Irish Politics, Politicians in Ireland, TDs, Irish Government

Christmas Card from TD in November

Seen on Brian Greene

I got our first Xmas card today. Its from a Dublin North East TD. The self confessed third socialist in the Dail, himself, Martin Brady sent in the earliest xmas card. Martin is not used to been early, he turned up 10 minutes late on the radio, 10 minutes into a panel debate he was supposed to me in, he then tried to leave VERY early.. the ... Continue reading »

McDowell

Seen on GUBU

I must say I did enjoy McDowell’s taunt to Sinn Fein yesterday that they needn’t go knocking on the door of the White House for a St. Patrick’s Day invitation if they refuse to take the word of Ms Rice. However, I see that Enda got the better of him later on..From the IT “More of the same was expected when Enda Kenny demanded an explanation for ... Continue reading »

Mary what are you at.

Seen on Irish Election

Mary what are you at. Writes Simon of The Dossing Times on November 30th, 2006 Read More: Fianna Fail, Education Ahh Mary Mary Mary. What are you on about. Today’s Irish Times reports (you can read it here) that Fee-paying schools receive €96 million a year in supports from the taxpayer but Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has ruled out ... Continue reading »

On the collusion report

Seen on Wednesday's Irish politics blog

I see in today’s Examiner that Enda Kenny thinks the Taoiseach “should demand of Mr Blair that he give the necessary co-operation” into the investigations of crown force collusion in the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Absolutely. Equally, Enda Kenny should demand of his former party leader, Liam Cosgrave, that he give the necessary co-operation ... Continue reading »

Seen on Success Concepts Blog

O’ Brien launches first election blog in the constituency Kilkenny Advertiser, Ireland – 17 hours ago obrien1.blogspot.com. The election diary or ‘blog’ was officially launched this week by Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte. The election FanBoy’s Game Blog AZ Central.com, AZ – 3 hours ago Welcome fans to your US Airways Center seat for the [...] ... Continue reading »

Reaction to Fitzgerald proposal

Seen on The Limerick Blogger

We kinda guessed he would be pleased with this. Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Féin representative in Limerick and Limerick East election candidate, has reacted positively to John Fitzgerald’s proposal to extend the City boundary past the three areas of Moyross, Pineview, Craeval and Delmage. In a statement received by the Limerick blogger he ... Continue reading »

15 Myths and Realities of the Corrib Gas Scheme

Seen on Graham Ó Maonaigh

Myth 1 Shell has agreed to reroute the controversial high-pressure gas pipeline away from Rossport. Reality: On August 3 2006, Shell announced that they would “consider” moving the route “within the vicinity of Rossport”. The company admits that this might mean simply moving it a few metres to one side; and that the original route has not been ... Continue reading »

Poodle: An American View of Tony Blair

Seen on Telegraph Blogs: Foreign: Toby Harnden

In this world of spin doctors, PR executives and message discipline there is something remarkably refreshing about someone speaking their mind and damn the consequences. [ Tony Blair and George W. Bush] How special is the British/US relationship? This is exactly what Kendall Myers, a senior US State Department analyst, did this week. His lack of ... Continue reading »

No Vote = No Voice

Seen on political quote

If you are not on the upcoming electoral register you will have no vote and thus no voice in the 2007 General Election. Over the last two decades the register has been allowed to fall into a terrible state with hundreds of thousands of extra names on the register then there are people in the country. Minister Dick Roche TD is tasked with cleaning ... Continue reading »

Collusion with loyalists was ‘widespread’ – Oireachtas committee

Seen on The Green Ribbon

From RTE: Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it is ‘absolutely essential’ that the British Government examine the findings of reports into collusion, and that it fully co-operates with all investigations into the serious issues that have arisen. ... Continue reading »

ComReg, The Poisoned Chalice

Seen on Stall The Ball

News is spreading that Isolde Goggin the current chairperson of ComReg is resigning. An “odds on” favourite to take her place is Mike Byrne who currently holds a position of commissioner with ComReg. Not a role to be taken lightly, Mike faces stepping into the shoes of a talented and intelligent person who has struggled with the legislative and ... Continue reading »

If A Equals B, Then D

Seen on The Art of the Grand Gesture

Not everyone was so fortunate as to study logic in school. This deprived group includes many members of the European Parliament, who can take two plus two and make five. The EU has put out a report that claims Ireland’s Shannon Airport has been used by the CIA for rendition flights. Well, yes, they will agree that there is no evidence that ... Continue reading »

Government pissed at EU over CIA flights revalation

Seen on The Limerick Blogger

Dermot Ahern is said to be livid over the revelation by an EU parlimentary committee’s investigating CIA flights that the Irish authorities failed to properly inspect 147 of them. The claim has gone out that the release of the report two days before the Taoseach is due to speak to the committee, was designed to embarrace him. But the Americans ... Continue reading »

Are you registered to vote?

Seen on Robert Synnott

You can check here. If not, there’s a form you can download to get on the electoral register at the same site. Please do. (Unless, of course, you are considering voting for Sinn Fein. If that is the case, please remember that this year, polling stations are disguised as trash compactors for security reasons). Seriously, though, vote. ... Continue reading »

15 Myths and Realities of the Corrib Gas Project

Seen on Buckfast For Breakfast

Myth 1 Shell has agreed to reroute the controversial high-pressure gas pipeline away from Rossport. Reality: On August 3 2006, Shell announced that they would “consider” moving the route “within the vicinity of Rossport”. The company admits that this might mean simply moving it a few metres to one side; and that the original route has not been ... Continue reading »

Merry xmas from Brian Moo-Cowen

Seen on Skangerland

A discussion on boards.ie tells the Skanger that the Revenue have decided to start hanging onto your xmas pressies until you cough up the VAT, that’s if they’ve been posted from outside the EU. Outside the EU includes the Channel Islands, so that’ll be play.com, plus anything from further afield might get caught – cdwow, Amazon US, whatever. ... Continue reading »

Stick that in your pipe….

Seen on GUBU

Meath Gaelic footballer Graham Geraghty is to seek a Fine Gael nomination to run in the new three-seater Meath West constituency at a convention on Monday, December 11th. ... Continue reading »

O’Gorman calls upon Fine Gael’s Paul Kehoe and Liam Twomey to clarify their positions on plans to bring public sector jobs

Seen on Colm O’Gorman…believe in change

Wexford General Election candidate Colm O’Gorman has called upon Fine Gael TD’s, Paul Kehoe and Liam Twomey to clarify their positions on the decentralisation programmes for Wexford, Enniscorthy and New Ross. Last week it was announced that an advance office for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government would be ... Continue reading »

Be alert for oil thieves-warns Mc Nulty.

Seen on West Tyrone Sinn Féin

Sinn Fein Sinn Fein Councillor Jarlath Mc Nulty has urged members of the public to make it as difficult as possible for the small number of unscrupulous individuals who are stealing oil in the area. Cllr Mc Nulty was speaking after being contacted by one elderly resident of Towncastle Road who has had oil stolen from her tank a total of 3 times ... Continue reading »

Decentralisation me bollix!

Seen on Errant

This morning on the news we were once again treated to a PD/SS so-called “Minister of State” (de eFFing Party’s codeword for Jobs for de boys), in this case for Finance (read Pickpocketing-the-Citizenry-in-the-Name-of-Progress), defending the record of the current PD/SS-FF coalition in the matter of “decentralisation”. The said Tom Parlon stumbled ... Continue reading »

McGuinness to run in Louth ?

Seen on DundalkBlog.com

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has refused to rule out contesting the next general election in Co Louth. Speculation about the move has been growing in recent weeks, with Ms McGuinness saying she has already decided against running in South Kildare because it is too far from her home near Ardee. Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, ... Continue reading »

What Came Down, Originally Went Up

Seen on - HomePage

The PDs have launched a major poster campaign, in which they claim that by their doing, car insurance has fallen by 45%. They back up their claim by pointing to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, set up by Health Minister and former leader Mary Harney, and a more vague “streamlining” of court proceedings by Justice Minister and current ... Continue reading »

Brian Rossiter Inquiry Findings to be Released – M…

Seen on GardaWatch.com

Brian Rossiter (14 at the time) was found unconscious in his cell on the morning of 11th September 2002, while in Garda custody in Clonmel. He was taken to Cork University Hospital and died two days later on 13th September 2002. Michael McDowell agreed to set up a public sworn inquiry into Brian’s death and arrest, following intense pressure from ... Continue reading »

Fox decides not to seek re-election

Seen on - Wicklow

Fox decides not to seek re-election November 26th, 2006 Independent TD Mildred Fox told members of her political organisation on Thursday night she has decided not to seek re-election. Ms Fox’s decision not to stand for family reasons now throws open the Wicklow contest. Some commentators say that her decision could benefit Green Party ... Continue reading »

Officially Launched

Seen on Cllr. Michael O' Brien

Yet another busy week on the election trail, with Pat’s visit on Monday and my work as a local Councillor, I did not get much canvassing done this week. The weather and dark nights makes it hard to get to as many doors as you can during the summer. Anyway the main news of this week was Pat Rabbitte officially launching my ... Continue reading »