Election 2011 - General

**Mr A** · 10/01/2011, 10:01 AM

Mammy O Rourke consistently seems to forget that she's not an outsider, she's part of this government. If she wanted to bring it all down she could do so.

**Dodge** · 10/01/2011, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Mammy O Rourke consistently seems to forget that she's not an outsider, she's part of this government. If she wanted to bring it all down she could do so.

Quite a few of them trying to position themselves as outsiders alright. The ones who aren't 'retiring' that is.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/01/2011, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

didn't know where else to post this, Fine Gael's website has been hacked: http://finegael2011.com/

If it's resolved by the time you read this, here's what they replaced it with: http://twitpic.com/3okh03

just on this, rte are reporting that up to 4,000 registered users of the fine gael website may have had their details compromised: http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0110/finegael.html

**Dodge** · 10/01/2011, 12:36 PM

Apparently now its 2,000 users that posted 4,000 comments

**tetsujin1979** · 10/01/2011, 12:42 PM

did some searching, Kevin Doyle is the journalist referred to in the rte article: http://twitter.com/#!/KevDoyle_Herald
Here's the original tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/KevDoyle_Herald/status/24395021432131584

Have confirmed - Data Protection Com has been informed that the details of nearly 4,000 people has been stolen by hackers on FG website.

and the reduction: http://twitter.com/#!/KevDoyle_Herald/status/24452376790306816

Fine Gael have analysed the database I sent them and say that 2,000 individuals have been affected. The smaller number due to repeat posters

**BonnieShels** · 10/01/2011, 7:12 PM

Thankfully that's over and the real issue of the day can be debated... so Brian, what exactly did you and Seanie talk about if not Anglo?

**BonnieShels** · 10/01/2011, 8:23 PM

Cowen issues statement:

Statement by the Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. in relation to Sean

Fitzpatrick Book

I want to take this opportunity to utterly refute any suggestions of

impropriety on my part arising out of the recent publication of a book

about Sean Fitzpatrick.

As I confirmed this weekend, I did attend a golf outing in July 2008

organised by a friend Fintan Drury which Mr. Fitzpatrick also attended.

I am quite clear that no discussions regarding Anglo Irish Bank took place.

It was a social outing in full public view. There was nothing untoward, no

hidden or secret agenda and no concessions, favours or interventions

requested or granted. Certain people are drawing inferences for political

and other motives, they are malicious, unfounded and have no basis in fact.

The second issue being discussed is a phone call I took from Mr.

Fitzpatrick while in Asia during the St Patrick�s Day period of 2008 when I

was Minister for Finance. This phone call related to concerns Mr.

Fitzpatrick had about the market situation in relation to the bank�s

shares.

As I confirmed in the D�il as far back as February 2009, as Minister for

Finance, I had been informed by the Governor of the Central Bank in early

March 2008, that a situation was developing in regard to the contracts for

difference issue in Anglo Irish Bank. The exact scale and detail of the

difficulty was not known at that point.

Prior to talking to Mr. Fitzpatrick, I spoke with the Governor. Having

listened to Mr. Fitzpatrick I told him I would refer the issue to the

Governor of the Central Bank. The Central Bank and the Regulator

subsequently followed up on the issue at a meeting with Anglo Irish Bank

which I understand was held in the Central Bank Headquarters on Good Friday

the 21st March 2008.

The continuing attempt to suggest that the Government�s approach to the

affairs of Anglo Irish Bank was influenced by political or any

inappropriate considerations is utterly without foundation. The facts in

this instance demonstrate that as do the findings of the independent review

carried out by Professor Honohan which similarly found that �there is no

evidence or hint of corrupt regulatory forbearance.�

**paudie** · 10/01/2011, 9:23 PM

So cowen seems to be admitting he took no interest in the Anglo shares/Quinn issue between March and July 2008. A pretty bad error of omission to say the least.

**BonnieShels** · 10/01/2011, 9:48 PM

He and FF are hoping we don't notice that.

**Kingdom** · 10/01/2011, 10:40 PM

I hope I'm not making a goon of myself, but listening to Mr Cowen's comments, what I'm hearing is that he was told of Quinn's difficulties, which was tied to Anglo and the effect that would have on Anglo, and that he passed these comments onto the Governor of the Central Bank and then choose not to follow them up until it was too late.

is that correct?

**BonnieShels** · 11/01/2011, 8:45 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I hope I'm not making a goon of myself, but listening to Mr Cowen's comments, what I'm hearing is that he was told of Quinn's difficulties, which was tied to Anglo and the effect that would have on Anglo, and that he passed these comments onto the Governor of the Central Bank and then choose not to follow them up until it was too late.

is that correct?

That's one of the spins you can put on it. Essentially he's damned if he did and he's damned if he didn't. If he had just came out and said what what went on this wouldn't be the sh1tstorm that it has turned out to be. Can't say that I am at all unhappy. I prefer the process of "deaths frome a thousand cuts" meself.

Lenihan today said he is unhappy with the situation. Aren't we all.

**culloty82** · 12/01/2011, 10:09 AM

John O'Donoghue looks to be toast after his running mate in the last two elections, Tom Fleming, has decided to run as an independent. Could Kerry become the first county where both constituencies would be FF-free zones?

**bluemovie** · 12/01/2011, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I hope I'm not making a goon of myself, but listening to Mr Cowen's comments, what I'm hearing is that he was told of Quinn's difficulties, which was tied to Anglo and the effect that would have on Anglo, and that he passed these comments onto the Governor of the Central Bank and then choose not to follow them up until it was too late.

is that correct?

Yes. Cowen is pleading of total incompetence rather than dishonesty/bias/collusion.

**BonnieShels** · 12/01/2011, 9:15 PM

But he's selling it as normal behaviour. God, if these people had brains and could lie properly...

**jinxy lilywhite** · 12/01/2011, 9:42 PM

Cowens performance in the Dail today as of nothing more than when you corner a rat. He only has one way to go and the one way he knows which is too attack.
I don't know if the govt will fall this week. I think the greens just don't have the balls to say enough is enough.

**BonnieShels** · 13/01/2011, 7:25 AM

Lenny and Mickey Martin to table a vote of no confidence at a parliamentary party meeting today. Was looking forward to Cowen fighting the GE.

**Mr A** · 13/01/2011, 9:03 AM

Seems very unclear what, if anything, is going on. Apparently a no confidence motion within FF requires 5 days notice. To get involved in something so drawn out at this stage would be even more suicidal than usual for FF.

**Mr A** · 13/01/2011, 11:30 AM

FF parliamentary party meeting put back 2 hours to 3pm.

It does seem that something is under way.....

Edit: RTE on this now: http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0113/politics.html

Another Edit: The IT have it too: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...breaking4.html

**Mr A** · 13/01/2011, 11:41 AM

Speculation mounting that Cowen has resigned. Unclear whether just as leader of FF or as Taoiseach as well.

All very exciting

**culloty82** · 13/01/2011, 12:52 PM

Politics.ie and RTE reporting that Lenihan is returning directly from Belfast for the meeting - certainly looks like the end. Also claims that Cowen will resign and call a snap election, but all will become clearer at 3 p.m.