how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

well for the uninformed a woman called iris robinson my have sent the peace process in northern ireland back down the toilet

she is the wife of the first minister of ni and a minister herself, who had an affair with a 19 year old lad (she's in her 50's) but to put the icing on the cake she "aquired" 50 grand for the lad to open a busneiss from some property developers :o

now that is a royal feck up but due to this he husband may be impeached therefore disapating the goverment unless the two major parties (who have been killing eachother for the past 30 years) come to an agreement on someone else quickly, shall we just say my hopes arent high on that one [-o<

so this means no power sharing ,no diolog ,and so history has shown what more than likely will happen is people turning back to the old ways (guns and bombs) :smt062
now all the above are facts, i will be devils advocate :smt083

p.s all details well documented by the bbc and panorama who broke the story ,for anyone who wants more details

DISCUSS :smt094

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Feck!

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I thought it was due to be flushed down the loo over the policing thing anyway. If anything, this probably buys time for the less points-scoring guys to sit down and do a deal that works there.

Good to see NI inherited the entertainment value of politics from us though

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I find it interesting that he has to be impeached, why cant he divorce her, she step down, take the hiding and bugger off into the sunset, if it is proved he has had nothing to do with it then he hasn't changed so why cant he be PM for NI still?

Real mature if they dig out the guns again...

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I thought part of the problem was in the view of the other lot, Peter Robinson had been sat on hs backside, twiddling his thumbs whilst his fingers were inserted in his rear.

Issues that should have been resolved some years ago haven't and him now using personal issues to stall process will lead to enhanced frustration on all sides.

I am not going to comment on her mental health as I do not know what her problems are. however, it is convenient that this arises when she has serious questions to answer.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Saw title and wondered why we're having a Maggie thread...I must be getting old

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

If I've understood it right, part of the problem is credibility. Aren't Mr and Mrs Robinson members of a hard-line fundamentalist Christian church that takes a dim view of acts of immorality in others?

So Mrs Robinson has it away with someone else, secures money for his fledgling business using the influence that her position brings (MP and member of NI executive, yes?). Neither are strictly "moral" but niether are unlawful for far as I know.

Mr Robinson, as TW said, sits on his 'arris ignoring her daliance with this other chap and turning a blind eye to the financial side of things whilst still taking a hard line with others.

They both need to go from their positions.

Anyone remember the news broadcasts where the voice of Gerry Adams was overdubbed by an actor? How daft does that look now? He's turned into one the rocks upon which peace will hopefully still be built.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I am not in a position to talk about the peace process/power sharing in NI so I'll refrain from that discussion. However:

To quote Cartman, "What's the big f-ing deal?" ;o)

They are both adults. You point out the age difference like she's a predatory Gary Glitter.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Euphemism or rhyming slang?

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Euphemism

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

+1

That or Gordon Brown's mother...

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

she is fit though..

I wudda at 19..


not maggie.. that iris woman..





Mrs Robinson indeed.. !

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Yep, thats how I understood it to...

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

She's known him since he was nine, ends up riding him-if it was a guy that had done that to a young girl in the same circumstances there would be a different take on this me thinks.Herself and her husband preach one of the most hardline interpretations of the christian faith(ask her view point on gaylords) so they will be judged to be as two faced hypocrits(sp) as they come when all the wee indiscretions come out-it would have been easier for her to have fallen on her sword.
Here's hoping that the people of Northern Ireland stick together and continue to move forward.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

why say the age, it a concidered a fact of importance in this case by the press and some people due to (as husky points out) the lenght of them knowing eachother
hardline christian ,yes he imho fails under that catagory
her views on homosexuallity to clarify husky,s point she stated they were imoral an an abomonation
the impechment is being called for on the bases of him failing to speak up about the money (ministers interests) the infidelity cannot impeach him

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Call me cynical but I think the politicians involved are all making too much money to want to kick the whole thing down the crapper.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Always nice when a hardline religious fundamentalist falls from grace imo.

However it should in no way be allowed to affect what people have fought and died for .... peace and a united Ireland. That would just be short sighted and wrong. Just cos some old bird wanted some young lad to know her instead of her hubby does not mean that the dreams and aspirations of the rest of the country should go down in flames.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I've been to Northern Ireland a few times - what a beautiful place. If you have never been, then go - in particular Co Down and Co Fermanagh are simply stunning. We walked up Slieve Donard, the highest point in Northern Ireland, we could see the Isle of Man very clearly, too hazy to see Scotland.

It is so so sad that the enormous achievements (initiated by John Major) to bring peace to this beautiful land might be wasted. I think that the Robinsons should go and if the DUP and Sinn fein can't agree on the new First Minister and on the other measures needed then the United Kingdom government should impose somebody with a remit not to let things slide.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

just going to nip that one in the bud spidy mate ,your sentimit is not lost on me but just pointing out that that point is not veiw entirely shared overall and tbh could use an entire forum instead of just a sperate thread to discuss

the whole united ireland vs uk aspect of the discussion i would ask to be used only as referance to fact, not wants, beliefs or opionions. as i think it would degrade the thread, its a far bigger issue than the iris robinson situation and has the ability to get people ridiculasly hyped very fast.

this is not a dig or put down mate just a clarifaction to keep things running smooth and civil

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

im glad you liked my beautiful country so much ed, it is nice to hear that people think of it for that rather than its history :)

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I have to agree, shes not bad at all for her age.
Thats my only contribution to this thread, I do not know enough about the whole situation to make a comment.

Just hope it gets sorted out.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Not really allowed to comment on this so won't, however, I am watching the thread with interest.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Dave, it's a fantastic place, I loved Fermanagh in particular - I don't think you could ever see a more beautiful spot. And Belfast - very nice city, very 'European' feel about it. Plus, everyone was so welcoming, so friendly - we have much to learn over here.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

why not?

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

I can't really discuss that because this is a public forum. PM me though

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Why post then? ;)

Everyone has and is entitled their own political views regardless of occupation.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Because I want to watch the thread and I would forget about it if I didn't!!!

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

You know you can just click thread tools in the top corner and subscribe to it without posting :-)

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Lol, no I didn't! Thanks for that!

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

My bad Dave.

I was typing too quick and generalising there now that i read it back.

I meant that the people are all united in their desire for peace and an end to the violence. To a democratic process over guns and bombs.

I understand that there is a division of opinion over weather Ireland should be 1 or 2 parts and i totally agree that if this thread ventures into that territory its very quickly going to descend into something you didnt want when you started this thread.

So as Dave says, can we please keep this on the topic of Mrs Robinson and her behaviour and not about the north south divide.

Dave, if you feel this is going the wrong way PM me mate and i'll either lock it at your request or delete off topic stuff.

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

That will be "the Royal we", yes? ;)

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

Is that when queenie takes a whizz?

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

update
her right hand man has said that peter robinson was the one coaching her to pay the money back through solisiters after he found out about the affaie but before the public outing of the incident

Re: how a woman could have destroyed a country
 

That was sort of my take on things - media attention being distracted and allowing time for the sensible to, perhaps, work something out.

Hopefully.