to think the Queen/Obama could visit at a better time...

[scuzy]

seeing as it is costing an already cripled economy in Ireland 30 million in security!!!

crazy!

It was Ireland who issued the invitation and therefore had choice of the timing, and the final decision on cost/benefit.

Are you saying the Irish Government made a mistake? If so, then the Irish voters will be the ones who get the chance to boot them out.

def made a mistake ... it was the governement who issued the invitation. i'm sure if it was down to the public there wouldnt have been one.

BTW, here's a thread from April about this.

my apologies didnt realise it had already been discussed

Yes, neither of these public figures were chapping at Ireland's door looking for an invite.

So from that point of view YABU.

Otherwise I totally take your point. Perhaps there has been evidence to show the visits would be a boost to the economy which they have balanced against the expenditure?

Probably not though. Governments can have a very strange sense of priorities.

true handsomeharry ... but they could have declined knowing what it might cost.

either way its unreal that its the public werent asked if they wanted to pump all this money into these visits yet will suffer the consequences in more wage/services cuts!

governments ...meh!

I agree scuzy.

However I don't think either of your 'special guests' have any responsibility for thinking of the cost.

If I am invited somewhere I do not decline because I think my hosts can't afford it. It is for the hosts to decide.

I don't blame you at all for being hacked off but think it is misdirected if you think Obama and the queen bear any responsibility for the invitation.

ah no your right handsomeharry .... it isnt their responsibilty. you would think the irish government would have learned by now though.

please god both visits run smoothly though but it has brought the country to a hault closing roads, services, hospitals, government buildings.

fucking up my exams.
Gonna be a nightmare getting into town for them the next 2 weeks.
Not bothered about either of them coming, don't particularly like either of them but don't hold any real, animosity towards them, just wished they'd picked a more suitable time for me the inconsiderate buggers.

lol ... well dp is a haulier and all the road bloackages are messing up his work and livlihood. they dont think of us at all even though we are paying for it in many ways!

Also judging by what I've seen around ballybough (sp) the last few days. There's definitely going to be trouble when the queen comes. Just going to be a stressfull and frustratuing couple of weeks.