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

From RTE’s description of the X-ray crisis reforms at Tallaght Hospital – The main reforms will see the introduction of a board of management of ten and a review of the size and structure of the 22-member hospital board by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers. The board of management will include external members ‘representing patient interests, business and [...]

Would you really want to live in Fine Gael’s ‘New Republic’? According to the version leaked to the Irish Times, in this brave new world, the Senate will be abolished. The number of Dail deputies elected in the traditional way by PR-STV will be reduced to 146. But there will be the ultra-TD elite – [...]

For the benefit of those of you not on Planet Government or subscribed to the Fianna Fail email update, a message from Brian Lenihan.

There is no doubt that the resignation of Martin Cullen, when taken with that of Willie O’Dea, presents Brian Cowen with a golden opportunity in the forthcoming reshuffle. The current travails of Mary Harney only adds to the list of ministers applying to be removed from thier post. In a political system such as ours [...]

Trying to cut some numbers to take account of the myriad comings and goings experienced in the current Dáil. Anyone want to poke holes? Sure am missing something. First draft looks like this:

In today’s Irish Times 28 economists, academics and analysts have signed an op-ed attacking the Government’s failed economic strategies while providing an alternative way forward. In short, they argue that the Government’s deflationary policies are leading us to a low-growth, high-debt future with unacceptable levels of unemployment; in short, a joyless, jobless future. Instead, we [...]

The Dept of Finance has published new NAMA valuation regulations which supersede previous ones and in so doing, provide some insights into what specific changes the European Commission demanded under state aid rules.  A couple of things to note from what is a confusing document.

There are days when Ireland is a dispiriting place.  Consider the following three seemingly separate issues.  The HSE report into the life and death of TF.  Niamh Brennan’s still under wraps report on the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.  And the latest delay in the Moriarty Tribunal.  They have something in common: legal sensitivities are being [...]

Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, once remarked he wouldn’t get elected as a dog-catcher. He doesn’t need to. He knows all he has to do is give politicians the sniff of a few jobs and they quickly become a man’s best friend. He can make them jump through hoops, watch them snap at each other’s heels [...]

Cowen says Harney’s use of State jet not a matter for him “My function is simply to approve the use of the service,’’ he said.

Reports tonight on the pending reshuffle suggest that Green leader John Gormley might be set to step aside as Minister for the Environment to make way for Ciaran Cuffe as part of an ‘internal’ agreement among the greens made in 2007. According to the Irish Times and others, Green memebers were given to understand that [...]