Government Minister Phil Hogan has claimed that the election of Martin McGuinness as Irish president would appall American multi-nationals and deter foreign investment.
Hogan launched the bitter attack on the Sinn Fein candidate for the Irish presidency in an interview with the Sunday Independent newspaper.
He has gone so far as to claim that a success for McGuinness at the polls would leave Ireland looking like a ‘banana republic.'
Environment Minister Hogan said: “Putting Mr McGuinness in charge of this State would leave us looking like a Banana Republic which could denude Ireland of serious levels of corporate investment within 24 months.”
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He then claimed that American investment in Ireland would be seriously damaged by a McGuinness success.
“US multinationals would be appalled at the message this would send,” continued Minister Hogan.
“Our competitors for multi-national investment, who are across the water, would not be slow to start whispering about the terrorist in the Park.
“The United States is understandably hostile to the notion of former terrorists, who were once close to regimes such as Libya, holding the Presidency. Such an outcome could denude Ireland of serious levels of corporate investment within 24 months.
“Electing McGuinness could do irreparable harm to Ireland’s international reputation. We have spent six hard months dragging Ireland’s name out of the gutter.
“The results of this are being seen in our decreasing bond yields, by the real likelihood that at some point in the next three years we will be in Dublin Airport saying goodbye to the Troika.
“But should we elect a President, as ambassador of this State, with a past that is as murky as McGuinness’s, we will undo all that work.”
Unlike his party leader and PM Enda Kenny, Hogan has not been slow to criticize McGuinness and his role as an IRA man in the Troubles.
The Minister added: “We would not be just electing Mr McGuinness as President. We would be legitimizing a lot of very shadowy people hanging around the fringes of Mr McGuinness.
“Could we assume, for example, that close associates of Mr McGuinness such as Mr Slab Murphy would not be invited to special garden parties in the Aras?
(Murphy is a former suspected IRA leader long suspected of fraud on a massive scale)
“A constitutional crisis could arise, should further information in relation to the murky past of Mr McGuinness emerge.
“The absence of an impeachment process within the Irish Constitution means that we could be heading for an unprecedented stand-off - where both Houses would vote ‘no confidence’ in Mr McGuinness but he would refuse to resign.”
Hogan denied his comments were propaganda at a time when Fine Gael’s own candidate Gay Mitchell is struggling in the opinion polls.
He claimed: “This is not a case of the gloves being off or black propaganda. It is, instead, a case of facts being made clear and hard truths being said.”
The Fine Gael Minister then claimed that the election of McGuinness could damage the economic recovery programme currently being pursued by the Irish government.
“Mr McGuinness as President could lead to a series of rows that would distract both the Government and the Presidency from the critical need to act in a coherent, unified way to rebuild a shattered state,” he said.
“We cannot afford to dissipate our energies in a series of futile wars centered on using the Presidency to advance the objectives of a political party rather than the country itself.
“By electing Mr McGuinness, Ireland would be taking a dangerous chance in a scenario where we have six other choices.”
Whilst the Minister did acknowledge McGuinness’s role in the peace process, he felt this should not be a factor in the election.
“This is not the time to take the chance of putting a Sinn Fein President in the Aras. We still have not fully moved on in the manner we need to,” said Hogan.
“There is too much unfinished business surrounding Mr McGuinness. Anything from his past could blow up.
“It is entirely possible new information about the acts of Mr McGuinness could lead to a constitutional crisis where all parties, except Sinn Fein, reach a position where it is not tolerable for Mr McGuinness to represent the Irish people.
“The absence of an impeachment process within the Irish Constitution means we could be heading for an unprecedented stand-off.
“This is a matter of a fundamental philosophical conflict. We are State builders. Sinn Fein, in contrast, up to very recently, have been State wreckers.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.merefalow | Oct 05, 2011, 06:35 PM EDT
running scared with all their dirty tricks,these are the people who turned irelands economy into a banana republic with their cronyism and greed and stupidity,he couldnt do any worse that that didcredited gang.go martin..
Reilleyfam | Oct 04, 2011, 02:42 PM EDT
LIES! As long as his policies match up they dont care. These comments are a real sign of desperation and prejudice.
canadianirish | Oct 03, 2011, 01:39 PM EDT
@acareybarr - lol! I find you post disgustingly amusing. Oh, and one more thing, remind me never to invite you to Canada.
greensod | Oct 03, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT
Looks like the free-staters in the Dublin Government are really scared.Any one spreading this kind of manure are surely trying to grow hate and lies.McGuinness would be a huge positive effect on the economy of Ireland,these cowards are really scared that his empending election would be a major step in a UNITED IRELAND.
RichardP | Oct 03, 2011, 09:37 AM EDT
What I don't get is why so many Northerners seems obsessed with becoming President of the Republic. Is the Republic so bereft of presidential candidates thatCounty Councils in Offaly or Roscommon (for example, not literally) feel compelled to support the nominations of the likes of a has been singer from Derry, a 'former' terrorist from the same county, an academic from Belfast? is this meant to be an example of how we include our Northern brethren even though we gave up our Constitutional claim on that territory? Surely there are more inclusive ways of doing that - perhaps David Trimble could be nominated, then he could refuse to participate.
mcdolan | Oct 03, 2011, 09:14 AM EDT
What total hogwash! FG is jealous and scared that Martin McGuinness's candidacy is so popular.
Trealach | Oct 03, 2011, 07:42 AM EDT
God HELP Ireland, when we are governed by such bigoted ignoramuses like as Phil Hogan. Foreign investment in Ireland is based on how much profit they make and how little tax they pay - NOTHING ELSE!. I wonder how many Foreign Investors could even NAME the current President.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 03, 2011, 06:11 AM EDT
Warrenpoint, you must be living in a time warp as you advise 'Mr Hogan the republic of Ireland is a "bannana republic" thanks to you and your monkeys in your disgraceful government'. That observation may have been appropriate eight months ago when BIFFO and the clowns were running the show, but unless you are living in a cocoon the international press is heaping praise on Ireland's current/new government. Global financial markets are also giving their approval. The yield on Ireland's bonds has come down from 14% to 8%. I spend a lot of time in Ireland and follow affairs there with interest. It will take time but I think Ireland has a bright future.
firinne | Oct 03, 2011, 05:01 AM EDT
I am quite surprised that my earlier comment seems to have been blocked by the IC editors, while others are allowed to rant, rave, and ramble all over the landscape with their twisted opinions, while I or others who might disagree with the article are censored. Slan
acareybarr | Oct 03, 2011, 02:16 AM EDT
Most posts on this article derive from American or "Irish American" ignorance and bile. Martin McGuinness may be intelligent, but that would make him and his terrorist associates all the more dangerous. Ireland has just emerged from the clutches of one cult -- that of Fianna Fail, who also were a cult with a violent, gun-running past and who were greedy for brute power. A terrorist --or ex-terrorist has no place in leadership of a country to the citizens of which his very accent and voice is anathema --never mind the multi-nationals who are no strangers to collusion with terrorists themselves. That naive Americans / duh- Irish-Americans still abide by a dangerous fiction is reason enough to discount them for ignorance. God forbid that they should ever have a real voice in the running of our fledgling democracy which only now, under Fine Gael and Labour, is brave enough and courageous enough and articulate enough and truthful enough to take on the terrorism visited by Rome on Irish and other children. -- And that tin god that was De Valera had a whole lot to do with making sure Rome was at home in Ireland for a duration of an obscene length of time. And speaking of terrorism...perhaps we really ought to dall Irish America to silence since its primary pursuit is to propagate fiction and lies. -- Delighted that Enda Kenny, Eamonn Gilmore, Phil Hogan et al are speaking out about the elephant in the room that someone allowed in from that cess pool just north of us.
butlerreport | Oct 02, 2011, 08:51 PM EDT
Nonsense. McGuinness has well earned his place if he becomes president. 'looking like a ‘banana republic.' - looking like? We are a banana republic :)
Woodman | Oct 02, 2011, 07:28 PM EDT
The smart thing to do would be to abolish the office entirely and save some money. If not that, the Irish should go with that gay guy who wrote that having mentor sex with young boys just like, according to him the ancient Greeks supposedly did was A -OK and only prudes would be against it. That would really pride up the place.
MontRoyalle | Oct 02, 2011, 06:52 PM EDT
Your banner is incorrect. Hogan was not speaking on behalf of the Government of Ireland, he was speaking as a member of Fine Gael, the Pro-Treaty Party that stands in the way of Irish unity
DanOLoingsigh | Oct 02, 2011, 06:33 PM EDT
I agree with most posters that MMcG’s election will have little impact on US investment; But there may be an overall negative impact if he's elected, as a result of the inevitable ‘tagline’ on most reports on the Irish President, ‘former gunmen MMcG’ as opposed to ‘former University lecturer’ or ‘former Human Rights lawyer’. There is little doubt that he is a ‘polarising’ rather than ‘uniting’ candidate, and I’m not sure that can be changed anytime soon. If a Finnish or Polish president carried the same negative tagline, would that enhance the image of their country?
rugbyplayer | Oct 02, 2011, 04:21 PM EDT
Phil Hogan is dead wrong about US investment falling off if McGuinness is elected President of Eire. Hogan is just attempting a smear campaign against McGuinness that wont fly!
canadianirish | Oct 02, 2011, 04:21 PM EDT
@stephendoyle and Rebelforce - my sentiments exactly. I think other posters here would be very surprised at the support for Martin McGuinness here in Toronto...and why not. He would make an ideal president.
Murph46 | Oct 02, 2011, 03:48 PM EDT
Blatant Fear Mongering
Rebelforce | Oct 02, 2011, 03:38 PM EDT
As an American, I can assure Fine Gael knucklehead Phil Hogan that US businesses and corporations could care less whether Sinn Fein's Martin McGuiness is elected President of Ireland. The only thing they care about is whether corporate taxes in Ireland will remain low.
mamaginnty | Oct 02, 2011, 03:11 PM EDT
Hogan frequents a local pub not too far from me and is nothing but a drunken old bollocks as well as brain dead. None of them comlained in the last seventeen years of Mc Guinness working for peace in the north, now they are scared shitless. Why, because Martin has said he will only take the industrial wage and the rest of 300.000 or more will go to investing in young people's employmentIt will show them up for the greedy friggers they are. As for Mary Mc Aleese, they are not comlaining about her husband having three very good friends who were in the UDR and spent time in prison, he managed to get them passports to America just a couple of weeks ago, plus the 3 were at Mary Mc's garden parties and met the Queen of Britain. Our coalition are so two faced. Martin will make a great president for all in Ireland. Hogan is talking through a hole in his head to say the Americans will not be happy, he is in for a big shock. Martin... A rebel that had a cause.
AengusOg | Oct 02, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT
A previous government also favored ratification of the Lisbon Treaty out of fear of offending the EU bigs.
Nelsonbarry | Oct 02, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
WOW! I'm glad America didn't feel that way with George Washington or Abe Lincoln. I think you might get more Irish American investments in Ireland if McGuinness becomes president. The country would demonstrate, Peace at last.
peterquinn | Oct 02, 2011, 01:06 PM EDT
It's genuinely amusing to hear Mr. Hogan talking about "legitimizing a lot of shadowy people hanging around the fringes..." Isn't that a wonderfully accurate description of the invidious and pervasive collusion among the banks, real estate speculators and political establishment that has wrecked the Irish economy? Also, if the purpose of the I rish presidential election is to please the conscienceless community of multi-national corporations, then maybe the time has come to abolish the republic and offer the Irish state to the highest bidder.
fuiseog | Oct 02, 2011, 12:50 PM EDT
The differance between McGuinness and Mandela is; the South Africans stood united and won, the Irish fractioned and lost. McGuinness gets the "terrorist" lable because, the English the upper hand in the terror and propaganda game, and the support of the US government. Sinn Féin lost because Ireland still lacks the morale courage to stand up for its right to join the free nations of the world.
stephendoyle | Oct 02, 2011, 12:40 PM EDT
This story is pure BS. American as well as other foriegn companies invest in Ireland for the tax advantages as well as a well trained work force. They could care less who has the largely cerimonial post of President......
warrenpoint00 | Oct 02, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT
Mr Hogan the republic of Ireland is a "bannana republic" thanks to you and your monkeys in your disgraceful government.
antoman | Oct 02, 2011, 12:18 PM EDT
Keep your eye on the road ahead. If we keep looking behind we will end up in the ditch.
antoman | Oct 02, 2011, 12:11 PM EDT
I will be voting for an Ireland which is inclusive of the North.
donal1951 | Oct 02, 2011, 11:23 AM EDT
If I were living in Ireland, Michael Higgins would be my man, but for a minister of the government to say the election of Martin McGuinness would drive away investment is daft. Oldwildrover makes a valid point, and one must look at other former "terrorists" who held positions of power _ Collins, DeValera and others _ to rebut Minister Hogan's political pandering.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 02, 2011, 11:19 AM EDT
Jamcelt is correct, Ireland is a democracy and no American should not tell the Irish who to elect. Americans are entitled to their opinion. The Irish electorate might do with some friendly advice as on their own, they elect clowns like BBertie, BIFFO, Cullen, Mary Coughlan, Mary Harney, Conor Lenihan, the Healy Raes, Gerry Adams, Willie O'Dea etc. Of course in a democracy one gets what the majority want, but really the collection I just listed........
gobdawpaddy | Oct 02, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT
I agree with Phil Hogan that Ireland's international reputation would be greatly diminished if McGuinness were elected to the most respected and prestigious political office in the country. Of course he won't be. Why? Because most Irishmen and Irishwomen will not elect a former terrorist and senior member of the IRA whose weapons were provided by former terrorist states such as Libya. He will not be elected because most of us remember that Sinn Fein/IRA vowed to abolish the Republic of Ireland and its government, that it murdered members of the Irish defence forces and Garda Siochana and so many other innocent men, women and children. Alas, too many of us continue a juvenile love affair with the Irish gunman - whose contribution to the aspirations of the Irish people have been overwhelmingly counter-productive. McGuinness echoes a violent, bloody, murderous past. We must show the world that we are capable of embracing the future - and refute finally the old adage that 'in Ireland there is no future, only the past hasppening over and over.'
Oldwildrover | Oct 02, 2011, 11:09 AM EDT
What does Hogan know about the feelings of US citizens? Where did a lot of the support for the IRA come from? He probably doesn't remember the Valhalla...
Jamcelt | Oct 02, 2011, 11:02 AM EDT
No American is in any fit state to tell us who we should or should not elect, when one considers the type of religious zealots that are now turning up in US politics. Palin, Bachmann and Perry are far more dangerous to the world as a whole than McGuinness ever will be.
JasonQuinn | Oct 02, 2011, 10:13 AM EDT
It's funny how they see no problem atall with Martin seeking investment for Belfast for they have a wild big problem with it for only 2/3 hours drive down the road in Dubin.
MacGiobuinR | Oct 02, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
The American Presidents past has no influence on Irish business connections. The Irish Presidents past would have no influence on American business connections. Remember: Business is business, we are both capitalist.
deirdrekeohane | Oct 02, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT
he's worried about garden parties!??
gobdawpaddy | Oct 02, 2011, 09:58 AM EDT
I was in Dublin a few years ago and passed Liberty Hall while the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis was being held. You wouldn't believe the collection of thugs that had stepped out for a cigarette. Picture during a McGuinnes presidency he throws a garden party at the Aras for say a winning all Ireland team, can you imagine the gathering of yobbos that might end up on the president's list of invitees? The president would probably visit Limerick a few times during their term, can you imagine the former colleagues of Gerry McCabe being assigned to provide security, or the poor Garda driver who daily drives the presidential limo ? During a potential visit by Prince or possibly King Charles, would President Martin apologize for his pals killing of his 79 year old great-uncle, Louis Mountbatten? Hell they might be able to apologize themselves if they were invited to the state dinner. Of course McGuinness's friends also killed 2 children and an 83 year old woman at the same time. This heroic act was defended by Martin's good pal Gerry.the TD. These are the kind of animals that Martin hung around with and their escapades would make great stories at a state dinner with say the British Prime Minister. Perhaps over dessert, Martin could demonstrate to the guests at his table how to assemble a mercury tilt switch. Think before you vote my Irish friends.
cuddlybuddly | Oct 02, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT
Show me the Evidence of the "unfinished business?" what specifically are you saying? then provide clear proof to back up your statement....
antoman | Oct 02, 2011, 09:30 AM EDT
If Ireland is an apartheid country why was'nt I informed of this?
LoyalCitizen | Oct 02, 2011, 09:03 AM EDT
If pretentious American Corporations do not like who the Irish choose in elections there is nothing stopping them leaving. Democracy is for the people not Microsoft, Intel, IBM or any other pretentious American Corporations.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 02, 2011, 08:59 AM EDT
I agree with Phil Hogan, 'no terrorist in the Aras'. It is bad enough having Gerry Adams and Martin Ferret in the Dail. While I believe the office of the presedency is an incredible waste of money, but as it exists, Mary McAlease and her predecessor Mary Robinson were both the epitome of what Ireland needed and needs now in that role - an eloquent ambassador who is respected by the entire population. I was amused at Gay Mitchel invoking Lloyd Bensten's rebuke of Dan Quayle in the 'deate' on the Late Late with 'I have met Nelson Mandela and Martin, you are no Nelson Mandela'.
antoman | Oct 02, 2011, 08:20 AM EDT
How long are people like Hogan and the media in the south going to ostracise people and their representatives from the North of Ireland?