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

A new report by Women’s Health Council and the Money Advice & Budgeting Service (who have a nice little cook book.) has suggested that there is a need for a change of income limits and eligibility requirements for medical cards. And that there is a link between health and debt. Irishhealth.com have a good break [...]

It seems Kevin Myres does not surf the net.
And still, no debate on immigration, none whatever; and never mind the pusillanimous, left-liberal media classes, what about the rest of you? Why the silence? Why the abject, pathetic, skulking public wordlessness on an issue that — to judge from the way so many people come up [...]

In news that does not seem to be generally available yet, Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal is reporting (subs. req’d) that the European Commission has rejected the request from Aer Lingus to force Ryanair to sell its 29.4% stake in the company.  The key point –
Philip Lowe, the EU’s director general for competition, said the European [...]

Dear Ciaran
I read your speech before the Ireland Institute with great interest. There is much common ground between the Left and the Greens. While various political parties may be on opposite sides in the Dail, we are not, ultimately, politically opposed. In that constructive spirit I’d like to discuss some of your observations - specifically, [...]

Labour Party Deputy for Dublin South Central Mary Upton has today highlighted the fear experienced by many in our communities in the run up to and during Halloween.
Now I have to say while it is somewhat comical I do see their point.
The flow of illegal fireworks in our community serves as a danger to all.
————–
Bonfires [...]

Fine Gael’s Charlie Flanagan raised the idea of using the Army to fight gangland crime. This is a bit loopy. Many countries have higher crime rates indeed most have higher rates and do not resort to putting the Army on the streets. Let alone the whole argument that this is not what they army is [...]

Bertie Ahern was delivering a speech to IBEC today where he admitted that since 2002 our competitive position has been considerable eroded by the strength of the Euro and price rises. He is still talking positive on the economy as it “enters a period of transition” but with consistent downgrading of expectations by major institutions [...]

Ciaran Cuffe hasa an interesting post on his blog about the future of the left in Ireland.
Unless The Left realises that its job is not about protecting vested interests, but about assisting the excluded and the disadvantaged in society, The Left will continue to decline.

From RTE news. Ireland, Latin America to mark Guevara’s death There is going to be a meeting outside the symbol of all things left in Ireland Liberty Hall. I am not sure who is going to be there but I am sure there will be many there. But this support that Che gets surprises me [...]

Mary Hanafin has announced that new fee-paying schools will get no assistance from the government. The Indo seems to have an exclusive with this one; the Minister was reportedly answering a query from Ruairi Quinn, as if to remind Labour that Fianna Fail can be as lefty as anyone, thank you very much indeed. Existing [...]

Today it was reported that Ireland is now the European Leader in Foreign Direct Investment in the Life Sciences (Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, generally) within Europe. In the 12 months from June 2006 to June 2007, we attracted more Foreign Direct Investment than any other country in Europe.

Beverly is back in court today to finish up her proceedings with RTE. The court is due to strike out her proceedings with RTE following the repayment of the debts and costs. Speculation in the Sunday newspapers over her return to Fianna Fail even managed to suggest that she will be back in the party [...]

Here’s the Tribune story with the key points from Noel Dempsey’s interview with them about Shannon-Heathrow. In remarks that are likely to inflame the crisis, at least in the short-term, Dempsey states that: Shannon-Heathrow is a lost cause for now (consistent with the imminent deadline to have a new route in place); that he [...]

So the figures on the live register come out today with something for all sides. The live register is down 13,500 on last month. This is clearly something government will look at in hope, however all the opposition parties will emphasise the fact that the seasonally adjusted number on the live register has risen by [...]

The governments get out of jail card over Shannon has gone puff. With British Midland deciding not to set-up a base in Shannon this will put more pressure on the government. The Shannon issue had died down a bit but now it will return.

After all votes tallied, the gap stands at:
Joan Burton 52.5%
Jan O’Sullivan 47.5%
In a total of 2,700 votes that is a margin of around 100  votes or so.