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

If this came out before the election, one can imagine that it might have provided a point of debate or two. Seven A&Es in this country are unfit for purpose according to the HSE’s Emergency Department Task Force report. The Irish Times carries a HSE headline response to impose targets for a 12 A&E wait [...]

This morning the CSO released inflation figures which show Irish year on year inflation at 5.1%. Labour are straight on to blame the management of the PDs and Fianna Fail for this. From the CSO the main sources of inflation (it isn’t just mortgages);

Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels costs increased with higher average [...]

Having spent so long giving out and setting himself against the Sunday Independent, Fine Gael, Labour and the PDs on this, it seems unlikely this was always in the plan for the manifesto. Some of the questions buzzing around my head on this this morning;

The Greens launched their tax and economic policy this morning. It is interesting to note, first off, that the Green Party reckon growth forecasts should be no higher than 4% over the coming years. The PDs on Sunday used 5%+ and I think FG and Labour had a similar figure.

Will look something like this it seems, Pat today announced a 100 day in office plan (modelled on this?). Below are the ten priorities (from labour.ie):

It’s not easy to think of a precedent for the PD’s promise today to have their stamp duty proposals at the top of the order of business of a next government of which they would be a part — a proposal with budgetary implications and yet having been not included in the recent budget to which [...]

They are getting it from both sides today. Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald reckons that Fianna Fail and the alternative government were engaging in a little bit of auction politics today. She took the opportunity to state the party’s position on stamp duty and broader tax policy (including a minimum wage of E9.90. She stated [...]

One market closes, another one opens.
Stamp duty is at the forefront of political promises at the moment, but not for the reasons given by the political parties. Stamp duty reform is not about the consumer, but is, in fact, another example of vested interests getting their agenda to the table, while we’re left to [...]

[MP3 from lofg.com]
- O’Callaghan & ors v Judge Alan Mahon & ors [2007] IESC 17 (30 March 2007 - Judgement of the Supreme Court, delivered by Denham J.)
- Mahon Tribunal: Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments
- Owen O’Callaghan v Mahon tribunal case: Quarryvale hearings to resume in April (The [...]

What you mean you missed it? Don’t worry so have a lot of people.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007 is currently going through the Oireachtas. Contained in that bill is a clause that will mean that private developers in the many areas of Dublin will be able to tell buyers that nobody on social [...]

Did Tayto Ahern get his grasp of economics from Peter Ridsdale?
Currently lying bottom of the championship, heading for relegation to the third division (I just can’t get used to the new-fangled names), Leeds FC were once one of the top teams in the Premiership.

There is a common misconception that the PDs are somehow an ideologically-driven party – a shamrock-shaped soufflé of Margaret O’Thatchers and Friedrich MacHayeks, ‘promoting fairness by pro-competition, pro-consumer policies.’
The reality, however, is that the PDs treat ideology the way a school kid answers questions in Irish composition - search for the key words [...]

We here on Irish Election are of course big Westlife fans and will stop at nothing to further our agenda of a westlife dominated Dail chamber. However we are honest people here and I feel I must comment on what Shane (possibly the blond one) is doing in Sligo. From the Irish Independent

WESTLIFE’S Shane [...]

While the proposal itself is no doubt well known at this stage*, there is a throw away line by Mark Hennessy in today’s Irish Times that should probably concern voters slightly.
“In addition, the profile it hopes to gain will rebalance the relationship between Fine Gael and Labour, who scored significantly when Labour Party leader Pat [...]

That was the part of the dual themed speech he gave to conference on Saturday night. While we were at the blog awards, Gerry was explaining to the country how far Sinn Fein has come on both sides of the border. I personally found the following section of the speech interesting. If only in light [...]

With the auctioneer hoarse already, let’s take a quick look at one of the promises unveiled over the weekend: abolition of stamp duty on house purchases for first time buyers and graduated rates when it is payable.