Elsewhere In Politics

The Dail may yet see more questions on Bertie Ahern’s financial affairs following bad tempered proceedings this morning.

The economy showed strength in the second quarter with a 5% expansion on GDP. GNP (excluding multinational earnings) was up 9%, partially explained by a low number in last year’s result. Consumer spending and construction are continuing to drive the economy, with the former up 6.7% and the latter up 5% domestic and 12% commercial (RTE and CSO)

The cost of keeping a prisoner in Castlerea Prison is E76,900; shouldn’t we be asking our politicians if there is a better, cheaper and more effective way of dealing with crime? (Roscommon Herald). Particularly when our Inspector of Prisons finds some are “training ground[s] for criminality”.

The C&AG report is out and it looks like Government have been spending badly. McDowell and the small government PDs don’t escape censure either. (Indo C&AG)

Has crossover between blogging and media begun? (Well done RW by the way).

Now back to lectures. Feel free to use this as an open thread to raise other stories.