ICTU Nominates John Hanafin FF to the Senate - Perry asks WTF ?

[C. Flower]

Thanks to WBS and CLR for this -

ICTU nominated John Hanafin, FF for the Senate, as part of the Labour Panel.

Ciaran Perry, Independent Left Daíl candidate, wrote and asked them why.

http://cedarlounge.wordpress.com/201...to-david-begg/

I find it incomprehensible that this could have taken place, particularly at a time when there were certainly good left / labour candidates available and when FF are deeply unpopular with the voting public.

Dear Mr. Begg,
As an Independent Dublin City Councillor and a workplace rep for the UNITE trade union I was surprised to receive Seanad election material from Senator John Hanafin highlighting the fact that he had received a nomination to the Labour Panel from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Senator Hanafin is a member of Fianna Fail and I believe that the disastrous economic policies pursued by that party have been primarily responsible for the crisis our country is currently enduring. Those polices were in direct contrast to the stated aims of the ICTU campaign for a “Better, Fairer Way”. Fianna Fail have imposed a 10% pay cut on all public servants, including the low paid. Fianna Fail have subsidised the wealthy at the expense of the poorer sections of society and handed our sovereignty to the European Central Bank.
I do not know Senator Hanafin and I intend no disrespect to him as an individual but he remains a member of a party who have never acted in the interests of the majority of those represented by ICTU. Can you please explain to me how the ICTU could endorse the candidacy of members of either of the two right wing parties in Ireland? I am sure there are enough politically active union members who would be interested in receiving the support of the ICTU in contesting the Seanad elections.
I believe the Seanad is undemocratically elected and currently serves no purpose. I believe it should be abolished but recognise that some politically active union members may see it as a platform to propagate progressive policies.
Regards,
Cllr Cieran Perry

[Apjp]

Mary Hanafins spouse or a relation to her? wouldnt surprise me.

[Griska]

Mary Hanafins spouse or a relation to her? wouldnt surprise me.

Indeed.
Mary's brother, therefore Des's son.

[Apjp]

Indeed.
Mary's brother, therefore Des's son.

Christ. Are they for real? Is this true? BTW whose Des?? we are the most cronyist 'developed country' in the world!

[greengoose]

Christ. Are they for real? Is this true? BTW whose Des?? we are the most cronyist 'developed country' in the world!

Des is the daddy who drank himself out of a hotel!

[Griska]

Christ. Are they for real? Is this true? BTW whose Des?? we are the most cronyist 'developed country' in the world!

Des Hanafin.

Ex FF senator and pro-life bigwig.

[Apjp]

Des Hanafin.

Ex FF senator and pro-life bigwig.

And people wonder why the youth are apathetic...

[Stendec]

Mary Hanafins spouse or a relation to her? wouldnt surprise me.

Should of gave it to mary herself!! Shes a fine lookin woman that one

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

David Begg, that man of solidarity with the workers is proposing to put Mary Hanafin's brother in the Senate?

Do I have to wait much longer before people cop whats going on or what? How long will it take?

[Apjp]

David Begg, that man of solidarity with the workers is proposing to put Mary Hanafin's brother in the Senate?

Do I have to wait much longer before people cop whats going on or what? How long will it take?

I think people know but the problem is our society is full of elderly and middle aged people telling the youth 'theres nothing you can do, just leave' and because all the politicians are the same people see politics as dirty so they stay away. You really are a bright man who I think has some good ideas on where we should go as a people. But please realize that no students even realize whats going on in the news day to day. they really DO ignore it that much. Any student here buy a newspaper? I only buy one-and its on sundays. And i keep an eye on things. People deliberately tune out. Thats why a revolution seems unlikely. You can condemn this attitude, and I do. But can you honestly say that were you in their position, without your life experience, you wouldnt do the same? No one does anything for this generation so they do nothing for themselves. Its pathetic and viciously hopeless in it's apathy, but please stand inside the shoes of a student like me who may have to emigrate in 2 years and with language skills, would probably be better off doing so. Its amazing that even a minority of us care given the attitude society has towards the youth, let alone a revolution of Greek proportions! You might see this as feeble defending of indefensible apathy. But if you were put through 4 years of college for nothing(perhaps you were?) or more, then you would see what i mean.

Seriously if anyone here thinks that the youth sit around planning revolutions(although Con just said people, Im addressing me own generations stance) on their college breaks and never act they're mistaken. Try talking anything serious to yer mates in college and they wont be long telling ye where to go. Nobody like a serious person in college. The only time ive ever talked about politics with friends was on the eve of the election. Thats it. Ask me again in 5 years is what they will say.

[C. Flower]

I think people know but the problem is our society is full of elderly and middle aged people telling the youth 'theres nothing you can do' and because all the politicians are the same people see politics as dirty so they stay away. You really are a bright man who I think has some good ideas on where we should go as a people. But please realize that no students even realize whats going on in the news day to day. they really DO ignore it that much. Any student here buy a newspaper? I only buy one-and its on sundays. And i keep an eye on things. People deliberately tune out. Thats why a revolution seems unlikely. You can condemn this attitude, and I do. But can you honestly say that were you in their position, without your life experience, you wouldnt do the same? No one does anything for this generation so they do nothing for themselves. Its pathetic and viciously hopeless in it's apathy, but please stand inside the shoes of a student like me who may have to emigrate in 2 years and with language skills, would probably be better off doing so. Its amazing that even a minority of us care given the attitude society has towards the youth, let alone a revoultion of Greek proportions!

There were a number of things that changed that for young people in Egypt and elsewhere - unemployment, education cuts and police harrassment.
When they got more aware, they noticed corruption too.

[Apjp]

There were a number of things that changed that for young people in Egypt and elsewhere - unemployment, education cuts and police harrassment.
When they got more aware, they noticed corruption too.

Students and graduates face all three. The problem is they only do something on an annual basis and once beaten they dont come back til next year. I respectfully repeat-the revolution will probably not come from the youth considering we will all either emigrate, or dont care, or both. Im the former. I care but that wont matter when im sweeping floors in France or Germany in 2 years time to fund a masters! The way the prices are here, even staying on in education and hoping for a break down the line isnt viable. And not just for poor students who are sons of unemployed single fathers. The middle class are quickly shrinking.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I think these little gobshytes and that obvious fraud Begg will keep going until they are physically stopped because they are clearly gambling that the Irish public will continue to take this kind of *****.

To be honest I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with people in Ireland myself.

O'Rourkes
Hanafins
Lenihans
Healy-Raes

I've said it a few times on here but I still say they are no more than about 30 families and perhaps between 3-500 people in total in Ireland who are responsible in the main for 90% of the corruption in Irish public life.

David Begg is an overpaid Fianna Fail stooge and has been for a long time. And he is in place to give the impression of opposition and representation of the membership of the unions and is no more than a Fianna Fail spy in that movement as far as I can see. There is evidence enough in his actions if not his words.

A bloody Fianna Fail Hanafin? Have they got photo's of Begg worrying a sheep or what in the safe down at Mount St?

[C. Flower]

A deep breath people I share your pain but this thread is going to be slightly modded.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

A deep breath people I share your pain but this thread is going to be slightly modded.

Its a pity certain characters in Irish public life weren't 'modded'. Tir Na N'og stuff CF.

The 'fightin' Irish ' me hole.