Politics in Ireland - Irish Politics

Back-to-school allowance to assist parents

Politics in Ireland — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:48:49 +0000

MINISTER FOR Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has urged parents of school-going children to apply by text for part of a €46 million allocation to meet back-to-school costs.... Continue reading »

Terra Madre for Waterford, 4th - 7th September

Politics in Ireland — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:48:27 +0000

Not to mention the opportunity to hear the views of Ireland’s two Ministers of Food, Trevor Sargent from the Republic and Michelle Gildernew from the North, followed by President Mary McAleese, and the chance to feast off the best food …... Continue reading »

Church v State clash likely as second referendum is floated

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:43:12 +0000

It’s becoming clearer what the results of a shorter than expected “period of reflection” will be when Brian Cowen reports to the EU Council of Ministers in October. “No rush” and “up to a year” may boil down to just four months before …... Continue reading »

DICK

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:42:55 +0000

Dick Roche has announced his (’personal’) opinion that a second referendum on Lisbon is the only way to go. We got the answer wrong, or something. So if the fine people of Wicklow accidentally re-elect him next time around, …... Continue reading »

Roche and Brady on Lisbon

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:42:50 +0000

Le Salon Beige notes recent comments by Dick Roche, Mininster for European Affairs, who is Brussel's yes-man in the Irish cabinet. (He gave a speech to my class at college in January of this year, and was typically slavish in his …... Continue reading »

“there is a danger that Sinn Fein are trying to create a crisis..”

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:42:44 +0000

Commenting on the statement from Caoimhghin O’Caolain, Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr Empey called for clarification from the Sinn Fein leadership. “If Martin McGuinness does not distance himself from this statement then a full-blown …... Continue reading »

Tara campaign to give away money outside Government offices

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:42:40 +0000

The action is being taken in response to Bertie Ahern's opinion piece in yesterday's Sunday Independent, calling for Taoiseach Cowen to ignore the financial crisis and proceed with the multi-billion investment in the NDP, …... Continue reading »

Over 5000 local authority houses lie empty - Allen

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:55 +0000

Over €1 billion worth of local authority housing stock is currently empty according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman TD Bernard Allen. Figures obtained by the PAC Chair from the Department of the Environment showed that …... Continue reading »

“denied the right to intervene in public debates..”

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:51 +0000

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and former Prime Minister Blair, would probably agree.. Although I’d suggest that it would depend on what Cardinal Brady means by “the right to intervene”. But it’s clear his real target is secularism. …... Continue reading »

“There is now widespread and growing concern among republicans..”

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:45 +0000

Interestingly, the Sinn Féin representative now threatening to collapse the Northern Ireland Executive take the ball away over the issue of policing and justice powers is TD, Caoimhghin O Caolain. According to the BBC report …... Continue reading »

National Heritage week launched

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:25 +0000

Minister of State Michael Kitt has officially launched National Heritage week.... Continue reading »

GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:14 +0000

While canvassing with TD Deirdre Clune we have been asked time and again if there are any plans for a secondary school for local children. Unfortunately the government has refused point blank to even consider building a secondary school …... Continue reading »

Second Lisbon referendum needed - Roche

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:41:02 +0000

A SECOND referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would “ultimately” be required and ratifying key elements by legislation was not a viable option, Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche said at the weekend.... Continue reading »

Bertie Ahern and the Road to Croker

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:40:53 +0000

Bertie Ahern is a natural replacement to Cahill in this regard. Ahern’s support of the Dubs was portrayed in the press in terms of wonderment, like a sporting version of Tourrette’s. The place to see and be seen these days in the …... Continue reading »

Willie O'Dea & the Temple of Gloom

Politics in Ireland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:40:30 +0000

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea demonstrated his usual facility for vulgar abuse in his recent attack on Enda Kenny, following the opposition leader’s critique of Brian Cowen’s performance as Taoiseach in his first 100 days. …... Continue reading »

Fee bonanza at taxpayers' expense for Celia Larkin

Politics in Ireland — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:41:10 +0000

The ex-girlfriend of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been paid almost €30000 in fees and expenses for sitting on the board of the National Consumer Agency – a position she described as “purely voluntary” when she was controversially …... Continue reading »

Enda Kenny’s cure for the summertime blues

Politics in Ireland — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:40:18 +0000

In a previous blog I wrote about Brian Cowen’s taste in books, but what of his opposition counterpart? I met Enda Kenny at the Humbert Summer School in Ballina where, taking a breather after a lengthy speech lambasting the Taoiseach, …... Continue reading »

Open letter to Minister Harney

Politics in Ireland — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:39:51 +0000

Here is the text of an open letter sent by European Life Network to Irish Health Minister Mary Harney following an announcement that a cervical cancer vaccine is to be made available to girls in Ireland aged 12 and over. …... Continue reading »

Bertie agus feall eile RTÉ

Politics in Ireland — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:44:47 +0000

I measc na cuimhní a rith liom agus mé ag éisteacht le laithreoir Morning Ireland ar RTÉ ar maidin agus í ag tathant ar Willie O’Dea bheith ag amharc ar Bertie Ahern, iar thaoiseach, ag cur i láthair clár spóirt RTÉ, The Road To Croker, …... Continue reading »

Climate change adaptation policy sped up

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:49:40 +0000

Environmental Data Interactive, UK Recent floods have prompted the government to speed up the publication of its climate change adaptation strategy. Minister for the environment John Gormley …www.edie.net related articlesGoogle News: …... Continue reading »

August 23rd Wasting a Saturday Afternoon: The Recession Diaries

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:49:09 +0000

What exactly did Enda Kenny say to deserve this? Well, he said a lot. 4000 words worth at the Humbert Summer School. Much of it was taken up with calling the Taoiseach terrible names which then invoked a response from Willie O'Dea who …... Continue reading »

Enda Kenny scrutinised

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:49:06 +0000

Today's entry in the Recession Diaries analyses Enda Kenny's speech to the Humber Summer School on how we should deal with the recession. It does not make for pretty reading!... Continue reading »

Phil Lynott - Birthday Celebrations

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:44:09 +0000

When he starts talking I swear he's like a black Bertie Ahern! An insult to Lynott I guess. Anyways, if Phil were still alive today he'd be celebrating his 59th Birthday and probably still sporting an afro :)... Continue reading »

Council Commits to Repairing Roads In Kilnaboy

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:43:34 +0000

Tony Killeen has received assurances form Clare County Council that it intends carrying out repairs on roads adversely affected by works on the Kilnaboy Group Water Scheme. In a written response to a representation by the local TD on …... Continue reading »

Governments contrast in response to floods

Politics in Ireland — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:42:25 +0000

In contrast, John Gormley, the southern environment minister said he will be bringing forward publication of a climate change adaptation strategy. According to the Irish Times he said the severity of the weather and flooding of recent …... Continue reading »