Category: Irish Politics

Primetime has stirred up something of a hornet’s nest, detailed alleged cartels in the car industry. Doesn’t everyone know this happens already? I wasn’t surprised by anything in the report, as I am sure most people weren’t. Is not a risk of totally free markets that collusion occurs and prices are fixed artificially high?

The Economist has an unusually rambling article on the current Irish political situation concerning Sinn Fein/IRA. I guess given its brevity it couldn’t do much more than what it does: outline the current situation on who will or will not go into government with Sinn Fein. I did like this bit though: Why—given that its…

Dick O’Brien notes the odd picture on the front of the Irish Times today. What the hell is he doing pointing a gun at someone? Was the photographer crazy for asking him, or maybe he only put the camera in the line of fire? Always point a gun at the ground, loaded or not. Interesting…

For my records: Exclusion of discrimination on particular grounds in certain employments. 37.—(1) A religious, educational or medical institution which is under the direction or control of a body established for religious purposes or whose objectives include the provision of services in an environment which promotes certain religious values shall not be taken to discriminate…

In a predictable piece, Ronan Mullen argues that Liz O’Donnell’s speech last week in the Dail amounted to a liberal attack on the Church. After a fairly incoherent argument (even I am guilty of that sometimes) he concludes: By presenting an outdated notion of a priest-ridden society, in order to exclude the Church from consultation…

For my own records: Liz O’Donnell: I wish to preface my remarks with a word of support for those priests who have done no wrong. They deserve our support and sympathy at this difficult time. The majority of priests are living out their Christian message in an exemplary fashion and have our support at this…

Barry McSweeney has moved too. But should he allowed to take any position in government? In a statement this evening, Mr MacSweeney said he was pleased to accept his new position. He added it was his intention to work to ensure significant developments in the fields of energy, marine ICT, digital and geo-science. The Labour…

More on the Barry McSweeney saga in todays Irish Times: Mr Martin said before the weekend that a decision might be made within a couple of days, raising expectations that the Cabinet might settle the issue at today’s meeting. This could not be confirmed yesterday, however. Dr McSweeney could not be reached for comment. The…

Michael O’Farrell, political reporter at the Irish Examiner, lambasts Barry McSweeney and the Irish Times for failing deal with the hard questions being asked about McSweeney’s qualifications, or lack thereof. He gets it right in my view. Myself and Fiona have been on this story pretty much since it started, but it seems no matter…

Featuring on Matt Cooper on TodayFM right now… The current speaker, Vicki Philips is from geteducated.com, who run the Diploma Mill police. They have a helpful top 10 signs of Diploma Mill. The issue has been risen of the accreditation versus approval –