End of Term Report - A Lot Undone

A very good year for Government.

Benchmarking has delivered huge increases in what theTD’s pay themselves.

Bertie has slithered out of a potential resignation issue; Cullen, in spite of his bonehead incompetence, retains his job; Martin has been transformed from the face that launched the Smoking Ban - his three-year evangelistic mission - into obscurity; Mary Harney has taken a well-earned rest, having failed to get any support from Bertie Ahern; Micheal McDowell continues in his obsession with secrecy & media suppression; Brennan soldiers on gamely, having learnt that constant mug shots in de medya upsets de Bert; The other Ahern must be wondering who the Minister of Foreign Affairs might be, as de Bert seems to have usurped his portfolio.

Cowen’s Budget was well signaled and generally well received. More money in one’s pocket will always be well received.

Interesting to see Comrade Begg - RTE’s permanent spokesperson on poverty, champion of CORI’s underclass - pontificating.
With the white fluff on part of his chin, he looks, for all the world, like one of those Amish elders, without the hat - or the Humility.
He lamented the fact that only 30% of Irish citizens would derive any real benefit from the reduction of the standard rate of Income Tax by 1%.
As he pays himself more than a quarter of a million Euros per annum, plus whopping expenses, he is one very happy camper.

As, indeed will be Comrades O’Connor; Scanlon; Halpenny; Dolan et al.

And Comrade Healy doesn’t look short of a bob or two.

But on to more serious matters.

This Government have failed to define their role in Irish Politics. It lurches from crisis to crisis, without any coherent structures.

Where is the definition of responsibilities and authortiy?

What Minister is responsible for Natural Resources?

Or Human Resources; Communications?

Why have we a Minister of Foreign Affairs, when the Taoiseach has taken over that job?

Maybe it gives Bertie an excuse to “appear” to be doing something worthwhile?

Do we really need a Minister of Defense? or Education? or Health? etc…

What has happened to the debate on “Political Donations” - or “Bribes” - or “Gifts” - or the endless euphemisms that obscure what is taking place daily?

And it is highly unlikely that the opposition is going to demand reform. Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas and they will be hoping to get a slice of the cake next year! -

And can you see Rabbitte taking the bus to Leinster House?

There is also unfinished business elsewhere.

RTE have been in with the begging bowl, looking for an increase at a time when they are owed millions by Beverly Flynn.

The murderers of Garda McCabe languish in a 4-star prison, living off the hog.

Why have An Garda Siochana - and Detective McCabe’s widow, not sued the IRA & Gerry Adams, its Chief-of-Staff, for compensation for the loss of that life; the loss of the services of a good policeman?

€25 million would seem modest compensation for such a heinous act.

It is time for Minister McDowell to abolish the defence of “Political Murder”.

The taking of human life is murder, whatever the motives.

And the killing of a policeman during an armed robbery - to pay for Mary-Lou McDonald’s campaign to be an Irish MEP, is murder.

Not manslaughter, Adam’s cynical solution ahead of the amnesty under the Good Friday Agreement.

And 7 hours to get from Dublin to Bray!!!
A LOT UNDONE.