President Michael D Higgins’ €3,000 a night hotel stays

RobertKK

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

dudara

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

Wanderer78

Disgraceful if true, still support the man though

Mr. Incognito

"Claims"

He represents us as a country. He's our president

Where do you want him to stay? At the Travel lodge.

People have little to be offended by these days.

RobertKK

RobertKK wrote: »

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

How much do you think Ireland should spend on his hotels per night?

Wanderer78

dudara wrote:

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Holy fcuk!

PhoenixParker

If he travelled to speak at an event, the event may well have covered his hotel room cost.

Even if they didn't the article is total speculation from beginning to end.

mariaalice

I doubt he personally books his own hotel room. The person complaining has more of a complaint with the department of foreign affairs and the host country than anything to do with the president.

spurious

mariaalice wrote: »

I doubt he personally books his own hotel room. The person complaining has more of a complaint with the department of foreign affairs and the host country than anything.

This.

It is all a bit 'scrabbling round in the dirt' from Craughwell.

Ulysses Gaze

I am no fan of his, but given that the top hotels in Geneva can cost €36,000 per night and the average hotel room is €200 per night, €3,000 for a Head of State would seem reasonable.

pgj2015

he should just try couch surfing while he is over seas or buy a caravan for when travelling around Ireland.

it is funny though how the media put it out there that hes a great president and now anyone you ask if he should do another term are all in agreement "oh yes hes a great president" why? they can never really say why.

whisky_galore

Because he's worth it. Like L'Oreal.

Ulysses Gaze

pgj2015 wrote: »

he should just try couch surfing while he is over seas or buy a caravan for when travelling around Ireland.

it is funny though how the media put it out there that hes a great president and now anyone you ask if he should do another term are all in agreement "oh yes hes a great president" why? they can never really say why.

Because he is "Right On".

bot43

Just as well you gave him his full title RobertKKK. I would not have known who you were on about otherwise.

He is the president FFS. You hardly expect him to stay in an IBIS do you?

vicwatson

Easy to spend other people's money

Hande hoche!

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Dave0301

Hobbit holes aren't cheap these days.

Ulysses Gaze

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

If you think other candidates would not do the same if they became President, you are deluded.

flazio

But, if he was a guest of Switzerland, wouldn't it be the Swiss that were footing the bill?

mikemac2

It’s Geneva OP, just how it is

Dublin may be expensive but it’s cheap compared to Geneva

seamus

Gerard "the elites have it all sown up" Craughwell still sore that nobody would nominate him I see.

Until someone can point to another more obvious hotel that's considerably cheaper, and equivalent in terms of location and securability, then I'm going to assume that the person who booked it didn't go off on one.

He's still the president. We might be pretty laid back and inoffensive, but a bog standard double room in a four star hotel can't be adequately secured.

We also have no idea how much the room cost and who paid for it.

whisky_galore

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

Because he is "Right On".

Down with the kids, yo.

Tabnabs

Our socialist president, truly a man of the people. At a time when there is a huge appetite for a voice of social justice for the homeless, the million people on public health waiting lists, the pain caused by the Catholic church, the growing issues in Northern Ireland etc. etc. Our first citizen is damningly quiet on all these important issues where once he would have been at the forefront. His supporters claim his hands are tied and he is gagged by his Office. But it strikes me that he is enjoying the lifestyle of the elite and pampered more than his espoused "principles" from a past life as a Labour party stalwart.

"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"

vicwatson

dudara wrote: »

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

"The office confirmed Mr Higgins travelled to Geneva to speak at an event hosted by the International Labour Organisation."


I'd like to know more about this, and if it was really that important to the country if he attended this or not?


Government jet used to ferry him around ?

Pauliedragon

It would be the same no matter who was president. If anyone has a complaint it's against the system not the individual who happens to be in office at the time.

RobertKK

dudara wrote: »

Prices in Switzerland can be extremely expensive. Pizzas for dinner can cost €40-50. So likewise a room in a 5* hotel for a country’s president will be also expensive.

Not defending excessive expenditure here, but putting it into a bit of context.

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

Ulysses Gaze

RobertKK wrote: »

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

Perhaps the International Labour Organisation paid for it?

super_furry

In the race to be outraged, this one takes the biscuit.

He’s the head of state, what’s he meant to do? Kip down on someone’s floor?

dirtyden

flazio wrote: »

But, if he was a guest of Switzerland, wouldn't it be the Swiss that were footing the bill?

Yes, surely if he was going to speak at a conference he was invited and the host would pick up the expense.

However, the title of the conference would suggest that this may well have been a solo run by Higgins but endorsed by the government which for me would be more of an issue than the cost. He was speaking at a conference for the international labour organization.

PlaneSpeeking

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Over my dead body.

super_furry

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

Vice President George agrees.

Tipsy McSwagger

RobertKK wrote: »

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

Bla Bla Bla homeless Bla Bla Bla

mattser

Hande hoche! wrote: »

President Sharky can't arrive soon enough.

:D:D Then again, we had a turkey represent us a Eurovision

PlaneSpeeking

RobertKK wrote: »

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

So where should the head of the country stayed ? The Geneva Premier Inn ???

PlaneSpeeking

mattser wrote: »

:D:D Then again, we had a turkey represent us a Eurovision

And I still think Dustin would make a better President than that pox Sharkey!

WoollyRedHat

Abolish the monarchy.

DickSwiveller Returns

The man is a charlatan. Because he looks and speaks like a Teletubby we are all supposed to think he's great. The incessant fawning from journalists is becoming disturbing at this stage. Why does the avowed socialist need the huge salary he's on? No doubt he has a few pensions from his time in the Dáil. Just get rid of the presidency and put an end to this circus

Hande hoche!

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

If you think other candidates would not do the same if they became President, you are deluded.

Would argue that any other candidate would cost more to be fair to El- Presidente.

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Over my dead body.

Kinky.

Liamario

I'm pretty sure having Michael D Higgins staying at the Premier Inn isn't going to solve homelessness.
Direct your problems at management, rather than the mascot of the company.

mariaalice

RobertKK wrote: »

So was he held at gunpoint that he needed to stay at such an expensive hotel paid for by taxpayers?

You are still not getting it, he does not book his own hotel rooms complain to the department of foreign affairs and as someone pointed out Switzerland is very expensive.

It's a scurrilous article full of innuendo and the indo should be called out for that.

Westernyelp

Stop sending people to Geneva would be more like it! How can they justify prices like that?

PlaneSpeeking

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

Bla Bla Bla homeless Bla Bla Bla

Plus - apparently a quarter of the entire population of the country are on a waiting list ?

Even if true - and I doubt it - this does not mean everyone is suffering!

I'm waiting to see a surgeon, my condition - whilst annoying and painful - is manageable by medication.

I'm on a waiting list but so what ? If the President sleeps in a tent will I go from number 751,002 to 750,967 ????

mikemac2

Is Craughwell going to stand on the sidelines sniping for the next three months?

Hitman3000

Great to be a socialist especially when someone else is paying.

Allinall

RobertKK wrote: »

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/ras-silence-on-claims-higgins-stayed-in-3000anight-hotel-37198861.html

I know some people worship the ground the man walks on and mistakenly thinks he does a good job representing us as a nation.
But as a nation with a homeless problem, waiting lists to have health conditions treated now at the 1 million mark and many other issues that need dealing with, it looks like our President and the Department of Foreign Affairs have lost the run of themselves when they waste so much money on luxury hotels and this carry on doesn’t represent us a nation.
It is nothing more than abuse of the system for personal gain. There is no need for taxpayers money to be wasted like this. It shows if one has some power or status in society it is there to be abused. Time for change...

Failing to see where the personal gain is, OP?

ArchXStanton

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Plus - apparently a quarter of the entire population of the country are on a waiting list ?

Even if true - and I doubt it - this does not mean everyone is suffering!

I'm waiting to see a surgeon, my condition - whilst annoying and painful - is manageable by medication.

I'm on a waiting list but so what ? If the President sleeps in a tent will I go from number 751,002 to 750,967 ????

Would you be saying that if it was something that developed into something more serious?

bobbyss

A bit of perspective though. Many people would find TDs' and Senators expenses exorbitant and unjustifiable.

PlaneSpeeking

ArchXStanton wrote: »

Would you be saying that if it was something that developed into something more serious?

It could easily do so yes. I'd like to think I;d be seen a little quicker if it did.

But the point is that not every person on a waiting list is suffering and so to use it as a metric is not constructive.

King of Kings

what has a labour conference got to do with his role as President??

this man is a fraud and a spoofer.

On another note, if I spend company money on a trip abroad unrelated to my actual job the revenue would be on my case..


I hope Sharkey gets on the ticket.

mattser

mikemac2 wrote: »

Is Craughwell going to stand on the sidelines sniping for the next three months?

Never heard of this guy until a few months ago. Bit like Gallagher the last time. These fellas just appear, and want to be president.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

mariaalice wrote: »

You are still not getting it, he does not book his own hotel rooms complain to the department of foreign affairs and as someone pointed out Switzerland is very expensive.

The article points out that the office of the president is exempt from freedom of information legislation, even after 2014 reforms to same, so there is no way for people to determine these costs.

Regardless of what one thinks of Higgins, it seems difficult to dispute that citizens and taxpayers should be allowed to know how his office is spending their money.