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Sean Fleming said the Department of Health's Ambrose McLoughlin (pictured) was unfit to hold a position like the chairmanship of the HSE.

Fianna Fáil TD tells Department of Health chief civil servant to quit

“You’re a disgrace as a public official,” thundered Sean Fleming. “You are not fit for office as chairman of the HSE.”

A FIANNA FÁIL TD has told the senior civil servant at the Department of Health – who only took the position six months ago – to resign, telling him he is “a disgrace as a public official”.

Seán Fleming, the party’s public expenditure spokesman, walked out of the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee after Dr Ambrose McLoughlin said he could not answer an early question about the delay in reaching a deal to cut the price paid by the State for prescription drugs.

McLoughlin – who is also the chairman of the HSE, by virtue of his Department position – said he was legally barred from answering questions on government policy. That prompted a furious outburst from Fleming, who then left the meeting.

“You’re a disgrace as a public official,” the Laois-Offaly TD charged.

You are not fit for office as chairman of the HSE. You should resign. You are a disgrace.

I’m leaving this room. I won’t sit here any further, to this charade of a meeting, which is a disgrace to the Oireachtas and to the people of Ireland.

Both McLoughlin and the HSE’s incoming chief executive Tony O’Brien had opened the meeting by expressing unease at how they had received a draft report from the committee yesterday evening, which made regular reference to policy matters they could not discuss.

Committee chairman John McGuinness, of Fianna Fáil, said the draft report was “not a big issue” – and that it had only been sent to McLoughlin and O’Brien so that they could correct any factual errors in it.

Both Labour’s Michael McCarthy and Fine Gael’s Simon Harris expressed regret at Fleming’s behaviour. Harris said on examining HSE figures for July, he could not find a single hospital which was within its budget by that time.

O’Brien said the higher-than-expected attendances at emergency wards, and the larger numbers who are eligible for medical cards, would contribute to about €200 million of the HSE’s deficit.

That deficit, at the end of September, stood at €374 million. It had been €329 million at the end of August.

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56 Comments
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:01 AM

    Three stories in a row about Sinn Fein, its almost like someone is trying to control the mindset of the people,Any updates on the pay increases TDs awarded them self’s.

    176
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @Fomorian: Your anti sinn fein bias is apparent in your comment,But you lack of facts is deliberate,no sf member shot anybody as you well know, leobots are not great with the truth.

    100
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:48 AM

    @Fomorian: “not once stated anything suggestive of support for any political party” – Typical Leobot retort, or maybe your a DUPer

    49
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:54 AM

    @frank murphy: Barry, seek some professional help.
    Your state of mind cannot be good for you.

    22
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
    Favourite EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @frank murphy: Barry, you come across as a hysterical adolescent idiot here at the best of times.
    Then again…….

    21
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @Nick Allen: it must be time to take your meds.

    11
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:52 PM

    @EdgeOfTheWorld: Remind him of his drinking habit….he does be yapping about it in other articles. Clown blocked me

    4
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    Mute Roger Poles
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:37 PM

    @David Huston: leo was protecting irish interests in the brexit negotiations and good Friday agreement while one of the me fein good for nothing MPs be littles the victims of innocent people killed years ago. Do nothing only give out no solutions. Martin mcguinness was the only one of that crowd had some common sense since his passing sein fein has lost the run of itself out of their debth good for nothing. Mary Lou bag of wind is no better

    1
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    Mute Mark Gearey
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    Jan 10th 2018, 4:42 PM

    @David Huston: Are people not allowed to just hate SF anymore. I hate em. And I’ve never voted for anyone other than, Workers Party, independents, or Labour. I hate FF and FG too. And the DUP don’t exist where I live thank fup.

    1
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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:53 AM

    “Nominations” ;)

    86
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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @Honeybadger197: “I’ve got no strings /
    To hold me down /
    To make me fret, or make me frown /
    I had strings /
    But now I’m free /
    To do as Jorry tells me”

    58
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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:25 AM

    @Harry Whitehead: lol. Nice one.

    34
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:45 AM

    @frank murphy: Sooooo bitter, Barry.

    20
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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:57 AM

    @Honeybadger197:
    First time vote for SF. Can’t afford a mortgage and my mother is still on a hospital waiting list.
    It makes perfect sense not to vote for the government of the past decade.

    28
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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:00 AM

    @Harry Whitehead: Hilarious and factual—Great comment!

    10
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    Mute The Risen
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:02 AM

    @Christy Nolan: SF will be getting my 2nd preference vote. I’ll be ignoring the supporters of the party who wrecked the economy and the party currently wrecking society trying to convince me that voting for left leaning candidates is a bad idea.

    19
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    Mute Paddy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:57 PM

    @The Risen: your only fooling yourself.

    9
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    Mute The Risen
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    Jan 8th 2018, 5:14 PM

    @Paddy: * You’re

    2
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    Mute Pascal Coleman
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:54 AM

    The first 3 “news” items this morning are about Sinn Féin. Just a slow day……. or is this becoming an obsession for Journal writers?

    91
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    Mute Malachi
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:00 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: Well… three significant things involving Sinn Féin did happen/are happening today, were they supposed to refrain from reporting them to spare hurt feelings or something? Defeats the point of news, doesn’t it?

    105
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:15 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: slow start for shinners comments on here ,then it’s 8 o’clock early for shinners to be out of bed

    52
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:48 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: As Oscar Wilde once said, the only thing worse than being talked about was NOT being talked about.
    SF has FFG worried, otherwise they’d be ignored.

    35
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    Mute Jane
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:36 AM

    @EdgeOfTheWorld: yeah you’re right, it has absolutely nothing to do with what is actually going on with SF at the moment. It’s all a big conspiracy.
    Why won’t the media stop being such big meanies to SF?

    14
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:18 PM

    @Pascal Coleman: it’s click bait for Frank & Co.
    It’s like a cartoon at times

    2
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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:17 PM

    @Pascal Coleman: AND they’re largely relating to the murders of innocent people!

    1
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:39 PM

    @John Mc Donagh: Like Mary Boyle, Fr. Niall Molloy etc etc?

    4
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:11 AM

    It won’t make a blind bit of difference.
    The Fine Gael newsletter (Irish Independent) will still regular carry more stories on its front pages attacking that parry more so than the rest.
    The head might have changed – the D.O.B. media tactics won’t.

    85
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:23 AM

    @frank murphy: I’m NOT a SF fan but even if they gave away free money, the Fine Gael newsletter would still try dig up something.

    66
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    Mute Sam Alexander
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:26 AM

    @Unitedpeople:
    SF gets too much media exposure. No matter what other party is involved in the news it is always Adams’s photo that heads the article. Similarly any misfortune that happens in a community the media always go to a SF councillor for comment.

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    Mute Fomorian
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:32 AM

    @Unitedpeople: Isn’t that what Sinn Féin’s whole campaign is based upon? Giving free money to those who do nothing to deserve it….

    36
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:49 AM

    @Fomorian: Not sure anyone in SF is best buddies with Maltese tax evaders.

    29
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:39 AM

    @Walt Jabsco: Unlike the present lot in government that is writing its own rules and laws, unconstitutionally signing us up to the EU arms – and then will be spending €3,000,000,000+ in 2010 on weapon spending?

    Not defending any illegal robbing by any side – by is the legal side any better by another shower?

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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:40 AM
    10
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:40 PM

    @Sam Alexander: That paranoia is getting the better of ya.

    2
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    Mute Marty Gormley
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:01 AM

    Hard to look past Barry Mcelduff for the leadership

    62
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:18 AM

    @Marty Gormley: he has one of the best advantages of being leader,memory loss

    33
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    Mute Willy Malone
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:19 AM

    One can feel the fear from media… Wind of change bringing that odour ;)

    39
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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:06 AM

    @Willy Malone:
    This a orchestrated plan to keep the Trolley Scandal off the agenda.

    19
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    Mute Jane
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:38 AM

    @Christy Nolan: off the agenda? There’s not a person in the country that doesn’t know we have a major crisis with our health service. People are able to process more than one story at a time.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:48 AM

    @Willy Malone: A wet fart you mean….

    3
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:20 PM

    @Jane: Is that why you and your ilk run away from all articles about how FFG are failing the people of Ireland?

    5
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    Mute The Dublinist
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:53 AM

    Arlene foster might put her name down for the craic.

    39
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    Mute James Beattie
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the voting results or not give them a vote at all.

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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:17 AM

    @The Dublinist: why not two cheeks of the same @rse

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    Mute James Beattie
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the will of the people or not give them a vote at all.

    1
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    Mute Unauthorised Comment
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the will of the people or not give them a vote at all.

    17
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:50 AM

    @The Dublinist: Now that really would be funny, and she would probably win hands down….shady lady.

    3
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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:40 AM

    Why do I get the feeling the Leader has been picked already and this is only a exercise for the public interest….

    29
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:56 AM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: Because FG did the same thing a few months ago?? Politics is a filthy business no matter which party.

    12
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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:09 AM

    Congratulations to the blessed virgin Mary Lou on being voted the new leader/chief of staff.

    17
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:52 AM

    Well I have read all the negative comments about Sinn Fein their so stupid not worth my time . So back to reality Fine Gael ,FIANNA Fail , Labour ,Social Democrats ,The Greens , a bunch of Independents we have seen how all those Party’s have performed the state of the HSE ,Social Housing won’t have room on my page to mention them all. Sinn Fein are the party for the future so whoever leads good luck to them .

    32
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:54 AM

    @Donal Carey: How’s power sharing going up Nord,no problems with the health service ,no one sleeping rough ,or are you too busy putting bread on your head to be doing real work

    21
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    Mute Casper
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:12 AM

    @Robert Harris:

    North

    6
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:41 PM

    @Robert Harris:
    The DUP cannot stick to the good Friday agreement.
    It’s not in their DNA to accommodate a side show like the Irish language act. It’s nothing tangible really but they couldn’t stomach anything different in the orange state for the orange people. AKA bigotry with a slap in the face.
    So how can you deal with them in a government.
    Can only imagine the behind the scenes childishness behaviour

    5
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:46 PM

    @Robert Harris: who is talking about the North of Ireland we are talking about the South of Ireland come back when there is a United Ireland which is not to far away.

    4
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    Mute joe celtic 1888
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:18 AM

    West Belfast lol

    11
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    Mute Liberal Larry
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:05 AM

    It would appear that Cianan just checked the Paddy Power website and didn’t properly research the story, lazy journalism…
    Doherty has not put his name forward.

    13
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    Mute Karl Phillips
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:52 PM

    Maybe that spacer going around with the bread balanced on his head will put his name in the ring, shocking people who pretend to represent the under privileged, you will be found out in the end as failures as well !!

    3
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    Mute Deano Cracow
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    Jan 9th 2018, 2:04 AM

    There is only one possible choice for leader. Barry McElduff. You know he is the right choice if you know what side your bread is buttered on. Towers above the rest

    1
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    Mute Joe Kemmy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 5:26 PM

    Yes she is a shoe in,they do not seem to do leadership contests in SF

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