Irish Politics, Politicians in Ireland, TDs, Irish Government

Kitt welcomes pledge for another 4,000 teachers

Seen on Senator Michael Kitt

Fianna Fáil Senator and Dáil candidate for Galway East, Michael Kitt, has welcomed the Taoiseach’s commitment to provide at least 4,000 new primary teachers over the next five years. An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern made the comments in his key note speech at the Ard Fheis in Dublin at the weekend and his commitments to reducing class sizes has been... Continue reading »

Letter to Irish Times

Seen on Queer Issues: Have your say

This item was published on the angryPotato blog: Here’s the letter that appeared in the [March 10, 2007 issue of the Irish] Times. MCDOWELL AND CIVIL UNION BILL Madam, - Justice Minister, Michael McDowell claims (Opinion & Analysis, March 2nd) that the Dáil amended the second reading resolution of Labour’s civil union Bill “to allow more time... Continue reading »

Cancel the election

Seen on Head Rambles

Cancel the election Grandad March 27th, 2007 I fired my opening salvo in the election campaign yesterday. Most commenters suggested I run for the election myself. I suspect that was tounge-in-cheek [or I hope it was]. Except for MacDara who seems to be taking the line of ‘piss or get off the pot’. Well, MacDara, I would only there are a few... Continue reading »

Politics, drugs and rock and roll

Seen on Flow of Serotonin

With the election fast approaching, Fianna Fail has helpfully set out its drugs policy in the form of popular song. Fresh from criticising the Green Party for suggesting a softening of government policy on “softer drugs”, Fianna Fail reveal that, actually, they’re “hot” and that its ok to deal in “gear” or heroin, but ONLY if the recipient gets... Continue reading »

Irish Kiddyprinting

Seen on Explic.it » No pr0n here, sorry.

Irish Kiddyprinting ENN says that the Reg says that the Sunday Times says that… says that… what? Where? Who said what? I’ll try that again… The upshot of this story is that the Irish Data Protection Commissioner has come out against the use of biometrics in Irish schools. TBH I have to wonder how Mark Ballard got that from the commentary on the... Continue reading »

Who the hell is Frank McNamara?

Seen on 'political quote'

Who the hell is Frank McNamara? The Irish Times says he is a “well known musician”. Where is he well known? Not by this blog anyway. The Times goes on “Mr McNamara, who was music director of the Late Late Show on RTÉ for 20 years, was the arranger and producer of two consecutive Irish winners of the Eurovision Song Contest.” Oh that Frank... Continue reading »

No Auction Politics?>>That’s Strange

Seen on Daniel O Neill

“Reckless, alarming auction politics will bankrupt the country” were Seamus Brennan’s words last week and yet, this week Fianna Faíl are singing from a different hym sheet… I’ve heard about breaking promises after an election but this is ridiculous!!!! The motley crew in Fianna Faíl have astounded everyone by delivering a set of election... Continue reading »

Justice For Terrence Wheelock

Seen on Daniel O Neill

I’m sure most allot of people reading this blog are aware of the Justice for Terrence Wheelock campaign so I will not go through the whole story again, but if you are not you can read more about it here. Anyway, I decided to send Brendan Howlin, Labour Party spokesperson for justice, an E-Mail asking him to address the issue. The E-Mail explains... Continue reading »

The Next Steps Forward-Summary of the Taoiseach’s Speech

Seen on Senator Michael Kitt

This a summary of what issues and resolutions Fianna Fail proposed at the Ard Fheis last weekend: Tax and PRSI · A major, costed and affordable tax reduction for middle and low-income families. · Today, PRSI unfairly burdens middle and lower earners. We will eliminate this inequality in a way that is both fiscally responsible and socially fair. ·... Continue reading »

INSIDE POLITICS - TEXT WARS

Seen on Harry McGee

Fine Gael were not going to take Fianna Fáil’s Damascene conversion to ‘auction politics’ lying down. In an amazing series of texts sent immediately after MrBertie Ahern’s speech on Saturday night , FG fulminated against Fianna Fáil’s entry into auction politics. Here they are in all their glory… Text 1: FG Resp to BA speech: “who do u... Continue reading »

BERTIE BACK TO HIS BEST

Seen on SPIN FREE VIEW

Bertie Ahearn is back to his fighting best, I have never been a big fan, but you have to hand it to the man he was on fire this weekend.  One of his best delivered speeches at this weekends Ard Fheis rallying the FF Faithful to fight their cause.  Some of the weekends promise has been written off as more auction politics by the media, that is the... Continue reading »

Cowen’s knowledge of the housing market

Seen on Daniel K. Sullivan

I think it was informative to listen to Brian Cowen on Saturday suggesting that Fine Gael’s stamp duty proposals would be some sort of Godzilla to the Irish housing market. It might have occurred to Cowen to tell this to his colleague McDowell who was the one to put the skids under the market last autumn. Cowen devoted quite a while to explain why... Continue reading »

Doo dur da-do dooh ba-do dur-ba doo-bah-doo-dah

Seen on Lex Ferenda

1. Did anyone else hear our beloved Tea Shock kvetching about the other parties “getting their policies off the Web” (or words to that end)? Newstalk had it on Saturday morning, from the Friday night Ard Fheis proceedings, but it hasn’t appeared in the transcripts or anything. It was quite surreal. 2. Get remixing. It’s in … de national... Continue reading »

There Are Only Three Definites In Life: Death. Taxes. And The Godlike Genius Of Donie Cassidy’s Hair.

Seen on Blogorrah

[ YOO-HOO!.jpg] The Big Question: Where can we get one?... Continue reading »

FF Ard Fheis

Seen on Kevin Rafter’s Blog

All the main political parties make decisions on the back of focus group research. These sessions allow the parties to test the public mood to proposed changes and innovations. But the parties seem to be reading their results very differently. Recent focus group sessions commissioned by the Labour Party produced results which, party insiders say,... Continue reading »

Poll indicates boost in Sinn Féin support

Seen on Irish Tribesman

RTE News: The latest opinion poll shows a drop in support for both Fianna Fáil and Labour, and a boost in support for Sinn Féin. The Red C poll, in today’s Sunday Business Post, indicates a narrowing in the gap between the current Government and the alternative coalition of Fine Gael and Labour. Since the last in the series of monthly tracking... Continue reading »

Comfortably Numb

Seen on Arse End Of Ireland

The lads over at Irish Election pointed towards this story yesterday, in which breakingnews.ie reported that Fianna Fail played a song with drug references at their Ard Fheis. Apparently, Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis was played (not half loud enough) as Brian Cowen began his “warm-up” speech (on energy saving initiatives?), and although the... Continue reading »

INSIDE POLITICS - FIANNA FAIL ARD FHEIS

Seen on Harry McGee

In the knowledge it’s a little vulgar for first thing Monday morning, we still couldn’t resist distorting the famous Mae West line to describe the amazing conversion that happened Fianna Fail this weekend:“Is that a gavel in your pocket and are you just happy to see me?” For having spent many weeks slating the opposition for getting involved in... Continue reading »

Commuting from Meath

Seen on Meath on Track news blog l Navan Railway Line l Transport 21 Navan rail link

Madam, - The Taoiseach may be correct to say that increases in fuel prices over the past two years have had no noticeable impact on consumption (Opinion & Analysis, March 23rd). However, this overlooks the fact that many people are unable to change to alternative modes of transport and are forced to use their cars, no matter how expensive... Continue reading »

Bertie Succeeds in Saying Nothing in Irish

Seen on Blogh an Seanchai

chubby legs Originally uploaded by Ikue.. From today’s Irish Times: Berties policy on the promotion of the Gaelic language. We should be proud of a leader who can successfully say nothing in two different languages. ‘We have proven that we can lead and transform this country’... Continue reading »

Election Launch Night! Friday night saw the Labo…

Seen on Harry Barrett--- Labour Party Dáil Candidate---

Election Launch Night! Friday night saw the Labour Party in Mayo launch the 2007 Election campaign, in the Imperial Hotel, Castlebar with an appeal to the electorate to vote for change and to vote for the strongest hand for the county, a new Labour/Fine Gael coalition. This option will,”give Mayo Government ministers and government T.D.’s as... Continue reading »

Cork docklands forum announced

Seen on Contemporary and Historical Irish Architecture and Architects - Archeire - Irish Architecture Online

The €2 billion redevelopment of the Cork docklands is to receive national backing after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced a new national steering forum to help convert the area into a new centre for Cork city.... Continue reading »

Ahern unveils 25m cemetery plan

Seen on Contemporary and Historical Irish Architecture and Architects - Archeire - Irish Architecture Online

A 25 million redevelopment of Glasnevin Cemetery to honour the State’s “national heroes and personalities” has been announced by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The 10-year project - which will complement other work being undertaken as part of preparations for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising - would reflect the fact that Glasnevin Cemetery and... Continue reading »

New Labour Councillor in Carlow

Seen on Cllr. Michael O' Brien

On Sunday I was in Borris in Carlow where the Labour branch was selecting the person to replace Michael Meany as the local Labour Councillor. Borris has always been a traditional Labour strong hold and Michael’s passing has been a big loss to us all. The meeting was very well attended and chaired by Jack Wall TD, who explained the procedure’s... Continue reading »

Eh…Michael could I just have a glass of clean water please?

Seen on Is it just me?

Right.I just had a newsletter from Michael D. Higgins delivered through the door and I’ve read it through(boys and husband en route and cat behaving itself)because I have a little time on my hands.Without actually telling anyone how I vote (and I do not always give my No 1 preference to any one party-it depends on our own personal issues as a... Continue reading »