Railroading the West.!

national | politics / elections | opinion/analysis Saturday May 14, 2005 17:42 by John McDermott - removefiannafail jmcd333 at yahoo dot com

Vintage trains to run once more

Bertie,s latest nutty election scheme is on track - west of the Shannon!

Full steam ahead for the "Re-election Express"

The vintage "Bertie Express" train , will be a reproduction of the successful "Orient Express" tourist train,in which Europe,s wealthiest voyagers travelled in Victorian style luxury pullman coaches, complete with padded upholstery,and individual staterooms.The ambience is reminiscent of the golden age of Charles J. Haughey.
The return train trip from Shannon, to Strokestown near Sligo will cost 999 Euros.This is due to the dual management, C.I.E./private partnership system pioneered by Bertie Ahern and Martin Cullen. The cost will include an overnight stay in the luxurious "Offshore Lodge Inn",in Mayo, owned by prominent (ex) Fianna Fail supporters, the Flynn family. Here, visitors will rub shoulders with the elite of irish society,politicians,speculators, gentlemen farmers,auctioneers and so forth.
Ryanair,s new shannon based planes will fly them in for 99 cents each. "This leaves plenty of money in their pockets.They need it as they will be fleeced afterwards,by the golfcourse and hotel owners. We also help irish people fleeing the country,for low cost holiday destinations" said Michael O Leary,adding "It,s a win win situation for everybody including the government.It must be remembered that we provide this public service to the nation without any subsidy whatsoever. If we were a registered charity our meagre profits would be deemed tax exempt."
Pat Rabbite said that the whole scheme is a vote buying scam ."The electorate are being railroaded" he added, -"just like the civil servants"