Bree maintains pact with FF

by Gino Wed Jun 20, 2007 19:45

Did anyone expect any better from him?

Socialist my backside

by Union member Wed Jun 20, 2007 20:38

Bree voted for a Fianna Failer for Mayor and they voted for him for deputy Mayor. I couldn't believe it when I heard.When you recall the lecturing that we got from this charletan on matters of principle etc etc. and all along he is bought and paid for. Maybe he intends to donate the expenses that comes with being Deputy Mayor to a local charity.

He did emormous damage to the unity of the left vote during the election and he activily worked against the Labour candidate helping to have all three seats go to right wing candidates. Hopefully he will now carry through and apply to join Fianna Fail. That would be the honest thing to do after all he is now voting with them at meetings.

by Dub Wed Jun 20, 2007 21:02

The reality is that Declan Bree was the most left-wing person in the Labour Party before him leaving. This is yet another sign that Labour's so-called "socialists" are in reality careerist scum that opportunistically position themselves to the left. Declan Bree was held up by all sorts of people on the liberal left as being a left-wing possible candidate in the last election. These people were told then that Bree has a bad record when it comes to voting for Tax Amnesties, for Albert Reynolds AND John Bruton as Taoiseach, etc. SWP where are you know with your Bree-loving?

by John Gaffney Wed Jun 20, 2007 21:29

Absolutely correct Dub. Declan Bree is an opportunist of the worst kind. A disgrace to the name socialist. He should drop the pretence.

by Beano Wed Jun 20, 2007 23:21

This fella has the gall to lecture people on socialism, to chastise his Labour colleagues before he quit for supporting ring wing policies and the pre-election pact with FG and what does he do? Votes for a fianna fail Mayor despite having no need to honour the FF/Lab pact.

Hes no socialist, hes a back stabbing two-faced opportunist.

by DM - Labour Party Wed Jun 20, 2007 23:34

Meanwhile Declan Bree continues to do more for the cause of socialisim, travelers rights and the people of Sligo than any of the above.
Maybe he does have to work with the right to get things done, but the right had the democratic support of the area and at least Declan gets things done.
He was a true loss to the Labour Party

by Union member Thu Jun 21, 2007 08:14

"Meanwhile Declan Bree continues to do more for the cause of socialisim, travelers rights and the people of Sligo than any of the above.
Maybe he does have to work with the right to get things done, but the right had the democratic support of the area and at least Declan gets things done.
He was a true loss to the Labour Party"

Cop on DM, this is dope on a rope stuff. Ask your friend Bree to tell us the detail of the pact he made with Fianna Fail and lets see what he got for "travelers rights and the people of Sligo" You'll find that all he got was a trip to Havana or Moscow at the expense of the same "travelers and people of Sligo" Bree, like Finian McGrath, is a 'me feiner' who sells out whenever the price is right. It's time these hypoctrites where called out and made to join the party and politics they really support, Fianna Fail/PD's.
Whatever happens, can we hear no more about these guys on Indymedia, they lower the tone of the place.

by Steve G Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:06

When Bree could have tacked his Socialist colours to the mast, he opted to feather his own nest. I'm sure his dwindling support base will forgive him what they consider to be a minor transgression but wider a field I think the message that Bree has been 'found out' is sinking in. At every opportunity presented to Bree to make an independent stand for the left he has capitulated. As a TD especially. We had the nauseating pontification from Bree when he resigned from the Labour party blustering his socialist credentials to all who would listen. I'm sure it was a small reassurance to those who where beginning to doubt him. To the rest of us it was hypocrisy of the highest order.

Now he leaves no-one in no doubt that he is an opportunist. The man has no shame.
He has voted for a FF mayor unnecessarily. Purely in his own interest and an establishment title that will lend him the credibility he desperately craves among his newly adopted chattering set.

DM above spews more rhetoric, inane warble that could have been lifted ver batum from Bree’s self penned, self promoting website. A pityful apologist for a sell out.

Bree has made his bed, let him lie in it. He has now supported a Party that has reinstated the PDs in government. Voted for a party that will be the ruination of the Health Service and continues to widen the gap between rich and poor, a party that intends to bulldoze Tara, that supports Shannon's use by the American Military and on and on.

And DM says this charlatan is a socialist?

by tony Thu Jun 21, 2007 15:26

So what? Whats the difference anyway between FF & SF? Their first letter?

by Moan Abrennan Thu Jun 21, 2007 15:49

And whats the difference between Bree and FF?

Quite obviously none now

http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0433/D.0433.199307060130.html

by Sligo Spanish Republican Thu Jun 21, 2007 16:19

Bree recently proposed that a street be named after a Sidney Gallagher former Mayor of Sligo re: http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/now-sligo-gets-its-sid....html

Can anyone from Sligo confirm if this is the same Sidney Gallagher from Sligo that joined an Irish pro-Franco brigade? http://www.geocities.com/irelandscw/band-Mooney.htm

by Dub Thu Jun 21, 2007 16:26

An Ceann Comhairle: As it is now 6.45 p.m. I am required to put the following question in accordance with an Order of the Dáil of this day in respect of Item No. A.1, The Waiver of Certain Tax, Interests and Penalties Bill, 1993: “That the amendments set down by the Minister for Finance and not disposed of are hereby made to the Bill; that Fourth Stage is hereby completed and that the Bill is hereby passed.”

The Dáil divided: Tá, 70; Níl, 38.

Tá:
Ahern, Bertie.,
Ahern, Dermot.,
Ahern, Michael.,
Ahern, Noel.,
Andrews, David.
Aylward, Liam.
Bell, Michael.
Bhamjee, Moosajee.
Bhreathnach, Niamh.
Bree, Declan.
Brennan, Matt.
Brennan, Séamus.
Briscoe, Ben.
Flood, Chris.
Foley, Denis.
Foxe, Tom.
Gallagher, Pat the Cope.
Gallagher, Pat.
Geoghegan-Quinn, Máire.
Haughey, Seán.
Higgins, Michael D.
Hilliard, Colm M.
Hughes, Séamus.
Hyland, Liam.
Jacob, Joe.
Kavanagh, Liam.
Kemmy, Jim.
Kenneally, Brendan.
Kenny, Seán.
Killeen, Tony.
Kirk, Séamus.
Kitt, Michael P.
Leonard, Jimmy.
McDaid, James.
McDowell, Derek.
Broughan, Tommy.
Browne, John (Wexford).
Burke, Raphael P.
Burton, Joan.
Byrne, Hugh.
Connolly, Ger.
Davern, Noel.
Doherty, Seán.
Ellis, John.
Ferris, Michael.
Fitzgerald, Brian.
Fitzgerald, Eithne.
Fitzgerald, Liam.
Moffatt, Tom.
Morley, P.J.
Moynihan, Donal.
Mulvihill, John.
O'Dea, Willie.
O'Hanlon, Rory.
O'Keeffe, Ned.
O'Sullivan, Gerry.
O'Sullivan, Toddy.
Penrose, William.
Power, Seán.
Reynolds, Albert.
Ryan, Eoin.
Ryan, John.
Ryan, Seán.
Shortall, Róisín.
Smith, Michael.
Stagg, Emmet.
Treacy, Noel.
Wallace, Dan.
Walsh, Eamon.
Woods, Michael.

by Rhona Thu Jun 21, 2007 17:02

"Bree recently proposed that a street be named after a Sidney Gallagher former Mayor of Sligo re: http://www.sligochampion.ie/news/now-sligo-gets-its-sid....html

Can anyone from Sligo confirm if this is the same Sidney Gallagher from Sligo that joined an Irish pro-Franco brigade? http://www.geocities.com/irelandscw/band-Mooney.htm"

Its the same Sidney alright. Went and fought for Franco.

by r blian Thu Jun 21, 2007 18:53

Next year he will support cllr cawley of labour for mayor, the same cllr that voted against 24 corp houses this year because there were to close to her own house. How that for the left wind in sligo

by s filon Thu Jun 21, 2007 18:58

sidney gallagher was a good labour cllr for 30 years after the war

by R.Ryan Thu Jun 21, 2007 19:52

Lets not get side tracked. This is not about Sidney Gallagher or Veronica Cawley. It is about Declan Bree being a hypocrite and a sell out. The hypocrisy alone is breath-takeing.

For years we've had to listen to Bree cry 'sell out' for SF supporting such pacts. We've also had Bree denounce coalitionism for years in an attempt to salvage some of his left wing credentials after he baulked in Dail Eireann while in coalition himself. We've had him attack Labour at every turn prior to the election on points of so-called principle and for supporting a Right Wing Party in a pre-election pact.

Bree took the deputy mayors office, thats his price, thats all his word is worth. He should just join FF after this latest sell-out and call a spade a spade.

He can't in all good conscience continue to call himself a committed principled socialist. Not after propping up a FF Mayor.

by Jonno Thu Jun 21, 2007 20:50

Bree is clearly a sell out and always was. I find it very funny that a few months ago when Bree was still in Labour and claiming to be a socialist etc that loads of Labour people were on here defending him to the hilt when people pointed out his hypocracy. These same people are now castigating him! it seems these so called Labour 'trendie UCD liberal lefts' are more loyal to the Labour organisation then socialist politics. They are only criticising him now because he lef the party.

by Rayo Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:20

The Labour Party in Sligo in 2004 entered a formal agreement with FF on Sligo Town council to distribute a the mayor and deputy mayor betweem them as the two parties Lab (3) FF (4) had a majority, If SF or FG were in the same position they would have have done the same and had done the same in the past. The last pact in sligo was between SF & FF. It happens in every other council in the country.

There was no agreement on policy or to vote on any other issue. Declan Bree's voting record proves this, if anybody on this thread can dispute this, please do!

A far as I know this was the first time Labour had entered into a pact in sligo, in 2004 Declan Bree was voted Mayor (1st time after 30yrs a councillor), followed by two FF councillors, I think Lab will have it again next year. Either Cllr. Jim McGarry or Veronica Cawley? 2004 was the first time the Labour party had a amyor of Sligo in over 20 years, the people of Sligo were happy with the choice of Declan Bree and if there had been directly elected mayors in Sligo he wouldn't have had to wait 30 years to be mayor of his home town.

by John Harrison Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:18

Tubber/Rayo

It shows Bree for the hypocrite he is. He criticised FF and SF for doing what he has now done with FF himself. Indeed he is no longer a member of the Labour party so why does he continue ot support a pact with these two parties, particularly when this includes Jim McGarry.

He prefers to see Jonathon McGoldrick as Mayor ahead of Chris MacManus?

As for the pact no one knows what is in the pact as they have never made it public

Bree is no socialist. He is like all the rest of them. More than happy to get into bed with FF. Has done it before 1992 coalition. Has done it with FG 94 - 97 coalition. And now he is doing it at local level with FF

by Ray Fri Jun 22, 2007 13:20

All three Labour Councillor signed this agreement in 2004, they have just followed through with deal for the 3rd year in a row, I don't see what the big deal is, it occurs on every other local authority in the country.

by Pat McEvoy Fri Jun 22, 2007 13:46

The big deal is Bree is a hypocrite on this issue and there is no escaping that fact.

People were prepared to give Bree a pass on this in the past, but after the shenanigans of the election people are starting to get fed up with Brees 'do as I saw not as I do' routine.

Hes a fraud, and an opportunist of the highest order.

by Union member Fri Jun 22, 2007 13:46

But Ray or whoever, Bree is no longer a member of Labour. He is not bound by any pacts or agreements between Labour and FF or anyone else. Bree was canvassed by FF to vote for their candidate and in return he got the Deputy Mayor. A simple case of lining your own pocket.

And if these pacts are just about handing round the goodies, then shame on all of you. The electorate should be made aware this.

by allen Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:00

The agreement agreed between the 7 councillors laid out who woul dbe the Mayor and Deputy Mayor each year.

I don't see what the big fuss is about here, Bree Mayor in 2004 with the suport of all councillors on the council.

There was no deal with right wing conservatives such as FG or the PDs

by Lorraine Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:06

You said that "There was no deal with right wing conservatives such as FG or the PDs"

He just made a deal with right wing conservatives such as FF and Jimmy McGarry

by Allen Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:25

Unlike other areas in the country the left in sligo are small and don't have the luxury as Labour in other parts of the country. I suppose Labour came to the conclusion in 2004 that if they didn't enter into the pact then SF would get the Mayorality inpartciular Sean McManus their future election candidate.

But it dosn't seem to be am agreement about any political issues, so I don't think was a big compromise. Sure it happens in every other constituency, look at Galway city council

by Lorraine Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:31

You may think its no big deal but Bree himself used to think so. He made a major rumpus over FF and FG having pacts and when SF had a pact with FF (which he declined to take part in) he almost had a stroke and went bananas for the entire term of the council denouncing Mayoral pacts as scandalous. Until now that is.

by Allen Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:48

Previous pacts were on more than just handingn out chairpersons, they voted together on policy, SF record wasn't much better.

Also the personalities have changed on the council over the years, the FF & FG councillors in the 1970s, 80s &90s hated Brees politics with a vengance and it would have been discusted for them to see him Mayor. They would have been afraid of increasing his popularity had he got the position.

O'Grady or McGoldrick have a different outlook, esspecailly with Bree's support on the wane, he isn't a threat anymore.

by Lorraine Fri Jun 22, 2007 16:55

But nobody knows what was agreed in this pact between Labour and FF. They continue to refuse to make the document they signed public. Why is that?

And if youre saying that its ok for bree to engage in this pact because others have done likewise, then it just goes to show that Bree is no better than the rest and his pretence to be a socialist, left winger or whatever is just codswallop.

And again it has to be said that Bree himself, and indeed Cawley and Cllr Brian Scanlon etc all publicly denounced Mayoral pacts and described them as scandalous and shameful etc until they got the chance to do it that is. So that shows you what Bree and his former colleagues are really made of.

Also I wonder why Bree and the rest of the FF/Lab Coalition didnt agree to the proposal before this pact was agreed to have a rotation of Mayors and Deputy Mayors comprising all four of the parties on the Council in proportion to their size.

Bree, Labour and FF all rejected this. Wonder why?

by A. Egan Fri Jun 22, 2007 17:02

You are just making excuses for Bree.

There are other pacts on other councils with other councillors. But none of those councillors where previously hostile to such pacts as Bree was. None of these councillors describe themselves as principled socialists as Bree does. None of these councillors placed themselves as the standard to which socialism must be measured and made a career out of attacking anyone who was part of or agreed to such pacts.

Bree is now part of a pact which is the antithesis to everything he claims to represent.

He has become a hypocrite and has sold out on those principles by accepting a deputy mayors position in return for his support of a FF councillor.

Bree set out his stall as an unwavering uncompromising Socialist. He must relinquish such a platform because clearly that is no-longer the case.

If he refutes his claim as a principled socialist then there is no 'big deal' here. As long as he continues to describe himself as such then there will be a 'big deal'

He can't have it both ways.

by Union member Fri Jun 22, 2007 18:00

Well Allen, it seems that making pacts in Sligo with FF is ok because the likes of
"O'Grady or McGoldrick have a different outlook" (both FF)

This is poppycock, both these FF councillors have the same profile as any right wing politician anywhere in the country, both are landlords for example living high on the hog and exploiting the present governments policy that allows speculation on homes. This policy is crucifying the working people trying to get a roof over their heads. And Bree voted for McGolderick for the position of Mayor which he will use to promote his ideology for the next year.

Charlatan, turncoat.

by Lorraine Fri Jun 22, 2007 18:09

O Grady and Jude Devins were both Cllrs in th eprevious Borough Council when FF and SF had a pact which Bree was so outraged about. So why are they so different all of a sudden? Have they changed dramatically in the meantime.

Are these Fianna Fail Cllrs no longer people ‘who voted to impose service charges, who supported speculators and who voted for privatisation, betrayed the very people they claim to represent’?” as Cllr Bree himself described them in his elction manifesto in the 2004 local elections?

These same people continually have expressed their support the use of Shannon airport to ferry US troops to their killing fields in Iraq yet he is more than happy to cosy up to them and take part in this Coalition. Shame on him

by h gordon - FG/mayo Sat Jun 23, 2007 00:07

I dont think Scanlon went into any pact , maybe I wrong.

by Lorraine Sat Jun 23, 2007 00:38

Youre right. Brian Scanlon wasntpart of the pact with FF as he wasnt on the borough council and lost his seat on the County council where the pacts were made.

Importantly though he supported the pact and Brees decision to exclude SF and FG from Mayoral positions. This is despite the fact that he previously consistently publicly condemned the previous sf/ff pact and all such pacts.

Though is it really surprising either considering he has remained in the Green Party after their going in to coalition with FF and the PDs and are now supporting the use of Shannon airport for US killers?

It looks like Brian has as much left wing credentials as Declan doesnt it?

by Union member Sat Jun 23, 2007 08:17

"It looks like Brian has as much left wing credentials as Declan doesnt it?"

Spot on Lorraine. Scanlon is Bree's lapdog. He left Labour supposedly on a point of principle, he claims that McGarry is right wing and therefore he could not remain in the same party with him as a member, yet the Greens are now propping up a government with the PD's in it and he remains a member of that party. Not only that, as a previous post pointed out, this government, which he is part of, is about to do a hatchet job on the Health Service and still he see's no problem staying a member. What will he say to his neighbours on the Hill when they are treated like second class citizens when the private hospital opens beside the General? Scanlon is part of the Stalinist group led by Bree that has seriously damaged the Left in Sligo. Imagine a constituency which contains an urban area with nearly three quotas, yet fails to elect a left wing candidate or even a centre candidate. Sligo/NTH Leitrim has three right wing TD's. Well done chaps!

by Mary - Labour Party Sat Jun 23, 2007 14:58

I agree with Labour member, "Declan is no longer a member of the Labour party".

Did Veronica miss that point when she supported him as deputy Mayor.

Did Veronica miss the point that the person she supported, was the same person who attacked her leader only a few weeks ago.

I think it's time she supported her party and started standing by her colleagues.

Where is the whip?? It's needed here badly.

by opened eyes Sat Jun 23, 2007 18:25

union member. what left wind Cand' was there in sligo, if any person now or in the past went to bed with FF or FG are not left wind' then it stands there was no left Cand, Of the names only mc manus or scanlon came close

by Union member Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:57

"Of the names only mc manus or scanlon came close"

This shows the level of debate that comes from Bree. To suggest that Scanlon, a paid up member of the Green Party, who are about to actively assist Mary Harney to destroy the Health Service, is remotely near the left is daft. If Scanlon was even left inclined he would have run a mile when it became clear that the leaders of the Green Party were selling their souls for perks. Sargeant and his cohorts are what they are, products of Blackrock College and the like. Bob Geldof's in drag, in love with their own image and their own voices. To these guys principle is what they earn interest on in the bank.
During the election campaign Scanlon connived with Bree to thwart the Labour candidate and helped FF return to power. Many people had problems with McGarry but it would have served workers better had he been elected by simply giving the Labour Party more clout nationally. Of course that would never have occured to Bree and his puppets. They were on an ego trip and we are about to pay a very big price for that. You can be sure that over the next five years we will get a private hospital in Sligo(so that Bertie and Mary's friends can make more money) but we will get very little by way of services etc. And what has Cullen got in store for all those trying to survive on welfare? Once again, thanks chaps.

by opened eyes Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:10

union member , Do you think that mc garry hads anything to do with the left or do you think mc garry would have got elected if scanlon and bree were happy to remain in labour . mc garry show his true colours when he hide under the bed on the day of the count. The union that you are a member of had lose it way,a good strike may bring you back to earth if you can remember what that is

by b condren - FG Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:41

union member , No bad words about mc manus or SF' did they go into a pact with FF some years ago which gave mc manus the chain and made them vote for a increase in service charges not like you to forget something like that

by Union member Sun Jun 24, 2007 15:32

"union member , Do you think that mc garry hads anything to do with the left "

He is in the Labour Party and will be governed by Labour Party policy on all issues.

" mc garry show his true colours when he hide under the bed on the day of the count."

Irrelevent claptrap

" The union that you are a member of had lose it way,a good strike may bring you back to earth if you can remember what that is"

Any particular company in mind?

"No bad words about mc manus or SF' "

SF is not a socialist party and I have no interest in what they do or don't do.

Bree, voted for a FF mayor. In the present climate where FF is attacking workers and the poor, that is unforgivable. No amount of finger pointing will mitigate that fact. Bree should now apply to join FF and be done with it.

by opened eyes Sun Jun 24, 2007 18:51

union member' Stop and take your table,did mc garry vote for the FF mayor last week and next monday he will vote for a FF cllr to be chairman of the council. Labour are in bed with FF all over the country. They also try to get into bed with the blue shirts for Gov. The great work done by mc garry and mc carrick(union) and blind union member had destroyed the labour vote in Sligo so stop running around looking for someome to blame. Look in the mirror and ask how anyone with anything to do with unions can stand up for mc garry on his public record

by lefty Sun Jun 24, 2007 20:28

Wandering way off the point again as all apologists for Bree tend to do.

Bree sold out. This isn't about McGarry or Scanlon or anybody else for that matter.

Bree can do his usual and try to divert attention from his own shortcomings by pointing to others but it is now irrelevant.

Who is and who is no in pacts with FF is also irrelevant. Bree has always attacked these pacts and has always questioned there content.

Now we have the amazing position where Bree says they are not programmes for government and will conveniently overlook his hypocrisy for the deputy mayors chain.

Bree is a parochial has been. He sees the writing on the wall and his feathering his nest.

Principled socialist? My arse.

by Mary - Labour member Sun Jun 24, 2007 21:22

Here here Lefty,

Opened Eyes ! I think you need to open them a bit more,

I don't think you are fully in touch with what actualy happened.

Bree lost his rattler and dummy tit and threw one of his tantrums. gave some bad press and sat back in his high chair waiting on his nappy to be changed.

Like a sheep Brian followed Bree's super intelligent instructions and went green.

And Veronica forgot to canvass for labour during the campaign. Oh sorry she did turn up on Pat's visit, but then they forgot to put her picture in the paper. So she must have gone back to forgetting about the campaign.

Veronica is still, like a sheep following both Bree and Brian and going against her colleagues. She should have stood up for her party leader by not supporting Bree last week. But maybe she thinks she is with the green party, or maybe, just maybe she thinks Bree is the leader of the labour party. He seems to be good at pulling some peoples strings.

And for the record John did a great campaign, it was the baby food that was splattered all over the papers and the carry on of the children that made labour look like a play school.

Brian and Bree are no longer labour. So now that the children have left the building hopefully we can get down to some real politics, and professional behaviour.

by health Sun Jun 24, 2007 22:02

For the life of Rilly, I cannot understand why any one has changed to Green. If each and every individual on this earth isn't green,then theres a place for them....We are all green we eat greens, we do not like plastics, we are aware about carpet & central heating and Bugs/Flues. We double glaze our windows to conserve energy and so on....So anyone who changes to green it s not saying much about their health , quality of life,

by Union member Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:12

Just heard that the Greens now support the plan to build private hospitals on public lands, a move to grow privatisation in the Health service. Will Scanlon stay in the Greens if this is true? Another fine mess Bree got Brian into!

by w fallon Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:23

Will mc garry vote with FF today in the council to make killgallon chairman if he does then there is no left in sligo

by Union member Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:31

Who will Bree, the great socialist vote for?

by Con Phelan Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:07

Bree the great whaaaat???

I nearly choked on my coffee there. Bree is no socialist. The only person who thinks he’s a socialist is Bree himself. I feel sorry for Scanlon though. Bree talked him into helping him out with his feud with mcgarry and in fairness Scanlon had a chance of getting his council seat back with the greens, a slim chance given that he had gone back on his previous position on service charges, but a chance none the less.

I think mcgarry must be rubbing his hands with glee this morning after hearing the news that the greens have totally buckled and gone back on their opposition to co-location. This disgusting initiative will seal the greens fate once and for all. A shower of middle-class wannabe activists shaking off the embarrassing eco-warrior tag.

Brian Scanlon couldn't get elected in a fit now.

Bree’s behind the scenes malignancy has fractured the left and these shower of gobshites let him. And all because he didn’t get the labour ticket. What a fuckin baby.

At least now Bree has used the last gasp of credibility he had in this vendetta and with his betrayal of socialism will look like a rat to even his most ardent supporters.

Bree will have to learn all these lessons all over again after he sold out in the Dail and the electorate punished him.

You can’t keep taking the people for suckers Declan. You can’t keep playing them. You're no Bertie. You haven’t the smarts. Not by a long shot.

by Dub Mon Jun 25, 2007 13:05

I tink that Bree is getting much deserved flack on this thread. May long it continue. The chap was worth forgetting when he voted for Albert Reynolds on his first day as a TD. He then voted for Tax Amnesty and for John Bruton as Taoiseach. If he was serious about being a socialist Bree would have left Labour then and would have had a better chance as a TD with a national profile. Bree continued pacts at local government and importantly he continued his Labour membership. Bree only fell out with Labour when he was "shafted" by fellow careerists. He never had serious political difficulties.

But lets remember who cheer-led Bree in his latest escipade. the SWP and the 'lefties' in Labour Youth. We should also be questioning their support for this man when a brief discussion with him would make it clear to all that he never changed his coalitionism. Did these 'lefts' ask him if he's continue to honour a pact with FF on the Council? I would have thought that would be item #1 in any discussion with a person leaving Labour and still making sounds about being left-wing. SWP where are you now? Do you still want Bree to sign up to PBPA?

by Mike - GP Mon Jun 25, 2007 18:09

Bree was on the council for over 30 years before he did a pact with FF, while SF signed up a deal with FF on their first term.

I asked Brian Scanlon, why Bree agreed with Cllr Cawley & McGarry in 2004 to do a deal, he said that Bree was worried that if he didn't SF would jump in and get a deal ahead of Labour, (both parties have 3 seats) and he didn't want Sean McManus getting another Mayor as their was a general election within 2 years, McManus had already been Mayor twice 2000 and it was giving SF too much positive publicity. He also said Bree was personally very fustrated at being the longest serving councillor and never holding the position of mayor, in the previous term he had more years on the council than the other 11 put together. I think he figured that if didn't get it this term he'd never get it. Brian also pointed out personal financial reasons, by doing a pact the majority group would give out various positions on public bodies where the local council is represented, i.e. the new western region health board (Bree is now chair of this), the border regional authority etc! Cllr. Bree has 3 kids in secondary school, maybe the cost of 3rd level was on his mind, I don't think he has ever had any other emplyment other than a public rep.

But given that he already got his chain in 2004 I can figure why he still stuck to the deal, as he could have got out of citing his disagreement with Cllr. Jim McGarry

by Rabbitte Hunter Mon Jun 25, 2007 18:46

Declan Bree has shown consistant support with workers struggles and those on picket, unconditional and unpopular support to the Travelling community and asylum seekers in Sligo, he is life-long anti-war campaigner, he's probably been at Shannon airport more than most politicians, he has also been the most pro-rossport public rep. in the west of Ireland after former deputy Jerry Cowley. It is amoung these reasons that he has found a lot of friends with the current labour youth membership. He might not be the best example of a socialist but he was most left wing Labour councillor in the country.

by Bree watch Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:04

"Declan Bree has shown consistant support with workers struggles and those on picket"

What about those that fought in the courts and in the communities against the hated water tax that he supported and voted for. Where was the solidarity there?

"he's probably been at Shannon airport more than most politicians"

Probably just because other politcians use Dublin to go on their hols.

" he has also been the most pro-rossport public rep. in the west of Ireland after former deputy Jerry Cowley."

Ok, best of a bad bunch but what exactly is his position on it. Does he call for the nationalisation of the gas field? does he support militant action to oppose shell?

"It is amoung these reasons that he has found a lot of friends with the current labour youth membership. He might not be the best example of a socialist but he was most left wing Labour councillor in the country. "

This is probably right, but I think it says more about the Labour party and labout youth nowadays.

by Phil Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:05

Mike said: "I asked Brian Scanlon, why Bree agreed with Cllr Cawley & McGarry in 2004 to do a deal, he said that Bree was worried that if he didn't SF would jump in and get a deal ahead of Labour, "

Thats not true. SF had proposed to all parties that their be an agreement between all four parties on the Council to share the Mayoral positions based on the strengths of each party. This would have given everyone a fair share. Bree and Labour rejected this out of hand as they were intent on doing a deal with FFand keeping bpth FG and SF out of the positions.

Mike said: "He also said Bree was personally very fustrated at being the longest serving councillor and never holding the position of mayor, in the previous term he had more years on the council than the other 11 put together. I think he figured that if didn't get it this term he'd never get it. "

See my reply above in terms of rotating Mayoral positions. Showed he would have got it this term without pact with FF.

Bree also could have been Mayor during the previous term of the Council 1999 - 2004. Bree was actually involved in discussions with SF and FF re the Mayoral pact in 1999 and Bree was all in favour of it, though he had one condition which was that he get first Mayoralty. FF and SF would not accept that as Labour had only 2 cllrs at the time and were the smallest of the three parties in the proposed pact, SF had 3, FF had 4. FF were to get the first, with Lab to get Deputy Mayor. SF were to get to be Mayor in the second year with Bree getting to be Mayor in year 3. Bree had no objection to pact and was all in favour of it once he got to be Mayor in the first year.

by J Campbell Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:19

He support right-wing parties all through his career. He is no socialist. He is an opportunist. It is revealing that condemnation of his latest sell out is becoming widespread and from far afield.
Bree wouldn't get nearly half as hard a time if he just dropped the charade, came clean and said he was a left leaning coalitionist politician and a career minded one at that.

All that to one side though, it is still hypocritical of him to accept a pact with a financial payoff in terms of appointments to boards. It just shows he can be bought regardless of his motives.

And Bree crying poverty is hilarious. He wears shoes that are handmade for F sake and partner is a Doctor. What an insult to those who live in real poverty.

Shame on him. But it illustrates how desperate he is to justify this latest sell out.

by Phil Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:35

In terms of Brees financial status, Bree is doing quite well for himself. His partner is a practicing Doctor. Bree himself gets his County Council and Borough Council salaries, their expenses, plus conference expenses which are quite large if they pick the right conferences to go to.

Bree also has his TDs pension which is quite substantial.

Its interesting that some of Brees friends are suggesting that it was financial gain and the thought of lining his pockets that made Bree jump into bed with FF. Not very socialist minded is he if true?

by John Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:54

I don't think he was in the Dail long enough to recieve a pension, I think they just get a once off payment.

I know his family lived in a local authority house for years, so I doubt he's a wealthy man.

One thing I could never figure out, being the fact he never worked (paid employment) a day in his life, how come he was a trade union member?

by Phil Mon Jun 25, 2007 20:12

I dont think anyone thinks he is a wealthy man but he is far better off financially than most workers are. Aside from his partners Doctors practice he has an income from both Sligo Borough and Sligo Co Council not to mention the extrmely generous monthly expenses and Conference expenses that he receives.

As for the pension, I am almost certain he has a TDs pension. I'll try to check it out but I would almost guarantee it

by John Mon Jun 25, 2007 20:25

I don't know anything about his financial situation but his family wouldn't have got a local authority house if they were wealthy. Councillors aren't paid a lot of money, hardly much more than the average industrial wage, which is about 35K.

I suppose a man of his age has to look after his financial future and that of his children. He is at the end of his politican career I wouldn't hold it against him after 4 decades of public service. I'm not a big fan of Declan Bree's politics but he never seemed to be in it for the money, if they're was much money in it anyway.

by J Campbell Mon Jun 25, 2007 20:41

Your not a fan of Bree or his politics yet here you are defending his hypocrisy. Strange thing to be doing. Considering the background of this story is really about his hypocrisy in entering a pact.

He spent 30 yrs attacking such pacts (while clandestinely trying to put one together) and then eventually he entered a pact which made his previous position on the subject look like so much hot air.

But hes really stooping low bringing his kids into his excuses. I wont give him the benefit of the doubt because he's looking after his Kids. Bree is well off. His family background and where they live does not dictate his income. There are plenty of well off people that come from humble origins. John Gormley didn't even use that feeble excuse.

Forgive me if I take that with a pinch of salt. Bree is far from destitute in his own right he was a wealthy partner. Him crying about needing to look after his family is load of cobblers.

Hes feathering his own nest, no-one else's. He needs to drop the socialist tag he keeps harping on about. Hes just making an even bigger hypocrite of himself.

by B.B Thu Jun 28, 2007 19:40

Lucky for Declan he was born with a silver spoon in his gob and never had to worry about money like the rest of us. His parents owned two shops in town plus numerous so called flats. So Declan being a supporter of F.F., big business and speculators should be no surprise to any of us.

by Union member Sat Jun 30, 2007 21:36

There was a time that Bree used to attack FFer's and FGer's for abusing taxpayers money by going on junkets. Now he is the first on the bus with his bucket and spade.

by Dermot Tue Jun 24, 2008 15:58

It's great to see that Declan Bree is still honouring the pact l also see that Fianna Gael are now part of the pact when they voted with Labour and Fianna Fail to keep a Sinn Fein Mayor out .

by Vincent Carty Wed Jun 25, 2008 00:02

Shame on Bree. Voting for Cawley instead of Arthur Gibbons. Hes a disgrace

by terry Wed Jun 25, 2008 05:07

I'd describe Declan Bree as a realistic idealist. He began as a teenager with the L of M, then joined the CYM and has kept to a Connolly marxist political orientation ever since. By sheer hard work and clever focus on local as well as H-Block issues in the 1970s and 80s he managed to build up a sufficient constituency profile to get elected to the Dail. Sinn Fein's entry into electoral politics following the deaths of the hunger strikes led to the gradual erosion of Bree's carefully cultivated voter base, especially in Sligo town and in the hungry republican heartlands of Leitrim between Kinlough and Ballinamore.

People voted for Bree the committed activist, not for the Connolly marxist. This sort of thing happens sometimes in other constituencies - people occasionally elect a radical activist, without endorsing whatever complicated ideological baggage he may be lugging around. Mayoral election pacts are the only way to rotate the office of mayor in many local situations, so Bree was being realistic in agreeing to a pact which enabled him deservedly to become Mayor of Sligo in return for giving his vote subsequently to other party candidates.

I am not aware of much family wealth in Bree's background. I once met his late father in a modest sweet and newsagency shop in John Street, at the top of O'Connell Street. His father didn't exude any signs of wealth. He confided to me that if his son had joined a party during the early years of his political career he would have been elected to the Dail. These remarks were made in the early 1980s a few years before Bree in fact joined Labour and was elected for one term.

I'm not a marxist and have never been involved in party politics. I offer these personal observations as an alternative to the sniping by party activists on this thread.

by Marxist Wed Jun 25, 2008 19:02

Terry, you must Declan Bree himself. Its his MO that he posts under pseudonym praising himself. Nobody refers to him in such glowing terms, only himself. There is no apologism adequate for Bree in his latest step to conventionalism as he abandons the left in line with his opportunism. He had no right voting in this pact, he is no longer in Labour.

You have disgraced yourself, yet again.

by terry Thu Jun 26, 2008 02:35

For your information I ain't Bree and he ain't me. I in fact never voted for him; I'm a floater. I only posted my comments as an antidote to the rants of political headbangers on this thread. In Ireland people for the most part vote for committed and talented individuals; they don't vote for ideological fantasies.

by Marxist Thu Jun 26, 2008 08:59

Which Ireland do you live in? The voters in Ireland just last year voted for a merry band of chancers, spoofers, goombeenmen and criminals. Not a talented individual amongst them.

Getting Mary's son a passport or into the Civil Service does not equate to talent, sir. You are gravely mistaken in your assumptions to say the least.