I just noticed this on the news - apparently the long running financial scandal finally boiled over.
Any comments on the implications?
Who is likely to succeed him?
Bertie Ahern Resigns
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Bertie Ahern Resigns
The US has so many scandals over here that I dunno. We almost have a scandal a day, so to speculate on outcomes is mind-boggling.
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
Bertie Ahern Resigns
I'll field this one.
Bertie Ahern is the Irish Prime Minister (Or Taoiseach as we call him), and don't pretend you know who is if you come from America, we know you don't know and don't care, its ok. :wah:
Anyway, bryn to answer the question, he will almost certainly be replaced by Brian Cowen, who is from Co. Offaly, is the current Minister of Finance (our version of the Chancellor, sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?). Anyway, Cowen is a highly intelligent and serious politician, unfortunately he is really not good looking at all (not that Bertie was either), but he will probably make a grand Prime Minister for a while anyway.
I was actually PM-ing milkennie about this, it was time for bertie to go, ye wouldn't know this but he has been up to his neck in a big round of corruption scandals that are being investigated by a special tribunal, nothing proved, and he probably wasn't the worst of them, but he is supposed to be the leader of the country so he has to go. We need a new direction anyway, I don't like the way the country has gone for the last couple of years, the boom has made us a bit greedy and we have gone too far in the capitalist direction, we need to pull it back a bit and get some social responsibility back (especially with development as they are wrecking the place with horrible houses, roads, shopping centres and all that modern crap) anyway the next few years are going to be tough for us, like everywhere else in the western world.
Bertie Ahern is the Irish Prime Minister (Or Taoiseach as we call him), and don't pretend you know who is if you come from America, we know you don't know and don't care, its ok. :wah:
Anyway, bryn to answer the question, he will almost certainly be replaced by Brian Cowen, who is from Co. Offaly, is the current Minister of Finance (our version of the Chancellor, sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?). Anyway, Cowen is a highly intelligent and serious politician, unfortunately he is really not good looking at all (not that Bertie was either), but he will probably make a grand Prime Minister for a while anyway.
I was actually PM-ing milkennie about this, it was time for bertie to go, ye wouldn't know this but he has been up to his neck in a big round of corruption scandals that are being investigated by a special tribunal, nothing proved, and he probably wasn't the worst of them, but he is supposed to be the leader of the country so he has to go. We need a new direction anyway, I don't like the way the country has gone for the last couple of years, the boom has made us a bit greedy and we have gone too far in the capitalist direction, we need to pull it back a bit and get some social responsibility back (especially with development as they are wrecking the place with horrible houses, roads, shopping centres and all that modern crap) anyway the next few years are going to be tough for us, like everywhere else in the western world.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Bertie Ahern Resigns
Galbally;824426 wrote: I'll field this one.
Bertie Ahern is the Irish Prime Minister (Or Taoiseach as we call him), and don't pretend you know who is if you come from America, we know you don't know and don't care, its ok. :wah:
Anyway, bryn to answer the question, he will almost certainly be replaced by Brian Cowen, who is from Co. Offaly, is the current Minister of Finance (our version of the Chancellor, sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?). Anyway, Cowen is a highly intelligent and serious politician, unfortunately he is really not good looking at all (not that Bertie was either), but he will probably make a grand Prime Minister for a while anyway.
I was actually PM-ing milkennie about this, it was time for bertie to go, ye wouldn't know this but he has been up to his neck in a big round of corruption scandals that are being investigated by a special tribunal, nothing proved, and he probably wasn't the worst of them, but he is supposed to be the leader of the country so he has to go. We need a new direction anyway, I don't like the way the country has gone for the last couple of years, the boom has made us a bit greedy and we have gone too far in the capitalist direction, we need to pull it back a bit and get some social responsibility back (especially with development as they are wrecking the place with horrible houses, roads, shopping centres and all that modern crap) anyway the next few years are going to be tough for us, like everywhere else in the western world.
I've heard the rumblings over the years but thought that he'd weathered the storm.
I assume from your reaction that this is not going to bring the government down and Brian Cowen is still Fiana Foil so will it change policy by much?
You suggest a need to move back toward social equality / responsibility - will a new leader be able to carry the party or are they waiting for the excuse to move that way anyway? The random mismatched development would seem to be a result of a lack of co-ordination - planning decided at too low a level. This will take fair old while to change and could be the wrecking of a new boss if it's put up as an issue - would he bother, if it's such an issue with the voters he'd need to show quick results.
Bertie Ahern is the Irish Prime Minister (Or Taoiseach as we call him), and don't pretend you know who is if you come from America, we know you don't know and don't care, its ok. :wah:
Anyway, bryn to answer the question, he will almost certainly be replaced by Brian Cowen, who is from Co. Offaly, is the current Minister of Finance (our version of the Chancellor, sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?). Anyway, Cowen is a highly intelligent and serious politician, unfortunately he is really not good looking at all (not that Bertie was either), but he will probably make a grand Prime Minister for a while anyway.
I was actually PM-ing milkennie about this, it was time for bertie to go, ye wouldn't know this but he has been up to his neck in a big round of corruption scandals that are being investigated by a special tribunal, nothing proved, and he probably wasn't the worst of them, but he is supposed to be the leader of the country so he has to go. We need a new direction anyway, I don't like the way the country has gone for the last couple of years, the boom has made us a bit greedy and we have gone too far in the capitalist direction, we need to pull it back a bit and get some social responsibility back (especially with development as they are wrecking the place with horrible houses, roads, shopping centres and all that modern crap) anyway the next few years are going to be tough for us, like everywhere else in the western world.
I've heard the rumblings over the years but thought that he'd weathered the storm.
I assume from your reaction that this is not going to bring the government down and Brian Cowen is still Fiana Foil so will it change policy by much?
You suggest a need to move back toward social equality / responsibility - will a new leader be able to carry the party or are they waiting for the excuse to move that way anyway? The random mismatched development would seem to be a result of a lack of co-ordination - planning decided at too low a level. This will take fair old while to change and could be the wrecking of a new boss if it's put up as an issue - would he bother, if it's such an issue with the voters he'd need to show quick results.
Bertie Ahern Resigns
Credit where credit is due, the man lead Ireland into an economic boom, he was a critical player in the Good Friday Agreement and is respected by leader’s world wide, but I am so glad to see at last some accountability for the level of corruption that has been imbedded in Irish politics for so long now.
I liked him, I voted for him, I agree with his political policies, but I can no longer stand the arrogance of taking us for fools as he (and so many other politicians) believe that they can do what ever they want to their own benefit and continue to get away with it.
I hope that it is a lesson to future politicians in this country.
I liked him, I voted for him, I agree with his political policies, but I can no longer stand the arrogance of taking us for fools as he (and so many other politicians) believe that they can do what ever they want to their own benefit and continue to get away with it.
I hope that it is a lesson to future politicians in this country.
Bertie Ahern Resigns
Bryn Mawr;824443 wrote: I've heard the rumblings over the years but thought that he'd weathered the storm.
I assume from your reaction that this is not going to bring the government down and Brian Cowen is still Fiana Foil so will it change policy by much?
You suggest a need to move back toward social equality / responsibility - will a new leader be able to carry the party or are they waiting for the excuse to move that way anyway? The random mismatched development would seem to be a result of a lack of co-ordination - planning decided at too low a level. This will take fair old while to change and could be the wrecking of a new boss if it's put up as an issue - would he bother, if it's such an issue with the voters he'd need to show quick results.
I think I agree mostly with what Milkennie said, I am not a Fianna Fail person, but I didn't dislike Bertie, he was a likeable fella, and had a lot of qualities, but we are reaching a watershed in Ireland about corruption, there is too much money knocking around now, and we need more transparent government, so hopefully this will be a wake up call to some of the more corrupt sort in Dail Eireann, because they really have been taking people for a bunch of fools.
There won't be a general election, and Brian Cowen will be the next Taoiseach, I think most Irish people would be comfortable with that, as we just need stable good government over the next couple of years, (we don't want another election right now) as these coming years are going to be difficult ones.
As for the planning, you are right, its a complete diaster to be honest, they have made such a mess of the east coast, its ridiculous, and will take decades to put right, its the philosophy of planning, its all been done for the short term interests of capital and land owners, not the public good, its been a terrible period of vandalism in what is such a beautiful country.
I assume from your reaction that this is not going to bring the government down and Brian Cowen is still Fiana Foil so will it change policy by much?
You suggest a need to move back toward social equality / responsibility - will a new leader be able to carry the party or are they waiting for the excuse to move that way anyway? The random mismatched development would seem to be a result of a lack of co-ordination - planning decided at too low a level. This will take fair old while to change and could be the wrecking of a new boss if it's put up as an issue - would he bother, if it's such an issue with the voters he'd need to show quick results.
I think I agree mostly with what Milkennie said, I am not a Fianna Fail person, but I didn't dislike Bertie, he was a likeable fella, and had a lot of qualities, but we are reaching a watershed in Ireland about corruption, there is too much money knocking around now, and we need more transparent government, so hopefully this will be a wake up call to some of the more corrupt sort in Dail Eireann, because they really have been taking people for a bunch of fools.
There won't be a general election, and Brian Cowen will be the next Taoiseach, I think most Irish people would be comfortable with that, as we just need stable good government over the next couple of years, (we don't want another election right now) as these coming years are going to be difficult ones.
As for the planning, you are right, its a complete diaster to be honest, they have made such a mess of the east coast, its ridiculous, and will take decades to put right, its the philosophy of planning, its all been done for the short term interests of capital and land owners, not the public good, its been a terrible period of vandalism in what is such a beautiful country.
"We are never so happy, never so unhappy, as we imagine"
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.
Le Rochefoucauld.
"A smack in the face settles all arguments, then you can move on kid."
My dad 1986.