Sidelines

Labour – The Lingerie Party

A LABOUR PARTY councillor in Limerick has urged city officials to bring a Marks & Spencer outlet to the city because she likes their lingerie.

Speaking at the July city council meeting, southside Councillor Orla McLoughlin said: “We should do everything we can to bring Marks & Spencer into town. I am a lady. I like clothes in all shops. In particular, I like the lingerie section in Marks & Spencer. It has a certain je ne sais quoi.”

Her father, Mayor Gerry McLoughlin, agreed with her, before adding: “But you will have to explain to me what je ne sai quoi means, Orla.”

Cork floods show ‘God is unhappy’, says councillor

A CORK COUNTY COUNCILLOR has said that July’s floods which destroyed many homes and businesses in the county may be down to God’s unhappiness with Ireland.

Independent Councillor Noel Collins told Cork County Council during a discussion on the recent flooding: “I think the good Lord is angry with the happenings of Ireland today.”

Other councillors said a more realistic reason may be that drains, gullies and rivers had become blocked, and ensuring that they are kept clear must now be a key priority.

RTÉ staff told: ‘Stop the brown-nosing tweets’

RTÉ staff have been told by a senior news editor to cease their “effusive tweets to the next boss”.

RTÉ chief Ray Burke told the presenters and journalists:

“If RTÉ journalists could devote as much energy to writing copy as some of them are devoting to sending effusive tweets to the next boss, RTÉ News might be able to offer a better news service to the Irish people between now and September.”

The BBC’s Kevin Barkhurst takes over as Head of News and Current Affairs for RTÉ in September. Following his announcement he received a deluge of public congratulatory tweets from RTÉ journalists and presenters, including Miriam O’Callaghan, Richard Dowling and Ciarán Mullooly.

Spanish MP says ‘Fuck the unemployed’

THERE’S uproar in Spain after a Government politician shouted “Fuck them all!” and clapped as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the slashing of unemployment benefit.

Popular Party MP Andrea Fabra admitted she had yelled the words but claimed they were directed at opposition MPs who were booing during the announcement of new austerity measures.

The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has called on Fabra to resign, saying she is “not worthy of representing citizens”. More than 200,000 people have also signed a petition calling for her dismissal.