Talk:Mary Harney

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Controversy section (moved from article until sources/references can be provided)

I just moved this off the main page until references can be provided. I have inserted {{fact}} where I think references are needed (a lot).

Controversy

Harney has been involved in lots of scandal ^{[citation needed]}and has often been accused of being out of touch with the Irish public^{[citation needed]}. In December 2001, Harney used a Government plane which was 50% funded by the European Commission to open a friends off license in Co. Leitrim, ^{[citation needed]} describing the event as "important" ^{[citation needed]}. Harney, at first, refused to apologise ^{[citation needed]} to the Irish tax payer stating that she had no other way to travel that day until the European Commission became involved, she later admitted that using the plane was wrong ^{[citation needed]}. The aircraft was to be used 90pc of the time exclusively for maritime surveillance ^{[citation needed]}.
In May 2006, the Irish Nurses Organisation unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney ^{[citation needed]}. They accused her of being negative and antagonistic towards nurses ^{[citation needed]} and criticised her for their long working hours on what they described as un-competitive pay rights ^{[citation needed]}. Liam Doran, General Secretary of the INO pleaded with Harney to "speak with" and not "at" the nurses ^{[citation needed]}. The nurses and others, including, Economics and Social Care lecturer Tom O'Connor have accused Harney of favouring private hospitals as she transferred private beds in public hospitals to privately operated for profit hospitals ^{[citation needed]}.
In Feburary 2006, three hundred people were waiting on hospital trolleys according to the Irish Independent, worse than the figure the previous year, this many see as an indication of Harney's approach to the Irish health service^{[citation needed]}.

Megapixie 01:25, 21 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Generally sounds factual (can remember the controversies) but blown a bit out of proportion and also the fact that two of the controversies are five years apart speaks volumes. Would need references in any case as specific points are made. Djegan 17:55, 21 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the update Djegan, appreciate it, glad to see the PD's are keeping an eye on integraty for a change. Surely, though, you should have removed the whole article as nothing else has been referenced????? Colindk 21:20, 22 June 2006

References?

I have removed the following from the main page until proper references can be provided. I feel it only fair that all parts of the article need to be referenced and not just those that point out certain areas of criticism relating to Mrs Harney. In fact, until this page offered some criticism to Mrs Harney, there was no such demand for references. I have provided references for all areas of criticism that I have brought attention too, I think it is now important that the below two points in particular are referenced, I think to say that Mrs Harney presided over any boom in the Irish economy is absurd.

Generally when specific claims are made, that are not generally known in public or are quotations, then they should be referenced. In particular this official policy of wikipedia Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden of evidence in biographies of living persons. Djegan 22:03, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

"As Minister she presided over a boom in the Irish economy which resulted in a record number of jobs being created."

Prob a bit over the top but must be remembered that also Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 1997 to 2004. Djegan 22:03, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

"something of a poisoned chalice in Irish politics"

Take your pick[1], [2], [3] and [4]. Just a few. Referencing is not about citing every sentence in a cold, clinical way. Theirs a certain amount of initiative and checks and balance involved. Djegan 21:49, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think it goes without saying that the recent reviews to this article and this sudden need to expose the controversies surrounding the Taniste must be considered with the recent heave against her that has being reported in the media[5]. Wikipedia should not be a propaganda site for political means. Djegan 21:20, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Exactly, it shouldnt be a propaganda site for political means it should be balanced which is what I'm trying to do with this article. Also to link me to McDowell is absurd, as an Irish Republican, I detest what that man stands for. Colindk 22:55, 5 July 2006

Obesity

Amongst other things, Harney is notable for being the heaviest female member of the Irish parliament. Can her obesity be noted in the article? Curtains99 10:13, 11 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]