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

Cowen apology after use of f-word
A New Era.
Jazz Biscuit
Una
Mulley

Yea, you would guess it’s all over since Bertie Ahern resigned as Taoiseach. Well, it isn’t. And there was more explosive evidence. Didn’t hear about it? Quelle surprise. The media, read RTE, seem to be taking their eye off the ball.
Remember that whole B/T account thing?

Here’s the transcript of today’s showdown in the Dail between Enda Kenny (and a chorus) and Brian Cowen. The record doesn’t capture an apparent swear word that was used by Cowen in the course of the proceedings. But it does make clear that Cowen never answered Kenny’s question about what had happened to [...]

Following on from yesterday’s post about Libertas, Rivada, and the relationships between the two, Wagger has some more dirt to dish…or at least muddy water to sort of flick around the place.
First to Mr Ganley’s defence in today’s Irish Times.  (This time by Alison Healy, rather than Colm Keena, who wrote yesterday’s piece).

If you don’t fancy delving into Declan Ganly’s business interests - and why would you not want to? - take a gander at yesterdays Grand Launch of the uber-cool Rock the Vote and deliver your best caption below.

(Click for larger version) Pic: Creative Commons from Red Mum

(Wagger has decided to return from self-imposed retirement due to having so much fun reading Colm Keena in today’s Irish Times)
Lots of discussion about Libertas and its links, overlapping memberships and possible influence from Rivada Networks today. As the most vocal of the groups opposing the Lisbon Treaty, Libertas can’t really feel it unreasonable [...]

Later today Fianna Fail will host a discussion on globalisation and the Lisbon Treaty which should be interesting in itself. Farming issues will no doubt be front and centre as the WTO deadline has been extended and the effect of EU on that area up in the air. Beyond that there are issues of jobs, [...]

I’m one of those people who hasn’t quite decided which way they’re going to vote on in the referendum. This is because I haven’t got around to reading all of the text I’m voting on yet. However, there’s one incredibly stupid argument the no camp is bandying about right now. It’s an argument that does [...]

An interesting clash of interpretation on the widely discussed style of the new Taoiseahc. For Pat Leahy the new style is “clear thinking and firm decision-making”. For the Sunday Indo, it is “authoritarian” and “stalinist”. An enigmatic man.

Our second round up will start with a plug for myself marking the Return of Rock the Vote, something which has not met with great rejoicing from Mamam Poulet It will be interesting to see what impact the group makes, given that they are arriving so late in the game. Moving from Rock the Vote, [...]

Not a phrase I find myself uttering that often, but publishing the consolidated Treaty (as I understand it) tomorrow in the Sunday Times is a masterstroke. Whether folks read it or not, it raises awareness it exists and could influence votes. Though none of us impune any motives to editorial teams at News International, the [...]

Arguments about democratic deficit within the European Union are always a tad odd, as those who frequently bleat most about democracy, are also those who are most attached to notions of sovereignty. It is a difficult balance to maintain, as increased democracy at a European level (say the election of the president of the European [...]

Irish TImes Poll this morning has FF at 42%, FG at 26%, Lab at 15%, SF 6% , GP 4% and PD 1%
And why wouldn’t 42% of the country consider voting for a man not shy of belting out a few songs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yp3SmUrJQM

Cowen’s political positioning of the government is very much the slowly slowly affair befitting of a month in May. The cabinet reshuffles were quite deft, keeping the big names happy but at arms length from a putsch while the junior ministries gave the backbenches more hope than Bertie ever dared. It is a mark of [...]

Bloggers rejoice as John has this news over on his blog.
Yet Rock the Vote are launching their campaign on May 19th (or so I’m told)! Well after the day and date of the vote has been decided on and less than a week before the closing of the voter registration date.
What are they at?
Only got [...]

Edwards to Endorse Obama - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog
Well that is some way to overcome a dramatic electoral setback. Media management by Obama’s team has been quite good in my view, despite the unforseen stuff like Wright. They have managed to capitalise on set pieces far more than Clinton.