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

Blogging in the third person
As an example of politicians blogging - talking of oneself in the third person is not a great idea.

The New York Times on birthright citizenship in Ireland, when the parents are illegal immigrants. It’s a big issue in the USA too.

Paisley Jnr to Step Down
The Paisley dynasty takes a big hit putting the legacy and future of the DUP on the line too, it seems. The Dromore result has had an effect on the thinking, follow slugger for more. Does this mean a return to hardline DUP-ism?

Bertie to Visit Slovenia, Austria and Poland
Not to curry support for a top EU job rather to discuss the revolving preseidency and make another set-piece speech, this time to the OSCE. He will then meet Angela Merkel and if he is to head off to theEU, then she will be essential in getting him there.

Obama - “Just words?”
Time and time again Barack Obama has made the hairs stand on the back of my neck through his speeches alone. This is no different and it also acts as a simple and powerful rebuff to Hillary Clinton and John McCain’s attempts to undermine Obama as just a g

Tracking a lost camera to its owner - CNN.com
Saw this in one of the Sunday newspapers and had a look into the story behind it.
Pretty amazing work by the people that found it - fair play to them and here’s hoping they find my camera should I ever lose it!

Motivated by a Tax, Irish Spurn Plastic Bags - New York Times
Always interesting to read the foriegn perspective to an Irish law or practice, although the article almost paints Ireland as some kind of environmental Utopia.

Roche spent 10% of Affordable Homes budget on his own constituency
According to The Sunday Business Post, Dick Roche spent €4.6m of a €50m Affordable Housing budget in his Wicklow constituency just before the last election.
The money had been allocated to be spent on Affordable Housing in the Greater Dubln Area.

Russian PM to head Gazprom?
Is Russia really all that different from the west when an outgoing Prime Minister moves sideways into a big corporate job?

Notes On The Front: Where are the Law-and-Order Parties When You Need Them?
Interesting look at the types of crime that political parties are getting hung up about. Taking a look at the NERA report it suggests that employees are as subject to crime but its rarely mentioned.

Flash Eurozone annual inflation rate rose to 3.2% in January
Rate cuts my arse

Hillary and Florida
Interesting point on Hilary Clinton’s talk about Florida of late. Is it wise to campaign in such a clearly self-serving way when those opposed to you claim you’ll do anything to win, including going back on a promise?
I suppose the question that must be

Edwards ‘quits’ White House race
It was bound to happen, but some expected him to hang on until the 5th to try and be "King Maker".
Don’t be surprised to see him support Obama now.
So; will Guiliani follow on the Republican side?

The Dail Ministers: Mary Hanafin
Genius work by this blogger. Some blogs might be shite, as they say in their intro post, but this one won’t be one of them. Take a read of the intro to see why Mary is the first Minister to be profiled in what promises to be a pretty decent lineup.

Progressive Democrat Leader by March
Following the meeting today they expect the rule-changes and leader to be in place by March. Leaders will be taken from inside or outside the Dail.

Libertas Spending More Cash
John notes that Libertas estimate they will be spending E1.5 million on their forthcoming no campaign. He raises some good points on the nature of deriving that funding. Arguably though, Libertas is itself a forseeable outcome when all of the major politi