"I'm not answerable to you."

Yesterday, I got a call from Conor Lenihan, the new junior minister for science, technology, innovation and natural resources.

I had written a critical column (in the SBP, last Sunday) about how junior ministers are appointed to their jobs. In this vein, I criticised Lenihan's appointment, claiming that he had no grounding in technology issues.

I thought long and hard about writing a follow-up column this Sunday. But I decided not to, as it might seem, in the context, that I was unduly victimising an easy target (damned journalistic ethics).

However, I do think that the issues he raised are of public interest. So here is the conversation we had.

Lenihan: "I would like to tell you that you have gotten your facts and research wrong. I am probably the best qualified around here for this post. If you'd researched it, you'd know I was a journalist. And I worked with Denis O'Brien for 10 years. I know about technology."
Me: "I don't see how that qualifies someone to be a technology boss. In any case, the article pointed out some specific issues that a law-making executive should be aware of, such as fibre-to-the-home and next generation mobile standards. Do you have views on these things?"
L: "Yes of course I have views."
Me: "What are they?"
L: "When I settle into the brief, maybe I'll come back to you with those views."
Me: "But why not tell me now?"
L: "I'm not answerable to you. I do have views."
Me: "But what are your views?"
L: "I'm not answerable to you. I may or may or may not come back to you with my views. But you have not researched your piece properly. It smacks of lazy journalism."
Me: "But do you not think the system of appointing executive ministers to briefs based on considerations other than their expertise is flawed?"
L: "I think if you ask anyone in the overseas development area, they'll tell you that I settled into that brief very well."
Me: "But do you not think that it's a fair criticism?"
L: "But you've gotten that wrong. I am qualified. I worked in the media and with Denis O'Brien."
Me: "But with respect, how do any of those things bear on the current issues that face the technology brief?"
L: "Are you saying that I am not qualified?"
Me: "I'm saying that someone who is appointed to an executive position in a department should have a solid grounding in the area they are being asked to regulate."
L: "I do have a grounding, I have told you. You didn't research your piece properly. You obviously didn't know that I worked with Denis O'Brien for 10 years."
Me: "Everyone knows that, it's even on Wikipedia."
L: "Wikipedia? Sure that's not source. You could go in and write that yourself. That's no source."
Me: "No I can't just go in and write that myself."
L: "You can."
Me: "No I can't."
L: "You can."
Me: "No I can't."
[Brief argument over this. Back to the main point a minute later.]
L: "You should have called me before you wrote that article."
[This is a fair point. As a journalist, I should have called, even though the piece appeared as a column.]
Me: "Can we get back to what your views are on the technology issues?"
L: "I'm not answerable to you. So we'll leave it there, okay? Good luck."

Comments

[Evert Bopp]

In one word? Typica;///

[Ross Dugan]

Who *are* you answerable to, Mr. Lenihan? Technologists in Ireland would like to know.

[peter donegan]

i really don't understand this mental-ity at all. His wages are paid by the taxpayer. You and me. He's in the public eye. He's put himself there and like the gardens I create people are allowed to applaud and equally criticise. What I am not entitled to do is [well, i can if i wish... but also suffer the most probable aftermath] is speak that way to any client, critic or journalist... what is it with the Lenihan name in Irish politics. :shock:

[Marie Boran]

@Mr Lenihan: Seeing as how "anyone in the overseas development area" will tell us how settled into the brief you are, why then are you so reluctant to talk about it?

By the way, your job spec *does* make you answerable to the public.

Finally: being a journalist does not alone qualify anyone to be junior minister for science, technology, innovation and working with Denis O'Brien hardly covers all those bases either.

You'd think with claims that you 'know about technology' that you'd be able to speak a little about it with journalist Mr Weckler. Your refusal to do so may be widely interpreted as lack of knowledge or expertise in this area.

[ajh]

I'd leave a comment but I'm answerable to you :-)

[peter donegan]

@mr lenihen

i'm told you worked in marketing [for Denis O' Brien......

you may as well have worked for me. I have a telephone and a laptop.... and *if* I did Denis' garden [based on your words....] I'm as qualified to do your job.

I wish I could sack you. The fact that I pay your wages really annoys me now.

[Orlaith]

Has he got Denis O'Brien confused with Bill Gates or something? How odd that he keeps invoking his name as if it were suitable qualification for the task.

[Andy Edmonds]

If Ireland is to recover some aspects of competitiveness and back up claims as being a "knowledge economy" then salient decisions on technology policy need to be taken. Now why will an appointed representative of the Irish people not answer the most simple question? What's being asked essentially is "what's your experience for this job?" A question that is asked for the most basic of jobs. This position that said representative has been appointed for is certainly far from basic, yet the basic job application question cannot be answered, in fact will not currently. If decisions are to be taken regarding technology by a representative that possibly doesn't understand the basics of Wikipedia "technology" then where will this person stand on hugely more complex issues such as the mentioned issues of fibre-to-the-home and next generation mobile standards?

[Mark Cahill]

I am afraid conor lenihan is answerable to us, as Peter Donegan pointed out we are paying his wages.
Also, Marie Boran points out that this is part of your job description.

The country is been run by a bunch of Unqualified and Incompetent people and it is time for this to change.

conor is as qualified as his brother, Brian Lenihan, who is qualified in Law, and is running the Dept of Finance?

By the way I have worked with Michael Dell for 11 years, should I be doing conor lenihan's job?
At least I am qualified in my field, both in experience and qualification.

We will see how Mr. Lenihan and Fianna Fail get on in the Elections.

Finially, conor's arrogance is incredible.

[Heather James]

OMG. What a buffoon. He's made himself look all kinds of silly now. I hope you're writing a formal response?

He should have counted to 10 before he made that call.

To what citizen and taxpayer of this country IS he answerable to?

[Emily Tully]

I also worked for Dennis O'Brien for a number of years - do I get to be Minister?

[peter donegan]

@emily tully

if you can hug trees you're hired...

*scrubs dream moment ensues....*
pictures conor lenihan on the apprentice show....

[Joe Drumgoole]

Shocking, arrogant, bluster. The man is a fool.

[Charles]

Wanksock

[pk]

Let's be honest, when you wrote your article you just thought:

"There's a village somewhere missing an idiot. And I'm going to write a story about him."

[David Cochrane]

He was a journalist on 98fm wasn't he? How does that make him an expert on technology?

[Nick McGivney]

Oh you naysayers. You all just want to skewer him like a, like a kebab or something. Give the guy a chance. He learned a helluva lot about techno from that Dublin's 98 back in the day.

[John]

I think you were a bit harsh on the Wikipedia point. He wasn't pointing to it as a source for his work experience since he himself is a primary source on that matter.

[Joe]

Well in fairness he is not answerable to this journalist in particular.

Its a subtle distinction though.

[Bernie Goldbach]

Since most elected politicians in Ireland are former teachers, solicitors or accountants, it's no wonder we have to permit them to settle into their briefs instead of arriving with expert knowledge beforehand. The entire ministerial function is flawed and Ireland could well do with a Denis O'Brien in a minister's seat--but that would mean paying taxes, wouldn't it?

From the tone of the phone exchange, it probalby means @adrianweckler isn't going to get invited to government Tech and Comms press events.

[PaulSweeney]

"I for one welcome our new alien overlords"... This is Kent Brockman, signing out....

[Maman Poulet]

Ah that did not take long for the expertise in something to emerge - ie. There is something in the FF and even Lenihan water about picking up phones and ringing journalists/broadcasters and giving lectures and not answering questions when asked.

[ross o'mullane from www.unitedminds.ie]

always nice to have evidence of our inefficient government.

what worries me is that FG offer no true alternative.

[Robert Carpenter]

I really hope you write a follow up article on Sunday :)

Sounds like you touched a nerve.

[Adam]

what a tool, the man has no clue about technology or (the lack of) tech policy in this country, hell, i'd be more qualified with my phd in computer science and 9 years in the trade. it annoys me deeply that idiots like this consider themselves well equiped to speak for the rest of us but i guess thats the problem with every government.

[Charlie Lowry]

I don't think it was unreasonable of CL to argue that Adrian should have phoned him in advance of such a column for his views/comments.

I know that CL is not an inflexible or ignorant man. He was a competent ODA minister.

He has worked in the private sector, and has proven he was able to get state bodies moving in a pro-business way. He organised the Garda station masts for digifone to roll out their mobile network. Opening up these assets, and dragging the OPW, the DOJ, the DOF, and the Garda into commercial discussions for the benefit of bringing a 2nd mobile phone network into play.

He was elected by us, and represents us, if we wanted people with phds in computer science to be involved in Government, they'd first have to run for election.

IMO, he is right to say that he should first read into the detail of his new job, before making rash, ill-considered, or under-informed, policy. When I start any job, no matter how confident I am of my own abilities, I would ensure to read my way up to speed on the policy detail.

Thinking about it, The person Adrian should be questioning more is Eamonn Ryan, who has yet to outline a credible communications policy, has refused to progress his 10 point NGN plan, not published the results of his cosy NGN forum, has not updated the wireless telegraphy acts in anticipation of the lapsing of vodafone's and o2's GSM licenses next year, and has a failing DTT policy.

[Keith]

Ha ha, great piece.

This guy is a fool. A typical goverment clueless clown who bull shitted his way into a position that has a title he can harly spell.

" i know about stuff... like... i do ..things that work and ....oh those apple pods that downgrade music to your lamptops hardback "

Muppet.

[Neil O'Gorman]

This is unbelievable. But then again, very believable, unfortunately! We can sleep well knowthing that there is another expert on hand to lead the development of Gov on all things tech.

[Gerard Cunningham]

Priceless. Best laugh I#ve had all week.

[Paul McClean]

I worked with Denis O'Brien for 10 years.

Back then they called me the 'Silicon Knight', the 'Console Cowboy'.

I've cracked RSA 1024 bit encryption using an abacus, a biro and a napkin.

I've popped firewalls like bubble wrap.

I have stared into the jaws of the matrix and whispered 'I am your master. I am your destiny.'

I exist only in shadow.

I am the walled city.

I am dark net.

I am Conor Lenihan, junior minister of science and technology.

[Karl]

To undertake to make contact... then make such a balls of it... that says it all.

[Cormac]

Hey, give the guy a break! I just checked his wikipedia page and apparently he's got a benign tumour.

[steve white]

why did you say you can't edit wikipedia?

its not clear.

i mean i don't know why lenihan chose to query wikipedia saying he worked for esat, when its true.

[Skib]

Did you record the conversation?

If so, did you inform (from the outset, as required by law, I believe) the person with whom you were talking that you were recording the conversation?

I ask this question of you as you have reported the conversation not as a paraphrased recollection, but as if transcribed from tape.

[Not_jimmy]

In all fairness the mans a simpleton and its not like its anything important like science, innovation and technology.
Reminds me of the 'Sarah Palin of South Donegal', ask Coughlan anything about the economy, inflation or taxation and she looks like a deer caught in your headlights. Then you'll get an answer so bewilderingly stupid, your head hurts for days afterwards.
The best thing to do is start off with some flattery, in Conor Lenihans case, congratulate him on being able to use the phone, all on his own.

[Peadar]

"L: "Wikipedia? Sure that's not source. You could go in and write that yourself. That's no source."
Me: "No I can't just go in and write that myself."
L: "You can."
Me: "No I can't."
L: "You can."
Me: "No I can't."
[Brief argument over this. Back to the main point a minute later.]"

But you can go into Wikipedia and edit anything yourself-perhaps you were incorrect on that one!

[Mark]

Wasn't he the 98Fm correspondent on what constitutes "news" in there? Or was it even news... I'm not aware of there ever having been a 98Fm Tech Corr.

There are around 20,000 people in this country who could claim to have been a journalist who worked with Denis O'Brien.

*Off to edit his Wiki* :P

[Mark]

... someone got there before me.

He may have had a point about Wikipedia, so.

[steve white]

so he worked for ESAT then got a ministery where he made it so mobile phone operators could use opw/gardai buildings for mast without needing planning permission....

and this is to be praised by chris lowry above! must be a ff mafia supporter

[caromom]

I met Mr Lenihan when he was out canvassing the day after I got out of hospital having had my 3rd child by C Section - hubby went out first and then I, who had been relaxing on the couch with my feet up, ambled out - now I grant you I was carrying the new baby and barefoot (!) - Mr Lenihan glanced at me briefly, and not making a single comment or gesture in my direction, turned away and continued ALL conversation with my husband enquiring as to his position on different issues. At the time I was on maternity leave from my job as Financial Controller for a rather large multi-national company - suffice it to say that Mr. Lenihan left a lasting impression on me...

[enid dillon]

As already stated - but important enough for me to want to say it again. he IS answerable to us. Answerable to us, the Irish citizens. We pay his wages, his expenses, his pension 0 100% our servants and answerable to us and our needs. That includes being answerable to journalists.

[Paul Moloney]

To be fair to Conor (I wish I didn't have to), he was right about the Wikipedia bit. How could you not know anyone can write anything there?

P.

[Moleman]

Conor was a journalist in 98FM up until about 1995 or so. He didn't have anything to do with the management of the place, he wasn't part of ESat, he didn't have anything to do with their radio network in Europe. He was a minor employee in the newsroom.

And he was fucking hated.

[Paul]

Well, on balance, it seems you came out 50-50 and I'm kind of glad a politician stood up to a media figure making demands.

If mainstream media focused its attention on policy and issues instead of personal capabilities then they'd be fulfilling their social responsiblities to a greater degree, and doing us all favour by pressuring government in the correct way.

[Niall]

I'm don't believe that Lenihan's lack of practical experience in the technology sector automatically makes him a poor choice, the man has made a tit out of himself. Had he merely kept his mouth shut and let his performance speak for itself, or simply complained that he had not been contacted, he'd have been much better off.

If he really wanted to argue that a lack of practical experience in an area wasn't a requirement of the job, he could have pointed to former ministers who'd performed well in an area, they'd little experience in or pointed to say a doctor who performed poorly as a minister of health in some country. He could even have argued that there are benefits to an outsiders viewpoint. Instead, he bitched and tried to pretend he had experience that he doesn't seem to have.

[steve white]

i'll repeat myself what was said about him on wikipedia was true so why question it.

[Aine]

What an arrogant muppet. Brought to you Fianna FAIL a party entirely based on Cronyism, corruption and nepathism; Beverly & her daddy, mcDaid, Ahern, haughey etc etc .... and yet the blind FF faithful will vote then in time after time!

[Mike]

Brilliant!

[Lara Walsh]

"Those who can, do. Those who can't become a politician" (George Lee may become an exception...we shall have to wait and see).

[MJ]

I'm not sure how to phrase this without getting the comment deleted...but here goes...I know a few people in Irish Aid and strongly suspect that they would not back up the assertion that he 'settled into the brief very well'. Quite the opposite in fact.

[Daragh Hughes]

Proof if ever it were needed as to why political nepotism should be banned in Ireland

[dahamsta]

I don't understand the Wikipedia line either. Perhaps the argument was that Adrian /shouldn't/ edit it, but /couldn't/?

Lenihan certainly can't anyway, I edited his page on the day this was posted and it was only reverted today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conor_Lenihan&diff=287067065&oldid=285598761

adam

[Padraig]

just a quick note... anyone can edit wikipedia... using it as a source is foolish,

A regular journalist might not know this but, this conversation being posted on a tech blog leads me to believe that you know a little more than the regular about current technologies..

I agree as an elected official he is answerable to us, being we elected him in the first place.. but he does have a right to defend himself and also has the right to not be put on the spot, which is what you did asking him this question... He called because from what he say in your 'column' you attacked his placement.. personally i would refuse to answer to you too..

[john]

can we get rid of this guy?

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