Published: Wednesday, 12th May, 2010 5:00pm
You've let us down, Minister Smith
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By email to info@agriculture.gov.ie and copied to the editor of The Anglo-Celt
FAO Mr Brendan Smith,
It's with great anger that I write this note to your office. We are sitting here in the office of Quinn-Insurance after getting the news of 500-800 potential redundancies.
Mr. Smith, this is a disgrace and you, as the voted elected representative, have let down the people of Cavan and the people of the border region.
Since this situation has happened, you and the government have helped in the destruction of one of the biggest success stories in 30 years. Sean Quinn and his family have been providing jobs and money to a region where once there was nothing. We, as employees, not alone feel let down, but we feel you have let down Sean Quinn and the Quinn Group by your inaction.
We wanted action, not talking; we wanted you to stand with people who voted you in and in essence you sided with the government and the Regulator.
Mr. Smith, also let me tell you my voice is not alone. I can assure you that your reputation as a hard working politician is destroyed in this area. It's very easy to hide but when we really needed you, I'm sorry, but you did not respond. Do you actually understand what Sean Quinn has done for the people of Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Fermanagh and throughout Ireland, and how much people appreciated this and looked up to him? He never forgot where he came from but you have? He stood by his employees and made no one redundant in a recession - how many employers can say that? We will never forget what he did for us and we will always remember your inactivity at this crucial time.
Have you attended any protests by Quinn employees or any rallies? The answer is no. And what do we take from this: that you have no respect for the people who elected you?
In conclusion the people of Cavan Monaghan do remember and when election time rings again, do not come looking to us to back you as we back people who back us, and in our hour of need you didn't. This is the single biggest issue to impact people of this region in its history. Your absence will define your political legacy within this region.
Regards,
Sean Murray,
UK Broker Relationship manager.
Have your say. .
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Charles Munger
Unregistered User
May 13, 20:42
Comment ID: 3095
It's all over. It has been over for a few years now. The last ones to find out are always the workers.
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sean fitz
Unregistered User
May 14, 16:16
Comment ID: 3098
Looks like the writer wants us poor tax payers to keep paying his wages. Where are we going to get the money? We can't keep borrowing from the Germans. Go into politics Sean.
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Patrick
Unregistered User
May 14, 18:14
Comment ID: 3099
I agree with Sean, Brendan Smith would turn up to the opening of a crisp packet but wouldn't do anything for Quinn - what a disgrace.
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Gerry
Unregistered User
May 14, 21:12
Comment ID: 3101
This letter sums up really well Brendan Smith's actions in last six weeks. Totally cynical.He has hung around the Slieve Russell for the last 20 years trying to take credit for the Quinn success story but when he might be of some use (debatable) he wont answer the phone.He says has got messages of thanks for all he has done,lets see how many votes he gets in West Cavan next time.He backed the regulator in destroying Quinn Direct but then he has "previous" in this area. He nearly destroyed the pig industry over a weekend himself a couple of years ago as any farmer will tell you. Well done Brendan
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fmurphy
Unregistered User
May 27, 00:16
Comment ID: 3127
smith was powerless in helping quinn . the blame rests with quinn . all this nonsense about quinn,s dedication to the north west population is a complete load of ****. quinn looked after number one.HIMSELF.he simply thought he was above rules and regulations.he lost loads of money through incompetence . he thought he was going to own a bank. had he not been so greedy the workforce would still be employed .finally. quinn workers had little symphathy for fellow workers who lost their jobs before THEIR CRISIS.
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Paul
Unregistered User
May 28, 11:40
Comment ID: 3134
Totally agree with Sean Murray's letter. The Quinn issue could have been sorted out behind closed doors if the government and Mr Smith had any sense. Sean Quinn bought BUPA when there was 500 jobs at risk and saved the government then. He is a good man that make a mistake through Anglo. Sean Quinn is a legend and always will be. He done so much for Ireland. This letter will be proven correct when we see how many votes Smith gets in next exection, which will be very few. Well done Sean on great letter.
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fmurphy
Unregistered User
Jun 8, 00:03
Comment ID: 3202
ref 3217 quinn sceptics snould watch[quinn empire hangs in the balance] on the internet.all your questions are answers in the programme.i rest my case.
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John B
Unregistered User
Jun 14, 11:37
Comment ID: 3229
Fmurphy-Are you a disgruntled ex employee of the Quinn Group. Would you like to see Quinns go down and 5,500 jobs with that??? Your a fool. Sean Quinn has admitted he made a mistake and is prepared to pay every penny back. Sean Quinn has done a lot more good than wrong and has been great for Ireland over the past 30 years. Your a very naive person and its the likes of you that will keep Ireland on its Knees... Im nuetral and I have no connection to Sean Quinn but I know he has been brillant for Ireland and given so much back to the border region. He will come out of the and be bigger and better. Would you like to bet against Sean Quinn, I WOULDNT.....
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fmurphy
Unregistered User
Jun 18, 01:08
Comment ID: 3261
john b.i have no connection with QUINN.i am not naive or foolish. i simply measure the facts and make a judgement.quinn is bankrupt. good luck with your theory.
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John B
Unregistered User
Jun 25, 11:21
Comment ID: 3320
To be honest FMurphy you havent a clue. How is Quinn bankrupt, he still continues to meet his repayments to Anglo Irish and thats with is cash cow QUINN-Insurance in administration, so tell me how is he bankrupt? None of his companies have been made bankrupt!! Only QUINN Insurance is in administration and there is a huge difference between administration and receivership!! You have no facts. The QUINN-Group continues to soar in huge profits and the Anglo repayments are being met every month without QUINN-Insurance. Thats the facts and it might depress you as you are the type of person that would love to see a good company going down. The QUINN-Group will survive and I know there will be resolution to QUINN-Insurance very shortly. FACTS
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f murphy
Unregistered User
Jul 24, 23:50
Comment ID: 3531
john b getting worried. gone all quiet. i told you so
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John B
Unregistered User
Jul 26, 11:22
Comment ID: 3534
F Murphy- Quinn Cement have started recruiting again and so has Quinn Glass, Quinn radiators won the contract to supply the Olympic Village and Quinn plastics are looking to build another factory!!Group Group continue to meet all bank repayments without QUINN-Insurance. Given the current climate that is some achievement. Whatever happens with QUINN-Insurance, the QUINN Group is still hugely successful and will continue to grow. And also I have been told they are very close to a successful resolution to QUINN-Insurance. Has Sean Quinn been made bankrupt, no he hasnt. Will he be, NOT A CHANCE. If that was going to happen it would have happened months ago.....
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JohnB
Unregistered User
Jul 26, 11:24
Comment ID: 3535
F Murphy- Quinn Cement have started recruiting again and so has Quinn Glass, Quinn radiators won the contract to supply the Olympic Village and Quinn plastics are looking to build another factory!!Group Group continue to meet all bank repayments without QUINN-Insurance. Given the current climate that is some achievement. Whatever happens with QUINN-Insurance, the QUINN Group is still hugely successful and will continue to grow. And also I have been told they are very close to a successful resolution to QUINN-Insurance. Has Sean Quinn been made bankrupt, no he hasnt. Will he be, NOT A CHANCE. If that was going to happen it would have happened months ago.....
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f murphy
Unregistered User
Sep 9, 16:52
Comment ID: 3754
to john b. have you noticed, THE AUCTION HAS BEGUN.
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JohnB
Unregistered User
Sep 21, 09:43
Comment ID: 3822
To F Murphy-I have noticed and I hope you have seen the deal in which Anglo take the profits from Quinn Insurance for the next seven years to repay the debts, however Sean Quinn will still own the Insurance company and the Quinn Group will remain intact and full owned by Sean Quinn and family. Best deal all round and for tax payer as well. And it will also mean Irelands best entrepreneur to get back to what he does best develope his company and create more jobs for Ireland!
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f murphy
Unregistered User
Oct 8, 23:14
Comment ID: 3903
john b.have you seen the lead pageof the celt. QUINN IS NOW TAKING SOME STICK.THE ROT IS NOW SETTING IN .interesting times ahead.?
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JohnB
Unregistered User
Oct 13, 15:37
Comment ID: 3918
Em, how is that some stick, they are asking for the goverment to give him time and help him out. Anyone I spoke to said it was very supportive of Sean Quinn. I dont think you realise, the QUINN-Group cant be touched. It will continue to grow. Sean Quinn has said all monies will be paid provided a deal is done on QUINN-Insurance. You told me months ago Sean Quinn was finished, we are now 6 months on and he is still standing strong and that will continue to be the case......
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cavanjim
Unregistered User
Nov 3, 01:51
Comment ID: 4020
brendan we will remember u when ure cronies come around looking for votes.u nearly destroyed pig industry by not knowing what was going on in ur deptartment.u sided with cowen when they went after quinn and left the people who voted for u without a voice.u have no bottle like mcdaid healyrae lowry who put people first and not party polittics.shame on u .look at our overcrowded hospital with scores of people from monaghan lying on trolleys.look at our ghost unfinished estates when u are being driven around in ur mercedes.oh yes we will remember your legacy .shame on u and fianna fail a parthy i voted for all my life.to sum u up i quote yeats[alls changed.changed utterly a terrible beauty is born]that is what fianna fail have done to our country.an organisation that gives billions to banks and takes from old sick and poor.the people without a voice.if u had any respect for people that elected u you would resign and fight for ur peoples rights.we will not forget.
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JohnB
Unregistered User
Nov 25, 14:08
Comment ID: 4126
F Murphy-Have you seen the front page of Celt this week. What did I say from day one!!!!
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namtam
Unregistered User
Dec 31, 15:27
Comment ID: 4253
I expect some of the letters above were typed after closing time on Saturday nights.
Quinn was a lucky gambler but even lucky gamblers have a bad spell & he did provide a lot of work in Ireland.
I wish we had someone in Cavan like Mr Quinn when I left in 1957,busloads of young people every day all heading for the boat & no one gave a dam.
No letters to the Celt not a peep out of FF/FG the Clan the Priests the Teachers the big Farmers or big Business.
The EU spoon fed you & you spent it all on foreign cars/machinery/holidays & big houses that
you cannot afford to heat or pay for.
No money spent on health care / the old folk or sorting out the tax fiddlers you had better things to do like driving your 4wheel over the border for some cheap boose.
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