A chara, – I am somewhat bemused by the political reaction to the “Ring of Kerry” scandal. We have politicians screaming for inquiries over a bill of some €2,600 of taxpayers’ money, spent supporting Michael Healy-Rae.
While I am not condoning the making of the calls from Leinster House, I can’t help but smile when I think of the thousands of euro spent by the same politicians in posting election material and in writing to constituents to inform them of how the same politician secured planning permission, etc. I imagine the amount spent on an annual basis far exceeds the cost of the phone calls. At least the cost of the phone calls went to charity. – Is mise,
A chara, – I have just listened to Michael Healy-Rae TD on our national broadcaster saying he is the only person in Ireland who pays for other people’s phone calls. Could someone please inform him that every taxpayer in the State pays for the phone calls of other people including those of all TDs and Senators, all government departments, council offices, many state-funded NGOs, An Garda Síochána etc.
It beggars belief that voters in Kerry decided that he was the politician they deserved.
The new politics is alive and well. – Is mise,
A chara, – In your article “Healy-Rae to pay phone money” (Breaking News, June 29th), the Kerry TD is quoted as saying “I don’t owe the money, but there’s nobody else going to come along as far as I can see and say they’re going to pay it.” One wonders if this quote is in relation to the premium calls or more of a reflection on how the Irish tax payer feels as a whole? – Is mise,
Sir, – The Healy-Rae phone scandal has many aspects of the schoolboy jape about it, but it is in reality a microcosm of the out-of-control remuneration and expenses regime in the Dáil and Seanad over the past 10 years.
Clearly the school tuck-shop was under the joint management of Flashman, Billy Bunter and the Just William gang. Things will be different under the new Head, I trust. – Yours, etc,