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MINISTER FOR FINANCE Michael Noonan has said that the ‘feta cheese’ comments he made regarding Greece during a Bloomberg interview last week were a conscious effort to distance Ireland’s economic situation from that of Greece.
“If you go into the shops here, apart from feta cheese, how many Greek items do you put in your basket?” he asked.
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week today, Noonan said that he was aware “there were many people listening who wouldn’t understand the Irish position”, and that he thought it would be better communication to use the basket analogy rather than statistics.
“I just wanted to make it important to an international audience that Ireland does not have strong links with Greece” in terms of the economy, trade or banks, he said.
“I’m trying to stop contagion,” he added. “It’s my job as finance minister to try to protect the economy.”
“Many of the Bloomberg audience know little about Ireland… and contagion moves from one country to the other and that’s why I said it.”
The minister also said he is very supportive of Greece remaining in the eurozone.
The eurozone crisis featured high on the agenda of the weekend’s G8 summit at Camp David in Maryland.
In a joint statement yesterday, the G8 leaders said they support Greece remaining in the eurozone “while respecting its commitments”.
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“it’s my job as finance Minister to try to protect the economy”
Start protecting it then! Enough said…
What he really means is
“it’s my job to look after the value of my German bonds. I couldn’t give a fig or feta cheese about Greece Ha! Or Ireland for that matter, just my bonds which mature when a federal EUSSR is created!!! Hassasaaaa
Have your feta cheese and eat it, peasants! I’m untouchable!!
jeez, would people stop with that EUSSR crap. the people who go on about that only show their own ignorance to history regarding what the USSR actually was. the EU is heading towards a federalist technocracy – not a communist military dictatorship which is what the Soviets were. both would be bad for us buy that doesn’t mean they are the same thing!
Showing your own ignorance there Barry commenting on what clearly is a joke!!
But what do you know about finance Michael Noonan you are a teacher nothing more I am nit running down teachers but Michael Noonan knows nothing about finance and yet he gets the Ministry of Finance ?????????
I’m sure the unfortunate working poor in Greece will ”really appreciate” your sucking up to Angela statements Noonan.
@ Ryan: FYI, he sold his German bonds last year after taking office.
“Many of the Bloomberg audience know little about Ireland…
I bet they’re impressed now!
You could almost excuse FF ministers strutting about like little peacocks in Europe at the height of the boom. This muppet takes arrogance to a whole new level.
@RB teapot calling the kettle black , i hope thats not being racist
Wtf are you on about?
“We’ve got nothing to do with that Greek mess” “We’re all in this together “.
Trying to stop contagion my arse, Ireland’s already well infected. Sure isn’t that why we “took one for the team” so to speak, with the bank guarantee???
Arrogant pig is right. This also highlights the point that the politicians of the Eurozone countries are not in fact looking for a solution, they’re just in it for themselves. It’s like a never ending nightmare!!
Disgusting.
Presumably the contagion referred to , is that he may spread the ineptness of his Government to the rest of Europe?
As well as the smart ass sarcastic comments of himself , The Taoiseach and the other Ministers in and outside the Dail!
They’re an embarrassment.
They were voted in last year
Andrew Troy.
They were indeed voted in last year :) …On LIES :( All lies.
This ignorant man just insulted 11 million Greek people in the name of every Irish person, as he’s an Irish government minister he doesn’t say things in a personal capacity but as a representative of the Irish people. He should have asked us to consider the Greeks and their current position and, if we were in a position to do so, maybe show some solidarity with the Greek people and buy whetever Greek products we could. If the tables were turned, and that may be a very real possibility, surely we’d be grateful for our partners to show solidarity with us and if some other countries finance minister said all we provide is spuds we’d be insulted. Noonan should hope his words don’t come back and bite him in his oversized arse.
Andrew, although they were votd in last year, it is worth remembering that two thirds of people did not give fine gael their first preference vote.
He’s a sneer of the highest order and the only thing he is good at! I would love to know, in all honesty, who thought this guy would be a good representative for the irish people!!
Another great sneer …Enda Kenny . He was wrong .
I totally agree with you and I am just glad he did not spend too much of his time teaching what a nightmare he would have been for the school kids Kenny and Reilly (minister for health) are the 2 most ignorant human being I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. Michael Noonan I met once and apart from his politics and party I did find him to have some good manners
Brings to mind Kenny’s foolish remarks, before an international audience, about all Irish people being mad.
They truly are the village idiots of European politics.
The people who told you to ‘put your money in bricks and mortar’ tell you that ‘we all partied’ and are now telling you to vote Yes
” When the Seagull follows the Trawler he expects Sardines “
Is that the bes that Noonans “Advisors” could come up with.
Noonan was having a great old time, sitting with his big gut cocked out and spouting the crap he came out with to a room full of people. The only person that seemed to be laughing and enjoying his jokes the most was himself.
We have a cancer in Ireland, known as the Political System. In order to cure ourselves we have to cut that cancer out. The Govt are not just contect with bloating their salaries and pensions, they want to lower everyone elses standards of living AND hand over our sovereignty to the EU. The greatest evil in Ireland today is the banking system and how it’s currently being allowed to run, the Banks rule the EU. Isn’t it obscene the bonuses some of the higher Banking Officials are on? And are still on after bringing our country to ruin.
In my opinion, Noonan is a terrible Minister, an arrogant pig of a man, and the last person I would want to advise me on finances, morals or even directions down the road.
Let’s face it. He made a flippant remark designed to raise a few chuckles without thinking about the harsh reality imposed on the Greek people as he doesn’t understand what austerity means. How could he on 169k plus expenses. He couldn’t give a feta about the Greeks or anyone else. I’m alright jack
“If you go into the shops here, apart from feta cheese, how many Greek items do you put in your basket?”
Erm ….. fruit, vegetables, olive oil, yogurt and dairy, textiles, steel, aluminum, cement, and various manufactured items such as clothing, foodstuffs, refined petroleum and petroleum-based products.
Wonder how many Irish products Greeks and others are purchasing right now, more to the point? Can’t believe this arrogant buffoon is responsible for our economic recovery.
What a fool Noonan is how dare he insult the Greeks like that.
I am really pissed off with this remarks.
Who the hell does he think he is.
What do Greek people think of the Irish when they hear remarks like his.
I think Noonan should resign for making racist remarks.
Its disgusting and he is not fit to be in office representing Irish people.
I am totally done with this shower of arseholes.
I see rabbit jumping the sinking ship also full of his own importance.
It makes me sick.
Rather than bring personality into it and criticise the person, it’s better to concentrate on what he said. In my opinion feta is not the only connection we have with Greece. Ireland, like Greece, is part of an EU/IMF bailout programme. Both countries have high unemployment and both are in recession. Whether Michael Noonan wants to admit Ireland is in recession is another issue. The real connection we have with Greece is both countries have been led, and are currently being led, by the most incompetent politicians seen in either country for the past 20 years. There is a difference – Greeks try to stand up to the bully-boys of Europe. Our incompetents think they’ll get something by being good Europeans and of course Irish people follow along like sheep. Moreover, people will vote yes for the Fiscal Compact on the advice of these politicians. By the way, Lidl often have ‘Greek week’ in their stores and you can buy olive oil, olives, feta, fruit and other Greek products. How ironic – a German supermarket chain selling Greek products in Ireland. Says it all about the EU really!!
Baa haaa haaa ;-(. I fear ur right about the Yes. Anyone I ask who says “Yes” I ask them have u read either the Treaty or the amendment. 100% No is the answer. Anyone I ask who’s voting No HAS read both. Sheep is right :-(
What he actually meant was, “I couldn’t care less if Greek people are starving on the streets of Athens, I wouldn’t give them a bit of my feta, that’s for sure.”
Mr Noonan, it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt
Have to say, I found his comments amusing albeit he does appear to be loosing the Plot! Contagion has set in, has he been watching the news recently! Should be an interesting week ahead on the money markets.
You found the comment amusing? Don’t forget to include that when completing your application form to join Fine Gael. They’ll forgo the annual contribution. You’ll go a long way!
Amusing in the sense, Noonan can be quite funny at times but in Reality a real dissapointment along with Edna and Hogan, as for Joining FG, i would sooner join an enclosed religious order, actually given the state of things here, perhaps this is not a bad idea :)
There you have it. ‘Stay Calm, Don’t panic, Look Busy, nothing to see here, I’m trying to stop Contagion!’ At least we now know that Noonan is just another Banker apologist. One wonders who is actually in charge?
What an arrogant arse. Not gonna waste any more words on him.
What an ass…how rude to think that Feta cheese is the only thing we buy from Greece…Ouso, Kalamatas, Ouso… I said that one..Feta…and that one was menstioned….and what about all the holidays in that wonderful Country…which has given the World such greatness…the O-GAMES…History education…sience…and I could go on….Greece helped shape this world we live in…Thank the GODS…
Antoinette,
Are you ok ???
And Grecian 2000.
Imagine the outcry in FG and Labour, if Venizelos had made a similar contemptuous remark about Irish products. Doesn’t Noonan understand that what he said was rude and disparaging of a whole country, an EU member? Power and haughtiness go well together.
He probably does, whether he cares or not is another thing……
The well paid minders are not doing their job. Weren’t Noonan, Phil “Disaster” Roche, Shatter, Varadkar, Kenny, etc. supposed to be locked away from public view until after the referendum? Oh no – Bruton has escaped as well! Quick … someone round them up before they do any more damage.
If you have been democratically elected, it is very unwise to disparage Greece’s cultural heritage!
Sadly the contagion of utter ineptitude that has spread since fg came to power continues unabated. Foot in mouth disease is prevalent throughout their cabinet – if only they could be permanently quarantined now for the better good of this country. We can but dream.
The hole is getting so deep now that your getting closer to Austraila Noonan and where the people who ” wanted to leave Ireland by choice ” are!!!
My comment appears to have been deleted.. not sure why as it was hardly any more offensive than some of the other comments above. Saying that the government are like pigs at the trough since they came into power is hardly that offensive is it? It’s a well known political euphemism popularised by Arriana Huffington – http://books.google.ie/books/about/Pigs_at_the_Trough.html?id=z216rO_9pcwC&redir_esc=y
What Noonan said could be construed as being far more offensive than that.
The comments looking like a Sinn Fein clusterfcku. Again.
Nice one, boys and girls.
Says Robin to Batman, sorry Noonan Fatman. Nice one Robin ;)
Would you ever give your own opinion on something and stop traipsing around stories blabbering on and criticising others. It’s pretty boring already!
Good one Robin. Excellent contribution.
You’re in favour of continuing with the likes of this then yeah??
Robin, Are you Noonan’s script writer? It’s just the remarkable similarities……..
Oh dear – poor anglo-norman Robin is feeling a bit lonely because of the emergence of Sinn Fein as a party that speaks the language of the people. Get used to it sir Robin, the days of corrupt rule by Fianna Fail/ Fine Gael/Labour are nearly gone forever!
Contagion? Instantly thought of how lepers were treated. Maybe that’s how Greece is envisaged as being treated in the future.
It is how they will be treated. And beyond that they will be held up as an example to the rest of the periphery countries as to what will happen if they don’t accept their place in the Europe envisaged by the bureaucrats and bankers.
It’s not a stretch to imagine another Euro finance minister saying the same about Irish potatoes in the future.
Vote No to retain some say in our own futures.
He is an embarrasment. The Greek people are in a shocking situation and many have taken their own lives because of the economic situation there. Mr Noonan should be ashamed of himself.
That’s it Ian in a nut shell.
An ignorant possibly racist remark.
Nothing short of disgraceful.
We could pay the price for that yet.
Idiot.
well, as regards purchases of the Greek-kind; our crown-prince went for something decidedly more than a block of Noonan’s feta (or, Beyaz peynir).
Was the minister talking about ‘actual’ Greek-imported feta cheese, or merely the (best-Danish) cows-milk-mimic import available on shop-shelves in Ireland?) Because if he was, it’s arguably a culturally-racist comment insofar as it has nothing to do with ‘Greeks’ or ‘Greek-produce’ per se, rather the individual’s perception of that a “Greek” eats based on the marketing campaigns that he is prone to accepting as “truth”.
I mean here Danish-import ‘feta-like’ products to Ireland (i.e. northern-European Greekish-sounding/marketed foodstuffs, one can’t reasonably name the product trade-name, but it begins with the letter ‘a’, doesn’t it minister); or, is he talking about what is actually available in the ‘real-economy’ marketplace to Greek people (or otherwise) that actually ‘reside’ in the EU member-state of Greece, in southern-Europe, eating Greek-cuisine?
It makes a big difference my potato-head friends, as the (northern-European) Danish import product is manufactured from a cow (or bó to the minister) and the real McCoy is made from sheep-milk (caora to the minister, isn’t it)? Suit-you Sir.
Time to get yer cheezes right, minister? Please? And maybe the figures too?
As for what’s on the shopping-shelf of Greek produce appealing to the Dutch public in current (national-) trends: well Sir, they’re lead by example, are they not?!
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=nl&tl=en&u=http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2787860/kroonprinselijk-paar-koopt-griekse-villa.html&usg=ALkJrhgAUt-BG_6rnEjPYbeIY5eXLqHOBQ
Fair-bit’a construction resulting there, going forward? éh minister?
beyaz peynir is Turkish for white cheese…. not Greek..
God ur cute
What an ignorant man .. what hope have we with idiot in charge of finance.
Iejit
Get your cycling gear on for the usual back pedal from this eejit!
I actually respect Noonan alot, he is one of the very few ministers that I have respect for, however, I don’t think he is doing his job at the moment in representing the best interests of Ireland and his feta cheese remarks, whilst meant to simply (his words), were nothing short of moronic and insulting. What’s even more annoying is, if Fine Gael and Simon Coveney in particular, hadn’t made such an enormous deal about Brian Cowens famous “Good Friday agreement” gaffe, it would be somewhat easier to listen to them defending both Noonan and Bruton!
So we pay him €170,000 + a year, you don’t think he is doing his job at the moment, you think his remarks were nothing short of moronic and insulting and yet you respect him alot.
What would he have to do (or not do) for you to disrespect him?
Almost expect Noonan to say “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”. And some feta cheese on the side
I understand your grievance with my comment, however, I would point out the enormity of the undertaking which faced him just a year ago. I never said he was doing his job to the best of his ability, I merely said he wasn’t doing the job to the best of the jobs ability (generic context) in promoting the best interests of the country. As many people already know I am no fan of the current govt, far from it, but I don’t think he is as much of a liability as many of his colleagues. On a side note, I would point out that €170,000 a year is a big sum, however, of all the ministerial roles that I wouldn’t be penny pinching on, it would be finance. We can all play the populist rhetoric sometimes, I am guilty of it myself, but lets not immediately attack pay in such a pivotal role. His words were moronic, absolutely, stupid and insulting thing to say, but I don’t think those words were ushered in a menacing way. They were meant in more of an innocent way I believe, however stupid they did come across. Again I have to reiterate I am far from a FG apologist, check some of my recent posts if you don’t believe me, but I genuinely believe there are alot bigger gobsh**es and spoofers in the Dail than Noonan at the mo!
What is more important is what we export to Greece.
Far in excess to what we import from Greece.
Although that may change now after that clowns statement.
http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/externaltrade/2012/gei_mar2012.pdf
Now the Greeks are hitting back
http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0520/noonans-flippant-greek-cheese-comment-censured.html
I’m just surprised he didn’t say about the Greek’s “let them eat cake”
His comments have been blown out of all proportion.
Can someone point out the offensive part of the comments which I am obviously missing.
Show support of the Greeks Send Feta Cheese To Department Of Finance on 25th May #sendFetaToDOF
grecian 2000……
Sorry Francis.
I said Grecian 2000 5 hours after you.
I thought I was the only one that thought of it. Credit is yours.
Campaign to send Feta Cheese to Noonan on Friday 25 May in solidarity with the Greek people. #SendFetaToDOF
Verbal diarrhea again seeping from the pores of power.The cynicism does affect the next generation of political heads about to join the workforce. No change given.
Dear Sir/ Madam.
The crisis in Greece is no longer simply a financial crisis in fact ,it has past being just another political crisis . It is now growing into a shameful humanitarian crisis.What we are currently witnessing in Greece , is truly a disgrace of tragic proportion, where the elderly and young alike are being forced,in ever growing numbers to beg for food and scavenge out of bins , finally and sadly in some cases finding no other form of struggle , except a dignified end as witnessed last month, in front of the parliament, in Syntagma Square, (constitution square) choosing out of pure desperation to take their own lives , as was the case on a seemingly normal Wednesday morning in Athens last month.
A lass ignorance for some people anyway, is the bliss they choose so unrepentantly to wallow in , shamefully oblivious to the national embarrassment and discountenance felt toward their utterly inappropriate ,nescient apathetic remarks .Even sadder still is the irony of it all . In that , the country which gave us democracy , enabling us to bestow a mandate to govern upon such uncompassionate , thick individuals , is indeed the offended country. This very same individual , who presumed to speak on behalf of the Irish people , from behind his thick veil of ignorance by saying that Greece’s seminal remaining influence on Ireland was feta cheese. Oh yes indeed , you get what you voted for after all .Democracy certainly is as they say the worst form of government… Giving us a vote , the symbol of a freeman’s power to make a fool of himself by electing incompetents to govern them and speak on their behalf.
Sadly for now , due to the continued proclivity and penchant in chateau D’espair for cronyistic politics , many of our leaders are an embarrassing embodiment of the principal that everyone is ultimately promoted to their own level of incompetence .
Finance is like a gun , politics is knowing when to pull the trigger. In a democracy a vote to is like a gun , its usefulness being dependent upon the character of the user, so in future ,lets think twice about whom we elect to represent us ,lest they disgrace and embarrass us again by shooting themselves and us in the foot with such ignorant ,ignorant remarks about feta cheese .
Finally what is nothing short of bewildering is the party leaders subsequent complete and utter failure to publicly reprimand or apologize , on behalf of his deviant, miscreant minister to the people of Greece and also Ireland for his ever so benighted , crass remarks , which were nothing short of an international disgrace contemptible for their lack of diplomacy , respect , empathy and tact . Made ever the worse and all the more ignorant in that they were made by an elected representative of a country which not that long ago, new hunger and want,sadly all to well .
Is it simply too much to expect of our overly paid ministers when representing us both nationally and internationally , to grasp the concept that, diplomacy is and should always be more than simply saying or doing the right things at the right time, it is also imperative and civil , to avoid saying or doing the wrong things at any time.
Yours faithfully,
Denis Doyle
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