Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said that at least two TDs were drunk during the Dail debate on legislation to liquidate IBRC as part of the promissory note deal.
“There were, in the chamber on the night, members of other parties who were intoxicated and other people know that as well,” Adams told TheJournal.ie. He stressed that “the vast majority of TDs probably don’t take a sup at all."
“I imagine they are here to do their work. But I do think it’s an anomaly that you have a bar, you actually have two bars, in a work place,” he said.
The debate in the Dáil last month to pass legislation that would liquidate Irish Bank Resolution Corporation went on into the early hours of the morning as the government sought a deal to abolish the promissory note repayments.
When TDs argued when to start debate on the bill Adams asked Ceann Comhairle: Could I honourably suggest that if you want some order from the government TDs then perhaps you should close the Dáil bar.
“That may be a useful way to get some order here.”
Adams said he wasn't being flippant when he raised the issue that night and asked that the Leinster House members' bar be closed.
He raised the again last week during the debate on the Finance Bill by asking that “the bar be closed or that breathalyser tests be introduced for Teachtaí entering the chamber.”
“I’m not against having a drink, don’t get me wrong. I am not a killjoy in terms of having a jar, I enjoy a jar,” said Adams, adding that there was a "culture" in the Dail.
“This is a big bubble that we have in here,” he said.
“The vast majority of people in here are good people who took up public office and who joined political parties to bring about change. But it’s quite an archaic system and quite dysfunctional system.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.curtisjohnson | Mar 07, 2013, 08:34 PM EST
ancavker - " Oh and You really should be describing yourself as Cymbro-Norman, as the Normans who invaded Ireland came from Wales, after doing a little intermarrying there too!" They also intermarried with the Welsh aristocracy that had fled to Northern France after the anglo-saxon invasions.
Joe Glackin | Mar 07, 2013, 07:30 PM EST
Frank Hall,s comedy acts of the 70,s comes to mind in this.The Minister for Hardship with his side kick, for Gate Posts and Telegraph Poles, drunk during important debates like chewing gum loosing its flavor on bedposts overnight
IrelandNorth | Mar 07, 2013, 02:47 PM EST
According to The Irish Times journalist Dave Hannigan in his book "The Irish [and other] Foreigners", were all transients at the end of the day. Settled Travellers, with a small 't'. Maybe we should take the advise in the Gospel of Saint Thomas - "Be passers by!"
ancavker | Mar 07, 2013, 09:05 AM EST
Anglo-Norman, such a great culture and yet it is gone? Oh and You really should be describing yourself as Cymbro-Norman, as the Normans who invaded Ireland came from Wales, after doing a little intermarrying there too! The level of ignorance on this site is stunning!
curtisjohnson | Mar 06, 2013, 10:11 PM EST
Your Viking cousins were responsible for Ireland's descent before you arrived (presuming you even have Norman ancestory). The ingenuity behind the "castles and other buildings" did not originate with the Normans. You absolutely ruined Ireland's economy and greatly reduced the living standards of the average person living in Ireland. Even in the 16 & 17th centuries, after the country had been thoroughly robbed, the average Irish peasant had a higher level of learning than most of your petty aristocracy (it is documented that many of the Irish slaves who were transported to the Carribean were better educated than the landowners there).
anglo-norman | Mar 06, 2013, 08:26 PM EST
curtisjohnston- I am proud of the castles & other buildings in Ireland, I am proud of the commerce we brought to Ireland, We civilized Ireland. Sadly we were dragged down by assimilating with the native peasants whoose backward ways & drinking culture stained a great culture.
curtisjohnson | Mar 06, 2013, 07:35 PM EST
Are you also proud of how they rejected their own culture in favor of Gaelic culture after being fully exposed to it?
anglo-norman | Mar 06, 2013, 06:14 PM EST
KilkennyCats- Extremely son...
KilkennyCats | Mar 06, 2013, 04:06 PM EST
"The Normans conquered both of those cultures" ... ... um, you're proud of that?
IrelandNorth | Mar 06, 2013, 02:14 PM EST
The strange and peculiar circumstances under which the IMF/ECB promissory note was signed without referring back for government approval, (disturbingly similar to the Anglo-Irish Treaty Articles of Agreement paper in 1922), ought be consitutionally challangeable. De Valera's conter-proposal of external association without oath of allegience is still extant in my humble estimation.
IrelandNorth | Mar 06, 2013, 02:12 PM EST
The strange and peculiar circumstances under which the IMF/ECB promissory note was signed without referring back for government approval, (disturbingly similar to the Anglo-Irish Treaty Articles of Agreement paper in 1922), ought be consitutionally challangeable. De Valera's conter-proposal of external association without oath of allegience is still extant in my humble estimation.
curtisjohnson | Mar 06, 2013, 01:12 AM EST
For a period in history, yes. The conquered all the way to Sicily.
anglo-norman | Mar 05, 2013, 07:27 PM EST
The Norman were superior in the art of warfare also.
seamus60 | Mar 05, 2013, 04:56 PM EST
Adams is right. No one should be conducting business whilst intoxicated, more so whilst conducting business on other peoples behalf. Regardless of the argument that some make their worst decisions whilst sober. If only Gerry had have had the excuse of being intoxicated when deciding to shelter a pedophile and even more intoxicated when deciding to promote the pedophile into a role of authority within his party. However he must have been heavily intoxicated when allowing the pedophile to work with children in his constituency of West Belfast.
curtisjohnson | Mar 05, 2013, 04:19 PM EST
" Norman Culture was one of the greatest Cultures ever. I all spheres it was superior to saxon & celtic cultures in fact it conquered both of those cultures quicksmart. FACT" LOL. There was no such thing as a Norman culture - they just borrowed from French and Italian cultures (as well as the classically rooted Welsh culture which had transplanted to Northern France). It was an outstanding martial society, I'll give you that.
Willie Frazer | Mar 05, 2013, 11:33 AM EST
A think Gerry is right,god save us and bliss us but no fault to John Hume and David Trimble ,they were always stochious drunk and thats not good.Am a free presbyterian so a do not touch the stuff,a just sneak a read at the odd dirty book now and again, and ye can drive afterwards as well.
Eireannach | Mar 05, 2013, 09:00 AM EST
I agree with Gerry. There's no place for alcohol in the workplace which includes the Dail (and Parliament in the UK). Generally things are tightening up both in UK ns Ireland with regard to this. Resposible decision making is a sober business.
anglo-norman | Mar 05, 2013, 04:14 AM EST
The Fianna Fail tent at the Galway Races was nothing but a drink fest for Gombeen half-wits
angrypaddy | Mar 05, 2013, 12:44 AM EST
BIFFO was a shy man according to Mary (tea bags)O'Rourke the politically correct way to say he is an ALCOHOLIC PIGGY Harney consumes a Ltr of vodka a day before it pigs out on dinner 80% of the DAIL would qualify for a AA program and it has nothing to do with Michael Collins
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 11:24 PM EST
Norman Culture was one of the greatest Cultures ever. I all spheres it was superior to saxon & celtic cultures in fact it conquered both of those cultures quicksmart. FACT..
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 10:47 PM EST
curtisjohnson- My dear boy you know I am right...
curtisjohnson | Mar 04, 2013, 09:23 PM EST
Strange that most of the powerful Norman families abandoned their anglo roots and adopted Gaelic culture almost in its entirety.
curtisjohnson | Mar 04, 2013, 09:20 PM EST
@anglo-nutzi - "When the Normans came to civilize Ireland their first observation was on the drinking habits of the natives,it shocked them no end but also made it easier to settle Ireland" This was propaganda written by invaders, dumbass. The Irish were literate centuries before the Normans. The Norman "culture" was just a degraded version of French culture - most of which originated in Italy. The problems with drinking in Ireland primarily date to the devastation wrought by the penal laws and then the famine. In terms of drunken animals, no one compares to the anglo thugs on holiday or at sporting events.
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 07:50 PM EST
Sadly a lot of Irish people think that drinking lots of alcohol makes them smarter. It does NOT...
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 07:06 PM EST
Consumption of alcohol in Ireland jumped 100% between 1972 to 2008. I holidayed in Dingle in 1983 & saw Charles Haughey so inebrieted that he looked like a retarded imbecile.
SarahinLA | Mar 04, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
Reading stories here in the recent past regarding the behavior of Irish people in Australia, Chicago, Tennessee, San Diego etc., it's in the blood. Why should the TDs be different.
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 06:37 PM EST
The sad fact is the Irish have a serious problem due to alcohol. Brian Cowen lying that he wasn't hungover on national television was pathetic. When the Normans came to civilize Ireland their first observation was on the drinking habits of the natives,it shocked them no end but also made it easier to settle Ireland. Michael Collins was actually drunk when he was killed, he stood in the middle of the road recharging his weapon, no soldier is trained to do that ever!! The recent Fiscal Deal a few weeks ago in the Dail a lot of Irish Politicans were inebrieted during the vote after being in the Dail bar. You can only imagine the drinking sessions in Brussels down through the years?!
curtisjohnson | Mar 04, 2013, 03:35 PM EST
ancavker – “I truly do not believe that Collins or any of the other negogiators were drunk during the treaty debates. And as far as the treaty being a disaster, well in my own opinion I have read everything ever written ( I believe) on the subject, and I honestly do not believe the Irish people led by Collins had any other real choice than accepting the treary. The real disaster was the civil war, which De Valera is of course always wrongly blamed for.” 100% correct. The british terror state planned to unleash all of the horrors of modern warfare (judging by the Churchill quotes, this would have included poison gas) on a largely unarmed civilian population in Ireland who was isolated and without allies at the time
curtisjohnson | Mar 04, 2013, 03:29 PM EST
“It gives me a better understanding as to why the IMF and others had to take the reigns in Ireland.” First off troll, it’s reins dumbass. Secondly, your beloved british terror state was bankrupt in the 70s and isn’t doing so hot now either after just having their bonds downgraded – and this is after centuries of worldwide nation mugging and theft. Ireland was sold out by the anglo inspired Dublin establishment – remove the anglo toxins and things run in the interests of the Irish people rather than trans-national burglars.
RedBranch | Mar 04, 2013, 03:14 PM EST
I have never, ever seen Adams with an empty 'jar' in his hands.
WoundedKnee | Mar 04, 2013, 02:24 PM EST
Gordon, what you say is garbage. I am not a Sinn Fein supporter, largely because I oppose their policy of Open Door Mass Immigration, and I believe Adams has a number of questions to answer about mysterious events in the past. But you say that this guy's opinions do not matter in the "Republic". Don't you even read the newspapers, Gordon? Haven't you heard that this guy Adams was elected in a landslide in the last Elections there!
IrelandNorth | Mar 04, 2013, 02:00 PM EST
Thing is, corporate loansharks and monopoly capitalists will out, then as now. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that sinister elements exploit the weaknesses of elected representatives to impose their hidden agendas. As a relatively innocent young peasant farmers son from west Cork, admittedly Collins did as well as he might, brushing shoulders with the rich and (in)famous of high society London. Personally, I suspect his human weaknesses may have been exploited, whether for 'a drop of the cratur'. The randy wives of elderly Englishmen. Or perhaps, even David Norris's hypothesis, for highly polished hadsome Birkenhead?
Gordan Duggan | Mar 04, 2013, 01:58 PM EST
For God's sake will Adams ever shut up. A lot of Irish people do not drink. When have his opinions ever matterd in the Irish Republic. His contribution to Ireland only consists of bloodshed and death! Go play with your teddies.!
Gordan Duggan | Mar 04, 2013, 01:49 PM EST
Go play with your teddies Gerry. You have not contributed anything to Ireland except bloodshed and death. A lot of Irish people don't drink but reading some of the anti-Irish posts on Irish Voice would drive anyone to drink!
ancavker | Mar 04, 2013, 11:53 AM EST
Ounded: I have to disagree with you there. I truly do not beleive that Collins or any of the other negogiators were drunk during the treaty debates. And as far as the treaty being a disaster, well in my own opinion I have read everything ever written ( I believe) on the subject, and I honestly do not believe the Irish people led by Collins had any other real choice than accepting the treary. The real disaster was the civil war, which De Valera is of course always wrongly blamed for.
ancavker | Mar 04, 2013, 11:49 AM EST
Robin: It is Germany keeping the EU afloat, not England. I agree there will be majoer problems with Romania and Bulgaria. I don't think Europe will ever let Turkey in, althought they may continue to string them along.
gobdawpaddy | Mar 04, 2013, 09:34 AM EST
Excessive drinking is apparently part of Irish culture. These congressmen are simply representative of their constituents. Didn't Jay Leno a few years ago christen a previous Taoiseach 'the drunken moron' for a less than impressive live radio interview? It gives me a better understanding as to why the IMF and others had to take the reigns in Ireland.
Tooreenagrena | Mar 04, 2013, 08:39 AM EST
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT STEVENSTAR IS AN ANTI IRISH HEADCASE WHO USING VARIOUS USER NAMES ON IRISH SITES TO SPILL HIS ANTI IRISH VIEWS. HE REGULARLY PRETENDS TO BE IRISH. He IS A PATHETIC ATTEMPT TO PROVE HE IS IRISH. HE IS SERIOUSLY MENTALLY DISTURBED.
RobinForester | Mar 04, 2013, 06:50 AM EST
The fact is 'we all want our own culture and traditions, meaning an Irishman or woman wants to remain Irish and to pass on their inheritance to thier children, the same with the Scots, Welsh and English and when we meet we meet as adjoining lands & Isles friends. The EU see things differently and imposes laws which totally oppose national our viewpoints. What needs to be said is the EU are bankrupt and it is only England and Germany which keeps it afloat. The Germans are worried we will leave the EU throwing the EU financial burden/s of Europe on their shoulders. Huge problems lie ahead with Roumania, Bulgaria and Turkey being granted EEC membership (Turky cannot be kept out of the EEC forever) the answer is to scrap the EEC, and do eveything we can to make it's aim's unwelcome and unworkable.
angrypaddy | Mar 04, 2013, 01:34 AM EST
We all know Biffo & Miss Piggy were blind drunk most of the time they were in power and if fact all the crinimals who signed away Ireland's feture that night were full to the gill's and amazingly anything that was signed that night went to the grave with the dead traitor
anglo-norman | Mar 04, 2013, 12:28 AM EST
StevenStar- So is your husband an immigrant or not?
STEVENSTAR | Mar 03, 2013, 10:01 PM EST
@@@@anglo-norman | Mar 03, 2013, 05:08 PM EST StevenStar is married to an immigrant man for england...>>>>>>>>>>>> AND I STEVENSTAR HOPE YOU HAVE TAKEN YOUR MEDICATION TODAY.. YOU FORGOT IT LAST WEEK, REMEMBER ???
anglo-norman | Mar 03, 2013, 05:08 PM EST
StevenStar is married to an immigrant man for england...
anglo-norman | Mar 03, 2013, 04:49 PM EST
I would well believe that Collins was drunk in London signing that Treaty.
Seanmor | Mar 03, 2013, 03:08 PM EST
This item reminds mee of a joke I heard an Irish commedian tell several years ago: A T.D. once dreamed that he fell asleep while making a speech in the Dáil. Then he woke up and found out he was. If Adams' claims about intoxicated T.D.s are true, then the Dáil bar should always be closed at least an hour before any session begins.
IrelandNorth | Mar 03, 2013, 02:26 PM EST
WoundedKnee! As an Irish teetotaller (and vegan), I find your comments below about "the Irish" (sic) a tad generalised. If Collins was drunk, it might explain the dodgy treaty he co-signed. If he was deliberately intoxicated by the British, it would be a sad reflection on the nobleness of their intent. If some TDs were intoxicated, it might equally explain the quality of decisions that have been taken recently, to the detriment of us all. Where are the party whips for imposing dicipline. They should be literal rather than metaphorical. If this is true, both offendending Teachtaí Dála's (TDs) should be suspended. Like Judge Roy Bean is reputed to have said to an accused unfortunate enought to appear before him: "I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that you've gotten a suspended sentence. The bad news is that it's by the neck!"
WoundedKnee | Mar 03, 2013, 02:16 PM EST
Pilib04: I have not read Coogan's book, as I think his hatred of De Valera distorts his judgment. My source is the memoirs of Sean Macbride, who was in London for the talks, tho a very young man, probably just a teenager.
pilib04 | Mar 03, 2013, 01:28 PM EST
It is true that Adams has a jar on occassion. I had the privilege to join him (with several hundred others)in a drink. However, it is also true that he is one of the most disciplined drinkers I have ever met. First of all, unlike myself, Adams does not gulp his Guinness. He reminds me of the way my grandfather drank, something lost on my generation and my children's generation.
STEVENSTAR | Mar 03, 2013, 01:09 PM EST
WHAT A LOSER.. JUST BECAUSE HIS PARTY HAS NEVER ACHIEVED ANYTHING IN IRELAND AND GOT NOWHERE HIS NOW ENDED UP A BITTER OLD MAN .. THE QUICKER WE GET ALL THESE OULD FELLAS INCLUDUING ENDA KENNY AND THE REST OF EM OUT OF IRISH POLITICS THE BETTER FOR THIS COUNRY.. IM IRISH IN MY MID 30S AND ITS SOUL DESTROYING TO SEE WHAT ALL THESE OLD FOOGIES ARE DOING TO MY COUNTRY.. EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY AND ITS FINE TIME FOR SOME NEW YOUNGER BLOOD IN IRISH POLITICS AND THE QUICKER WE GET OUT OF EU RULE AND RETURN TO MAGING OUR OWN COUNTRY THE BETTER ... BECAUSE IF THESE IDIOTS KEEP GIVING MORE CONTROL TO BRUSSELS AND THE GERMANS AND LETTING MORE AND MORE IMMIGRANTS COME IN.... WE WONT HAVE ANY IRISH LEFT IN 10 - 15 YEARS TIME.. WE'LL ALL HAVE LEFT LIKE THE 200 WHO LEFT EVERY DAY OF 2012 AND STILL THE POPULATION IS GROWING WITH ALL THE EASTERN EUROPEANS COMING OVER FOR THE FREE WELFARE !!!
pilib04 | Mar 03, 2013, 01:07 PM EST
Wounded Knee, did Tim Pat Coogan have anything to say about Collins drinking during the negotiations with Churchill and Lloyd George (who was also PM at the time)? Or do you have some other source? I read the Coogan book, but will admit, that I didn't read every single page. Your supposition would fit my bias.
pilib04 | Mar 03, 2013, 12:59 PM EST
Sinn Fein has consistently urged the closing of the Dail "Pub" during debates and votes. Fine Gael and Labour have to keep their TD's drunk, otherwise they would never pass such ridiculous legislation.
Oldloadr | Mar 03, 2013, 12:56 PM EST
Well, the US congress claims to come to "work" sober and look at the mess they have made. Obama, at least apears, sober, but that doesn't seem to make him any wiser. Anyway, since when did Gerry Adams become a saloon smashing prohibitionist?
johnbyrne | Mar 03, 2013, 12:15 PM EST
Drunken bums couldnt stay quite as another stroke was laid at the door of the citizens.
merefalow | Mar 03, 2013, 11:19 AM EST
are you surprised at the sort of people who behave so irrisponsibly and have presided over the destruction of irelands economy,its complete lack of control of its imigration and borders,like uk.and its surrender to the evil empire,not uk,the country gobbling EU superstate,these politicoes have no power over irelands destiny any more than the brit mp,s,they are just fat cat aparitchkits who dance to the EU and world bankster rip off elite,so being pissed or sober,it doesnt real matter.
cillowen | Mar 03, 2013, 11:04 AM EST
gerry should know the erinacts that are bottom of the barrell slime. it would make little sense for them to be in that club of plunder and control and left to worry about spending time in the clink for putting the screws on us. They, who are of that golden ilk uncaringly await their audience and knighting awards from their queen.
WoundedKnee | Mar 03, 2013, 09:34 AM EST
Brings to mind the Anglo-Irish peace negotiations of 1921 which led to the disastrous Treaty that precipitated the Irish Civil War. Seems Michael Collins was drunk throughout the negotiations, as were others on the Irish side. The British kept an open bar (happy hour style) during the talks. Simple tactic, but it'll always work with the Irish!