Fine Gael member of parliament Aine Collins claims that comments she allegedly made during a private meeting with constituents were taken out of context and have thus caused a “great offense.” It was reported that Collins claimed that she found it difficult to live on only €140,000 a year.
The Irish Independent reports that the comments that were posted online were overheard at a meeting arranged between the FG Cork North West TD and a group from Collins’ constituency, the 'Ballyhea Says No to the Bondholder Bailout' lobby. The lobby group has organized weekly protests about the bank bailout for nearly two years.
"My view is that it is all very regrettable. I am very, very disappointed -- the whole thing is very offensive. It is not something that I ever wanted," Collins said to the Sunday Independent
"It caused a lot of offence and I can understand that. But it was a private meeting. And I don't discuss anything that arises in a private meeting -- I think that is very important," she said.
A protester who was on hand at the meeting posted Collins’ comment of “Thank God we get paid today” to a blog. However, the poster did not include Teachta Dala (TD) Collins name. The comments, however, went viral online and were picked up by newspapers within the following days of appearing online, and attributed to TD Collins.
Contributors to the blog reacted “furiously” to the notion that anyone in Ireland’s current economic climate would find it difficult to survive on a €140,000 salary. As a TD, Collins earns €92,672, with an additional allowances and expenses of €50,000, a combined income of €142,672. The resulting salary is more than four times' Ireland's average industrial wage.
"I have learnt a very valuable lesson this week," she said.
15 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.IrelandNorth | May 23, 2012, 09:07 AM EDT
Now ya know why the highly privileged political caste which rule Ireland are unanimous about the upcoming Fiscal Compact Treat. It'll keep them in the comfort to which they have become accustomed by subcontracting sovereignty to faceless Eurocrats in Brussels. The money's better.
sirpeter | May 22, 2012, 01:26 PM EDT
Murph46.I'll answer just in case Seano misses your valuable comment.Fine Gael are a centre-right political party.And getting more right wing by the day.Her attitude in saying it was difficult to survive on a €140,000 salary is very right wing in that her perception of financial hardship is out of touch with the ordinary people.The only lesson she learned is to keep her mouth shut.But I hope the voters don't forget what she said.
Bythebay | May 22, 2012, 12:20 PM EDT
Aine, the Irish Government and the Irish taxpayer will want to do even more belt tightening. Sunnyside, Queens, NY wants the Irish taxpayer to fork over money for Irish emigrants who went there decades ago and who can't be looked after by either the local community or their Social Services. The self-proclaimed major players of Sunnyside apparently aren't so major at all if they can't even provide services for the elderly.
KatieMurphy | May 22, 2012, 02:58 AM EDT
Sounds like she is just another member of the "ME" generation rather then the "WE" generation.......America is full of these kind of greedy people
Murph46 | May 21, 2012, 08:45 PM EDT
seanmelb-you will have to enlighten me as to what in particular makes her right wing-is Fine Gael by definition right wing?
seanomelb | May 21, 2012, 08:15 PM EDT
She is typical of the "snout in the trough" class,just another right wing Fine Gael git.
jedswims | May 21, 2012, 06:22 PM EDT
MY family sure as hell, lives on a lot less than $180,00 / year.. I gues we're just one of the "little" people...
Murph46 | May 21, 2012, 05:33 PM EDT
God Forbid(seen that somewhere) JBRAFTREE,that CHGO politicians NEVER mis speak! Ha!
JBRAFTREE | May 21, 2012, 04:52 PM EDT
Politicians mis-speak all the time!! Irish are no exception. Just a matter of how stupidly!!
Murph46 | May 21, 2012, 01:51 PM EDT
Have they started the pity party for her yet?
hermitTalker | May 21, 2012, 11:22 AM EDT
She would be perfectly moral to give the EXACT quote and NOT add any more shame and guilt to the Coalition who are doing their best to stick it to the ulnerable, and have no testicles to tackle the CROKE PARK agreement and take on the Unions and challenge the Troika and demand a revision of their un-enforceable rules for re-paying the GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS BANKERS and BUILDERS OF THE TOWER OF BABEL INC who were allowed by Fianna Fail AND this Coalition who were in the DAIL to watch it happen and said nothing.
Portia777 | May 21, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT
"It caused a lot of offence and I can understand that. But it was a private meeting. And I don't discuss anything that arises in a private meeting -- I think that is very important," she said." A lot like the Roman church then. She is a paid SERVANT of the people and all her opinions should be public not kept secret in the old boys/girl club. Disgusting specimen for a human.
ReturnedYank | May 21, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
Unreal. And don't forget that most if not all of her "allowances and expenses" are tax free!
Murph46 | May 21, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT
Let her wait tables!
LoyalCitizen | May 21, 2012, 09:16 AM EDT
Just goes to show how perverse some people can be.