Features of the journal:
Title: The Irish Independent
Date of launch: 1905
Circulation: c.155,000
Website: http://www.independent.ie/
Features of the article:
Author: Aine Kerr
Date of publication: 14/3/2009
Declan Ganley, the principal personality and leader of the Libertas party has rarely been out of the limelight since the “no to Lisbon” campaign in Ireland. As he has just announced his intention to stand in the European elections in June, his presence is likely to be felt even more in the media for the next few months. This article evidences why he is a very controversial figure.
Confusion and questions surrounded the funding of the Libertas no campaign and it is clear this issue will continue to dominate Ganley”s own election hopes. It had for example been suggested that Ganley obtained funding from America” Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or the Pentagon. However, this article makes it clear that Ganley has no such worries. It is as though he is bulldozing over and ignoring the issue. We are told he has failed to comply with the state ethics watchdog regarding the source of Libertas”s income. He has added fuel to the fire by promising that Libertas will spend “many tens of millions” for their campaign across Europe.
Although Libertas filed a return on its funding of the no campaign, current legislation in this area is inadequate and fails to provide a real picture of how funding is achieved. Ganley”s explanation that the money for the upcoming Libertas campaign will “be raised on the internet” is unconvincing. He is on record as saying Libertas needs €75m for this campaign. Are we really to believe he will obtain this figure through internet fundraising? Regardless of whether he does succeed, the public will remain sceptical due to past events.
It is therefore strange that Ganley cites the “enormous goodwill” of the electorate in Ireland. It is widely believed he has deceived the people he depends on for the coming election. We are told that another politician thinks it is time for Mr Ganley to “come clean” with the electorate. Ganley, who himself has spoken of the “hilarious lies” and “outrageous claims” made by the yes campaign, doesn”t appear to be abiding by his own rules. It is clear that while happy to provide as little information as possible about the controversial source of Libertas”s funds, Ganley is quite happy to criticise all those he disagrees with for similar ‘deception”.
This article is quite clear in highlighting Ganley”s double-standard behaviour. Kerr shows us clearly Ganley”s hypocritical behaviour. It would be very misguided of the Irish electorate were it to elect Ganley as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) at the expense of another hard-working MEP who doesn”t resort to such mudslinging tactics.
Matthew Krasa – Ireland