Whatever ammo the opposition had is disappearing quickly. http://www.newstalk.ie/news/george-lee-resignation-statement-in-full/
Fair play to him. Finally somebody realises that they have no power to help the ordinary people . Politics is about the gravy train and the smooth running of it for those at the top. Get back to what you are good at.
If Fine Gael had any sense they'd have put him in as their economics correspondent. Fine Gael would be nearly elected on that basis with somebody who actually knows what they're doing from an economic point of view.
Heard him on RTE radio over christmas. Sounded pissed off. Not surprised by this but I was surprised they took him on. Their best man is Bruton and he is in Georges's job, it would only make sense if Kenny ****ed off and Bruton took over. Difficult job ahead for him at RTE now.
I wonder will he go back to RTE? Funny that it was Newstalk who broke the story and not RTE - he may be lined up for a slot there.
Surprised he gave up his seat aswell, fair play to him sticking by his goals and when he realized it wasnt realistic in that position he made a move
I think the problem Lee had in FG was there best asset Richard Bruton already has the financial portfolio wrapped up.Once Lee decided to leave FG he had nowhere to go as he is way to right wing for Labor and he could hardily give out about having no influence in a big party like FG and then become a Independent. Fair play to Lee for standing down,the next election is not to long away alot of people would have just rode it out.
FG put a lot of effort.. into getting him to run for them in the elections,and going by what Lee says,once they got him in,they then pushed him to one side,and never sought his input into financial policies,and had no influence in them. At least he was honest about the situation,and probably an own goal by FG.
This is not the first time this has happened, it happended to Jim Glennon ex rugby international although he lasted five years. Was very disollusioned with his expereince. Its a pity though as it leaves politics in Ireland to those who churn out the endless crap of constituency business rather than bringing in those from different walks of life who might have something more to contribute. Lee is on a leave of absence from RTE. Assume he will go back although maybe to a different role. Agree. Listened to him on Newstalk and he was very, very honest, to the detriment of Inda!
No he said on Joe Duffy earlier that he sent a letter to RTE this morning. I'd say he will be back in RTE soon. I think the real loss is in the political system in general. There really is no alternative in the country.
Anyone with an ounce of vision and a little kop on could set up a new party and be in power by christmas. When the best alternative to what you have is Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore then you know were ****ed.
Strange one alright. FG were obviously just using him as a crowd puller. You would have thought they would have had a plan and vision for him. In one way you could say he is letting down the people who voted for him, but on the other hand, at least he is being true to himself as he didnt seem to be doing what he wanted, which was have an influence in politics.
Heard he was offered a place on the front bench as he was leaving as well. Should have been given that long ago as I think he could have put forward great ideas in the Dáil.
Real case of the toys being thrown out of the pram. Things not happening quickly enough for him and he walks. Expecting things to be put on a plate for him instead of fighting his corner. I thought he was in politics to change things. You change things from the inside - not from the outside. He hasn't handled this at all well and the people of South Dublin are well entitled to feel very let down.
Nonsense. Just because they voted for him doesnt mean they own him. It's not about changing things from the inside. The only people with that point of view I have seen are Fine Gael supporters who have had their fingers burnt and who are left totally embarrassed. The electorate voted for him on a very specific mandate in relation to the economy. He came to the realisation that this was impossible and that the real reason he was in there was to be a crowd puller...he has had absolutely no imput on Fine Gael economic policy in 9 months. Did Enda say that during the by-election? Did Enda say this guy might have an imput in 1-2 years? George Lee had the honor to stand up and say that. He should be applauded.
+ 1. Lee did a very gutsy thing in calling the Irish political system as it is...honesty should be appreciated just like Paul Gogarty recently too. Most TD's spend most of their time chasing around their consituencies, in competition with their own party colleagues, over purely personal issues for people rather than looking at the bigger picture in regard to policy. You only need to look at the economic management of this country, especially in regard to the property bubble, to see proof of this lack of focus on policy issues.