Sinn Fein Deputy puts her Basil Fawlty foot in it

Sinn Fein deputy Mary Lou McDonald sticks her foot in it

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, June 3, 2011, 8:23 AM

Updated Friday, June 3, 2011, 8:23 AM

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Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Fein deputy Mary Lou McDonald provided a comical gaffe in the Irish parliament on Thursday – when she couldn’t tell the difference between a Fawlty Towers waiter and a pair of designer shoes.

Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Eamon Gilmore was the intended target of McDonald’s attempt to put the boot – or the shoe – in but it backfired spectacularly.

The Sinn Fein member wanted to attack the government over their new plans to impose household charges on the Irish taxpayer.

“Tanaiste, watching the antics of your Government in recent times reminds me a bit of Fawlty Towers,” said McDonald.

“The latest water charges episode has you and the Taoiseach cast as Manolos, claiming that you know nothing.”

Delighted politicians spotted McDonald’s mistake as soon as the word Manolo left her lips when she should have said Manuel, the hapless Spanish waiter in the hugely popular comedy show.

Labor Party deputy Arthur Spring even put her right when he interjected : “Manolos are shoes.”
McDonald did concede her error. “Or even Manuels,” she added sheepishly according to the Irish Independent.

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mamaginnty | Jul 21, 2011, 01:33 PM EDT

Just wondering if GfrigginD ever saw faulty towers. Its a great show even if it is English.

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sirpeter | Jun 03, 2011, 10:46 AM EDT

I thought it was something worth reading.Like she made a real mistake.We all know what she meant and she is correct in saying they are a bunch of Manuel's which was quite a funny thing to say.Course Georgie Boy finds it sickening because his brain sees her statement as racist when nobody else does.She was referring to stupidity Georgie not the fact Manuel was Spanish.Georgie you need I love immigrant therapy to get rid of those immigrant demons in your head. Here!! Look at this picture Georgie!!.What do you see?? IMMMMMMIGRANT'S!!!! NO!! Georgie.It's a house plant.AHH!! For feck sake Georgie!! Just because it's an imported African Violet house plant doesn't mean it's an immigrant house plant.

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antoman | Jun 03, 2011, 10:40 AM EDT

Correct me if I'm wrong.But this woman was elected by the people to be their representative in the European Parliament and in the space of a year only travelled to Brussels once to attend said Parliament.Earning herself over E200,000 in the process and expenses.Not bad work if you can get it.

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mamaginnty | Jun 03, 2011, 09:14 AM EDT

Most of us IN Ireland thought Mary Lou was quite funny, she is one of only a handful who speak up for the people and let us know what the government are up to. Sinn Fein will not bow down and kiss ass, and more are backing them. See you have managed to control yourself a little bit GoergieD, just one line about foreigners in Ireland today. Well done.

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 03, 2011, 08:43 AM EDT

It is sickening that a Sinn Fein representative repeats the old stupid tired racism of some British TV program. Only an imbecile like her would think a reference to a "stupid" Spanish waiter was funny or clever. And of course this is the same party that yelps "wacist" if you suggest that immigration to Ireland should be controlled!

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