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.

Thursday Election an FF Gerrymander

It is the Taoiseachs perogative to call the date of the General Election, however this perogative should be exercised with reference to the demands of a democratic society that people should be given every opportunity to vote. Bertie does not appear to be worried by such niceties, he has an election to win and it is likely that those nasty student types wont be voting FF, but for Greens and other socialist or hippy types. He also does not want to have the people who moved to Dublin to work going home to vote after being stuck in traffic getting out of Dublin on a Friday. Bollix to dat says Bertie.

The Thursday election should by now be an anachronism in Irish politics, we should have moved away from those days. The point should be to allow as many as possible to exercise their franchise and hang the expense of the overtime at the count.

Noise needs to be made about this. It is not a small issue, it is one which is critical. We have to many pious words about needing to increase participation from politicians. When words are matched by these actions it leaves you in no doubt what they feel about young voters.

Minister McDowell Confirms End of Winter

In what has to be one of the strangest press releases of the year, the Minister for Justice has confirmed the end of winter by announcing that clocks will indeed go forward this weekend. The press release issued this morning brings to an end weeks of speculation that clocks would not enter into a 'going forward' agreement and that each clock would engage in individual bargaining.

It is not clear whether the Tanaiste in announcing the start of summer is actually claiming credit for it. In this country that's a tactic that could fall flat on its arse.

Below is the listed the text of the press release issued by the Minister.



"REMINDER
CLOCKS GO FORWARD WEEKEND OF 24/25 MARCH, 2007The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, T.D., would like to remind the general public that "Summer time" will commence at 1.00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 25 March, 2007. Clocks and watches should be put forward one hour at that time. Summer time will end at 1.00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 28 October, 2007. 21 March 2007"

Who says he doesnt earn his keep.

Viva El Presidente

Well the Soldiers of Density have gotten round to launching the posters and it comes as zero surprise that they are leading with Bertie. It was always an outside chance that Martin Cullen would be heading up their campaign I suppose.

The slogan is good stuff, Peace Prosperity etc etc and Bertie sitting behind the Taoiseachs desk. The message is very clear, "dont piss it all away - vote FF".

Leading with Bertie has been FFs strategy for so long that its hard to remember how we ever got on without the likeable auld so and so. The Bertiegate affair proved that Bertie is virtually untouchable.

It begins now. The shutting up of Cullen and Roche. From now on its about Bertie, no one else will matter at national level for Fianna Fail. Can Bertie keep persuading us as interest rates rise and jobs go left right and centre, that he's still in control.

Watch this space, El Presidente is warming up for the fight.

Chambers Launch Manifesto for Election

Chambers launches Election Manifesto for Growth



Chambers Ireland has today launched its election manifesto “A Manifesto for Business – A Manifesto for Growth” examining the six core themes that the Irish Chamber network believes are necessary requirements for future growth. In addition to calls for the timely delivery of a first rate infrastructure, retaining our low tax environment and unleashing more competition in the energy and public transport sectors, the document makes recommendations to assure Ireland’s continued progress.

Speaking at the launch, Chambers Ireland President David Pierce said “while Ireland has experienced an outstanding period of economic progress, the policies which have facilitated our growth, will not necessarily be the ones to maintain it in the future. Accordingly, we must build on those policies that have delivered so much in recent times, while also preparing for the inevitable adjustments that must come.”

In the context of ensuring a competitive business environment, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive John Dunne said, “the World Bank ranks Ireland 80th in terms of favourable employment regulations, this is bad for business. We call on the next government to commit to only update regulations on two set days per year. In addition, all Health & Safety and Employment legislation should be consolidated into a single act to simplify the administrative burden for companies,” he added.

In reviewing future cost commitments, Dunne stated, “the next Government should commit to publishing a statement of national liabilities—such as pensions—in the National Accounts thereby providing greater clarity on our future responsibilities.” He also called on the government to provide a redundancy option for public servants.

Regarding the ongoing debate over income taxes Dunne said “almost 40pc of the workforce does not pay any income tax at all. We believe that this number is too high and does not ensure that enough taxpayers are sensitised to Government spending. Accordingly, Chambers Ireland believes that the incoming government should ensure that 1/3 of taxpayers pay no income tax, 1/3 pay the standard rate and 1/3 pay the top rate, whatever that rate may be” he added.

Turning to the delivery of an educated flexible workforce, Dunne said “with the expansion of the school curriculum, particularly at primary level, employers are concerned that not enough time is being allocated to the basic requirements of reading, writing and arithmetic. Accordingly, we call on the next Government to lengthen the school day by one hour. This will assist in maintaining standards of education while also covering the expanded ICT and science curriculums,” he noted.
“We must also provide additional tax credits for citizens returning to education while ensuring that our third level system is incentivised to properly support part time learning via provision of the same level of capitation grant for night as for day students,” he concluded.

Fahey Slip Up or Not

The rap on the knuckles administered to Frank Fahey by the Public Accounts Committee, regarding his interpretation of the mechanisms funding of marinas on the west coast while Minister may not be as harmful as some might think.

Unless it becomes a part of a trend of mini scandals over the next few weeks, it will soon be forgotten outside of the constituencies where the money was granted. Fahey's laughable performance on Morning Ireland this morning will similarly be forgotten by all but the hacks. However in the constituencies where the projects were delivered, the deed will be remembered and it will not be a negative for FF.

Interest May Rise and Support May Fall

The prospect as indicated in this mornings Irish Independent of a further five rises in interest rates this year may become a feature in the coming election. With a rise due next week, it is highly likely that there will be a further rise pre - election. By May, mortgage holders will be facing further strain in paying the bills.

The reports that Irish financial institutions have begun repossessing houses will have sent a chill up the spine of anyone who remembers Thatcher's UK in the 80s. The Labour posters posing the question 'But Are You Happy?' may well find a few more negative answers. This kind of doom and gloom can spread easily in the pubs and at the watercoolers.