There is a lot of anger and bewilderment towards the politicians caught out.
Monday night’s RTÉ Investigates Standards in Public Office has caused outrage around the country, where underhand lobbying by Irish politicians was exposed by undercover reporters.
In a groundbreaking documentary, the actions of Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Queenan (who has now resigned from the party), independent Donegal councillor John O’Donnell and Hugh McElvaney, a four-time mayor of Monaghan and former Fine Gael councillor were secretly filmed.
Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Hughie McElvaney #RTEInvestigates
https://t.co/7TGXJK2wyj
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015
Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr Joe Queenan #RTEInvestigates
https://t.co/KNHfeYELRU
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015
Footage from RTÉ Investigations Unit: Standards in Public Office. Cllr John O’Donnell #RTEInvestigates
https://t.co/XiqQ2Shg5M
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 7, 2015
Needless to say, there was outrage in the aftermath among some well placed figures in Ireland.
So many words to use about that Cllr but these are the biggest two PATRONISING and ARROGANT. #rteinvestigates #loadsamoney
— Roisin Ingle (@roisiningle) December 7, 2015
So are we to presume what we saw on #rteinvestigates was one – off stuff or the tip of an iceberg?
— Tom Lyons (@TomLyonsBiz) December 7, 2015
It's a proud day for Monaghan. #rteinvestigates #eyeroll
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) December 7, 2015
If only there was some kind of state run investigative…I dunno… policing organisation. #rteinvestigates
— Paul Reynolds (@PaulFedayn) December 7, 2015
Woke up this morning with sick feeling in stomach. Didn't want to engage on social media last night as was so pissed off #rteinvestigates
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) December 8, 2015
They should be all asked politely to resign #RTEInvestigates
— Cllr Kenneth Egan (@kenegan30) December 7, 2015
Great that RTE started showing Father Ted episodes again. 'It was resting in my account' #rteinvestigates
— Tony Roe (@tony__roe) December 8, 2015
Shocking & embarrassing. Well done #rteinvestigates pic.twitter.com/uENfKcH2We
— Brendan McCahey (@brendanmccahey) December 8, 2015
Meanwhile, there was a lot of praise for the quality of the documentary.
Great stuff #rteinvestigates. Forensic and well researched. Presumably political leaders will now take action…
— Tom Lyons (@TomLyonsBiz) December 7, 2015
In other news. Absolute incredible work by #rteinvestigates journalists. Just top class work
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) December 8, 2015
In general, the mood was pretty clear around the country.
Will anything ever change in this country? So disappointing #rteinvestigates
— Fran (@frannnnn0) December 8, 2015
Great that RTE started showing Father Ted episodes again. 'It was resting in my account' #rteinvestigates
— Tony Roe (@tony__roe) December 8, 2015
Next week on #rteinvestigates: Why are Irish politicians' excuses and lies so rubbish?
— David Crowley (@CrowleyDave) December 8, 2015
Think I'll slip a fiver into my business exam this morning. It's how we roll apparently #rteinvestigates
— Richard Looby (@RichardLooby) December 8, 2015
Sad to see that a small minority ruining the reputation of hard working elected representatives #rteinvestigates
— Thomasina Connell (@thomasina2016) December 8, 2015
#rteinvestigates #cancer this country is .
— Lapel 1865 (@Lapel1865) December 8, 2015
#rteinvestigates soooo how are all these politicians not in jail??
— Emmet Gibney (@emmetgibney) December 8, 2015
There all coyboys Ted #rteinvestigates
— Charlie Downey (@CharlieDownss) December 8, 2015
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"
#rteinvestigates #right2change
— RocknRoll Saor (@RiochtNaSaor) December 8, 2015
If you think "declaring my interest in X could damage me politically" then the answer is "stay the f out of politics" #rteinvestigates
— DeclanFlynn (@DeclanFlynn) December 8, 2015
#RTEInvestigates Hugh 'Sterling' McElvaney is 'a conduit' as long as there is 'loads of money' #preplanning
— thespeckledbird (@ederoiste) December 8, 2015
Knew I recognised Cllr Hugh McElvaney from somewhere. Here he is under the alias "Hud Hastings" #rteinvestigates pic.twitter.com/ewqhTg1nvd
— Dave Donnelly (@YeSecondPost) December 8, 2015
#RTEInvestigates 'What are you putting on the table for me?' Cllr Hugh McElvaney #tengrand ??!!?
— thespeckledbird (@ederoiste) December 8, 2015
Hughie Mcelvaney. Monaghans answer to Pat Mustard and Burlusconi in one. #rteinvestigates #disgrace
— Dermot O'Sullivan (@Derm_Sullivan) December 8, 2015
However, in saying I wasn't surprised, asking for "a bag of money" was a bit Irish (pardon the pun). #rteinvestigates
— Seán Murphy (@GrizzlyMurphy) December 8, 2015
Find it amazing that some are still using the defence "forms are unclear". Fact is, it is your obligation to understand. #rteinvestigates
— Dougal (@DougalCMK) December 8, 2015
Enda should immediately gerrymander a "citizen's convention" to decide if it's sometimes ok for politicians to take bribes #rteinvestigates
— Conor Thomas (@conorthomas) December 8, 2015
Just getting around to watching tonight's #rteinvestigates. Shocking, revealing material, but it will do great things for transparency.
— Mark Watters (@mdwatters) December 8, 2015
Sad to see that a small minority ruining the reputation of hard working elected representatives #rteinvestigates
— Thomasina Connell (@thomasina2016) December 8, 2015
The politicians are only resigning from their party not from office. Typical Ireland! #rteinvestigates
— david whelan (@dulchiewhelan) December 8, 2015
#rteinvestigates #McElvaney has to be the most brazen man I've ever heard just fill my pockets ?????????
— Gordon Masterson (@nodrogmas) December 8, 2015
40% of council politicians in #Ireland corrupt. Non declaration. #loadsamoney #rteinvestigates
— Sean Hyland (@EndTheEU) December 8, 2015
I genuinely forgot that I was a DIRECTOR of a company that pays me a salary and bonus.
#rteinvestigates
— Billstraightener (@Billstraighten) December 8, 2015
Anytime you were suspicious or asked the Q "how did they get planning for that?" confirmed last night. #corruption #rteinvestigates
— Daniel (@irishphysio) December 8, 2015
It was an error when I erroneously errored on erroring in error, so, sorry. #rteinvestigates #DontBeATwitDeclareIt
— Acting The Gom (@ActingTheGom) December 8, 2015
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