where you stand.

    44
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    Mute LesBehan
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    May 13th 2014, 3:36 PM

    RTE aren’t totally pro Fine Gael, they are just pro whomever is in power at the time. Go back to when the Failures where in power, their bias towards them was sickening.

    42
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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:12 PM

    RTE are part of the corrupt establishment, they like things the way they are, no outsiders and don’t rock the boat.

    87
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    Mute Silent Majority
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    May 13th 2014, 2:12 PM

    “by definition, they represent only themselves” – well no, by definition they represent their constituents, which should be the case for all TDs no matter their party alignment. Seems RTE’s current affairs dept struggle with the basic concepts of democracy – worrying but unfortunately not at all surprising.

    67
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    May 13th 2014, 2:14 PM

    remind me again which political grouping broke the garda whistleblower scandals………….

    62
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    Mute JakkiB
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    May 13th 2014, 2:03 PM

    Can anyone tell me what is the point of political parties if they operate under the whip system??? At least independents represent their people

    62
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    Mute Enda Rochford
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    May 14th 2014, 12:23 PM

    Its a sham. People believe that voting for a party means their voice is being heard and their vote is not wasted. The reality is different. Most parties policies are driven by a small group of decision makers, in often cases they are not even elected. Look at how much control Frank Flannery had (or has) over Fine Gael and he has never been elected and its also the same at other larger parties. People are slowly realising that a vote for the larger established parties just maintains the same problems and nothing changes.,

    5
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    Mute cosmological
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    May 13th 2014, 1:47 PM

    The same old attitudes. It’s not about being a party, that’s just semantics to deny us all the opportunity to hear different, some might say progressive, points of view.

    55
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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 1:50 PM

    I’ll listen to Wallace when he respects Dáil Éireann and pays back the money he owes.

    54
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    Mute JakkiB
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    May 13th 2014, 1:52 PM

    Have a prime time show with just the indo’s and allow them to talk about there intentions, Let the people hear all, We can make up our own mind without the propaganda media telling us what to do

    52
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    Mute Kieran Timmons
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    May 13th 2014, 1:45 PM

    RTÉ are right, one of the members of the Technical Group would not represent the views and opinions of the other members unlike a political party. If RTÉ has picked one of the members the rest of them would have been complaining that they had not been picked.

    42
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:49 PM

    If they did it by opinion polls it would be two independent sitting and no Labour.

    72
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    Mute Donal O'Brien
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    May 13th 2014, 2:27 PM

    Stop holding elections so and run the country by opinion polls so. Anyway many of these independents are independents cause the got thrown out of their parties. Lots of independents elected in 2002, many lost their seats because they were as effective as a chocolate tea pot.

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    Mute DamoDeMan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:26 PM

    Just pretend that Independents do not exist
    I suppose we are lucky that SF are involved
    We get to hear about the great work of the PARTY= insert FF/FG/Labour as required
    I do hope that all three get their arses kicked in the elections and then maybe we will get change
    because if they do well then we are stuck with the same old, same old
    as the main three do not want to change the way anything is done

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    May 13th 2014, 2:18 PM

    funny when ff were in coalition with pds and independents such as healy rae rte had no problem including them on panels…….FG/LAB are running scared of Independents as they are doing more to hold them accountable than FF and are representing the people who voted for them unlike the main parties whose electorate viewpoint is not represented in govt…

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    Mute Martin Stapleton
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    May 13th 2014, 1:48 PM

    Hey,
    The whole of Ireland would like a meeting with all TDs because we are being treated unfairly!
    Welcome to our world Lads!

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    Mute Kevin Carroll
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    May 13th 2014, 3:17 PM

    Those 16 tds, despite their disparate political persuasions have been the only real opposition this country has had over the last couple of years. Their contributions are vital as far as I’m concerned.

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    Mute Barry Humphreys
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    May 13th 2014, 2:10 PM

    RTE= State broadcaster.

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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:13 PM

    State propaganda.

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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:16 PM

    @joseph – you wish it was !

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    Mute Paul Collins
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    May 13th 2014, 1:49 PM

    If they’re independent than act as such. Otherwise form a party and get the rights they desire. They can’t have it both ways, can they?

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    Mute Martin Smith
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    May 13th 2014, 1:53 PM

    You can’t have it both ways, lads. A Technical Group is not a party.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 2:01 PM

    then the dail cant have it one way, if the people have voted and demanded independents in the dail then its the dails job to provide them with adequate speaking time, unfortunately the system is so old they must set up the technical group.

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    Mute David Burke
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    May 13th 2014, 2:06 PM

    Sure but who goes on the panel who is representative of independents. Claire Daly and Ross agree on nothing.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    May 13th 2014, 3:29 PM

    Rotation , live feed to seperate TDs? Rte have a very old system of hosting these shows look at RT, Al Jazeera, democracy now etc

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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    May 13th 2014, 5:33 PM

    RTE is controlled by the government that is in power, its part of the Golden circle

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    Mute Sammy Sausages
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    May 13th 2014, 1:59 PM

    Independents when it suits them. A technical group when it doesn’t. Can’t have it both way lads and lassies. Mainly a ragbag of eccentrics IMHO – with only a few worth listening to, as the exceptions.

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    Mute Donal O'Brien
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    May 13th 2014, 2:28 PM

    They could set up as the Mé Féin party and get invited to all the TV shows and stuff.

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    Mute Sammy Sausages
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    May 13th 2014, 10:22 PM

    Yay, I got loads of redsies!!!
    Two words lads: Mick Wallace.

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    Mute cosmological
    Favourite cosmological
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    May 13th 2014, 2:19 PM

    Inigo, you are ubiquitous.

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    Mute sean de paore
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    May 13th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Tv3 had a two hour programmes on this midland northwest constituency last night. All bar one independent was included but the contributions of a few were of primary school level.
    #vinb if people are interested in reading about what they missed.

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    Mute Reg
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    May 13th 2014, 2:37 PM

    One was a complete nutcase. Should have been sanctioned!

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    May 13th 2014, 4:06 PM

    The fg woman was by far the most annoying and Vincent should have asked her to leave when she would not shut up

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    Mute Ink Toner
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    May 13th 2014, 2:01 PM

    What a bunch of motley losers! Just another bunch of highly paid & expenses laden hangers on funded by the taxpayer! There’s enough rubbish on TV without having to endure this lot! If they wanted to do something why don’t they stop claiming expenses & return half their salaries to the exchequer ?

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    Mute Gaius Gracchus
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    May 13th 2014, 2:10 PM

    Just out of interest Ink Toner, who do you look up to / respect in Dáil Éireann?

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    May 13th 2014, 5:51 PM

    R.T.E will side with whoever is in government , so long as they are allowed to keep raking in the money from the t.v licence as well as from advertising. R.T.E will not give a fair and balanced debate so long as the state is paying its running costs !

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    Mute Bob MacBob
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    May 13th 2014, 2:05 PM

    If they want to be treated as a political party, they know what to do.

    One independent is not the same as a party of 20 TDs. People vote for parties because they understand the leverage a party gives. That’s democratic politics.

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    Mute Joseph O'Regan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:17 PM

    Real Democracy cannot work under the Party Whip system.

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    Mute Bob MacBob
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    May 13th 2014, 2:58 PM

    Joseph – the thing you don’t understand about the party whip system is that the majority of people are in favour of it, in other words it is democratic.

    There is nothing to stop the members of a political party voting to abandon the whip.

    If there was any widespread appetite for such a party, it would exist.

    Just because you don’t like it personally does not make it undemocratic.

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    Mute Caroline Dunlea
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    May 13th 2014, 6:49 PM

    The whip system is THE most undemocratic system in place, a minority control the majority. Hardly a fair democratic system?

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    Mute Bob MacBob
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    May 13th 2014, 8:09 PM

    The whip system is not law – it is voluntary.

    Without it we would have a Dail of Jackie Healy Raes demanding swimming pools for villages so they will vote on bills.

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    May 13th 2014, 2:18 PM

    Independents can’t have it both ways..

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    Mute Diarmuid
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    May 13th 2014, 3:51 PM

    Don’t like the current political parties?.. set up a new one. The concept of a political party is not the problem. What’s the alternative.. the country being run by 166 disparate independent TDs?

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    May 13th 2014, 3:04 PM

    RTE have warren fever

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    Mute SeanieRyan
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    May 13th 2014, 2:22 PM

    The we’re together but we are not group.

    Wasted votes, what can an independent do.

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    Mute Thomas Dooly
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    May 13th 2014, 2:28 PM

    Wish Tony Gregory was around to answer that one for you !

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    Mute P O' Neill
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    May 13th 2014, 2:34 PM

    Again Seanie perpetuating the Fianna Failures mentality. Independents are an ever growing force in Irish politics. RTE has marginalized them and excluded them from debates and opinion polls. Ironic you criticize them here, when Healy-Rae and Co propped up your corrupt government by using ransom and blackmail tactics.

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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 2:42 PM

    @P O neill – we’ll see when SF gets into power… how rigid they will stick to their principles. They never have before they wont then either.

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    Mute P O' Neill
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    May 13th 2014, 3:02 PM

    And that means a lot coming from a Blueshirt like you. FG have merely continued on from where the Fianna Failures left off. Two Conservative parties which continually target the most vulnerable in our society.

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    Mute Inigo Montoya
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    May 13th 2014, 4:28 PM

    @POneill – interesting handle… im not a blueshirt..and can you tell me what principles SF have now only i stopped listening after they said ‘never enter a partionist parliament or a government in the six counties’.’

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    Mute Caroline Dunlea
    Favourite Caroline Dunlea
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    May 13th 2014, 6:46 PM

    RTE being a bit ignorant. Independent TDs represent the people who voted them in, not just themselves. The ones only interested in looking after themselves are the ones in the major parties!

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    Mute Kieran Feeney
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    May 13th 2014, 7:44 PM

    why is rte endorsing party politics this is the problem it is no longer democratic because its down to the leader to dictate and dismiss anyone who doesnt tow the party line so i believe independants have a bigger voice in goverment

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    Mute Ian Crowley
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    May 13th 2014, 3:40 PM

    That photo looks like an unemployment line…

    Hopefully it will be after the next election.

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    Mute ipsum oleum
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    May 13th 2014, 5:16 PM

    Which one of them is Minge ?

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    Mute selfsustainable
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    May 13th 2014, 7:37 PM

    Ipsum…..after all the green thumbs I gave you over the past few months, you just broke my lil heart, here’s a red thumb….I’m off to wail in the corner…..

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    Mute ipsum oleum
    Favourite ipsum oleum
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    May 13th 2014, 3:13 PM

    RTE is doing it’s remaining viewers, all 5 of them, a favour by keeping these dreadful people out of sight.

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    Mute Patrick Ramseyer
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    May 14th 2014, 1:26 PM

    Strange stance by RTE, I assumed that the Independents represent the people that elected them and not “themselves”. I live in Switzerland which has a completely open government system.. all politicians are entitled to their say and their independent vote. Having to toe the party line for the sake of it is nonsensical . one way or the other something has got to change in Ireland.

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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    May 13th 2014, 6:19 PM

    So independent TDs are complaining they are being treated as independent.

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    Mute Harry Power
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    May 13th 2014, 9:33 PM

    True, but only if RTE is part of the Dail.

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    Mute Garrett O Connor
    Favourite Garrett O Connor
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    Jan 5th 2015, 10:56 PM

    RTE are funded by the taxpayer and funding is controlled by government departments, controlled by civil servants. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours. Independents have no control over either and the day they do the civil servants will control the independents. Td’s change, civil servants run departments for decades before they retire! Who is really in the drivers seat?

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