Politicians - trips abroad for Paddys

There seems to be one voice missing in all this debate, that is the voice of Irish diaspora. When politicians go abroad for Paddy Day they attend a lot of events that are attended by Irish people and those of Irish descent. They are genuinely pleased with the opportunity to reconnect with Ireland.
 
Very good point.
 
Seems to be lots of assumptions here, i.e.
- people who live in council houses don't pay tax
- people wrecked their own houses

You are making assumptions (and generalisations. I was referring to the people who live in public housing who wreck said housing, not those who don't.
You shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush like that
 
You are making assumptions (and generalisations. I was referring to the people who live in public housing who wreck said housing, not those who don't.
You shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush like that
Apologies for my error. Can you confirm how big a problem this is, i.e. "people who live in public housing who wreck said housing". Are there many cases of this on record?
 
Apologies for my error. Can you confirm how big a problem this is, i.e. "people who live in public housing who wreck said housing". Are there many cases of this on record?
No probelm, no and I have no idea. How's that?
Here's one for you; Do you agree that some people in public housing vandalise said housing or do you think that such vandalism does not take place?
 
Do you agree that some people in public housing vandalise said housing or do you think that such vandalism does not take place?
It's not an area that I know much about. I generally therefore refrain from making broad statements about what 'they' did as a result.
 
It's not an area that I know much about. I generally therefore refrain from making broad statements about what 'they' did as a result.
How PC of you. It is entirely reasonable to say that some people who are the beneficiaries of public housing vandalise that housing. The scale of the problem is the only issue for debate.
I was born in such an area and I work in such an area so I am not speaking from any bias. I am baffled by the attitude in this country that any criticism of anyone in a “socially disadvantaged area” is right wing and/or inappropriate. As someone who spends time in such a “socially disadvantaged area” every working day and socialises in the same place at least three times a month (which is about half the times I go out) I see far more vandalism, underage kids drinking on the streets and general dirt on the streets and vandalism and dirt on people’s properties in those areas than I do in leafy suburbia.
 

Have you thought about why this might be the case?
 
Have you thought about why this might be the case?
Yes, I am aware of the factors that mitigate towards more crime and less social responsibility (for want of a better phrase) in poorer areas but the bottom line is that adults are responsible for their own actions and parents are responsible for their children. To suggest otherwise patronises people in those areas and insults people like my friends and co-workers who keep their homes on good shape and their kids on the straight and narrow.
 
I propose that it's done in a cost efficient manner.

On what grounds are you deciding that it wasn't done in a cost efficient manner? Selectively using figures, such as the cost of one of the hotel rooms used, can hardly be deemed to be an analysis you could draw any firm conclusion from.
 
On what grounds are you deciding that it wasn't done in a cost efficient manner? Selectively using figures, such as the cost of one of the hotel rooms used, can hardly be deemed to be an analysis you could draw any firm conclusion from.
True, but it's also not grounds to conclude that it was.
 
One of the most powerful analytical tools I've come across for human issues is the . So let's put it into effect.

Why do you reckon that some adults are less socially responsible in poor areas?
 
Just going back on topic
When these people go off on their junkets, are they really connecting with the Irish diaspora? or 'promoting Ireland'? I don't believe they are. They are meeting with heads of states and spending your money on luxury. I find this disgusting.
 

Have you ever looked at an itinerary for one of these trips? Forget about Bertie and the White House, grab yourself a copy of an itinerary of one of the others and you will see what I mean...
 
A good question might be, does any other country do the whole 'junket' thing better than us, if so which one(s) and what makes their practices better? But which country of such small size has promoted a positive image better than Ireland has ? I cant think of one.
I can see the point about not needing to send our small change councillors on expensive junkets but we should be able to afford our heads of state some luxury without going overboard as to do otherwise makes us look like we haven't got an ass in our trousers and would make us a laughing stock.
 
One of the most powerful analytical tools I've come across for human issues is the . So let's put it into effect.

Why do you reckon that some adults are less socially responsible in poor areas?
I'm not a big fan of 6 Sigma and find that the 5 ways tool can just lead of on tangential discussions (a bit like this one ). I'm also not going to get into a civic lesson/ discussion on an Internet forum. If you feel like meeting up for a pint I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it but not here... sorry.
 
agreed (What ever next?! )