Pascal Donohoe faces Dáil scrutiny over election expenses

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Sinn Féin has accused Minister Paschal Donohoe of misleading the Dáil over his election expenses. The Public Expenditure Minister has been taking questions in the chamber after further revelations relating to postering expenses. It has emerged businessman Michael Stone paid for work to be done during the 2020 election as well as in 2016 - with neither expenses declared. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald earlier accused Minister Donohoe of misleading the Dáil in his statement last week. "This means that Minister Donohoe failed not once, but twice, to disclose a donation in back-to-back elections from the same wealthy supporter," she said. "A supporter, let it be said, who has secured lucrative State contracts, who was appointed to the powerful Land Development Agency by Fine Gael outside of the normal process and was appointed as chair of the North-East Inner City Programme Implementation Board. "Mr Stone has now resigned from both bodies. "A theme of this controversy is the Minister's ever-changing story," Deputy McDonald said. 'Concealment and cover-up' She said it has been "an exercise in concealment and cover-up from start to finish." In response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Donohoe's latest statement should put the matter to rest. "It's going to be a matter for people to decide whether they believe Paschal Donohoe or not," he said. "I've heard his explanations over the weekend, spoke to him about it, and I believe him. "I fought four general elections and I know what can happen in a campaign - particularly in a chaotic campaign. "You might have 1,000 posters, somebody can offer to put up 100 or 150 for you. "They may offer to drop a few thousands leaflets for you - and you do so on the assumption that they're going to do it on a voluntary basis. "It is possible that they may pay a third or fourth party to do that for them and not inform you. "That does appear to be what happened in this case to me". Mr Varadkar then went on to criticise Sinn Féin's record on election declarations. Deputy McDonald suggested: "It is not credible on your part for you to attempt to stand over these donations that were undeclared, and the cock and bull story that your colleague has fabricated after the fact to try and cover his tracks." Mr Varadkar replied: "Exposing your hypocrisy is not a distraction, it's simply telling the truth - something that you constantly run a mile from. "I think you've some brass neck, quite frankly, in that regard," he added. #expenses #politics #ireland

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00:01:20

'House prices went up, rent went up, homelessness went up - and the same government was re-elected!'

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,The next Government will most likely be a Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael coalition propped up by "sensible" independents. Although a handful of seats are yet to be filled, it is expected that Fianna Fáil will be the largest party with 48 seats, Fine Gael will have 38 TDs and Sinn Féin will 39 seats. With a likely total of 86 seats, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will be within touching distance of the 87 seats needed for a majority in the new Dáil. Although Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell believes the party could still end up in Government, Irish Independent Political Correspondent John Downing thinks the numbers are against the party. “The figures don’t add up,” he told Breakfast Briefing. “Certainly, Sinn Féin went into this election in very bad shape and had, in real terms, a rather good election - given the shape they were in as they entered it. “[Government], it’s not going to happen.” Following the near total wipeout of the Green Party, attention has turned towards the Labour Party and the Social Democrats are potential Government partners. It would be, Mr Downing believes, a “problematic” coalition for several reasons. “Things are going to have to be ratified by the membership - whatever deals are made,” he said. “The other difficulty is that we have, effectively, two labour parties; there’s the Labour Party and the Social Democrats - which is just another word for a Labour Party - and they’re going to be watching each other like hawks, pushing and over. “If one crowd goes in and the other stays out - that’s a recipe for disaster for the crowd who go in. “The smaller party who goes into a coalition Government is effectively feeding itself into the political mill.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ? Have you downloaded the Newstalk app? - Find the app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thisisaim.newstalk&hl=en_IE&gl=US - Find the app via Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/newstalk-106-108-fm/id372643826 #️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to the Newstalk social channels: - YOUTUBE | youtube.com/@Newstalkfm - TWITTER | twitter.com/newstalkfm - INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/newstalkfm/ - FACEBOOK | facebook.com/newstalkfm - WEBSITE | https://www.newstalk.com/ ? PODCAST - listen at your leisure: newstalk.com/podcasts - iTunes: search for Newstalk in your app! - Spotify: search for Newstalk for our latest pods and news - Or wherever you get your podcasts! ?GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWSTALK - WhatsApp: get in touch on 0871400106

00:53:46

Jess Kelly's Great Gadget Gift Guide

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,With Christmas just around the corner, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly is back with her annual guide to the very best in gadget gifts. If you're on the hunt for something cheap to entertain the kids, a handy kitchen gadget or to treat someone to their dream electronic gift, Jess has options at every price point. €60 or less PlayEasy drawning tablet | €18 A 10" colour drawing board, with a lock button and lanyard for stylus pen. The electronic drawing board has been a great addition to our house. It’s easily transportable so we often take it in the car. The lanyard for the pen will help keep the stylus safe. Include this in activities or leave it out with something to trace or a small picture and see if your child will “give it a go.” Your child might like to attempt numbers, letters, trace their name, draw a picture from their favourite book etc. The drawing board comes with a flat battery included. Chipolo One Bluetooth Item Finder | €24.95 This is a great gift for a friend, family member or colleague who always misplaces their keys or access card for the office. It pairs to both iOS and Android devices via an app. You can see where your items are or call them! It’s possible to replace the battery if it dies. Available from tech retailers across the country. Apple AirTag | €39 (can be personalised on the Apple website) Similar in concept to the Chipolo mentioned above, this is the Apple version. These were massively popular during the summer - people wanted to keep tabs on their luggage etc. If you have an Apple fan in your life, this is an excellent gift! BLND Portable Blender | €35 from Three For smoothies on the go the BLND Portable Blender unlocks a world of nutritious shakes, smoothies, and juices. It’s lightweight allows for easy transport and enjoyment on the go. Available in Pink Black and Mint Green for €35 in Three stores nationwide and on Three.ie. €140 or less LEGO Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit | €79.99 This is on my wishlist this Christmas - it’s a Lego Technic set of Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit. It’s recommended for ages 1- and up - it makes for a gorgeous stand alone piece, you can buy it from the LEGO stores on Grafton Street or Blanchardstown as well as on Lego.com. NOKIA 3210 | €69.99 Ideal as a digital detox device or a first phone - this has the form factor of the original Nokia 3310, but with an added screen. It has an excellent battery life and is ideal if you want to gift someone a bit of downtime! Philips NeoPix 100 Projector | €99 Transform your viewing experience with the Philips NeoPix 100 Projector, a dynamic stereo sound, and versatile media player. Available for €99 in Three stores nationwide and on Three.ie HMD Barbie™ Phone| €129.99 Another gem for those looking for a distraction free phone. Perfect for the big Barbie fans - very retro look and feel. There’s a 2.8-inch internal screen and a very basic camera, but it does have an MP3 player, Bluetooth and snake!! Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 | €110 The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 embraces simplicity via function and design, to effortlessly produce atmospheric square photos that give you more of what you want in every shot. Available for €130 only in Three stores nationwide and on Three.ie PocketBook 6" Verse E-Reader | €140 For avid readers the PocketBook 6" Verse E-Reader is the perfect companion. With its 6-inch HD touchscreen E Ink Carta, reading is comfortable and enjoyable. The high-quality display provides a paper-like reading experience, ensuring hours of reading without strain or loss of focus. You download the PocketBook app onto your phone, you can import PDFs or buy books. Available for €140 in Three stores nationwide and on Three.ie Notions SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch7 BT with Bixby | Silver, 44 mm €299.00 Meta Quest 3S 128GB Mixed Reality Headset and Controllers | €329.00 from Currys HMD Skyline | €399.99 Skin Krush Rejuvenating LED Mask | TBC Designed with soft silicone to perfectly conform to your facial contours, this mask is a combination of red and infra-red light therapy treatment that stimulates collagen production and reduces redness in as little as 10 minutes per day. This mask offers 2 different settings, 633nm red light and the 830nm infra-red light combined and is designed with extra comfort in mind by adding an additional overhead strap. It also contours to the shape of your face and is safe, effective and easy to use, bringing facials to the comfort of your own home. Designed by experienced nurses with over 20 years in the aesthetic and skincare industry, the Rejuvenating LED Mask delivers professional results in the comfort of your home.

00:02:02

'Maybe I should have ran for politician when I was 20'. Gerry Hutch on Henry's Front Bench

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,'Maybe I should have ran for politician when I was 20'. Gerry Hutch talks hiking, affordable housing, and regrets, on the latest episode of Henry's Front Bench. Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch's General Election campaign has met mixed responses – but one group whose vote he will definitely have is the staff at Corinthians Boxing Club. Corinthians Boxing Club’s Head Coach Kevin Corcoran told The Hard Shoulder about Mr Hutch’s generosity to their community organisation. “Gerald bought the building in Buckingham Street there 25 years ago outright and he gave us that building for one euro a years’ rent - that's all we have to pay,” he said. “Now, he doesn't collect the rent, obviously, but he gave us the building to run as a boxing club free of charge, basically.” Mr Corcoran said the club would not exist with Mr Hutch’s help. “Everyone knows rents, especially in the inner city, are crazy at the moment,” he said. “We probably be paying between €2,000 to €4,000 per month rent for that building, and we couldn't afford that. “We charge the kids €2 per night for training.” The coach said Mr Hutch very rarely visits the club, but when he’s in Ireland he always stops by. “When he comes home, he pops down and says hello, he comes in and says hello to the lads and has a look at the kids training,” he said. Mr Corcoran said The Monk is a “very popular man” in the area. “There's no other man, TD, anything that would buy a building and give it away to the local community,” he said. Mr Corcoran said Mr Hutch’s popularity could be due to his help with the boxing club, but he’s sure “people have their own reasons”. The local community aren’t concerned with Mr Hutch’s possible involvement in organised crime, he said. “We only see the side of Gerald as the very helpful person that he is,” Mr Corcoran said. “We only know the man that helps us out, gives us a club for free.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ? Have you downloaded the Newstalk app? - Find the app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thisisaim.newstalk&hl=en_IE&gl=US - Find the app via Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/newstalk-106-108-fm/id372643826 #️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to the Newstalk social channels: - YOUTUBE | youtube.com/@Newstalkfm - TWITTER | twitter.com/newstalkfm - INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/newstalkfm/ - FACEBOOK | facebook.com/newstalkfm - WEBSITE | https://www.newstalk.com/ ? PODCAST - listen at your leisure: newstalk.com/podcasts - iTunes: search for Newstalk in your app! - Spotify: search for Newstalk for our latest pods and news - Or wherever you get your podcasts! ?GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWSTALK - WhatsApp: get in touch on 0871400106

00:03:56

Corinthians Boxing Club backs Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch in General Election

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1 views 1 year ago

,Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch's General Election campaign has met mixed responses – but one group whose vote he will definitely have is the staff at Corinthians Boxing Club. Corinthians Boxing Club’s Head Coach Kevin Corcoran told The Hard Shoulder about Mr Hutch’s generosity to their community organisation. “Gerald bought the building in Buckingham Street there 25 years ago outright and he gave us that building for one euro a years’ rent - that's all we have to pay,” he said. “Now, he doesn't collect the rent, obviously, but he gave us the building to run as a boxing club free of charge, basically.” Mr Corcoran said the club would not exist with Mr Hutch’s help. “Everyone knows rents, especially in the inner city, are crazy at the moment,” he said. “We probably be paying between €2,000 to €4,000 per month rent for that building, and we couldn't afford that. “We charge the kids €2 per night for training.” The coach said Mr Hutch very rarely visits the club, but when he’s in Ireland he always stops by. “When he comes home, he pops down and says hello, he comes in and says hello to the lads and has a look at the kids training,” he said. Mr Corcoran said The Monk is a “very popular man” in the area. “There's no other man, TD, anything that would buy a building and give it away to the local community,” he said. Mr Corcoran said Mr Hutch’s popularity could be due to his help with the boxing club, but he’s sure “people have their own reasons”. The local community aren’t concerned with Mr Hutch’s possible involvement in organised crime, he said. “We only see the side of Gerald as the very helpful person that he is,” Mr Corcoran said. “We only know the man that helps us out, gives us a club for free.” Aside from Mr Corcoran’s hopes to see The Monk in the Dáil, his wishes for the next Government include “more grants”. “In our club, we'd like to get some more grants for the club to help us out with more equipment and more stuff like that,” he said. “We don't pay rent in our club, but we have massive bills - we have water bills, electricity bills that we have to get paid.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ? Have you downloaded the Newstalk app? - Find the app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thisisaim.newstalk&hl=en_IE&gl=US - Find the app via Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/newstalk-106-108-fm/id372643826 #️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to the Newstalk social channels: - YOUTUBE | youtube.com/@Newstalkfm - TWITTER | twitter.com/newstalkfm - INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/newstalkfm/ - FACEBOOK | facebook.com/newstalkfm - WEBSITE | https://www.newstalk.com/ ? PODCAST - listen at your leisure: newstalk.com/podcasts - iTunes: search for Newstalk in your app! - Spotify: search for Newstalk for our latest pods and news - Or wherever you get your podcasts! ?GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWSTALK - WhatsApp: get in touch on 0871400106