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THE ANGER OF people in Ireland today is best told through the words of callers to RTÉ radio’s Liveline this afternoon.
It’s been an eventful day in the Irish political sphere, beginning with a ministerial resignation from Dara Calleary this morning. A slew of apologies and party whip removals have followed as the day progressed.
Last night, the Irish Examiner first reported that 81 people attended an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden, Co Galway on Wednesday. Stricter public health measures had been imposed by government the day before.
Several politicians and senior members of society attended the event, including Calleary, EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan and several senators and Supreme Court judge Seamus Woulfe.
The Examiner alleged that up to 10 people were seated at each table.
The event appears to have breached public health guidelines, which state that no events, parties or gatherings involving more than six people should be held indoors. Gardaí are investigating the incident.
The story has even generated coverage abroad in the New York Times, the Guardian and the BBC among other publications.
James Charity, an independent councillor, earlier said it was arrogant for people to attend the event the day after new restrictions were introduced, adding it “smacks of ‘one rule for them and another for us’”.
“I am appalled to see the good name of our county once again dragged into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons by the antics of a Fianna Fáil government and one of its ministers,” Charity said.
This sentiment was echoed by callers to RTÉ’s Liveline this afternoon.
Veronica from Galway was the first Liveline caller. Her brother-in-law passed away in recent months and she was unable to physically attend his funeral.
“I sat outside the church… and I sat in the car and waited there. I couldn’t go into the church and be with my sister and family,” she said.
“I am livid at this and I cannot put it into words how angry I am. These are the people that are supposed to be representing us on the ground.
“My biggest issue is with the people who went in there and had no thought for the welfare of the people in the country,” Vernonica added.
57-year-old Thomas was also personally affected by Covid-19 restrictions. His mother died in March and his family was unable to hold regular funeral proceedings.
“She literally died on her own in a nursing home, no one around her, no family. I’m still suffering every day thinking of this and it just enrages me. These people need to sit up and listen to the people of Ireland.
“I am just in total shock here… I’m disgusted,” he said upon learning of last Wednesday’s event.
There [were] 12 people at my mother’s funeral, and it wasn’t even a funeral. We all just stood in the graveyard, waited until the coffin was in the ground and looked on.
“I couldn’t even hug my sister, my brother.
“Every one of them that was there should go… I listen to my bosses in work, why can’t they listen to their boss?”
“All the apologies in the world won’t help it.”
Another caller, Paddy, described the incident as a “thundering disgrace”.
A later caller named Bernie cited his comment and added: “I am saying it’s a thundering and lightning disgrace for the behaviour of our public representatives.”
She said she was “angry” and “frustrated” with the recent revelations.
Political response
Today, politicians who were not in attendance took to Twitter and the airwaves to express their disappointment and anger.
In a statement on Twitter, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the event should not have been held.
“Funerals, christenings, weddings, family holidays and other really important family occasions have been foregone to protect each other and the most vulnerable,” he said.
“As representatives we should lead by example.”
As party leader he removed the Fine Gael whip from Senators Jerry Buttimer, Paddy Burke and John Cummins after they attended the event. All three senators apologised.
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris also condemned politicians’ attendance at the event.
The former Health Minister wrote on Twitter: “We have all worked so hard for so long. People have sacrificed so much. I am struggling to put words on how shocking & upsetting I find what has happened.”
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin earlier today removed the Fianna Fáil party whip from Senators Paul Daly, Aidan Davitt and Niall Blaney after they attended the function
Fine Gael Senator and leader of the Seanad Regina Doherty called the event a “stunning lapse of judgement” and called on Phil Hogan to apologise to the public for attending.
“The very least that needs to be done is a recognition that it was wrong and it shouldn’t have happened,” she told RTÉ radio. “What I would love to see is an apology.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Sarah McInerney, Dr Gabriel Scally said he was “shocked” politicians and other senior figures in society attended the event.
Scally is the President of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine.
I’m very shocked. I think it’s a terrible event and I’m very saddened because the battle against Covid-19 in Ireland has, until very recent times, been going extraordinarily well.
“The message it gives out is ‘do as we say, not as we do’, and that’s not good enough for public leaders. No matter what post they hold in civil society, whether it’s an elected post or an appointed post like a judge, this is absolutely wrong.”
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Incoming comments about how they could afford rent if they didn’t have a few drinks on the weekend.
@D: but back in my day ……. * angrily shakes fist*
@Keelan O’neill: back in my day rent for the year was easily covered by summer work.
It’s a nice idea but it’ll do no good, the rents will increase and the students will still pay it.
They have to be more radical (not talking about violence) but they need to make a bigger stand. For example, they could protest outside the new accomodation being built and stop work going on there, obviously this isn’t a good thing but it’s just an idea if they want to really put their foot down.
@John Black: Rents will NOT increase if people all stand together and say enough is enough! Rents are extortionate and FFG are happy for this to stay so they keep the REITS happy. FFG don’t care about the electorate. People need to stand together
This is all based on Supply and Demand, Ireland is currently one of the most attractive places in the world for international students to come and study. People who can afford to send their children to study abroad can also well afford these new increases.
@Cynical: so true, and that’s why the new accomodation currently under construction is more like a set of penthouses rather than basic student accommodation
@John Black: Irish Universities are not even in the Top 100 of the world. It has nothing to do with student accommodation! There only building student accommodation for the tax breaks
Jesus I wish I thought of that when i was in college, and they had much more land back then too!!!!
Referendum needed to fix the defective Irish Constitution to permanently solve the housing / Rent / Accommodation crisis … else, your great grand kids will face the same … important to bring your ‘young’ brains to the Polling booths …
https://www.change.org/p/irish-housing-crisis-referendum-on-family-homes
They have a case.
So at it’s lowest end (€749) it will increase by €30 per annum, few less shots one weekend and it’s sorted. This is a nothing article. We see article after article about how the cost of living is increasing on a monthly if not weekly basis. Even over a 8 or 9 month academic year equates to about 3.50 a month, for accommodation where transport and utilities are a non factor this is a bargain. Wait til these students decide to live and work in the real world and they will see what hardship is really like or will the carrot of taking their degrees overseas be dangled in from of the next government?
@Ian Breathnach: so based on what it’s like when they finish college and get to experience hardship by having a job (whatever that means) this is isn’t an issue?
10k a year to just have somewhere to live while going to college (and don’t forget fees/“registration costs” on top of this) seems like an issue to me…
Also, how is this an equal start for kids? Someone living in an urban area, close to a university can stay at home with their parents but if you live outside a commutable distance you could be hit with these substantial costs just to be able to attend university.
I know my kid’s college choices will be influenced by what and where we can afford to send them.
@Pilib: are you suggesting free accommodation to all students? Is an additional 3.50 a month extortionate? No. In the grander scheme of things does living on campus save money as I stated? Yes. Do you not expect your children to work while in college/university? Are you going to give them a few euro for pints during the week too? The point I’m making is it’s a small increase, regardless of what you think, it is not a huge amount ie one less coffee a month. Minimum wages have increased, obviously these students firmly believe that these properties and the college for that matter run on fresh air. Typically people don’t care how much it costs to run things, the behind the scenes maintenance and upkeep. People are outraged when it is suggested they pay for the services they receive.
@Ian Breathnach: I think you’re missing the point, the issue is that the price is already extortionate and the increase is rubbing salt in the wounds. 4% increase isn’t much if the original rent was reasonable but it is extortionate already.
As much as you like to think it, these students aren’t scroungers, they have no problem paying for accommodation if it’s a fair price but colleges are using it to squeeze every cent out of students, they’re taking advantage of them.
@John Black: explain to me how it is extortionate?
@Ian Breathnach: you pay 8000 for an 8 month lease , so 1000 per person per month, to share an apartment with 5 other people, thats 6000 per month for a basic apartment, now it’s your turn to explain to me how that’s not extortionate.
How can a college charge 48k for an apartment for only 8 months when “greedy landlords” get slammed for charging 24k for a 12 month lease?
@John Black: well, you don’t have to commute so no transport fees, all utilities are included and on site security 24/7 and depending on what halls you are living in there are other “luxuries”. Now I’m open to correction but you say apartment, but aren’t these ensuite rooms with communal living spaces?
Students will have Less money for drink and drug consumption
No one cares it’s the new progressive Ireland, so suck it up snowflakes
have your say