Vincent Browne: His usual self
A STUNT by an independent candidate back-fired during a live TV debate tonight.
Ben Gilroy, from Direct Democracy Ireland, attacked Donegal MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher, saying he knew nothing about austerity because of his salary.
He then claimed Gallagher was pocketing a TD’s pension and a junior minister’s pension – on top of his MEP salary.
Host Vincent Browne then also joined in the claim.
But Gallagher hit back saying he gave all his pensions to charity!
Browne said he should forfeit the money to the State.
However Gallagher was having none of it – saying it was a tiny sum compared to the State’s overall spending power.
“But the sums I can give to charity really help. I won’t give the money to the State,” insisted Gallagher.
Meanwhile his Fianna Fail running mate Thomas Byrne – who is being pushed by party leader Micheal Martin – faced an attack by Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, who said he had been responsible for the financial disaster in the State.
Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy however criticised the sitting MEPs, saying none of them had bothered to demand that Europe pay back cash to Ireland swindled by the bankers.
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