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Craicnet

Did anyone see Simon Harris's treatment of the carer who approached him in Co. Cork today? Despicable, condescending behaviour.

234 replies

Imperiallanger · 22/11/2024 22:26

I'll try link. It's on RTEs Facebook page & the comments match his behaviour. The poor woman was visibly upset.

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Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:01

I don't think she insulted him at all, neither do the public & mainstream media.

OP posts:
Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 11:02

Anothermathstest · 24/11/2024 10:33

Adam Harris is very able, but he now has strategies in place to manage his sensory issues etc. For example, he still finds it very difficult if someone near him on the train is eating crisps, but has developed ways to cope.

I can imagine growing up it wasn’t that easy for him and his brother will have been aware of that to a degree that most people won’t.

I have a DS with asd (‘high functioning’) and it is hard on his siblings. It’s nobody’s fault but it does affect the whole family and is very limiting in terms of what we can do or not as a family. Days out can be fraught even with a lot of preparation and management.

Adam Harris got his diagnosis for a reason and his brother will have more experience of autism than most politicians do. He will have been affected by it. From my own experience of living with autism in the family I can guarantee that.

Yes simon harris said he got into politics in the first place because of his brothers autism, and because he wanted to make change.

So I don't think it's fair to say he doesn't understand anything about the services.

I also have someone with autism in my family, and when you do , you learn a lot about the services.

Wendysfriend · 24/11/2024 11:03

Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 09:17

I can understand she's upset. But a better approach would have been to ask for more funding for disability services.

What did she specifically want anyway? I know people that work in disability services in Ireland. They seem to be very well run and well funded.

Are you on drugs ???!!!

You haven't got a clue if you think the disabled children and adults are well funded and well looked after !!

My DD waited 8 years for a scoliosis appointment!! 8 years ! and we sat in Crumlin hospital for 5 hours waiting to be seen ! It was 2 years before her next appointment when she turned 16 then no more appointments there because she was 16 ! She's 17 now and were still waiting to hear who's taking over !

We're nearly a year into her being 17 and still waiting for an appointment from Beaumont for neurology because Temple Street finished with her at 16years but that just tough luck for us dealing with 4 types of seizures! We've no point of contact to contact when things get bad !

Her special needs school had the funding for the cook cut completely meaning no food for any of the children, it's not like main stream school where you can stick a sandwich in a lunch box ! These children need hot food, blended food, food suitable for their needs, yes we as parents try to supply what our children can eat but it's very hard when they can't physically eat cold foods like sandwiches, when meals were supplied they were cooked by a cook who knew and had lists for every child of what they could and couldn't eat, meals then brought to the classrooms heated and ready to be given by the snas, now the snas have to organise whatever has been sent in by parents , heat, plate and feed, they have enough to be doing without having to leave the children in the classroom a couple of bodies down to prepare hot food !

Then you have respite 10 years we waited to be granted respite and we got one day every 2 months recently, because of cuts the government made to the funding of this, there's not enough houses, staff, and lists that go on forever of children needing this ! That finishes when she turns 18 ! So we get one year of respite something we desperately need because she's night medicated and sleeps for 3 hours !!!

My carers was cut because my husband works and we were 21 euro over the limit !!! Cut in half ! 121.00 I get a week to take care of my child needs, what the hell will that buy her ! People on job seekers get more ! They need to abolish the means testing.

When she turns 18years she finishes school, she's supposed to go into adult services but the funding across the Country for transport to these services has been cut, these services are not on your doorstep, they're in the middle of nowhere and a minimum of an hour's drive, so that's just tough for her if we can't get her there ourselves, so I either buy a 2nd car or take 3 buses with a wheelchair !

My disabled sister now sits in her home every day because her transport to her adult services was cut too ! What's she meant to do ? She's in a wheelchair, she can't drive she can't get the bus ! She's just rotting away, her home help was cut too ! She gets 7 hours a week ! 7 lousy hours in a whole week and sometimes the help is late due to traffic or issues with previous client so my sister looses out as that all adds up, the help can't stay late because they have another client, then if the help is sick there's never anyone to fill in, never !

This is only a few things there's tons more , the carers group I'm in there a minimum of 200 parents with similar and worse issues and that's just one group, there's many more and many more parents and carers in the same situation across the Country and you think they're well looked after !

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:07

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:01

I don't think she insulted him at all, neither do the public & mainstream media.

Given the way you speak to people I am sorry but I would not rate your opinion on what you consider to be insulting.

Thankfully the majority of the media can see both sides.

Just to note if YOU keep repeating yourself it does not make what you are saying true. It basically means people will disregard it.

Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 11:09

Wendysfriend · 24/11/2024 11:03

Are you on drugs ???!!!

You haven't got a clue if you think the disabled children and adults are well funded and well looked after !!

My DD waited 8 years for a scoliosis appointment!! 8 years ! and we sat in Crumlin hospital for 5 hours waiting to be seen ! It was 2 years before her next appointment when she turned 16 then no more appointments there because she was 16 ! She's 17 now and were still waiting to hear who's taking over !

We're nearly a year into her being 17 and still waiting for an appointment from Beaumont for neurology because Temple Street finished with her at 16years but that just tough luck for us dealing with 4 types of seizures! We've no point of contact to contact when things get bad !

Her special needs school had the funding for the cook cut completely meaning no food for any of the children, it's not like main stream school where you can stick a sandwich in a lunch box ! These children need hot food, blended food, food suitable for their needs, yes we as parents try to supply what our children can eat but it's very hard when they can't physically eat cold foods like sandwiches, when meals were supplied they were cooked by a cook who knew and had lists for every child of what they could and couldn't eat, meals then brought to the classrooms heated and ready to be given by the snas, now the snas have to organise whatever has been sent in by parents , heat, plate and feed, they have enough to be doing without having to leave the children in the classroom a couple of bodies down to prepare hot food !

Then you have respite 10 years we waited to be granted respite and we got one day every 2 months recently, because of cuts the government made to the funding of this, there's not enough houses, staff, and lists that go on forever of children needing this ! That finishes when she turns 18 ! So we get one year of respite something we desperately need because she's night medicated and sleeps for 3 hours !!!

My carers was cut because my husband works and we were 21 euro over the limit !!! Cut in half ! 121.00 I get a week to take care of my child needs, what the hell will that buy her ! People on job seekers get more ! They need to abolish the means testing.

When she turns 18years she finishes school, she's supposed to go into adult services but the funding across the Country for transport to these services has been cut, these services are not on your doorstep, they're in the middle of nowhere and a minimum of an hour's drive, so that's just tough for her if we can't get her there ourselves, so I either buy a 2nd car or take 3 buses with a wheelchair !

My disabled sister now sits in her home every day because her transport to her adult services was cut too ! What's she meant to do ? She's in a wheelchair, she can't drive she can't get the bus ! She's just rotting away, her home help was cut too ! She gets 7 hours a week ! 7 lousy hours in a whole week and sometimes the help is late due to traffic or issues with previous client so my sister looses out as that all adds up, the help can't stay late because they have another client, then if the help is sick there's never anyone to fill in, never !

This is only a few things there's tons more , the carers group I'm in there a minimum of 200 parents with similar and worse issues and that's just one group, there's many more and many more parents and carers in the same situation across the Country and you think they're well looked after !

Thanks for the essay. And no I'm not on drugs.

Health services in Ireland are appalling for everyone.. Wait lists for hospital services are extremely long for absolutely everyone in Ireland, not just for people with disabilities.

My aunt just got a hospital appointment after three years ! The wait lists for hospital appointments are extremely long for everyone, not specifically just for people with disabilities.

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:09

That's dreadful @wendysfriend. I really hope things can be improved for you and others in a similar situation.

Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 11:11

Wendysfriend · 24/11/2024 11:03

Are you on drugs ???!!!

You haven't got a clue if you think the disabled children and adults are well funded and well looked after !!

My DD waited 8 years for a scoliosis appointment!! 8 years ! and we sat in Crumlin hospital for 5 hours waiting to be seen ! It was 2 years before her next appointment when she turned 16 then no more appointments there because she was 16 ! She's 17 now and were still waiting to hear who's taking over !

We're nearly a year into her being 17 and still waiting for an appointment from Beaumont for neurology because Temple Street finished with her at 16years but that just tough luck for us dealing with 4 types of seizures! We've no point of contact to contact when things get bad !

Her special needs school had the funding for the cook cut completely meaning no food for any of the children, it's not like main stream school where you can stick a sandwich in a lunch box ! These children need hot food, blended food, food suitable for their needs, yes we as parents try to supply what our children can eat but it's very hard when they can't physically eat cold foods like sandwiches, when meals were supplied they were cooked by a cook who knew and had lists for every child of what they could and couldn't eat, meals then brought to the classrooms heated and ready to be given by the snas, now the snas have to organise whatever has been sent in by parents , heat, plate and feed, they have enough to be doing without having to leave the children in the classroom a couple of bodies down to prepare hot food !

Then you have respite 10 years we waited to be granted respite and we got one day every 2 months recently, because of cuts the government made to the funding of this, there's not enough houses, staff, and lists that go on forever of children needing this ! That finishes when she turns 18 ! So we get one year of respite something we desperately need because she's night medicated and sleeps for 3 hours !!!

My carers was cut because my husband works and we were 21 euro over the limit !!! Cut in half ! 121.00 I get a week to take care of my child needs, what the hell will that buy her ! People on job seekers get more ! They need to abolish the means testing.

When she turns 18years she finishes school, she's supposed to go into adult services but the funding across the Country for transport to these services has been cut, these services are not on your doorstep, they're in the middle of nowhere and a minimum of an hour's drive, so that's just tough for her if we can't get her there ourselves, so I either buy a 2nd car or take 3 buses with a wheelchair !

My disabled sister now sits in her home every day because her transport to her adult services was cut too ! What's she meant to do ? She's in a wheelchair, she can't drive she can't get the bus ! She's just rotting away, her home help was cut too ! She gets 7 hours a week ! 7 lousy hours in a whole week and sometimes the help is late due to traffic or issues with previous client so my sister looses out as that all adds up, the help can't stay late because they have another client, then if the help is sick there's never anyone to fill in, never !

This is only a few things there's tons more , the carers group I'm in there a minimum of 200 parents with similar and worse issues and that's just one group, there's many more and many more parents and carers in the same situation across the Country and you think they're well looked after !

Can I ask why would you start an argument with anyone with :

"Are you on drugs". What a weird and aggressive thing to say.

Why don't you just state your experience instead of insulting others?

We all have family members on long hospital waiting lists in Ireland. Everyone has been through that. It's not specific to people with disabilities. Non disabled people are on extremely long hospital waiting lists too.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:15

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:00

You only have to watch the video to see that she insulted him.
Most people are fairly reasonable and can see that neither Simon nor Ms Fallon portrayed themselves in the best light during their encounter.

Edited

Just to add Simon also does not feel he was insulted. He rang Charlotte Fallon, took ownership & apologised. If he felt he was insulted he would not have apologised but he did.

OP posts:
Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 11:15

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:00

You only have to watch the video to see that she insulted him.
Most people are fairly reasonable and can see that neither Simon nor Ms Fallon portrayed themselves in the best light during their encounter.

Edited

Yes I agree.

Neither side looked in their best light in that encounter.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:23

Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 11:09

Thanks for the essay. And no I'm not on drugs.

Health services in Ireland are appalling for everyone.. Wait lists for hospital services are extremely long for absolutely everyone in Ireland, not just for people with disabilities.

My aunt just got a hospital appointment after three years ! The wait lists for hospital appointments are extremely long for everyone, not specifically just for people with disabilities.

Edited

That is awful @Lallydallydune the health service is in a shambles. Your poor aunt. Hopefully the nation stands together on Friday & votes this current shower out. That's all we can do.

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CasuirDubh · 24/11/2024 11:28

Lallydallydune · 24/11/2024 10:24

"Should?"
Says who.

That's not in any list of mumsnet rules.

Do you actually mean "in your opinion'.

Well as I said, I've said no.

If you want anyone to pay any heed to what you're saying.

I presume the articles you mentioned don't exist if you can't link them.

Anothermathstest · 24/11/2024 11:29

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:01

I don't think she insulted him at all, neither do the public & mainstream media.

She said he wasn’t a good man (nb a good man, not a good Taoiseach).

That’s an insult.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:33

CasuirDubh · 24/11/2024 11:28

If you want anyone to pay any heed to what you're saying.

I presume the articles you mentioned don't exist if you can't link them.

I am genuinely intrigued to see these articles. There has been overwhelming support for her & I am genuinely pleased with the mainstream medias coverage & support of Charlotte Fallon. I have read loads of articles on line & none have insinuated that Harris was insulted.
Even Simon himself took ownership, apologised & admitted he was completely at fault. (genuine or pr stunt apology from him who know but the poor woman is certainly not being blamed)

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Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:35

Anothermathstest · 24/11/2024 11:29

She said he wasn’t a good man (nb a good man, not a good Taoiseach).

That’s an insult.

It's her opinion & her lived experience as a carer. How many times have Harris & the government insulted the electorate with common sense by calling the "Far Right"..

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ColadhSamh · 24/11/2024 11:44

Thank you for sharing @Wendysfriend . Your post illustrates the frustration for many in Ireland. I expect your initial ill advised comment may have been borne out of frustration reading the aplogist comments on Simon Harris. Walk a mile in your shoes.
Simon Harris may have only been Taoiseach for 8 months but he was Health Minister for over 4 years. During that period Health services detiorated at an alarming rate. Waiting lists for procedures across the board rocketed for people with disabilities and none.
Is he a good man? I don't think so. He talks the talk especially around his own family experiences yet his inaction in so many areas which are important for people's wellbeing he has failed miserably.

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:44

She may not be happy with what the government have done, a government which he has been leader for the past few months.

She could have said
"You have done nothing for me as Taoiseach"
Or
"Your government has let me down"

But no she personally insulted him and that was not right.

If she had been reasonable she most likely would have got a more reasonable response. He was engaging with her but it was when she insulted him that he walked away.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:47

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:44

She may not be happy with what the government have done, a government which he has been leader for the past few months.

She could have said
"You have done nothing for me as Taoiseach"
Or
"Your government has let me down"

But no she personally insulted him and that was not right.

If she had been reasonable she most likely would have got a more reasonable response. He was engaging with her but it was when she insulted him that he walked away.

I'd say somehow he has heard a lot worse. It was an opinion not an insult. Let's see what opinion the electorate have on Friday!

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Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:50

ColadhSamh · 24/11/2024 11:44

Thank you for sharing @Wendysfriend . Your post illustrates the frustration for many in Ireland. I expect your initial ill advised comment may have been borne out of frustration reading the aplogist comments on Simon Harris. Walk a mile in your shoes.
Simon Harris may have only been Taoiseach for 8 months but he was Health Minister for over 4 years. During that period Health services detiorated at an alarming rate. Waiting lists for procedures across the board rocketed for people with disabilities and none.
Is he a good man? I don't think so. He talks the talk especially around his own family experiences yet his inaction in so many areas which are important for people's wellbeing he has failed miserably.

A Taoiseach cannot can try their very best but they will never be able to help every individual person in this country. It's impossible.
Unfortunately they have to prioritise one thing over another and have limited time.
Have a think about what your main priorities are for the next government, have a thorough read of all their manifestos and see which ones align best with you.
No party will fix everything but you want to choose the one/s which best fit your priorities.

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:55

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:47

I'd say somehow he has heard a lot worse. It was an opinion not an insult. Let's see what opinion the electorate have on Friday!

It was her opinion AND it was an insult.
I have given you examples of how she could express her opinion in a way that is not a personal insult.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:59

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 11:55

It was her opinion AND it was an insult.
I have given you examples of how she could express her opinion in a way that is not a personal insult.

Watch the video, she did say that but he walked away!!!

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Anothermathstest · 24/11/2024 11:59

I’m a carer (a family one, not employed as one) and I agree with Charlotte Hannon and @Wendysfriend that disability services are in disarray. Disabled people are their carers are being let down at every level.

However, in Simon Harris’s defence, Charlotte specifically accused him of not doing anything in the budget for disabled people or carers. She said they were ignored, left out. Now, that wasn’t true. There were several additions to the budget that will benefit disabled people and carers. It definitely didn’t go far enough, and I worry how some of them will be implemented, but it probably explains why Simon said things like ‘no, not at all’ and tried to defend it.

I don’t blame Charlotte as she obviously feels very deeply about this, is likely worn out from dealing with inadequate support at work daily, was emotional and it was all unprepared…but it sort of explains what happened. It would have been better to have phrased her question differently imho. He is trained though, and should have handled things better as he admits himself (for whatever reasons). I don’t think she should have resorted to insulting him either but understand she was very upset.

I’ve linked Family Carers Ireland response to the Budget so you can see the changes that were made.

www.familycarers.ie/news-press-releases/2024/october/family-carers-ireland-responds-to-budget-2025

Happiestwhen · 24/11/2024 12:02

I don't think he was rude at all. Maybe a bit short with her but he listened and wasn't rude.

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 12:03

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 11:59

Watch the video, she did say that but he walked away!!!

He walked away after she personally insulted him. He was engaging with her before this.

Imperiallanger · 24/11/2024 12:05

Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 12:03

He walked away after she personally insulted him. He was engaging with her before this.

He told her she was wrong & what she was saying was untrue. That's the type of engagement one would expect with an opposition TD not a member of the public. He was passive aggressive & condescending. He has very likely lost Fine Gael a pile it seats.

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Brownwitch · 24/11/2024 12:07

Personally I do not feel that anybody in any job should have to put up with personal insults.
Yes, a respectful debate is fine.
But when it got personal he had every right to walk away.
I'm sure it's not the worst he has had to put up, he has had threats on his home with his wife and young family.