Category: Irish Politics
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Haughey 'should not be given State funeral': Cruiser
Conor Cruise O’Brien believes Charlie Haughey should not be given a State funeral. Dr Cruise O’Brien, who turns 90 next year, dismissed suggestions that Mr Haughey had contributed to the State, and said any of the reforms he had introduced “were dictated to him”. “They were not his idea”. Is the country split on this…
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Quote of the day
Minister Brian ‘Biffo’ Cowen on the News at One. Well I mean I have answered the questions insofar as is knowledgable in my knowledge. More transcript below the fold.
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Prime Time on solicitor behaviour
Who watched? It was a damning indictment (Realplayer) of the legal profession. None of it surprised me, even Ken Murphy giving his traditional waffly defence of solicitors said nothing that I wouldn’t expect. Of course it’s fine for the Law Society to both protect the interests of solicitors and adjudicate over their own misbehaviour. There…
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Conservatism in Ireland
Richard‘s and Gerry’s discussion reminds me of the episode of Questions and Answers involving Brendan Howlin, Eamonn Delaney and Dan McLaughlin – in relation to the Irish Ferries dispute. Gerry’s answer to Richard: Like it or loath it, social partnership was a crucial element in forging the Irish model of social and economic governance. The…
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Hanafin rumbles
Sarah gets a reply from Mary Hanafin in relation to last week’s article in the Sunday Times. She seems a tad miffed. Sarah replies on her blog. Her other very carefully chosen phrase is that “in the coming school year” the pupil:teacher ratio will be 10:1. The Principal explained how the Minister is able to…
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Late Late Show gaffes
Jaysus the Late Late is full of gaffes tonight. Gay Byrne made a no-holds barred claim that several judges of the judiciary are fond of the gargle. He even used the ‘swiggin imaginery glass to your mouth while saying glug glug’ jibe. I know the allegation isn’t surprising but the way he did it, and…
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Gardai bug your conversations?
You are arrested on suspicion of something. You are at the Garda station. After your questioning you ask to speak to your solicitor in private. You have a relationship with your solicitor that is entirely confidential. How would you feel if the Gardai were listening in? In my months of tracking corruption stories in the…
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Defamation Bill to be published within weeks
Bloggers beware, this Bill will affect you. The Defamation Bill was brought to Cabinet last June, but, following strenuous objections to it from more than half the Ministers present, was not published pending the preparation of a Privacy Bill. The Minister then established a committee, under the chairmanship of senior counsel Brian Murray, to prepare…
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Planning in Kerry
This story on planning in Killarney warrants a look. I know it doesn’t surprise anyone anymore, but should we still accept it?
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Week in Politics
I see RTE have finally added the Week in Politics to their TV archive. You can now watch the three-way argument from last night where former Justice Minister John O’Donoghue tries to defend the government dumbing down the Freedom of Information Act. He resorts to name calling and ad hominem attacks – his points were…