Verona Murphy TD (Wexford) has won a Mega-Perk for herself, the Ceann Comhairle job.
RTÉ News reports :
As Ceann Comhairle, her seat is assured after the next election as the holder of the office is automatically returned to the Dáil.
She is also set to get a massive pay increase on top of her existing TD salary.
TDs earn €113,680 a year but her new position attracts an additional €141,513 annually, bringing her salary to €255,000 for as long as she stays in the job.
The pay packet exceeds that of the Taosieach by €12,000.
A racist beggar-gombeen is in charge of the Dublin parliament’s debates. A coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independent Group Beggar-Gombeens (FFFGBG) got Murphy the mega-perk with 89 votes – just over half the number of Dáil deputies (174). This is a prelude to the likely formation of a weak right-wing government in 2025.
Beggar-Gombeens of the 34th Dáil : Verona Murphy, Michael Lowry, Noel Grealish
In 2019 Verona Murphy was kicked off the Fine Gael ticket. Why the change in 2024?
Verona Murphy was kicked off the FG ticket because she was too racist which means now she is the perfect candidate for Ceann Comhairle according to FG. Which means FG only gave her the boot because of public outrage and not because she didn't reflect their values.
A number of key facts need to be endlessly repeated.
A majority of people living in the 26 county bit of Ireland are opposed to racism. Here is important data on the rise of racism in Ireland. Extreme racist candidates polled badly in the 2024 general election. Despite the emergence of violent racist organisations in the last 18 months – the majority of Irish citizens remain hostile to this dangerous political cancer.
Exit Poll latest update: Most voters support current level of asylum seeker State benefits or believe they should be expanded, latest election exit poll data shows. #election2024 http://www.irishtimes.com/politics/202…
In 2019 a large volume of public protests forced the Fine Gael party to drop Verona Murphy from its list of general election candidates.
Murphy said Islamic State was a big part of the immigrant population, that children as young as three or four may have been manipulated by the terror group and that some asylum seekers might need to be “reprogrammed”. (Irish Times November 23 2019)
Other parties pounced, for example :
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin (said) that Murphy was “playing the race card”.
Leo Varadkar, at that time leader of Fine Gael and the taoiseach. said the selection of Murphy was “a mistake” and said he was glad Murphy was not elected in the by-election. The candidate had caused Fine Gael “reputational damage”.
This Journal.ie story lists a large number of complaints sent to the Department of the Taoiseach about Murphy’s racist by-election campaign :
Many examples are here :
One voter stated that remarks such as Murphy’s were opinions are “dangerously gaining some populist traction in Ireland”.
Another email to the Taoiseach said:
I am a floating voter and I have voted for Fine Gael in the past but never Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin.
However, if Verona Murphy stays on as a Fine Gael candidate I will certainly not be voting Fine Gael in the next election.
The emailer added:
“I work hard in my community to build bridges to welcome people, to have fun and laughter. Remarks such as the ones that Verona Murphy is reported to have made have no place at all in the society that I am trying to build.
As someone who straddles a number of marginal groups I expect more from you.
Another item of correspondence sent to Varadkar said Murphy’s comments about asylum seekers were “very disturbing”.
In these days of populist statements by Fine Gael, [it] must not be seen to have in its ranks a person who appears to appeal to people’s fears by encouraging racial discrimination.
The person goes on to state:
“This is far more serious situation than that of Maria Bailey
I sincerely hope that I can count of [sic] Fine Gael taking immediate and appropriate action.
Another letter to Varadkar states that Murphy’s comments are appealing to the “ever-growing far-right”.
“I do not think anyone can defend Ms Murphy in her a la carte concern for asylum seekers which ultimately paints asylum seekers as indoctrinated members of ISIS.
Even giving Ms Murphy the benefit of the doubt, which I personally do not but you and other [sic] may, the carelessness and naive, bordering on out of touch nature of her comments made over the weekend prove she is not fit to hold office as TD as she is not aware of the realities facing asylum seekers coming to Ireland many of whom are fleeing attacks.
They state that “in light of your discontent for Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee and Noel Grealish’s equally reprehensible comments which have featured in the news recently I ask you request Ms Murphy’s withdrawal from the by-election as soon as possible.”
I would ask you as leader of Fine Gael to call for Verona Murphy’s withdrawal from the by-election as soon as possible.
Should you decide to remain with Verona Murphy’s campaign on her behalf I will not be voting for Fine Gael under your leadership in any future elections.
Murphy has not changed since 2019. TheJournal.ie notes she “is currently opposing the development of an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Rosslare.” (June 15 2024).
Mainstream media reports on Murphy’s successful Ceann Comhairle campaign were very quiet about the Wexford TD’s extreme racist views.
The Fine Gael party was created in 1933 – its first leader was the fascist Blueshirt, Eoin O’Duffy.
Since the end of World War 2 in the 1940’s FG has distanced itself from these embarrassing origins. Whenever it turns towards the right, the party’s opponents provocatively resurrect the blueshirt insult.
The Verona Murphy saga – 2019 to date – loosens a lid covering a stinking sewer which should be ruthlessly cleansed in Ireland and all other parts of the world.
The picture above shows the first Fine Gael leader Eoin O’Duffy performing a Nazi salute with his Blueshirt cronies.
Let’s prevent a return to a very reactionary 1930’s past.
John Meehan December 18 2024
Gombeen Definition
More generally, “gombeen” is now an adjective referring to all kinds of underhand or corrupt activities and to the mindset possessed by those engaged in such activities. In Irish politics, it is used to condemn an opponent for dishonesty or corruption, although its definition has become less precise with time and usage and it can also imply pettiness and close-mindedness. Alternative modern parlance for a gombeen man is someone “on the make”. It is also used to describe certain Independent politicians who are seen to prioritize their constituents needs, no matter how trivial, over national interests.
Tomás Ó Flatharta 
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