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

Is it really a big story? Really? Personal insults do not mark out a quality debater but nonetheless the big picture last night was that many thousands turned out in the hail, sleet and snow to protest at education cuts.
Those cuts have yielded horror stories around the country. Like the school in Cloneen, Tipp which [...]

I am just wondering if any of our readers/bloggers are heading along to the education protest at Leinster House tomorrow evening? If so - and you fancy doing some blogging from there - could you get in touch via the comments or the email to arrange something with us here?
Thanks

Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar offers his view on how the SBP Opinion Poll would translate in an election.

Think tank: Time for democracy to click into place
Dan Sullivan gets himself into The Sunday Times, calling for the internet to connect citizens to a more meaningful democracy. Its an argument I agree with wholeheartedly myself. Have a read and let him know what you think.

EurActiv.com - Interview: ‘Hold second Lisbon vote, with opt-outs’ | EU - European Information on EU Treaty & Institutions
Colm Burke MEP reckons that we need to get honest and tell people we will be holding a second Lisbon Vote in Oct 2009 with protocols desigend to secure a yes vote.

I’m talking out of turn here politically, but if anyone is interested in a practical solution to the over 70s medical card fiasco, there’s my tuppence worth.
I might be asking a rather obvious question here but if the GPs charge the state €640 (the figure itself isn’t really relevant at the moment) for giving people [...]

Over at the Property Pin they have been digging away at the proposals in yesterday’s budget for affordable housing provision. The website set up (homechoiceloan.ie) appears to suggest the government is steppign into subprime mortgages for those refused by banks and building societies as well as stipulating the houses purchased come from the 35,000-50,000 new, [...]

Michael Lynn is offended | Maman Poulet
In the definition of brazen neck, Lynn's solicitors told the court that his client Mr. Lynn has taken exception to media coverage of him

Thanks to Neville Gawley who emailed in some wordles of recent budget speeches. I have 2008 here, 2007 below the fold with 2006 and 2005.

Enda Kenny wanted to show leadership today, so at his party’s pre-budget announcement he let it be known he has asked the Dail to cut his pay by 5% for next year. Bold. Decisive. Leading.
Only that on Wednesday he was speaking on that very topic on Today FM’s The Last Word. Paul Gogarty suggested that [...]

What happens in Dublin doesn’t stay in Dublin. For example, the weakness in IFSC-based Depfa bank affects a bridge in Vancouver.

Anyone know why the ESRI shifted their embargo on the Quarterly Summary to 09.30 tomorrow? Conspiracy theorists would have a field day with the possibilities but it seems odd to deny the Irish Times their splash headline tomorrow.
News is bad by the way, contraction wll break 1% of GNP this year.

Dominique Moisi in the FT: The gold medal for selfishness may once more be given to the Irish, who have followed the ingratitude of their No vote on the Lisbon treaty with absolute contempt towards the search for a collective solution to the financial crisis. The European spirit is low and a “European political will” [...]