Published: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 4:58pm
Holidaying minister calls coverage 'tabloid sensationalism'
by John Donohoe
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Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
The Minister for Transport, Meath West TD Noel Dempsey has described as the coverage of his holiday to Malta last week as "tabloid sensationalism", full of inaccuracies.
Mr Dempsey returned from his holiday early on Saturday as weather forecasts predicted that worse weather than last week's conditions, described as Arctic, was to come. However, the anticipated worsening of conditions failed to materialise.
The Transport Minister was criticised for being out of the country at a time when roads were impassable due to the big freeze. Meath East TD and Fine Gael road safety spokesperson, Shane McEntee, led the attack on Mr Dempsey, posing outside Dail Eireann with a cardboard cut-out of the minister, whom he described as 'lost', alongside a cutout of Environment Minister John Gormley, with the moniker 'lost cause'.
Speaking this week after his return home, Mr Dempsey said he was in his office on Monday of last week, dealing with department officials and various agencies. He was satisfied with the information that was given to him, and the most immediate problem outlined was the problems with the provision of salt.
"That was to be dealt with by the local authorities and the National Roads Authority (NRA)," Mr Dempsey said, with his officials co-ordinating the efforts. He outlined that the local authorities and the NRA had priorities for dealing with such weather, clearing national primary and national secondary roads, then important local roads.
A plan is in place to deal with such weather, but not for such a prolonged period, he added. Roads were being treated right across the Christmas period, with a few exceptions at times when people wouldn't be out or weren't working.
"I checked the weather forecast for the week to see if any severe change in weather was forecast," he said. "It said we were to have the same weather we have been having for the previous three to four weeks," the minister said.
Mr Dempsey said the weather outlook was for cold nights, and bright and sunny days with scattered showers, much like what was occurring. He left for a holiday on Tuesday. "Then on Wednesday, it deterioriated. Wednesday was exceptional, particularly in Dublin. And it was forecast it would get more and more severe."
On Thursday, following a meeting of the committee in Dublin, he received an update which said the weekend was going to be horrendous, with heavy snowfall from Saturday and Sunday into Monday, and due to the change in circumstances, he began to make arrangements to cut his break short and come home.
He said he was happy with the co-ordination of the salt reserves, with those that didn't need as much helping out those who were hit badly. Things worked reasonably well, he added.
"It was a once in 40-year event, and things do get difficult when people are snowed in. We're not the same as Canada. Compared to the UK, I think our response was good." said Mr Dempsey.
He said the question of footpaths and making them safe for pedestrians as quickly as possible in a freeze was something which would have to be looked at as a priority. However, he described the coverage of his holiday as tabloid sensationalism. Stories concluded the break he took was extended from a week to weeks. He was in Australia, the Grand Canyon and the Algarve, and even at home at one stage.
"I had a photographer outside my gate waiting for me to get home. There were photographers and reporters waiting in Dublin Airport. There was someone at the airport in Malta. Some of the newspapers rang 30 or 40 hotels in the Algarve to see where I was, and the same amount again in Malta."
Mr Dempsey said that, following a busy three to four months, last week was the only week he could get time off between his daughter's wedding and the first Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday). It was only the second or third time he had ever taken a January break, he added.
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Eamonn Cunningham
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Jan 13 10 22:44
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Noel Dempsey should be kicked out on his backside like the rest of this absolute bunch of clowns who have destroyed this country. His complete lack of respect or care for his constituents and countrymen is a disgrace. Dempsey made nothing but smug comments about his so called Holiday whilst thanks to him and his corrupt government most people can't afford to have a break or live a decent life. These ministers have pampered themselves with lavish perks and expenses and then laugh in the face of the general public. We all face uncertain futures whils't Dempsey can swan off on a holiday and not give a damn. Why couldn't he wait until his LONG SUMMER BREAK to get away?? If you ask me he is on a permanent holiday in Dail Eireann along with his colleagues.
Give the people what they want and YOU and your FIANNA FAILURES give us a general election. You will never again be elected in Meath I hope because you have done nothing for this county!!!
Sean Fallon
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Jan 13 10 22:51
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Here here, he's an absolute disgrace. He and his ilk are done for in the polls. Even if he's re-elected in Trim hopefully he won't be sitting on the right side of the Dail for decades to come. We want a general election. He is not worthy to sit in the Dail and he and his like, ie Bertie etc. will go down in history as the charlatans I knew they were since they started wasting money over 10 years ago.
Caoimhin McNamara
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Jan 14 10 08:03
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I totally agree with the above 2 comments, but the people of Meath will still elect him at the next General Election. Ireland is and will remain a third world country thanks to Dempsey and co. They have lived off the good decent Irish citizen but keep getting elected because mammies and daddies told their children to vote FF no matter what. Why are so many Irish people like Michaleen Oge Flynn in the Quiet Man, a gobshite that knows no better. We lived in the boom and got caught up with our sudden new found wealth only to realize that it was just a bubble and we are worse off now than our great grand parents were. Thank you Noel Demsey. I know you don't give a damn.
tommy
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Jan 14 10 18:04
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This guy needs to resign and go back teaching, cause at the moment hes on his two salaries and not doing any job at all. I'll take the ministerial position, Dustin will take the ministerial position. Now is the time to forego your expenses for 6 months Noel to put into an emergancy fund for the countries roads, now is that time, will you do it? My a**e you will you leech.
Andy
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Jan 14 10 21:18
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I have worked in private sector for several decades. Anytime there was a crisis it was all hands to the pump. I have seen people in these situations use the same excuse and the minister, namely 'it wouldn't have made any difference if I was there or not'. These people were always looking for a new job after using that comment. I was speechless when I heard a senior minister come out with an excuse like that. Shame on you Noel.
trisha
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Jan 16 10 23:17
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Everyone is over reacting. what in gods name can one man do. This weather was freakist and only happens once in a blue moon. he was entitled to go on a holiday as is everyone else. Get over it.
Tommy
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Jan 17 10 11:09
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Trisha, missing the point methinks, because it's an act of God that is no excuse. This guy is well paid and has a responsibilty. Its people like you who have voted these megalomaniac greedy soandsos into power since the days of Charlie Haughey. Your standards for the people you see in power may be noexistant but mine certainly are not. I can tell you that personally, if I was in his situation, I would have come home and 90% of the people I have asked say they would have done the same. Get over it??? Lie down and take whats coming if that your attitude.
Eamonn C
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Jan 18 10 21:09
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Trisha how can you defend this moron's actions? Dempsey goes on a holiday during the worst weather crisis here in the last 40yrs. He is the minister for transport and should have been here to lead the task force which was set up for these purposes!! Yes he is entitled to a holiday but what about the 3 months or so break that they have in the summer?? Can he not take his holidays then?? How many people in this country can actually afford a holiday now thanks to this clown and his government? Don't dare tell us to get over it whilst this government has destroyed this country for many years to come. People like you who are obviously fianna failure supporters are what's wrong with this country!!We need a general election to once and for all rid the country of these selfish leeches on our society.
Kevin Farrell
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Jan 20 10 11:40
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Is John Donoghue and the Chronicle some kind of press secretary for Noel Dempsey? Dempsey is as thick as they come and should have apologised for the government's inaction over roads that now cost 150 million to repair. The prick was on holiday - that's fine but when there is a state of emergency and people getting injured and snowed in, to come back and start joking about it is a farce. Gormley's no better. Between the two of them, they've ripped the **** out of the voter on transport and roads and this article is an excuse for him and his ilk to continue mocking the public from his ivory tower. How much is Dempsey paid? 100k? 150K? For god's sake Noel, have some decency and apologise.
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