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Jackie Healy Rae and the travel pass

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  • 16-10-2009 12:38pm
    #1
    rasper
    Registered Users Posts: 795 ✭✭✭


    First of all I need to clarify that I've got it right, but the other Kerry TD travels to the Dail by train , but as he's over 65 he can claim for a travel pass which basically gives him free travel by bus and rail however for whatever reason he has decided not to. Is this true and why does he do it?
    Now I know the taxpayer will subsidise these journeys anyway so it may be much of a muchness, but how can he justify not claiming this pass and therefore reduce his squandering at the taxpayers expense as CIE would only charge a lessor amount or is there any restriction on using these passes to get to work or the likes,
    I understand that Healy Rae had one of the highest expense claims in the Dail in the region of 130k, and seeing that he is that high you'd imagine it would be in his interest moral or political to keep them at least somewhat in line, or is it that he's financially better off to claim that he pays the rail fare and receives thats back in an over payment


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    #2
    Long Onion
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,342 ✭✭✭Long Onion


    Healy-Rae is an embarrasment to Ireland. This should be rightly taken as saying something when one considers that he is being compared to Irish politicians generally.

    He embodies everything that there is to loathe in Irish politics, constantly shifting position to make sure that he secures the support of his electorate at all costs. Throwing his arms openly in the direction of nepotism, claiming large expense allowances, refusing to give up any entitlement, portraying proudly the image of the 'cute hoor' and falling into bed with anyone who will keep his own personal gravy train going.

    I think with 100% conviction that the electorate of Kerry who also gave us JOD should be embarassed, yet he is returned year after year. I would personally give up 25% of my annual salary to see this leech removed from the public realm.


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    #3
    meglome
    Registered Users Posts: 7,980 ✭✭✭meglome


    It always boggles my mind that people vote for this guy. I really don't get it. Maybe it's a city vs rural thing or something.

    Can someone from Kerry explain?


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    #4
    maynooth_rules
    Registered Users Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭maynooth_rules


    But he fixes the potholes in Kerry. Says a lot about many of the people of Kerry that they continously return this waster, and they will no doubt return his son in the future. Everything that is wrong in Ireland epitomised here


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    #5
    thebman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,012 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    meglome wrote: »
    It always boggles my mind that people vote for this guy. I really don't get it. Maybe it's a city vs rural thing or something.

    Can someone from Kerry explain?

    lol its not a country thing.

    I'm from Kerry but from country and would never vote for someone that behaved like he does. On top of it, he looks like a complete fool.

    My only guess at why they elect him other than because he gets roads fixed (elect anyone and they'll try to get your roads fixed FFS) is they have bought into all their own tourist propaganda.


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    #6
    Liam Byrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    meglome wrote: »
    Can someone from Kerry explain?
    maynooth_rules wrote: »
    But he fixes the potholes in Kerry. Says a lot about many of the people of Kerry that they continously return this waster, and they will no doubt return his son in the future. Everything that is wrong in Ireland epitomised here

    The people in Dublin continuously return Ahern, Mayo returned Cooper-Flynn, Tipperary returned Lowry, so I don't think it's safe to slag off Kerry in isolation.

    Actually, even leaving all indications of corruption and dodgy acts aside, Limerick returns O'Dea, and that's not even explicable!


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    #7
    meglome
    Registered Users Posts: 7,980 ✭✭✭meglome


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    The people in Dublin continuously return Ahern, Mayo returned Cooper-Flynn, Tipperary returned Lowry, so I don't think it's safe to slag off Kerry in isolation.

    Actually, even leaving all indications of corruption and dodgy acts aside, Limerick returns O'Dea, and that's not even explicable!

    Hang on now. This thread is specifically about Jackie Healy-Rae. I don't know why people would vote for Bertie, Cooper-Flynn or Lowry either.

    If you make it okay for politicians to be blatantly dishonest you'll reap what you sow. That whole you get the government you deserve thing.

    I said it over in the John O'Donoghue thread, people in this country don't seem to see the connection between who they are electing and how the country is being run. Now that boggles my mind.


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    #8
    DEEP THROAT
    Closed Accounts Posts: 353 ✭✭DEEP THROAT


    He claims mileage for driving up and down,,,,, but takes the train;);););) and no doubt uses the free travel pass ( he had a heart attack a few years ago on the train and was rumbled :D)


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    #9
    OldJay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 943 ✭✭✭OldJay


    Long Onion wrote: »
    Healy-Rae is an embarrasment to Ireland

    The people who vote him in (and staunchly stick up for statesmen taking the p*ss with expenses) are embarrassing.


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    #10
    Liam Byrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    meglome wrote: »
    Hang on now. This thread is specifically about Jackie Healy-Rae. I don't know why people would vote for Bertie, Cooper-Flynn or Lowry either.

    No worries, and I wasn't intending to drag the thread off-topic; my only point was - for want of a better word - "defending against" the comments re Kerry, because they're (unfortunately) no different to other parts of the country, voting for unsuitable candidates no matter what they do.


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    #11
    meglome
    Registered Users Posts: 7,980 ✭✭✭meglome


    thebman wrote: »
    lol its not a country thing.

    I'm from Kerry but from country and would never vote for someone that behaved like he does. On top of it, he looks like a complete fool.

    I genuinely curious how many people in Kerry don't see this. And just to be clear I'm not singling out Kerry, this is about Jackie Healy-Rae who happens to be from Kerry.

    I look at the man and think he's a fool and worse than what he's a slippery fool. He's like a walking talking parody. But I'm sure us Jackeens are just out to get him :(


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    #12
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    thebman wrote: »
    My only guess at why they elect him other than because he gets roads fixed (elect anyone and they'll try to get your roads fixed FFS) is they have bought into all their own tourist propaganda.
    Don't forget that it's Healy-Rae hired plant used to fix the potholes.


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    #13
    DublinWriter
    Registered Users Posts: 9,557 ✭✭✭DublinWriter


    Robbo wrote: »
    Don't forget that it's Healy-Rae hired plant used to fix the potholes.
    Don't forget he owns a fairly top of the range Lexus, yet goes out canvassing in a battered up 92 KE Toyota Carina.

    Cute-hoorism at it's finest.


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    #14
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Carina and a cloth cap, no one else stands a chance (does he canvass with a lamb under his arm if its a spring election?).


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    #15
    bmaxi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,859 ✭✭✭bmaxi


    When you consider the buckets of tears and the cries of " we'll continue to support our man" in the case of JOD, why would returning Healy-Rae surprise?


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    #16
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    Actually, even leaving all indications of corruption and dodgy acts aside, Limerick returns O'Dea, and that's not even explicable!

    I always thought that the most strange thing ever, ie that an area known for its "Gangs" can return a justice minister.


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    #17
    markpb
    Registered Users Posts: 9,312 ✭✭✭markpb


    thebman wrote: »
    My only guess at why they elect him other than because he gets roads fixed (elect anyone and they'll try to get your roads fixed FFS) is they have bought into all their own tourist propaganda.

    Hopefully this particular type of gombeenism will come to a grinding halt now that the government is mostly FF and the local authorities are mostly FG and Labour. Anyone who believed TDs actually "got roads fixed" will be disabused of this notion.


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    #18
    sceptre
    Registered Users Posts: 19,608 ✭✭✭✭sceptre


    Joey the lips wrote: »
    I always thought that the most strange thing ever, ie that an area known for its "Gangs" can return a justice minister.
    And why would that be, now?


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    #19
    Liam Byrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Joey the lips wrote: »
    I always thought that the most strange thing ever, ie that an area known for its "Gangs" can return a justice minister.

    :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Another area well known for its gangs returned a Taoiseach, so this is pretty ridiculous statement, in all fairness.

    If you want to slag off Limerick, then start a different thread and I'll discuss the facts vs tabloid bull**** with you there.


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    #20
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    sceptre wrote: »
    And why would that be, now?
    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Another area well known for its gangs returned a Taoiseach, so this is pretty ridiculous statement, in all fairness.

    If you want to slag off Limerick, then start a different thread and I'll discuss the facts vs tabloid bull**** with you there.

    :DCalm down the 2 of you I am not slagging limerick in fact my family is from limerick. But lets call a spade a spade who does not think of butter when they think of kerry who does not think of the gangs when they think of limerick

    no doubt you dont... My apologies I stand corrected. Forget i mentioned anything.:P


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    #21
    Liam Byrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Joey the lips wrote: »
    who does not think of the gangs when they think of limerick

    Normally people who don't even know the place. :rolleyes:
    Joey the lips wrote: »
    no doubt you dont... My apologies I stand corrected.

    Yup.
    Joey the lips wrote: »
    Forget i mentioned anything.:P

    OK.


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    #22
    Annasopra
    Registered Users Posts: 41,072 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    My understanding is that he is entitled to a free travel pass

    He does not avail of it because - if he purchases tickets then actually gets expenses for his travel to Dail Eireann

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



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    #23
    Liam Byrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Johnnymcg wrote: »
    My understanding is that he is entitled to a free travel pass

    He does not avail of it because - if he purchases tickets then actually gets expenses for his travel to Dail Eireann

    Doesn't make sense; although if it's the basic expenses then we're essentially paying via our taxes either way.

    However if he gets more by doing it this way, then he's wasting our money and should be exposed.


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    #24
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    As far as i know your wife spouse is allowed travel on the travel pass. Perhaps this isa reason.ie it wont show his wife as getting free travel


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    #25
    rasper
    Registered Users Posts: 795 ✭✭✭rasper


    Joey the lips wrote: »
    As far as i know your wife spouse is allowed travel on the travel pass. Perhaps this is reason.ie it wont show his wife as getting free travel

    I don't believe this is the case unless the passholder needs a travel companion for assistance , but don't see how it would make a difference.
    Probably according to the rules of our pitiful septic system set up that conman is doing no wrong , but something is very wrong where this is viewed as acceptable to the people in charge while our schools consists of prefabs and sick people lie on trolleys in hospital corridors. Maybe the IMF or the ECB will be our our best option, break this country down and start again


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    #26
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users Posts: 24,082 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    The next generation of Healy-Raes will be inheriting his father's seat at the next election. Ah Bisto!

    My wife attended a conference a while ago, and picked up her information pack before heading to the conference room. One of the "young" Healy-Raes showed up, picked up an information pack from the lobby, and headed straight back out of the hotel.

    I wonder what expenses were claimed that day?:rolleyes:


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    #27
    rasper
    Registered Users Posts: 795 ✭✭✭rasper


    Thats another that bugs the hell out of me is why the sheepish voting public constantly replace TDs with family members without any mention of ability or talent we seem to have seats passed through families like a throne , but it is us that vote them in.
    Look at the two Brians in charge at present, who the hell votes for someone because of their surname


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    #28
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users Posts: 24,082 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    rasper wrote: »
    Thats another that bugs the hell out of me is why the sheepish voting public constantly replace TDs with family members without any mention of ability or talent we seem to have seats passed through families like a throne , but it is us that vote them in.
    Look at the two Brians in charge at present, who the hell votes for someone because of their surname

    The local monarchy's subjects and sycophants a.k.a. "The Peasants". They put these people on a pedestal, and don't realise that they're being kept in the dark and fed on bullsh1t.

    If any of the locals gave a damn about Ireland as a whole, they wouldn't vote for these tribal leaders.:( Anyone with any relevant skill doesn't stand a chance against these people in an election, especially if they're not a member of the local clique, which is probably why no-one seems to bother.


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    #29
    galwayrush
    Registered Users Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    Did Healey Rae claim a salary / expenses for a secretary back in Kerry although he never actually had one?


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    #30
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users Posts: 24,082 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    galwayrush wrote: »
    Did Healey Rae claim a salary / expenses for a secretary back in Kerry although he never actually had one?

    Wasn't it "legitimate" in the end? Although that word seems to cover a multitude of sins in Irish politics.


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    #31
    galwayrush
    Registered Users Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    ejmaztec wrote: »
    Wasn't it "legitimate" in the end? Although that word seems to cover a multitude of sins in Irish politics.
    'Legitimate' can even translate as Media back off..........:rolleyes:


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