Irish Election - Coverage of Irish Politics, News and Current Affairs

We spend a lot of time cataloging the difference of policy that often occurs between Labour and Fine Gael, well there is good news for supporters of the opposition as they seems to be reading from the same hymn-sheet over the war taking place in Lebanon and Palestine.

After much innuendo and posturing, it looks like Brian Cowen has officially kicked off the FF leadership race. In a speech last night he set out his vision for a future Ireland. It’s very much in the mould of Gordon Brown, who after several years of getting excited by interest rates and inflation only, is [...]

Has anyone out there opinions on Second Opinions?
Why do we, the Clients or Patients or whatever, have to pay for Second Opinions?
If a Solicitor, or a Doctor or whomsoever has no answers to a question - that they should be able to answer - why shouldn’t they pay for the Second Opinion?
After all, it is [...]

If today’s Irish Times (subs. req’d) is correct, we should get confirmation of Mick’s story from a few weeks ago: that the Donegal North East merger of Fianna Fail and Independent Fianna Fail is going ahead, but only with an understanding from the fabled “grassroots” that a Letterkenny candidate must be on the ticket.

Tomorrow Ill be on Newstalk 106 Media Matters from 12-ish speaking about the blog, blogging, the election and politics. Pat Leahy of the Business Post should be there too so all of you must listen in!! Dont forget to text (30c) or email (free) your comments to the show-lets generate some feedback on blogging!

The papers today have much on Nuclear. I wouldn’t say much as I have already put my thoughts on blog here. However a few points.

Meath Chronicle
McGuinness under no pressure to run, says FG leader
Galway Advertiser
Fine Gael add fourth candidate
The Kingdom
Toireasa Ferris tells how TV storm left her in tears
Kildare Nationalist
Newbridge’s relief road gets on the fast track
Longford Leader
Bannon accuses Kelly of belittling the suffering of Hep C victims
Western People
Clár expansion will benefit Mayo schools
Tipperary Star
Morris climbdown defuses Nenagh row
Enniscorthy [...]

With Personal Debt likely to be an election issue, it might be interesting to have this figure broken down?
I have no idea what this might be, but someone out there might have details?
In particular, I would ask the following:-

Well, what now?
It’s all very well to issue a single sustained clarion blast. It’s a little tougher to actually gather your forces and have a clear idea of what to do with them.
Nonetheless the last few days have seen the bare, tentative sketching of the kinds of things a push for change would involve.
I warn [...]

Just uploaded the latest from the good people at Bif Sniff. Take a gander by scrolling down, and dont forget you can leave comments.

North Korea has finally lived up to its Team America reputation and tested its nuclear warheads (correction: for the sake of accuracy it was the missiles to deliver weaponry they tested), which might well have the capacity to reach the United States and the United Nations once more is called into focus. Will the Security [...]

JJCarroll of Semper Idem reports on a post on Politics.ie that says that the when you contact the HSE about medical cards they refer you to a website owned by the PD’s and including Fianna Fail and PD logos. www.medicalcard.ie This is a very dodgy abuse of position if this is a policy but if [...]

The Labour party has picked an interesting time to put forward its plans for Irish sport but like most things in the world politics it is by no means a coincidence.
Yesterday was a day for sporting finale’s; the Wimbledon tournament came to an end with the mens final, the world-class arena of Croke Park played [...]

The one issue that annoys people most and has resulted the great amounts of young Irish people getting sick of politics. Is Corruption. The idea that all politicians are on the take is prevalent. However of late it seemed to be getting better then we have Fahey. 

Donegal Democrat
McDaid Set To Run After Weekend Of High Drama
Worst Kept Secret Made Public - But Blaney Goes Private
Kildare Nationalist
Fine Gael tears itself apart over ‘dirty tricks’
Carlow Nationalist
Jennifer asks Taoiseach to add her to FF election ticket
The Corkman
Get to know your neighbours better
Galway Advertiser
FF/PD government no better than 19th century landlords, says Higgins
The [...]