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THERE WAS AN interesting exchange between Michael Healy-Rae and Enda Kenny in the Dáil yesterday – over the independent TD’s unhappiness with the fact the Taoiseach hasn’t appeared on Radio Kerry.
Healy-Rae took exception to the fact Kenny is the only party leader “to have refused to go on Radio Kerry at any stage since he was elected Taoiseach four-and-a-half years ago”.
The Kerry South TD told Kenny that Kerry Today presenter Jerry O’Sullivan has been “looking for you for a long time”.
Healy-Rae brought up the issue during the Order of Business yerterday afternoon.
The Ceann Comhairle wasn’t too impressed, though, telling him he was “totally out of order”.
The outspoken TD said it was fair to raise the subject as it “concerns the government’s policy on openness and transparency”.
After some back-and-forth between Healy-Rae and the Ceann Comhairle, Kenny said he would be “delighted” to appear on the show.
In a statement released this morning, Healy-Rae welcomed the Taoiseach’s agreement and said: “It is about time he went on this programme.”
Here’s a transcript of the discussion:
Michael Healy-Rae: The Taoiseach is in a unique position in that he is the only party leader who has refused to go on Radio Kerry to debate current issues.
An Ceann Comhairle: Hold on one second.
MHR: This comes under the Government’s policy in the programme for Government on the open—–
CC: I can tell the Deputy that it is not an issue for the Order of Business.
MHR: No, it concerns the Government’s policy on openness and transparency. I have a question for the Taoiseach. Jerry O’Sullivan has been looking for him to go on Radio Kerry for a long time.
CC: The Deputy can table a question or go and talk to him, but he may not raise the issue on the Order of Business.
MHR: The Taoiseach is refusing to—–
CC: No, I am sorry, the Deputy is totally out of order.
MHR: I am sorry, but I am not.
CC: The Deputy is totally out of order.
MHR: I am not.
CC: Will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?
MHR: This relates to Government policy on openness and transparency.
CC: Will the Deputy, please, resume his seat?
MHR: I am asking the Taoiseach to go on Radio Kerry—–
CC: I do not care what Government policy states; I am dealing with the Order of Business.
MHR: —-to talk about current issues, in the way the other party leaders have done.
An Taoiseach: I would be delighted to do so.
MHR: I thank the Taoiseach.
CC: Please, do not respond.
MHR: I thank the Taoiseach.
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Did anyone else just read that entire thing with a Kerry accent?
Am I the only one who gets distracted by Michael Healy Rae licking his lips? (literally)
Yes. The only way to read it…
Can Michael Healy Rae’s constituents not find Enda anywhere else on the dial?
Such a non-story.
No one can find Enda anywhere on the dial.
Doesn’t he have a cooking slot on some breakfast show?
He wasn’t on spin 103.8 either and they aren’t complaining.
@winding_down:
On the dial, in the Dàil, in Aldi, in a painting by Dali, as ‘ilda, as a ladi, getting laid…….. who really wants to find Enda anyway?!
He’s has to now, for balance!
Typical MHR, focusing on the important issues.
Don’t do an MHR and think it’s ok to talk on the mobile whilst driving ha ha.
Impossible to take that clown seriously with that silly cap on his bald head.
Would you prefer a comb over like his dad. ?
Bizarrely, it’s part of his appeal to a peculiar sector of the electorate. Everything, literally everything, about Michael Healy-Rae, as with his father before him, is carefully choreographed to ensure that he appeals to this sector.
Trust me on on thing; the like of him would buy and sell you.
They’re no fools.
First world political problems. Gombeens of the highest order.
Enda is a coward who fears anyone that would give him a hard time on TV or radio.
Ah jaysus
Are there not more important things to bring up in the Dáil?! Such a joke.
I think the fact that the leader of our country doesn’t do interviews and feels he’s not answerable is an important issue. Not sure radio Kerry is the answer mind.
They’re usually shouted down Elaine, or protested by the Ceann Comhairle, that’s the real joke.
Michael he doesn’t do debates .
Isn’t that one of the station that does death notices? Everybody’s guaranteed to be on it at some point.
The Healy Rae’s…. literally everything that is wrong with Irish politics. Everything done not for the betterment of the constituency as they constantly spout but for personal gain and fame. Gangsters of the highest order.
There are a lot more serious issues that need to be asked about, and answered than appearing on radio, in this “govs policy in the programme for government under openness and transparency”, but the useless opposition won’t ask the right questions and the corrupt gov won’t answer them. No accountability among this cosy cartel cause they don’t wanna stop the gravy train. Shameful behaviour among them all in whats obviously a corrupt system.
Surely its time the ceann cormhairle was replaced. Anytime I see him he’s completely losing control of proceedings.
It’s people like Healy Rae and Mary Lou that need replacing for not adhering to the rules of their workplace.
That’s certainly a fair point Tommy. Its almost more disappointing that a certain few TDs need to be controlled in a similar manner to primary school children.
The muppet show….
On tomorrows “Amazing Adventures of Michael Healy-Rae” : MIchael negotiates a tricky situation when he tries to order a sandwich from Spar on Baggot street. Will he be successful? Will he choose bread or a roll? Will it be brown or white? Will he choose butter or margarine? Or will it all be just too much for him? Tune in tomorrow and find out.
What if the dairy spread isn’t Kerrymaid? How will he have non Kerry related items on his sangwige?
That’s for a later episode, when he tries to replace all the butter products in Tesco with Kerrymaid and Kerrygold.
Lord help us
Lol ye haffta love Michael who else made us a laughing stock by tryin to pass law allowing drunk ppl to drink drive nope the Kerry folk are alive n well
That was his brother!!! :P :P :P
It’s good to get an insight into the issues that concern a small town Parish pump politician. I’m so delighted he is taking up a space in our democracy.
Never mind your Aer Lingus or your same sex marriage order of business nonsense, Mickey Healy Rae is a man who gets things done.
Shoot the lot of them there all Usless, Kerry radio…it’s never an important issue with these lot ….reload
Too many candidates running and splitting the vote,those on the left need to get together for the good of the people, or get out of politics.the people need a joined up alternative to vote for that can have a majority to form a government .seriously? The above took place in dail eireann,and children are going hungry and being put out of their homes,ffs.
Which one of them said it was a great invention first lol.
Kenny delighted to go on radio? never gonna happen.
as for replacing the cc? now that very well might happen as mayo needs one less fg td in endas constituency and a plum job for the next 5 years away from getting elected will deffo do the trick, watch, wait and see if the polls go against Kenny this will happen
have your say