Am i missing something

I'll be brief but where oh where is the budget prediction for a slowdown in the economy coming from. I'm still to hearing high single digit and low double digit figures as the prediction of our final contraction for 09. Given the fact that our economy is being shredded sector by sector its hard to see how those figures pan out.

A lesson in budget management

It cant be easy being Brian Lenihan and its certainly not easy on us that he struggles so much with the job. This budget, budget 09 take 2 so to speak, was the one that had to work, this either works or we fold up our tent and feck off. Im taking down the pegs as we speak.

Its a well thumbed book at this stage, but the Civil Service will not be the ones to get us out of this mess. Like many other taxpayers I feel agrieved, but to be honest i could just about live with the tax hikes, if, if, if we saw a commitment to really address our public sector finances. Until that is done we are screwed, with very few options left for balancing our books through additional revenue.

The key to blogging.....

....is of course to do it regularly, so nearly two years later... here we go again.

I had sworn that I would give this up, and in fairness given my move into the dark arts it was probably a good thing that i did. But god bless Brian and his band of merry men, they have persuaded me that i need a place to vent and for the moment this place will have to do. So back we come.

New Candidates in Cavan Monaghan - Martin Turns Green

Jaundiced Ireland has heard that Cllr. Vincent P Martin has been approached by and has agreed to join the Green Party in advance of the forthcoming general election. Martin has been an outspoken member of Monaghan County Council, particularly on planning issues. He was an unsuccesful candidate in the 2002 General Election, but took a council seat in 2004. He has built a high profile in the County and is in a strong position to challenge for votes in South Monaghan. This will be a cause of concern to the newly chosen FF candidate Margaret Conlon.

Also doing the rounds in the rumour mill is the possibility that either Sean McCague (ex GAA president) or Dr Ilona Duffy may be persuaded to run as candidates for the Monaghan Hospital Alliance. Such a move would be likely to finish off any possibility of Paudge Connolly retaining his seat.

Should both of these candidates run, it will once again ensure that the Monaghan side of the constituency becomes a veritable bloodbath.

Another recount anybody.

Ides of March Comes late for Bertie

Beware the Ides of March Bertie. Well the daggers were out in the Senate yesterday for An Taoiseach. Senator Margaret Cox threatened a vote on the Finance Bill and were it not for some quick procedural footwork by FF members, she would have got it. This is an act of open warfare from the Galway Senator on her own party and one which has shocked many.

Its not clear what Cox's motives were on this. She argues that she doesn't feel Galway is getting a fair deal. Perhaps she is preparing a solo run. If so it is likely to be ill fated. Perhaps she is trying to raise her profile pre Seanad election, if so this is equally a crazy idea, considering who will be voting for her. Perhaps the only other explanation is the strangest of all, a genuine outbreak of principles on the floor of the House.

Liam Fitzgeralds attack was more straightforward and much more easy to explain, he was shafted by FF and he's gonna shaft them right back. Given the level of discord in Dublin North East and the amount of people who are supposed to have resigned or made their discontent known within the constituency organisation, this could spell trouble for the Soldiers of Destiny.

All in all, a bad day for Bertie in the Senate.

Cullen Gets it Right At Last

I'm no fan of Martin Cullens, never have been and I doubt that I ever will be, but credit where its due. The Minister has brought into play legislation which will guarantee a mimimum one years ban served on any drink driving offence. It will also reduce the remission that can be attained on longer bans.

The joke that was the system, where a one year ban meant six months and two years meant 12 months. In a country with as many road deaths as ours, this leniency was long overdue for tackling.

No Good News for FF

It is becoming increasingly apparrent that the media (or should i say MEEEJA) are not going to give FF any break in the next few months. It has been clear for some time that the Mail and Times are going to lay into the FF government at every opportunity, but this has spread to most other media outlets and there does appear to be developing a genuine anti FF bias in the media.

Now I have my issues with FF and am not averse to the notion of seeing a change in power, however its getting a bit ridiculous. Neither the Government nor FF suddenly became evil and incompetent overnight, but the media campaign is certainly ramping up in preparation for the election. (Whether you believe the Government was evil and incompetent long before this, I leave to your judgement).

It's up to others to make up their minds as to the extent of the bias, however to me it is becoming decidedly obvious. The official opposition appears to be the fourth estate. FF traditionally whinges about the media hating them, but in this case they may have a point.