i haven't been on this in a while but i was reading some very interesting comments below and thought i might as well share some more of my views.

i (think) i understand what nerd is saying but i do agree with the point that it should be about the promotion of music.

the sole purpose of the clasac centre is to promote music, that is the whole point of its existance. but because of this controversey i for one do not know how on earth the centre is going to be run. I can't see any of the dublin branches, let alone clontarf, using the building for their personal use and i can't see people coming up from other branches around the country to use it because it doesn't make sense with the commuting and all. The use of it for concerts is also seriously in doubt, people that are asked to play may not due to the circumstances and im sure that people in the dublin area won't attend such concerts in protest.

this is surely not just damaging for the promotion of music in dublin but for music in general. it is also logistically insane to try and run such a centre when you have a good idea that people probably wont avail of its services due to the ongoing controversey. how are comhaltas going to pay employees and bills and such if they have no sizeable income? if the head organisation are not going to try to resolve the clontarf issue from a principles point of view than maybe they should just consider it from a business point of view because that clearly makes sense. you have to question what advice cce are getting on the situation business wise.

labhras' comparison with the GAA and sending offs is a bit wide of the mark. it would be closer if he compared it to the GAA dissolving a local GAA club like the crokes or na fianna, because that is what clontarf is in terms of CCE.

also it is a bit much to be complaining about being personally attacked and criticised if you are a senator (or whatever he is). how can you expect to be untouchable and not criticised if you are in such a powerful position? the only thing i can think of is that the 40 years of power has clouded his judgement and he is becoming more disillusioned. there is also good reason for his critics to remark on his peformance due to past ridiculous decisions made by himself and the ard comhairle.

i just have one question for you nerd that i'd like to know the answer to, if i made a donation to a charity organisation for example concern that works in africa, do i have a right to know where and how my money is being used? and do i have a right to access their bank accounts seeing as they are a publicly funded and non profit making organsation? if you could clear that up it would be great!

finally, i dont know about anyone else, but i really dont think comhaltas is a 'non-profit making organisation'! cce clearly makes a huge profit, you only have to look at the amount of money made from the fleadh, bru boru and other such ventures. it is also widely known that cce has millions in the coffers, so why is this term used?