The Panel: Fergus Finlay (worthy beard), Marc Coleman (idiot), Dick Roche (The Cat that Creamed itself), Alison O'Connor (SBP), Some FG nobody (more details when my mind will retain them).
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:46:07 PM
We've spun around the table, asking our Big Thinkers what will come of us all now we can't bank with Lehman Brothers any more.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:47:05 PM
But after a selection of bromides (including the sight of Marc Coleman explaining that when he published a book called "The Best Is Yet To Come", he was predicting this crash) we've hit Hurricane Dick blowing hard.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:48:48 PM
Marc Coleman tells us now that (a) he is a stupid journalist and (b) Brian Lenihan is a good minister. This is known as a self licking lollipop.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:50:17 PM
ARRH! Young Fine Gael Student allowed to masquerade as normal member of the public. It is a painful fact that the audience on Question and Answers provides the most awful, cringing moments.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:52:07 PM
An audience member is very disappointed with the government. He will wear absurd facial hair as a protest.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:55:02 PM
Dick Roche says we have an excellent public service, but it has pockets of cosseting. They do sound very comfy. I imagine them surrounded by cotton wool and sheepskin.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:56:39 PM
The Minister pleads that we do not accuse him of saying something he hasn't said. I can't imagine there is anything he hasn't said. The words are billowing out of him.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:58:12 PM
It's the Lisbon Treaty again! Ah, he has divined the true meaning of the No vote. It is a job for the Political Community to put the shoulder to the wheel and role it over those voters.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 9:59:22 PM
Dick Roche has decided to aggregate all the voters of all referenda held in every country, to show that when collected up they count as a Yes. So that's us told.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:01:04 PM
Alison O'Connor is telling us that, while running a second vote might be undemocratic, it might be for the best nonetheless.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:03:13 PM
Marc Coleman has just described himself as 'We the elites'. I have previously been unfair to Cheryl from Girls Aloud- I now know what genuine dumb sounds like.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:04:29 PM
Marc Coleman's Wikipedia page points out "He is known for his modesty"
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:06:26 PM
The blueshirt looks a bit like a young Brendan Howlin.
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:07:25 PM
The fast flowing zip of conversation, the back and forth, the clash of wits. All that has now ended. The FG pinstripe is talking.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:07:51 PM
Comrade Ganley... that might stick!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:08:51 PM
Fergus Finlay was told he was bonkers by Charlie McCreevy, we now discover.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:09:36 PM
More Shell to Sea time to shout. As bad as the YFG's really. But John has not cut him off yet. Oooops I spoke too soon!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:10:30 PM
Sigh. I hope his kayak springs a leak.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:11:00 PM
Elephant enters room - they must be hiding them in Mayo. Oh Dick is doing his 'I believe' speech.
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:11:47 PM
How many acolytes has Marc 'modest' Coleman brought with him tonight?
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:12:29 PM
He has actually said he believes that children are our future.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:12:39 PM
treat them well and they'll vote yes....
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:13:04 PM
waits for Marc to say PD's are gone cos they wanted God removed from constitution...
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:14:17 PM
Fergus Finlay will not mourn the passing of the PDs. Alison suggests that without PDs we won't have the extra choices- now we only have FF or FG. A strangely truncated spectrum of political opinion.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:14:49 PM
Marc Coleman must be auditioning for a Daily Irish Mail column. He's against the 'King's Shilling'. He's in favour of God in the Constitution. He's railing against D4 elites.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:15:51 PM
And he's the new leader of the reborn Freedom Institute!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:16:36 PM
Dick is narrowing his eyes, emphasising with his hands. He must be about to emit a platitude.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:17:18 PM
Question asker makes meaningless contribution
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:18:08 PM
That is a standard comment which can be reused at any moment about any Q&A questioner.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:18:28 PM
Alert alert a young PD in the audience! Save him now as a museum piece!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:18:57 PM
Ireland's last PD now on the screen. He has decided to grapple with Marc Coleman- his mental equal.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:19:01 PM
The first ad is from the HSE, urging us to look after our mental health. They clearly know that watching these exchanges can only do us harm.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:20:53 PM
decrinkled wrinkles - you learn something new every day!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:21:43 PM
An ad for a car with a song of profound unmusicality. It sounds as though it was transliterated from some slavic language.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:23:02 PM
And we're back!
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:23:21 PM
Next Up: Do we need a Children's rights referendum?
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:23:44 PM
As we know Dick will say they (childer) are a good thing and our future.
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:23:57 PM
Mammy O'Rourke gets honourable mention!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:24:19 PM
The FGer is Keiran O'Donnell (Deputy) Spokesman on Finance. This big gun is now explaining how laws work.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:24:35 PM
Dick doesn't want another referendum! Not without consensus - that's FF consent he means!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:25:13 PM
Minister tells us what we realise in Ireland. I've been going through the day not knowing that I realise this at all. I am a failed citizen.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:25:20 PM
Children's Rights are a good thing according to the Minister. He agrees with Fergus that it's a good thing.
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:26:19 PM
Minister Dick Roche, professional politician, warns us against playing politics with the issue of a referendum.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:26:51 PM
Waiting breathless for Marc Coleman's commentary on this!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:28:38 PM
Fergus playing the card of children having been abused under the care of the state. Of course, he's stuck pointing out the past failings to start. The world is easier to see in black and white when its far back in time.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:28:39 PM
Marc hasn't a clue so agrees with Fergus Finlay. I'm devastated even though I agree with Finlay!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:29:47 PM
I'm guessing that Marc will assure us that this is exactly what he was predicting all along. Without being in any way specific. I once heard Marc Coleman give his definition of what Keynesian economics was. It bruised my forehead. From my own slapping.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:30:15 PM
We have to complain about the trade description of that as a second half!! 7 minutes!
by Suzy Byrne at 9/15/2008 10:30:46 PM
Wow! So, rather more abruptly than might have been expected, our first visit to Q&A land ends.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:31:58 PM
Special thanks to Suzy Byrne of Maman Poulet, who joined half way through.
by Simon McGarr at 9/15/2008 10:35:32 PM