Kathleen Barrington Resigns as Special Advisor to Joan Burton

[C. Flower]

Kathleen Barrington has confirmed via her phone answering message that she no longer works for the Department of Social Protection. While she doesn't give her reasons and the job undoubtedly has its arduous aspects, it would be difficult not to speculate that the prospect of involvement with extremely unpalatable budget 2013 decisions might be a factor in her decision.

Kathleen Barrington is a highly regarded journalist in these parts. I hope that her move will mean that we will be reading her work again soon.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I certainly hope so too. It was a blow when Kathleen took that role on and I suspected it was offered to effectively silence her journalism which was first class and she was one of the few I felt who had some journalistic integrity in the front rank in Ireland.

She is too good as a natural journalist to be put in a cage of silence as a special advisor.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I bet she's had a meeting with government legal teamers with a flurry of non-disclosure agreements being put under her nose.

This resignation I am sure will have caused a few concerns and I would bet good money there have been strenuous efforts to cajole her into maintaining silence about government policy around the DSP and wider environment.

[Troubleshooter]

I agree one of the best and welcome back to the real world I hope ,perhaps she can write
on the tender mess that Joan has got herself involved in .

[jpc]

It would be a shame if she is silenced from saying what needs to be said Cap'n
She has an ability to get to the point of the matter.
Mind you not giving answers or restricting access to truth is one thing the permanent government is world class at.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I doubt she'll be allowed to refer to or use her time as Spad to Burton at all. She'll be boxed in with confidentiality clauses from when she signed on to when she left and then some.

You know what happens to whistleblowers in Ireland- they end up being threatened or arrested for rocking the corrupt boat.

[Kev Bar]

Kathleen Barrington has confirmed via her phone answering message that she no longer works for the Department of Social Protection. While she doesn't give her reasons and the job undoubtedly has its arduous aspects, it would be difficult not to speculate that the prospect of involvement with extremely unpalatable budget 2013 decisions might be a factor in her decision.

Kathleen Barrington is a highly regarded journalist in these parts. I hope that her move will mean that we will be reading her work again soon.

Just as it would be easy to speculate many a thing.

Strange isn't it that someone does not give a full briefing on their life on their answering service.

Must have a gun to head!

[C. Flower]

Just as it would be easy to speculate many a thing.

Strange isn't it that someone does not give a full briefing on their life on their answering service.

Must have a gun to head!

it would be difficult not to speculate that the prospect of involvement with extremely unpalatable budget 2013 decisions might be a factor in her decision.

The difficulty in not speculating on this is mine, and mine alone.

I'm sure a full(er) briefing will emerge in due course, but the Duty Press Officer (since consulted as per K. B's answering machine instructions) was of the view that, probably, it was for some far more mundane and practical reason.

[Baron von Biffo]

This thread is of considerable interest to our guests.

[Troubleshooter]

They are afraid very afraid ,these journos that go the SA route never work out their former
Colleagues disown them and they discover how bad the system is when they get in.
I am sure KB will say it is for family reasons etc and keep her head down until she returns
To the press world as an objective Business journalist ,as she was .

[Kev Bar]

This thread is of considerable interest to our guests.

That cld be her Ma

[Baron von Biffo]

That cld be her Ma

Fook! The mother of God hasn't that level of omnipresence.

[MediaBite]

I certainly hope so too. It was a blow when Kathleen took that role on and I suspected it was offered to effectively silence her journalism which was first class and she was one of the few I felt who had some journalistic integrity in the front rank in Ireland.

She is too good as a natural journalist to be put in a cage of silence as a special advisor.

+1 This is what seems to have happened to Frank Connolly as well - head hunted to SIPTU where he has been virtually silent in the media since - though he's had a few pieces in Village recently again.

[C. Flower]

+1 This is what seems to have happened to Frank Connolly as well - head hunted to SIPTU where he has been virtually silent in the media since - though he's had a few pieces in Village recently again.

And recently spoke at a Dublin meeting on Dublin Bay oil exploration.

[Troubleshooter]

Can't wait for Kathleen to tell the true story ( without spin ) about how Joan decided to cut the disability allowance for 16 year olds ,how the they cut SNA s , how they decided to reduce home care hours, how they attacked the care allowance for kids with Autism ,
It would make a great book or feature for some paper like the Mail. Maybe ?
I am sure Kathleen will spill the beans