It appears that Pat's 18% stunt on Saturday has so completely confused Der Fuhrer, that he is now running full tilt to the left. Morning Ireland this morning had an irate Tanaiste claiming that the PDs when returned to the Reichstag would implement a 3oo euro a week pension. He claimed that in saying this that he was not trying to buy the election. Hmmmmm.
His rant also included the side swipe that while the PDs have form in increasing pensions, (remember those PD Ministers for Social Welfare) that Labour have always opposed tax cuts. Now what this of course means in reality is that the PDs have allowed the FF boys a few hand outs to the pensioners and Labour have always opposed tax cuts to the top rate - such is their want as a left wing(ish) party.
McDowell will calm down soon and hopefully in the meantime he will stay out of the way of microphones and unsuspecting opposition spokes people. In terms of guaging the success of any opposition policy announcement, how crazy Michael goes is a good rule of thumb. In this case he not only went crazy, but started abandoning his right wing credo. This round goes to the smug faced boy wearing the off-red rose.
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Monday 12 February 2007
It's the Little Things
With the economy doing pretty well (no one say Pfizer) if anything screws the government, it will be quality of life issues such as health, education, and transport. Transport is one where with Minister Clueless at the helm, they are seen to have performed particularly badly.
Cullen will be the focus of much debate in the coming months and his performance must rank at the lower end of the spectrum in this government. He is a soft target and further revelations about NRA advice on the port tunnell and the continuing mess that is Dublin's traffic system atest to his failure to get to grips with his brief. His appointment of Tom Mulcahey indicates a complete lack of political responsibility.
Todays Indo has a small piece on commute times by bus. This gives some indication of just how badly Cullen is failing in his brief.
Fortunately for him, they seem to love him down Waterford way.
From the Irish Independent
The survey shows:
* A car will travel from Bray to Foxrock Church 7.34 minutes faster than a bus which takes 27.06 minutes.
*TBallymun to Dorset Street Lower: a bus travels in 20.33 minutes, compared with 20 minutes for a car.
* West of the M50 to Camden Street: a bus takes 41.45 minutes, a car does the trip 2.29 minutes faster.
* Raheny to Fairview: a car takes 25 minutes, a bus 1.32 minutes longer.
Cullen will be the focus of much debate in the coming months and his performance must rank at the lower end of the spectrum in this government. He is a soft target and further revelations about NRA advice on the port tunnell and the continuing mess that is Dublin's traffic system atest to his failure to get to grips with his brief. His appointment of Tom Mulcahey indicates a complete lack of political responsibility.
Todays Indo has a small piece on commute times by bus. This gives some indication of just how badly Cullen is failing in his brief.
Fortunately for him, they seem to love him down Waterford way.
From the Irish Independent
The survey shows:
* A car will travel from Bray to Foxrock Church 7.34 minutes faster than a bus which takes 27.06 minutes.
*TBallymun to Dorset Street Lower: a bus travels in 20.33 minutes, compared with 20 minutes for a car.
* West of the M50 to Camden Street: a bus takes 41.45 minutes, a car does the trip 2.29 minutes faster.
* Raheny to Fairview: a car takes 25 minutes, a bus 1.32 minutes longer.
Rabbitte Pulls Coalition From the Hat
What a difference a day can make. The bold Pat has been a bit jittery of late, struggling to stay on message in the face of repeated questioning on his level of commitment to Inda. After his conference speech on Saturday night, the media focus will surely shift back to the politics and the policy, at least for a few days.
The pledge to cut the bottom rate of tax was a master stroke its brilliance exceeded only by its obviousness. Where the shock value is coming from is beyond me. This is reputedly a left wing party, it must try to outflank FF and the PAYE worker on low to medium money is not a bad place to start. Biffos statement that he would continue cutting tax at the top rate next year helps Rabbittes pledge even more, he is addressing the ordinary Joe while FF is looking after the rich man.
The eagerness with which FG grasped hold of the idea was a bit unseemly and me tooish, but it may just be the first step in turning things back round for the alternative coalition, Rabbitte may indeed have pulled it out of the hat.
The pledge to cut the bottom rate of tax was a master stroke its brilliance exceeded only by its obviousness. Where the shock value is coming from is beyond me. This is reputedly a left wing party, it must try to outflank FF and the PAYE worker on low to medium money is not a bad place to start. Biffos statement that he would continue cutting tax at the top rate next year helps Rabbittes pledge even more, he is addressing the ordinary Joe while FF is looking after the rich man.
The eagerness with which FG grasped hold of the idea was a bit unseemly and me tooish, but it may just be the first step in turning things back round for the alternative coalition, Rabbitte may indeed have pulled it out of the hat.
Tuesday 6 February 2007
FF to Parachute Mohan
FF appear set to parachute Hugh Mohan SC as candidate in the Cavan Monaghan constituency. Party HQ have been trying to persuade the former Bar Council Chair to run for some time and it appears they now have their man. It is thought that in a future FF government, Mohan would be the favourite candidate for Attorney General gig.
Mohan had made it clear that he would not run in his home constituency unless some guarantees were given in relation to Monaghan General Hospital. Many felt that such assurances could not be given by FF given Mary Harneys resolute stance on the future of the Monaghan site.
This move may however cause division in County Monaghan. A number of local candidates had indicated their intention to seek the nomination. Benny Kieran has missed out for the second time in a row, having been removed from the ticket in 2002. Seamus Coyle has also missed out. It was not clear as to whether Robbie Gallagher, the 2002 candidate intended running. These three potential candidates were dotted throughout the Monaghan half of the constituency and it is possible that FF HQ have alienated many volunteers in towns throughout Monaghan.
With Cavan Monaghan a four seater this time, Mohan is a high profile candidate, but not a local resident. It will be interesting to see how his arrival on the scene will be viewed by the electorate.
Mohan had made it clear that he would not run in his home constituency unless some guarantees were given in relation to Monaghan General Hospital. Many felt that such assurances could not be given by FF given Mary Harneys resolute stance on the future of the Monaghan site.
This move may however cause division in County Monaghan. A number of local candidates had indicated their intention to seek the nomination. Benny Kieran has missed out for the second time in a row, having been removed from the ticket in 2002. Seamus Coyle has also missed out. It was not clear as to whether Robbie Gallagher, the 2002 candidate intended running. These three potential candidates were dotted throughout the Monaghan half of the constituency and it is possible that FF HQ have alienated many volunteers in towns throughout Monaghan.
With Cavan Monaghan a four seater this time, Mohan is a high profile candidate, but not a local resident. It will be interesting to see how his arrival on the scene will be viewed by the electorate.
Business Calls for Carbon Tax
Energy being the flavour of the month, with the EPA about to publish a document showing our first emissions rise in four years, Chambers Ireland have published a policy document calling for a shadow Carbon Tax.
The Chambers, the largest business organisation in Ireland, argued that a Carbon Tax was needed to change consumption patterns. However it was argued that business did not trust government to implement the tax and as such wished to see the development of a model which would be revenue neutral and would not destroy the competitiveness of Irish business.
We await the reactions of the Government and the Greens in relation to the EPA report and the Chambers call.
The Chambers, the largest business organisation in Ireland, argued that a Carbon Tax was needed to change consumption patterns. However it was argued that business did not trust government to implement the tax and as such wished to see the development of a model which would be revenue neutral and would not destroy the competitiveness of Irish business.
We await the reactions of the Government and the Greens in relation to the EPA report and the Chambers call.
Monday 5 February 2007
After Bertie?
The biggest loser in the Frank Luntz examination of Irish voters attitudes (Rte's Week in Politics) was Brian Cowan. Only 1/3rd of people questioned in the survey thought that Cowan looked like leadership material. If this was a nasty surprise for Biffo, it will surely come as a bonus to his rivals.
The obvious options are Ministers Hanafin, Ahern and Martin. Each one of these will take great comfort in the fact that Irelands answer to Gordon Brown is no longer looking like such a certainty to land the role.
This will be a crucial decision for Fianna Fail. If you factor the changed political atmosphere in which Bertie has operated, it is possible to claim he has been their most popular leader ever. Without him, they are facing many of the same challenges that Fine Gael have faced. Picking a leader with voter appeal is critical. While Biffo maybe popular with the party, he may not play to well with an increasingly image conscious electorate.
This could open a debate within Fianna Fail and should it do so, it will not be good for Brian Cowan. It could also lead to an interesting split. The timing of this will of course depend on the election. If FF win, then its 18 months away, if they lose then its mid summer madness for the Soldiers of Density.
The obvious options are Ministers Hanafin, Ahern and Martin. Each one of these will take great comfort in the fact that Irelands answer to Gordon Brown is no longer looking like such a certainty to land the role.
This will be a crucial decision for Fianna Fail. If you factor the changed political atmosphere in which Bertie has operated, it is possible to claim he has been their most popular leader ever. Without him, they are facing many of the same challenges that Fine Gael have faced. Picking a leader with voter appeal is critical. While Biffo maybe popular with the party, he may not play to well with an increasingly image conscious electorate.
This could open a debate within Fianna Fail and should it do so, it will not be good for Brian Cowan. It could also lead to an interesting split. The timing of this will of course depend on the election. If FF win, then its 18 months away, if they lose then its mid summer madness for the Soldiers of Density.
Thursday 1 February 2007
Two Trips to the Polls?
The Government or at least Der Fuhrer has announced his intention that the referenda on Childrens rights will be held prior to the General Election. If this turns out to be true, there will be the insane spectacle of millions of pounds being needlessly wasted on a referendum, which while important, could be dove tailed with the election. Common sense says merge the two, either with a May date or that the referendum gets called in March and the Government jumps early and saves the taxpayer a few bob (and avoids any banana skins)
Next item on the agenda is who will apply for the Referendum Commission funding which is available to oppose the rights of the child. Could this be the pay day Jade Goody needs now her career is fecked.
Next item on the agenda is who will apply for the Referendum Commission funding which is available to oppose the rights of the child. Could this be the pay day Jade Goody needs now her career is fecked.
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