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

Timberrrrrrrr

Hitman3000 wrote: »

I'm happy to bet my next month's wages that the state ie the citizens picked up the tab.

So...no evidence?

Rows Grower

Hitman3000 wrote: »

I'm happy to bet my next month's wages that the state ie the citizens picked up the tab.

We are as sure that you are in employment as much as we are that anyone Irish had to contribute to the bill, whatever it was.

If there was a bill.

Timberrrrrrrr

Hitman3000 wrote: »

The article was also about the lack of transparency regarding the office of President.

Yet 90% of people whinging are concentrating on the cost of a room. A cost that no one can prove was paid fir ny the irish taxpayer, or even that he stayed in a suite that cost the €3000 quoted.

Chiparus

Agenda driving by the Indo, the most expensive suites in the hotel cost 3k, no mention he actually stayed in one, just a fake hint he might have.
He might have stayed in the cheapest rooms (€540) but taht would not suit the agenda of whipping up the silly season mob.

MonkeyTennis

pumpkin4life wrote: »

No one needs left wing marxist sociology lecturers. It's not a proper job, it's a sponger job.

Can you give us a quick list of jobs you find acceptable?

odyssey06

Look what the President does with his own money is nobody's business...

ps I hear it involves scantily clad hookers reading his poems back to him, as gaeilge

Motivator

His security is minimal. If he stayed in a €200 a night hotel but had a 20 strong security team with him then the cost would be in the tens of thousands.

A former mayor of my City stayed in a €1,000 a night hotel in New York for 6 nights a few years ago. My brother worked in the hotel and called us to complain about it when he saw said Mayor checking in.

Nothing wrong with the President of Ireland staying in a hotel that would be considered relatively cheap in terms of 5* hotels in Geneva. People just love to complain.

MonkeyTennis

odyssey06 wrote: »

Look what the President does with his own money is nobody's business...

ps I hear it involves scantily clad hookers reading his poems back to him, as gaeilge

It might be a whole new thread but is Irish sexy ?

Rows Grower

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

It irritates me that people act like there's nothing between a €100 Travel Lodge or an elite-tier 3K room.

There is a middle ground. Of course no-one expects the president of any country to stay in anything other than a good room in a 5 star hotel. However, does it have to be one that costs several thousand a night? It's an honest, valid question.

It really annoys me that the office of the president is not covered by the FOI act. That needs to change - doesn't strike me as very democratic that a token figurehead (however charming he may be) with no actual political power is essentially give a blank cheque book with no-one to answer to.

Just so you know for future reference, Article 13 of the Constitution states that the President of Ireland has the absolute discretion to refuse a dissolution of the Dail.

Now that my friend is about as powerful as it gets in Irish politics.

And don't ever forget it.

Hitman3000

Timberrrrrrrr wrote:

Yet 90% of people whinging are concentrating on the cost of a room. A cost that no one can prove was paid fir ny the irish taxpayer, or even that he stayed in a suite that cost the €3000 quoted.

We do not know the cost of the suite only what a suite in the hotel costs. It's the absence of transparency that has caused the speculation and of course the strident defence of MH.

odyssey06

MonkeyTennis wrote: »

It might be a whole new thread but is Irish sexy ?

I'm sure there's many a thread already extolling the, ah, appeal of the TG4 weather so I'll just note these for now...

https://www.buzz.ie/movies-tv/people-fell-love-tg4-weather-presenters-272096

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=202383

dxhound2005

odyssey06 wrote: »

I'm sure there's many a thread already extolling the, ah, appeal of the TG4 weather so I'll just note these for now...

https://www.buzz.ie/movies-tv/people-fell-love-tg4-weather-presenters-272096

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=202383

Never mind that. Show us pictures of the scantily clad hookers.

odyssey06

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Never mind that. Show us pictures of the scantily clad hookers.

Sorry audio only hound dog

MonkeyTennis

Hitman3000 wrote: »

We do not know the cost of the suite only what a suite in the hotel costs. It's the absence of transparency that has caused the speculation and of course the strident defence of MH.

Have to say ..Id love if it turned out the Swiss paid for it.

nuac

Luka Broad Bassist wrote: »

Of greater relevance is that Higgins visited Geneva to give a keynote address at an International Labor Organization conference. In his speech, Higgins relentlessly attacked the globalisation of trade and finance. One might note that these are the very forces that have brought enormous prosperity to Ireland since the 1980s. Taxing the benefits of globalization enables Higgins to live the champagne socialist high life in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Maybe Higgins's supporters can explain how paying for the president's luxurious jaunt to Switzerland to deliver diatribes against globalization helps to "represent" the Irish people, especially the hundreds of thousands employed in the country by multinational companies?

There used to be a procedure where a President had to have government approval for major speeches made abroad?

Has this been dropped?

JP Liz V1

odyssey06 wrote: »

Look what the President does with his own money is nobody's business...

ps I hear it involves scantily clad hookers reading his poems back to him, as gaeilge

For 3 grand a night, he should have a football team of hookers :P

Ken Tucky

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

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.

€36,000 per night. Is that a mistake....surely has to be a typo. Please be a typo!!

Hitman3000

MonkeyTennis wrote:

Have to say ..Id love if it turned out the Swiss paid for it.

I'd be happy with that, personallyI think his position is a pointless waste of taxpayer money. Nothing but an ego boost to fading politician.

Timberrrrrrrr

Hitman3000 wrote: »

We do not know the cost of the suite only what a suite in the hotel costs. It's the absence of transparency that has caused the speculation and of course the strident defence of MH.

How much does one cost?

Minimum? Maximum?

Hiw do you know he didnt stay in the cheapest and it wasnt paid for by the hosts who invited him?

Hitman3000

JP Liz V1 wrote:

For 3 grand a night, he should have a football team of hookers

He'd be like a donkey with a spinning wheel 'confused as to how he got it and even more confused as to what to do with it'. Simpson's can't beat them for an ancedote.

Larbre34

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.

Such a stupid statement, even for someone trying to provoke.

The man is respected, not worshipped, and he does a very good job as Head of State, representing the people at home and the Nation abroad.

Two things stick out about this story, Craughwell and the Indo. It should tell everyone what they need to know about this topic.

The €30m figure highlighted to fund the Presidency is of course over 7 years. How many Royal courts and Presidencies across Europe would be jealous of the bang we get for such a small buck? Cheap at treble the price.

As for Switzerland, its most likely that if MDH was invited that he was also accommodated on the Conference dime, thats usually the way. Craughwell is just a bitter spiteful egotist, i have no clue as to why he holds his own position and influence is such regard. He has no such record of public service or great achievement to warrant it.

Johnnycanyon

Why couldn't he stay in our embassy?

Hitman3000

Timberrrrrrrr wrote:

Hiw do you know he didnt stay in the cheapest and it wasnt paid for by the hosts who invited him?

Read the article. If the hosts paid great. Seems odd though going to an event decrying capitalism considering the open market economy of the country he is President of.

Hitman3000

Johnnycanyon wrote:

Why couldn't he stay in our embassy?

There is a residence rented for the ambassador at the cost of 134k you would imagine for such a high rent it would be more than a bedsit and a spare room could be found.

Timberrrrrrrr

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Read the article. If the hosts paid great. Seems odd though going to an event decrying capitalism considering the open market economy of the country he is President of.

So you dont know the cost of the suite nor who paid for it?

Turnipman

nuac wrote: »

There used to be a procedure where a President had to have government approval for major speeches made abroad?

Has this been dropped?

Yep.

Robbo started it, then McAleese did more or less what she liked for 14 years and Stumpy has continued the trend.

_Whimsical_

Rows Grower wrote: »

Can you please explain how having the funds to pay a nurse for a month could ease the trolley crisis?

What a load of waffle.

Obviously you haven't been in hospital much.
Sometimes empty beds can't be filled and surgeries can't go ahead because there aren't enough nurses to safely attend to all patients.

Hitman3000

Timberrrrrrrr wrote:

So you dont know the cost of the suite nor who paid for it?

Have I said I did? the fact that the office of the President is not subject to FOI stops us from knowing.

Larbre34

Johnnycanyon wrote: »

Why couldn't he stay in our embassy?

The event was in Geneva, the Embassy is in Berne 160 km / 2 hours away.

Cee-Jay-Cee

So a presidential hopeful just so happened to be given this information by a ‘concerned citizen’ Yeah right Craughwell ya hopeless idiot, you know you haven’t a hope so you try and find as much dirt on your opponent in order to blacken their name. What an utter prick, I wouldn’t vote for a low down mid slinging wanker like that if he paid me.

Hitman3000

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote:

So a presidential hopeful just so happened to be given this information by a ‘concerned citizen’ Yeah right Craughwell ya hopeless idiot, you know you haven’t a hope so you try and find as much dirt on your opponent in order to blacken their name. What an utter prick, I wouldn’t vote for a low down mid slinging wanker like that if he paid me.

If you read the article you would have noted Craughwell was described as FORMER Presidential candidate. He is not running. I guess commenting is more important than actually reading the article or OP. Well done though.....

Franz Von Peppercorn

Christ. Is this still going on.

Mother ireland is rearing them yet.

pgj2015

I heard he ordered the most expensive caviar when staying in the hotel, then just threw it all in the bin as he laughed like a maniac.

clfy39tzve8njq

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.

Hope to f**k he didn't order a pizza so

Annasopra

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

So we dont have any evidence that he did actually spend a night in a 3,000 a night suite?

No. Just speculation. We also dont know who paid his hotel either.

Annasopra

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

It is ALL about the FOI exemption, nothing else. I'd guess there is quite a struggle going on about this, but it will require a change to FOI legislation to remove the exemption. Hmmm who will bring forward that Bill in the Dail?

Taxpayers deserve better than a blanket NO Comment, Exempt!

Whether you like Craughwell or not, he has raised an important issue, that might just grow legs in the Silly Season!

Perhaps the silly season journos should start digging further into what Craughwell and other prospective candidates have been sending out to Councillors. We should start FOIing what gifts Senators give to Councillors maybe and what else Craughwell is emailing Coincillors.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/potential-presidential-candidate-offered-free-tickets-to-councillors-1.3570629?mode=amp


http://www.thejournal.ie/gerard-craughwell-expenses-3802046-Jan2018/

Rows Grower

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Obviously you haven't been in hospital much.
Sometimes empty beds can't be filled and surgeries can't go ahead because there aren't enough nurses to safely attend to all patients.

Oh sweetest Lord in heaven.

Let's just leave it at that.

Rows Grower

Rows Grower wrote: »

Oh sweetest Lord in heaven.

Let's just leave it at that.

I think it's a fair point.

Beechwoodspark

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Read the article. If the hosts paid great. Seems odd though going to an event decrying capitalism considering the open market economy of the country he is President of.

Mickey d always puts his own political views ahead of the national interest as far as I can see

Edgware

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Mickey d always puts his own political views ahead of the national interest as far as I can see

Well he is a left wing intellectual. They always know whats good for the great unwashed proletariat while sending their kids to private school and availing of the best V.H.I. plan.
Am I correct Mr Higgins and Mrs. Robinson?

beertons

Let him stay where he wants. Just think of the savings made when he's getting a suit tailored.

nuac

Edgware wrote: »

Well he is a left wing intellectual. They always know whats good for the great unwashed proletariat while sending their kids to private school and availing of the best V.H.I. plan.
Am I correct Mr Higgins and Mrs. Robinson?

I suggest we should leave politicians' children out of this

afaik MDH lived in Galway except when he was working abroad. Excellent choice of secondary schools in the city. I presume his children attended some of these

Mary Robinson is a Bourke from Ballina. She and her brothers went to the poshest of schools.

I think it odd that MDH goes abroad to attack the "capitalist system". We have a small open economy dependent on trade.

greenspurs

pgj2015 wrote: »

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.

Yes... I don't get that either!

topper75

I really liked Sharkey's vision. He is much clearer on what Ireland is about.

Annasopra

topper75 wrote: »

I really liked Sharkey's vision. He is much clearer on what Ireland is about.

Thankfully most Irish people would not support Sharkeys narrow racist vision.

davetherave

Larbre34 wrote: »

Such a stupid statement, even for someone trying to provoke.

The man is respected, not worshipped, and he does a very good job as Head of State, representing the people at home and the Nation abroad.

Two things stick out about this story, Craughwell and the Indo. It should tell everyone what they need to know about this topic.

The €30m figure highlighted to fund the Presidency is of course over 7 years. How many Royal courts and Presidencies across Europe would be jealous of the bang we get for such a small buck? Cheap at treble the price.

As for Switzerland, its most likely that if MDH was invited that he was also accommodated on the Conference dime, thats usually the way. Craughwell is just a bitter spiteful egotist, i have no clue as to why he holds his own position and influence is such regard. He has no such record of public service or great achievement to warrant it.

Yeah, it is €30m over seven years, breaks down over the term of office to €4,285,714.29 per annum.

The CSO has the population of the State from the 2016 census at 4,761,865.

If the Head of State is costing less than €1 per person per year then to me that is a pretty good deal.

RobertKK

Mr Higgins's travel bill has increased more than threefold since taking office - from €85,000 in his first year to an estimated €310,000 last year.

https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-how-much-the-office-of-the-president-costs-over-seven-years-36785078.html

He is running up the costs, it use to be a lot cheaper...first year in office for Michael D cost €2.9 million, last year it was €4.3 million.
But he now takes the Government jet to go to sporting events abroad when there is no need and flying to Kerry for a concert and basically just pissing tax payers money away.
No wonder the annual bill for the Presidency has gone up near 50% in costs since he took office. It is bordering on corruption the way taxpayers money is being abused.

Grayson

RobertKK wrote: »

https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-how-much-the-office-of-the-president-costs-over-seven-years-36785078.html

He is running up the costs, it use to be a lot cheaper...first year in office for Michael D cost €2.9 million, last year it was €4.3 million.
But he now takes the Government jet to go to sporting events abroad when there is no need and flying to Kerry for a concert and basically just pissing tax payers money away.
No wonder the annual bill for the Presidency has gone up near 50% in costs since he took office. It is bordering on corruption the way taxpayers money is being abused.

How come you don't quote this bit from your link

The President's spokesperson said Mr Higgins had waived 23.5pc of his salary, amounting to €76,493 in a year, since taking office, and had also gifted his ministerial and TD pensions back to the State.

"That decision brought the President's salary to the current figure of €249,014 per annum, which has been maintained over the intervening years. This is also the salary level which will apply to the next holder of the office," the spokesperson said.

"During his term in office, President Michael D Higgins has not drawn down, and will not draw down, any pension entitlements arising from his previous services as a member of the Oireachtas or as a Government minister.

"The President thus gifts €169,952 to the State every year. This amount is constituted as follows: €76,493 voluntary reduction of his salary as President; €53,558 in Oireachtas pension payments; and €39,901 of ministerial pension not drawn down."

That's over a million euro he's given the state.
  
It really sound like he's ripping us off. :rolleyes:

Cupatae

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Disgraceful if true, still support the man though

Hows it disgraceful?? his the ****in president of the country, were not a bunch of paupers at all... the way people are going on he should be staying in a Air BnB or a hostel.

Rows Grower

Grayson wrote: »

How come you don't quote this bit from your link



That's over a million euro he's given the state.
  
It really sound like he's ripping us off. :rolleyes:

Oh my word, what are all the outraged citizens going to think about that?