So just how many FG speeches does Terry Prone write?

[Slim Buddha]

How does one go about finding out

1. How does Terry Prone get requested to write speeches for politicians in government?

2. By what process does she succeed in getting these requests?

3. How does she invoice for her services?

4. By what yardstick is her performance measured?

5. Who vets the invoices she submits to government departments/Ministers offices?

6. Is there any competitive process involved here?


Because until I am told otherwise, she has an inside track whereby she networks within the body politic, appears to be the only person in Ireland capable of doing what she does and invoices whatever she likes to government departments/Ministers offices after which taxpayers mopney is unquestioningly paid into her account.

Or am I seeing this incorrectly in some way?

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Back in 2008 she had contracts with the Department of the Environment and a number of other bodies which gave her company something like £800,000 for the year.

'Communications' Agencies around the political scene are usually much more than speechwriters and text arrangers.

They deal in influence- gain access to Ministers and other officials and so on for clients. The speechwriting stuff is just an offshoot of the lobbying. Prone and others such as the bigger international agencies like Burston Marsteller trade off their reach with Ministers on behalf of clients from the business world.

Essentially it is the backstairs to a Ministers office for which you have to pay and Prone's company among others work in that area getting contracts and commissions where they can.

Occasionally some politician or PR flak gets busted being too mouthy about the influential access they can bring to any table- notably recently a Ministerial career in the UK was ended when one of these 'access traders' got too cheeky about making money and implying he was a Ministerial official when in fact he was a PR flak who was a mate of Liam Fox's.

Liked to trumpet that he was 'with the Minister' at hotel reception desks and so on. Essentially that world that Prone inhabits is one level up from the Unique Selling Proposition of consultants (turning bullshyte into airmiles)- it is 'access trading'.

The 'Comms' agency is just a cover for that. They usually offer media training and all that jazz but really it is all built on how well you can build a fee-producing network between lobbyists and their targeted influencers at government level.

[Slim Buddha]

So my original instinctive thinking was right then. Thanks for that, Captain.

[musashi]

How does one go about finding out

1. How does Terry Prone get requested to write speeches for politicians in government?

2. By what process does she succeed in getting these requests?

3. How does she invoice for her services?

4. By what yardstick is her performance measured?

5. Who vets the invoices she submits to government departments/Ministers offices?

6. Is there any competitive process involved here?


Because until I am told otherwise, she has an inside track whereby she networks within the body politic, appears to be the only person in Ireland capable of doing what she does and invoices whatever she likes to government departments/Ministers offices after which taxpayers money is unquestioningly paid into her account.

Or am I seeing this incorrectly in some way?

Nope, you've got it in one.

[barrym]

After all we are but bugs, crawling on a spec of dust in an infinite universe.

Maybe, as a scientist I cannot but agree, but as a citizen and a taxpayer I still want to protest....

I constantly write to my TDs about various matters, pointing out every time that I am a voter. I don't get much, if any, response, but I'm biding my time until the next election where I'll publicly roast them. I did last time, it didn't make much difference, I now have three Coalition TDs, but I sure as hell enjoyed it. Nearly got lynched for my efforts, by 'supporters' - I expect they have the grant money,etc, by now.

[Dr. FIVE]

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...e-3236583.html

Over €230,000 spent on PR since taking office. Odd that Perry & McEntee have spent claimed multiples of other Ministers.
Perry had trouble over Sligo hospital early on but not much cause other then that. We hear nothing from McEntee or is that just a case of money well spent?

[PaddyJoe]

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...e-3236583.html

Over €230,000 spent on PR since taking office. Odd that Perry & McEntee have spent claimed multiples of other Ministers.
Perry had trouble over Sligo hospital early on but not much cause other then that. We hear nothing from McEntee or is that just a case of money well spent?

UNDER-fire Health Minister Dr James Reilly has ensured he gets the best professional advice available, spending almost €2,000 a month to Terry Prone's Communications Clinic firm.

Wonder how much she billed for that Vincent Browne appearance?

Ms Prone is regarded as the best advsior on the island in crisis management and public relations.

Seriously?

[Dr. FIVE]

Read: best connected

[homer]

I recall her recent VB appearance. Trying too hard. Bad language does not add to credibility.

Also she appeared over excited or indeed possibly tired and emotional

[Dr. FIVE]

Perry is spending the money with Fennell Communications - Sinead Fennel former FG press adviser

McEntee is curious as Liam Cahill was named as special adviser yet McEntee is paying his company out of secretarial allowance?

[Dr. FIVE]

Another document on the file shows that public relations adviser Terry Prone sent Dr Reilly and his officials an email on October 7th last rounding up the content of that day’s Sunday newspaper stories on the primary care controversy.

Dr Reilly has been paying Ms Prone’s company, the Communications Clinic, for advice from a personal ministerial allowance outside his department’s budget. Last year the company was paid €15,000.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...327096140.html

[Mick Tully]

Going back a few years, Solient Green. Does that ring a bell. We will control your mind, we will tell you what to eat, and control your mind through the savage control center.