Lee: a TD for nine months, a stockbroker for one day

Jennifer Bray

George Lee: 'No regrets'

He may have departed after a mere nine months of disillusionment, but it's not the first time George Lee has packed up his bags to return to RTé after a brief spell in a new job.

In the late 1990s, Lee worked for BCP Stockbrokers for all of one day before rushing back to his previous job at the national broadcaster.

"Yes, I was with them for a day. But I never got paid for it. I left RTé on the Monday and was back by the Tuesday. That was back in the earlier days when I wasn't a full staff worker with RTé and there were a few contractual issues. So I did go but in the end I decided not to stay. RTé said to come on back as soon as I joined BCP, so I did."

Speaking about his resignation from the Dáil and Fine Gael, Lee said: "I was approached by Frank Flannery to perform a role in the party as an economist. It turns out that I was not used in that role over the last few months."

Lee now faces a three-month wait before he can return once again to his Montrose base.

"I don't know what I'll be doing for the next three months. I don't really have anything to do. I know I won't be going back to being economics editor again, obviously. Someone else has that job now."

Lee also says he plans on "taking a break" this weekend, after what he described as an intense week of media interviews.

"The phone just hasn't stopped going. I'm exhausted. But I had to explain my resignation. Either way I have no regrets," he concluded.

February 14, 2010

Comments

#1 Ej Mack commented, on February 14, 2010 at 7:14 p.m.:

From the cushy arms of one tax payer funded organisation back into the arms of another money squandering tax payer funded organisation. What does Georgie Boy know about the real world?
Get a real job kiddo.

#2 CharlieC commented, on February 14, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.:

Why do we care about this little man, he has talked for years, he tried to DO, looks like its back to TALKING

#3 antoinette commented, on February 14, 2010 at 10:16 p.m.:

What a pity George did not give his run in the Dail a little more time just what was he thinking about he is not a team player and if he had the interest and staying power needed to do a job to its full result why is he still not there ?Did he find the life of a TD far to time consuming for his family life ? Or is it all about GEORGE did he toss his toys out of his pram?I see for the next 3 months he is free how about helping Goal

#4 Roger Rafferty for Dublin South commented, on February 15, 2010 at 3:31 a.m.:

The country is essentially bankrupt, yet is preoccupied with this story as it involves the media village. Ireland is controlled by an elite who are buttressed by a conservative press. A journalist joins a centre-right party, and leaves after eight months to return to a conservative national broadcaster, having made little obvious political contribution (as befitting a conservative party like Fine Gael). This is really a dull story, of little long-term importance. I cannot imagine foreign media gorging on the entrails of the carcass of the political career of an overseas equivalent of George for days on end - when the story is quite simple: George was pissed off and pissed off. No wonder the elite run rings around the people when their media is pre-occupied with such twaddle and tittle-tattle which is of no real importance to anyone, bar those involved. Much ado about not very much. With politics and comment of this standard, no wonder the future's not so bright for dear old Ireland.

#5 Ray Walsh commented, on February 15, 2010 at 5:43 p.m.:

If he was unhappy in his role in FG he should have gone to Enda Kenny and told him after a few months. Secondly, when Lee dropped the bombshell that he was leaving, Enda offered him a front bench. George was selfish, egotistical and naive. He went into the Dail, seen that the job was'nt for him and said to himself he'd much prefer to be working in RTE. He had to give two months notice to RTE that he would be returning to RTE. He was 9 months out so in reality he had four weeks left to make up his mind what he was doing. George can blame everybody and everyone but the reality is it was all about George. It was a disgrace the way he treated Enda Kenny. Lastly, it astounds me that George Lee had not discussed his role within the Party before running for FG. I took it as a given he had negoiated a front bench position. Anyone going for a job interview is going to ask their boss or make it their business to know what their job will entail. The whole thing was a charade by George to deflect responsibility away from him. He was irresponsible, childish, selfish and naive. End of story.

#6 Paddy McG commented, on February 15, 2010 at 10:45 p.m.:

George Lee could not hack it in the real world of Irish Politics. He remained in the stands, never making it to the field of play. George was lucky to have a safety net in terms of returning to RTE but his selfish actions has done damage to Enda Kenny. For nine long months George never produced any economical statement that would have helped FG consider its position in respect of dealing with proposals for change- after all George was given a forum as a economical advisor to FG. In the end George delivered nothing- never putting any of his masters degree to any constructive use.
Voting for George proved to be a sad waste of time and it's best He returns to row X on the top tier of the stand to do what George does best commentating on the real players of Irish Politics-
Perhaps Enda Kenny will recover from this charade in due course...
As for George- He says the whole week has been totally exhausting- yeah George we share those sentiments...

#7 joe commented, on February 16, 2010 at 4:46 p.m.:

Will George have to interview to get a job at RTE ? I presume with 500,000 others looking he'll face pretty tough competition.

#8 Maire commented, on February 16, 2010 at 9:34 p.m.:

I admire George, he is a very brave and honest man. If those who criticize George had one ounce of his bravery, well we would all be a damn site better off. Thank you George for trying but I think you discovered that Fine Gael are as bad as FF and you just did not want to pull the wool over everyones eyes, as everyone who stands in Dail Eirean does on a daily basis. George I salute you.

#9 mike commented, on February 18, 2010 at 7:19 p.m.:

So I'm confused - did RTE already replace George Lee ? What happens now ? Do they fire his replacement ? Does his replacement take up the Dail seat ? If he wasn't replaced maybe he wasn't needed.

#10 Maire commented, on February 19, 2010 at 3:19 p.m.:

How mature of you Mike

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