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Everything. As It Happens.

Faucet, We Havent A Chance

Admin at 11:03 am January 22, 2014 | 114 Replies

[Phil Hogan, top and Denis O'Brien, above] Irish Water: a personal synopsis so far By Shane Florish Ireland goes bankrupt and the Troika calls for more taxes. Water meters are decided upon and a plan to build Irish Water are hatched. Siemens, a company with massive resources and know-how in this area and also with a massive installed base in the UK offer to install the meters for free. Phil Hogan declines Siemens offer no answer as to why he decided this was ever forthcoming just, no we have an Irish solution to this. Both Siemens and industry analysts are baffled as to why a state would go for a far more expensive solution. Denis OBrien, the man accused by a High Court Judge to have beyond all doubt been given substantive information by FG TD Michael Lowry of significant value and assistance to him in securing the [Esat] license - and to have subsequently made hundreds of millions by selling same purchases a company called Siteserv which specialises in the installation of water meters. This is about a year before the water

meter tender. Now, numerous European companies also wanted to buy Siteserv and offered way more money for the company (which then owed 100 million to Anglo Irish Bank and was completely insolvent). The Irish Government allows the sale of the company to Denis O Brien with the 100 Scroll to Top million owed to Anglo (now state owned i.e. by you) written off. Some gamble for Denis to buy a company with 100 million written off and with no guarantee of a lucrative water meter contract. A business in an area where he has no previous experience or competence. Siteserv subsequently bids in the EU tendering process and, lo and behold, wins. The contract is for hundreds of millions of Euros. Now, enter Irish Water. The CEO [John Tierney] of which used to be the financial officer of an organisation which spent 100 million of Irish taxpayers money on the process to build an incinerator in Dublin a process which involved what the EU recently found to be an illegal contract between Dublin City Council and consultancy firm RPS. No incinerator was ever built or will ever be built but 100 million, again of your money, is gone and John is now the CEO of Irish Water. No minutes of meetings which spent 100 million of your money were ever recorded the money is just gone. John then installs his homeboys and homegirls from the Poolbeg project to Irish Water citing the abysmal salaries at Irish Water as the reason why nobody else would apply for these jobs. People who were direct beneficiaries of the Poolbeg are now newly fledged semi-state employees. This is just the latest episode of the calamity that is Ireland Inc. The biggest langer in this solar system is the Irish taxpayer. We havent a chance no matter who we vote

for. But, were great craic. Shane Florish FIGHT! Via comments. Thanks Dhoosh and Nick Moran
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Posted in Misc and tagged Denis O'Brien, Irish Water, Phil Hogan at 11:03 am on January 22, 2014 [http://www.broadsheet.ie/2014/01/22/faucet-we-havent-a-chance/] by Admin. 114 Replies

114 thoughts on Faucet, We Havent A Chance

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

That second picture is gold. Just walk across this doorway here, act casual. It will look great!

Murtles
January 22, 2014 at 11:49 am

Direct from the Monty Python Ministery of Funny Walks division.

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 11:58 am

Or like something from In the Loop

Bingo
January 22, 2014 at 12:00 pm

You get the impression that he sleeps in that awful suit.

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 12:11 pm

Like the big money-sucking vampire that he is

missred
January 22, 2014 at 12:43 pm

Aint it great? Like one of Laurel and Hardy

The Frilly Keane Slot

January 22, 2014 at 1:47 pm

Push the nt in. More like

BHC
January 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

Dont forget Mr Tierney was in charge of a totally over-budget Eyre Sq revamp in Galway and the botch job that was the outsourcing of household waste collection in Dublin.

Miles O'Tool
January 22, 2014 at 11:42 am

The Eyre Square Enhancement was a total disaster. What should have been a modest enough job ended up overspending by 10 Million and had extra legal costs of 1.5 million. Our old friends Outside Advisers trousered substantial fees.

scottser
January 22, 2014 at 12:31 pm

dont forget priory hall. oh and greyhound too.

Liam
January 22, 2014 at 11:12 am

Im mad as hell and Im not going to take it anymore! (well, Ill probably continue to take it for the foreseeable future)

Old School
January 22, 2014 at 11:14 am

Well firstly, I sincerely hope that the tender for those water meters will be challenged using the rules of EU tendering. All tenders can be challenged and decisions must be explained and justified.

Secondly, Im seriously beginning to think that serious international organized crime is deeply embedded in public tendering and that Irish politicians are either willingly complicit or being bribed threatened or blackmailed to play ball. And I dont buy for one second that OBrien is some kind of hero in Haiti. Its not Haitians who stay in his luxury 5 star hotel. Its inter nation business vultures in for the spoils of a desperate country.

Zardoz
January 22, 2014 at 11:16 am

Blackmailed for sure, OBrien know where the bodies are buried.

SOMK
January 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm

Secondly, Im seriously beginning to think that serious international organized crime is deeply embedded in public tendering and that Irish politicians are either willingly complicit or being bribed threatened or blackmailed to play ball. The torching of City bins would seem to back that up, but I think calling anything a government does criminal doesnt make sense, if you literally get to write the laws of the land and have a massive hand in how those laws are enforced, you will invariably use that power to define criminality as being something as far away from what you do as possible. Its like trying to argue with someone who has the power to rewrite the dictionary, you can call them whatever you like and they can simply change the terms you use into meaning something else entirely. when you talk about governments being criminal youre talking in a language they get to define so its redundant. Ive no idea what an alternative term would be, especially when we live in a culture of rule bending on so many levels, one in which it suits power in Ireland to have that ability to obstruficate the functionality of the state in order that they might use their power to bend or cut through said rules as its the best way for them to hold onto that power, meaning a

large swathe of our society is implicit in this culture of corrupt nepotism.

Suzanne
January 22, 2014 at 6:21 pm

Its not organised crime, blackmail or bribery its political donations plain and simple. The only party to not accept political donations and to have a policy to ban them is the Green Party. If you dont want this sort of thing going on and on, join the Greens, persuade others to join and vote green, get a critical mass behind the movement to end corruption. Posting cynical or outraged comments is not enough.

ABM's bloody underwear

January 23, 2014 at 7:36 am

Pull the other one, its get bells on.

ABM's bloody underwear

January 23, 2014 at 7:37 am

*got them too.

Zardoz
January 22, 2014 at 11:15 am

No need to spell it out Shane, most rational people know that this farce is to line the pockets of the likes of P3nis NoBrain. He really mush have dirt on people cause hes not smart enough to make that much money with business skills alone.

Old School
January 22, 2014 at 11:16 am

Investigate Tierney!

Luny Loo
January 22, 2014 at 11:19 am

Irishness is our problem. If we could water it down, or incinerate that aspect of ourselves wed be grand.

bisted
January 22, 2014 at 11:21 am

stop sugar-coating it Shane

deliverancecountry
January 22, 2014 at 1:12 pm

He makes it sound like theyre running a charity.

joe gregory
January 22, 2014 at 11:22 am

Done deal? http://thestory.ie/2012/04/10/denying-the-obrienhogan-meeting/

Staples
January 22, 2014 at 11:25 am

This will continue until tax-exiles and their corrupt lapdogs (FG/FF/Lab) are hounded and abused at every available opportunity public and private. Sean Dunne and Ahern are still able to attend sporting events unmolested. We should be

ashamed of ourselves as a nation.

fluffybiscuits
January 22, 2014 at 11:26 am

Brilliant work lads. :) Nice summary and explains it all for those of us who are trying to make sense of it

Barry
January 22, 2014 at 11:33 am

Feeling ashamed to be Irish. If only being Irish meant doing something about it and not just sitting back and letting someone else do it will someone solve this problem for me?

Derval
January 22, 2014 at 4:08 pm

Look where that attitude got Margaretta Darcy.

Sheila
January 22, 2014 at 11:41 am

There it is, the mysterious disappearing comment. I thought it was taken down, but no! it was upgraded hurrah! Interesting read. Staggering when all those piece of info put together.

Johhny Five
January 22, 2014 at 11:45 am

I consulted the media for any reporting on this story. Couldnt find or hear anything in/on The Indo, Newstalk, Today FM, 98 FM, FM 104, Spin 103. Are you sure its true?

The Frilly Keane Slot

January 22, 2014 at 12:43 pm

Its a bit like the baddie in the latest Sherlock. You know, yer man in the mad white gaff with the mind vault, that Watsons missus tried to knock off?

ScaryLady
January 22, 2014 at 11:50 am

Excellent synopsis of this whole disgusting affair.

whyme
January 22, 2014 at 11:53 am

please can this not be raised with the government? surely at leaders questions or at least the minister. why are journalists not investigating this and writing about it? its a f**king disgrace and wouldnt be allowed in any other civilised country. were a pack of mugs.

Stuart F
January 22, 2014 at 2:07 pm

LOL! Theyre complicit.

Derval
January 22, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Leaders Questions? What has ever been achieved by that farcical game of refusing to answer the question?

Kevin Barrington
January 22, 2014 at 4:50 pm

Who owns the journos? Or an awful lot of them.

RC
January 22, 2014 at 11:59 am

Excellent comment. But why would seimens install for frree?

Sgt. Bilko
January 22, 2014 at 12:06 pm

For the maintenance contract.

RC
January 22, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Oh right. Thank you.

Dr. Richard Kimble

January 22, 2014 at 12:11 pm

maybe to get the contract for maintenance\repair work ?

Suzanne
January 22, 2014 at 6:23 pm

They didnt offer to install for Free, but they offered finance, the interest rates arent given. According to the linked article.

The Old Boy

January 22, 2014 at 12:06 pm

I think Ill start a stock photography agency exclusively selling images of Denis OBrien looking even more ridiculous than usual.

oscar behan burns

January 22, 2014 at 12:09 pm

maybe seimens are selling the meters and fitting for free

Old School
January 22, 2014 at 12:21 pm

I hope Siemens challenge the tender. I really do.

The Frilly Keane Slot

January 22, 2014 at 12:45 pm

Btw BS, dont forget #FaucetsCircus

Kolmo
January 22, 2014 at 1:04 pm

Whats that about Siemens offering to install the meters for free????!! first Ive heard of it I really wish it wasnt true if it is the Republic is a Sopranos Republic, Scumbags. Dirty lowdown criminals scumbags.

The Frilly Keane Slot

January 22, 2014 at 1:15 pm

I remember it. They tried to push it onto the news agenda too No one really picked it up.

M Fin
January 22, 2014 at 1:12 pm

Government is the problem in this country.

Derval
January 22, 2014 at 4:44 pm

Thats a worldwide phenomenon.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 1:23 pm

This really stinks. Can anything be done to stop them? Lets hope Siemens sue. On a separate note, I heard that candidates sitting Public Service exams are now asked to list their religion and sexual orientation not anonymously but on a separate sheet with Candidate number attached. Sinister.

Joxer

January 22, 2014 at 1:28 pm

why is this posted? for the regular BSers to fulminate about and feel good that they have commented on the woeful nature of irish people and their acceptance of a rather large penis being inserted into their collective nether regions by people who are a step above criminals? Great so carry on lads 100 years ago there was a band of men who said Fupp this im angry about the status quo so i am going to do something about it and they did and things changed. now as i see this as long as folk spend time sitting on their barstools or crying into their hummous or whatever there will be no change in this state and the likes of Hogan, OBrien and all the rest of the sleeveens will continue to use this state and its people as their own personal ATM we ought to be ashamed of ourselves when all we could muster when marching to the Dail was a couple of thousand to protest the rape of this nation. Probably more go to see Premiership Matches per month that would turn up for a protest march. unbelieveable, Un-fupping-believable

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 1:32 pm

Its also posted for people to moan about how comments on BS dont change things. SUCKED IN JOXER

SDaedalus
January 22, 2014 at 1:39 pm

Change requires two things and the first is an unwillingness to tolerate the current system.

We all like giving out generally about things but theres a difference between a general amorphous rant of the sort you get down the pub and a simple statement of facts leading to an inexorable conclusion that this is not the way something should be. It would be nice if we had more of the latter in media discourse. This post is a good start.

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 2:20 pm

You are never going to get media discourse about certain issues. Its like the privatisation of the NHS over here no reporting at all, no coverage of pretty big protests. Why? Because the scabby elite look after their own, whether left or right wing. And the only thing to change that is a revolution.

RC
January 22, 2014 at 2:27 pm

I agree. No one ever mentions the privatization of the health service thats slowly going on. Its disturbing. Just let the hospitals fall into a shambles and All of a sudden loads of radio ads for private hospitals and vhi clinics.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 2:28 pm

So are you saying Pidgeon that if a freelance journalist were to pitch this story to The Irish Times, they would get nowhere? Who are the scabby elite in this context Irish Times news editors, Irish Times board members who might object to the publication of such a story, Irish Times readers? How do they achieve blanket non-coverage?

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 2:39 pm

I think papers and news channels stories wont print a story that is too much trouble or rocks the boat too much unless its really good the exceptions being Channel 4, who do some good stuff, that Kris guy is good and the Guardian see Snowden and coverage of the NHS and student protests. I dont know how they do it but I know enough of what isnt covered in other news sources for it to look pretty suspicious to me. And the news is the same all over the place anyway, that 24hr rolling infomercialisation of news with no indepth discussion.

SDaedalus
January 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm

@Pidgeon I genuinely believe its just laziness. So many journalists just take a particular point of view, often influenced by personal considerations or just to have something to write about, rant generally and support their argument by too much information about their personal life. Identifying facts, setting them out and letting the readers draw their own conclusion like the article above does is much more useful but also takes more work and is less satisfying to the ego of the writer.

Pidgeon
January 22, 2014 at 2:51 pm

Maybe it is laziness. But I know an up and coming journalist in Dublin who would certainly be pitching stories like these but not always being given the go ahead by editors. I am also a bit paranoid and keen to see what the revolution will bring.

SDaedalus
January 22, 2014 at 3:00 pm

It may be editorial fault too but I dont think its a conspiracy, just that the collegedebate/too much information style of journalism is what theyve become used to. The more properly researched and written articles, with a minimum of the personal, start to appear on any topic, the more they will show up the other stuff for the dross it is.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm

They are probably scared sh*tless of being sued too. Im surprised Denis OBrien hasnt sued or, worse still, bought Broadsheet by now.

SDaedalus
January 22, 2014 at 3:35 pm

Subject to what Legal Coffee Drinker has to say, Im not sure its possible to be sued from allowing people to draw their own conclusions from provable facts, chronologically stated, which is what this article seems to be doing.

Lilly
January 22, 2014 at 5:40 pm

I was under the impression that Denis OBrien sues people for daring to mention him.

Sham Bob
January 23, 2014 at 1:25 am

Excellent article that should be in the national media. Noam Chomsky gives a fairly detailed explanation of how and why mainstream media tow the line. In Ireland though, there might be other factors at play. Previously if there was a government scandal there would have been a powerful opposition party FF or FG

driving the media agenda. FF can hardly claim any moral high ground now so FG are getting away with their brightly packaged variety of grim cynicism.

Pedanto
January 22, 2014 at 5:47 pm

He even polices the use of his initials. He had the Spin Doctors mired in legal proceedings for a decade over the Dobba Dobba Dobba refrain in Two Princes. Hes a monster.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 1:36 pm

If there was a protest march against this single issue, there would be a huge turnout. EVERYONE is affected by this. People feel helpless and sometimes marches seem too generic. They dont know exactly what the f**k they are marching about.

Mick
January 22, 2014 at 1:37 pm

If an individual took money from a large group of people, who were told that the money would be spent on something that the people reluctantly agreed to, and then the money disappeared without an explanation and nothing to show for it, WHAT IN THE HOLY BLOODY FCUK do you think the large group would do?? 1. Bend over and let them fcuk you in the ass? 2. Give them more money and not worry about what happened to the first amount that you handed over? 3. Hang the fcuker at the gates of St Stephens Green? Answers on a postcard.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 1:40 pm

4. Emigrate.

Mick
January 22, 2014 at 3:26 pm

Oooooo, good answer!

Laura M
January 22, 2014 at 1:43 pm

the 2nd image makes me sick

Pedanto
January 22, 2014 at 1:50 pm

Lets not canonise Siemens. Theyre a business. They dont do favours for cash-strapped countries. If Hogan had accepted their offer, it would no doubt make them a fortune. And you lot would barf out the usual boggle-eyed tirade about lapdogs selling out to our German masters. (Admittedly with added semen jokes.)

Simon
January 22, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Yes but they did a great job with our electricity back in the day.

SDaedalus
January 22, 2014 at 1:54 pm

Clearly Siemens offer had economic benefit for them, I agree.

But thats not really the point, Pedanto. The question that I see posed by this piece is whether or not it also had economic benefit for us and certainly, on its face, it seemed to and, if so, why we turned it down.

Pedanto
January 22, 2014 at 2:26 pm

Good questions indeed. Im just tired of the relentless pitchfork parade.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 11:52 am

They will probably argue that by paying back to the National Pensions Reserve we will be paying ourselves back rather than boosting the profits of a German company. Not sure which Id prefer.

diddy
January 22, 2014 at 1:57 pm

O brien must be sitting on some really damaging information.. cronyism alive and well

Limey Tank
January 22, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Thats why Ill be doing me bestest to convince everybody I know not to vote for the FF/FG/Lab candidates. Theyve been bought and sold. Its flakey independents for me from now on.

Buzz
January 22, 2014 at 2:10 pm

Me too. I reckon anyone who can string a sentence together who runs as an Independent will get in next time round.

Slight Correction
January 22, 2014 at 2:18 pm

Check the date http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5048790&postcount=39

dee
January 22, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Stupid question maybe but, wasnt it ordinary Joe Folk that got onto the EU regarding the competition issue with the incinerator and could that same tack not be used for this; If one of us wrote a letter to the EU (I know, but ideas have to start somewhere) and asked them to investigate this, are they not obliged to?

Simon
January 22, 2014 at 4:15 pm

Ive just emailed these guys SG-PLAINTES@ec.europa.eu for what its worthwas i in the right place??

Unemployed Lawyer
January 22, 2014 at 4:25 pm

Yes. Theres also a complaint form which can (only if you want) be used in place of the email.

http://ec.europa.eu/eu_law/your_rights/your_rights_forms_en.htm

thicko
January 22, 2014 at 3:08 pm

paper never refuses ink!!!!!!!!!!! or whatever the blog version of that is

thicko
January 22, 2014 at 4:21 pm

Sorry Mick, if my comment doesnt suit you (PM). Ill refrain from commenting in future.

Lilly
January 22, 2014 at 5:22 pm

Push the lizard into the pool :-)

Koya
January 22, 2014 at 5:41 pm

And yet when a political party takes a stand against the corruption of FF/FG, actually gets itself some power by going into government, passes legislation to clean up this aspect of Irish politics, starts investigations into suspicious decisions, stands up against a dodgy as hell incinerator plan, it is ridiculed and kicked out as soon as possible. There are alternatives, but we have decided not to choose them. Perhaps this will change in May?

Derval
January 22, 2014 at 5:45 pm

@Koya What party is that?

Suzanne
January 22, 2014 at 6:32 pm

Green Party, in the end couldnt get reform of political donations through due to complete melt down of economy set in motion by PD\FF policies but did get new Planning legislation, New financial regulator, made appointments by public application where possible. New broadcasting bill removed power to appoint members to the board from minister. But were blamed for carbon tax which actually came from Europe so are public enemy number one.

ffintii
January 22, 2014 at 6:37 pm

John Gormley played into the hands of John Tierney

Sham Bob
January 23, 2014 at 1:06 am

New financial regulator? I think that might have happened after Neary had allowed Anglo to destroy the economy rather than any principled stand from the Greens. The Greens going into coalition with a party that was toxic to their voters in exchange for some piddling reforms might be the reason theyre not remembered too fondly, rather than some obscure carbon tax.

Suzanne
January 23, 2014 at 7:18 am

First regulator who wasnt a party hack. Lets see who FG replace him with.

FF were toxic, oh I see, the Greens should have waited for this lot to get in power because they are SO ethical. Really? lets all just sit around and Wait for sea levels to rise while posting outraged comments on internet news sites

Suzanne
January 23, 2014 at 7:22 am

Planning act wasnt piddling, tackled rezoning one of the causes of the banking collapse Butt if you want bigger and more reforms make the Green Party bigger, join it, vote Green and campaign for a ban on corporate donations.

Sham Bob
January 23, 2014 at 5:03 pm

The Green Party called for a stronger regulator after Neary resigned, when it was obvious even to FF that things would have to change. The Greens gave the impression they wouldnt go into government with Fianna Fail with Trevor Sargents pledge, and then turned around and did exactly that. Maybe their mission to save the planet justified this in their own eyes, but it reeks of the usual cynicism say whatever it takes to get elected. I dont consider the Greens public enemy number one, theyd barely make the top ten -but I wont be voting Green again until they hold their hands up to their role in the last government. Mainly though, I wish theyd quit their whinging about their treatment by the media and the electorate they sound like the Catholic Church.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 6:54 pm

Trevor said he wouldnt / couldnt lead the party into government with FF and he didnt. John made the planet bertie speech and the tribunal vindicated his remarks. Saving the planet dont you honestly think that is worth trying to make some changes in the only political system we have. I repeat which party is ethical enough to go into coalition

with? Eamon has made at least two public apologies and acknowledgements for mistakes in last government, Dan Boyle has written a book about it.

ABM's bloody underwear

January 23, 2014 at 7:12 pm

Trevor said he wouldnt / couldnt lead the party into government with FF and he didnt. Stroke politics. Just like FF and FG. I wouldnt vote for either of them nor your party as The Greens have shown that they are cut from the same cloth. After Eamon Ryans disgraceful support of Willie ODea during the signing of a false affadavit affair, he should remove himself from politics. But of course, none of it was the fault of the Green Party at all.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 10:12 pm

Well Trevor Sargent did tell and showed the brown envelope he was given and was knocked to the ground for it. I dont think anyone knows all that goes on, these people arent stupid its not as blatant as the article makes out as I outlined above. I think that corporate political donations are at the heart of this, banning corporate donations is a Green Party policy no other party has a history of even getting close to reform in this area. I dont know whos side that puts them on how much more do you want to know? Weve had the Mahon tribunal, costing 14 million? GP is far from perfect and too small to effect bigger changes but I think that calls for positive action rather than endless hopelessness.

Derval

January 23, 2014 at 10:18 pm

Trevor Sargent did tell and showed the brown envelope he was given and was knocked to the ground for it. Can you provide a link to this story please?

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 11:07 pm

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/after-opening-can-of-wormssargent-feels-no-sense-of-vindication-27816013.html I thought I remembered seeing video of it but cant find it and sure there probably werent cameras, it was just an ordinary meeting. Trevor is not even running for the locals now, so so much for power at all costs. It is hard to stay in the political system and try to change it in the face of this stuff and the fact the FG come along bleating reform and it is business as usual and and and . . . but I think it is better to do something rather than nothing and it is better to do something effective than something that feels good but doesnt actually work.

Derval
January 24, 2014 at 12:14 am

Thanks for that. Interesting.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 8:13 pm

True Eamon was caught off guard about Willie ODea being in coalition is not great, and other mistakes such as being sucked into a blanket guarantee, like FG are sickening. It is

much more enjoyable to sit on the opposition benches and criticise and some change can be effected from there but much more can be achieved in government and much more green policy was enacted by the GP in government than in all the years in opposition. NOT everything, and not flawless but more i suspect than anyone commenting here has achieved. If you want a better government specifically if you want to make sure that rich businessmen cannot buy favours from ministers then join a political party that has that as a key policy. If you prefer ranting through the keyboard (and that is very satisfying I know) then keep typing.

Derval
January 23, 2014 at 8:19 pm

Has any GP member who was in the government described exactly what goes on behind the scenes in relation to the process by which rich businessmen buy favours from ministers? or, described how and why the obviously correct thing to do is ignored in favour of something that will waste taxpayers money but line the pockets of rich businessmen? If not, theyre the same as the rest of the parties.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 8:40 pm

Well, if you arent taking their money then youd hardly know what goes on! Dunlop stated that he didnt bother trying to bribe, oh sorry make payments to, GP councillors because he knew there was no point. Gormley has stated that the top civil servants are key to breaking/keeping the system going but I dont know how public those comments were ;-) It is subtle, there are three allegations made up above: 1.That Anglo wrote off all the debts of siteserv 2.That DOB bought siteserv for less than others 3.That DOB got the tender from irish water but none of these are clear cut wrong

1. Siteserv was broke, if it had gone into receivership debts would have been written off anyway. The article implies that all the debt was forgiven, I doubt that, the article doesnt give any references so I cant check. 2. Again there is no reference for this, how does the writer know that DOB's price was the lowest? Also it may have been sold for less money because it was going to be kept going as a company providing jobs in Ireland rather than asset stripped or pared down to bare minimum jobs and poor conditions. I dont know also have not got access to relevant information part of the problem of government lack of transparency. So suspicions are justified (even if they are wrong) because we know that political parties and politicians can accept donations from corporations such as this. 3. Three companies are involved in the meter installation, one of them an English company, it might make more economic sense to give the work to an Irish company because then taxes and wages will be paid in Ireland. Again I dont know, lack of accessible information once again. They are not the same, they are not perfect, do not have a magic wand but have decided to work within the current system with all its flaws and compromises because there is no viable alternative. There just isnt, Broadsheet.ie is great but not an effective tool for change.

Derval
January 23, 2014 at 8:59 pm

Well, if you arent taking their money then youd hardly know what goes on Well, they could tell us about any offers of money. Come on, youre trying to tell us the Greens are on our side. Theyve been at the top. Theyre either with us or against us. Let them tell us the whole truth about what goes on.

Suzanne
January 22, 2014 at 6:32 pm

Green Party, in the end couldnt get reform of political donations through due to complete melt down of economy set in motion by PD\FF policies but did get new Planning legislation, New financial regulator, made appointments by public application where possible. New broadcasting bill removed power to appoint members to the board from minister. But were blamed for carbon tax which actually came from Europe so are public enemy number one.

ABM's bloody underwear

January 23, 2014 at 9:19 pm

Eamon Ryan being caught off guard. Ha, thats a good one. Poor Eamon. It was all a bigger boys fault who did it and then ran away I suppose. What tripe. Ranting is a nice thing to do online alright. Better than writing self-pitying posts and blaming everyone else for your own partys actions and well deserved demise. I do have better things to be doing however. One would be never again voting for your party.

SMcE
January 23, 2014 at 10:33 pm

I do not pity myself, Im calling for positive action a ban on corporate donations to be exact which is hardly blaming everyone else. I havent blamed anyone else for anything in this thread. The fact of the matter is that the Green Party is the only party which was commended by the Mahon Tribunal and the only party to have a policy both of not taking corporate donations and banning them. So that is the party I am campaigning for imperfect as it is. I do honestly think that in the case of Willie ODea there was a time factor involved (you could tell by Eamons pretty rubbish speech in the Dail) but I accept that it was mostly something that had to be done as a consequence of being in coalition. I think that being in government achieved more reform than being in opposition (and more than online forums though they are important too) and therefore the compromise was just about worth it

but am very well aware that many dont and I can understand why. You have better things to do, fair enough.

somethingfishy
January 22, 2014 at 5:53 pm

readers will also note that a vaguely similar deal happened with Blue Ocean Associates which paved the way for DOBs takeover of topaz last December. http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/12/09/topaz-the-morning-to-you/

ffintii
January 22, 2014 at 6:34 pm

Once Siteserv gets copper fastened contracts expect DOB to offload at a huge profit, ata ESAT

Suzanne
January 22, 2014 at 6:35 pm

Does broadsheet.ie bother with corrections, Siemens offer was not for free but to supply finance, which can be costly but may have been a better deal, how are we to know? More openness needed.

Kevin Cannon
January 22, 2014 at 11:27 pm

[citations needed]

Michael
January 22, 2014 at 11:42 pm

As far as im aware any company tendering for these tenders must be trading for a min 5 years with a min turn over of 5 million. So how could he tender?

Joe
January 23, 2014 at 10:49 am

You know I live in Thailand and have seen so much corruption here that would make a hard man humble. But at least its in your face, on the table, straight up no messing. Not hidden and underhanded by so called respectable members of society posing as caretakers of our dear little country. But dear old eire, oh my god. Once the land of saints and scholars and now the land of deceit and white collar crime. Shame on all sides here. Really SHAME and the poor taxpayers again footing the bill for the greedy gits in power. I am so happy I was lucky enough to be able to live here in Thailand. It has its ups and downs but a far better quality of life and we know where we stand straight off. Joe

pfoleyp
January 23, 2014 at 11:25 am

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/siemens-cheaper-water-meter-offer-snubbed-byminister-hogan-26845507.html

Jim D
January 23, 2014 at 1:07 pm

The problem is far bigger than the instances of greed and ignored criminality we have been subjected to, by what were once referrred to as leaders in society: be they in government, politics, industry, planning, banking, big-business, etc. The problem is that

the NORMS of how we elected individuals into power in the past is now dead and due to be buried. Today we are accustomed to seeing nations around the world struggling against similiar and other forms of abuse by innefectual or corrupt Leaders. Isnt it time to demonstrate (in the street and in the polls), that what we have been subjested to for so long is no longer acceptable. Politics in Ireland is tainted with attitudes which belong to a jaundiced and no-longer-relevant past. Any future is better than the no-prospect future offered by out-dated politicians and out-dated manifestos. What future is there for our educated youth? Have we no (non-traditional party) potential leaders to shine a bright light on our future in Ireland ? When will WE stand up and say NO to more of the hypocrisy we are saddled with day after day in so many walks of life?

Derval
January 23, 2014 at 3:26 pm

Tomorrow at 6.30.