Another day, another scandal ...

[markinmanc]

They can't see anything wrong with favouring constituents over other citizens of the state. :rolleyes:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/tanaiste-denies-abusing-power-by-fasttracking-499-passports-1749782.html

TANAISTE Mary Coughlan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Mary+Coughlan) has used controversial powers to fast-track the approval of a passport a day over the past year-and-a-half.
Ms Coughlan used special privileges to help speed up 499 passport applications in just 483 days, documents obtained by the Irish Independent (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Irish+Independent) reveal.
The Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister -- already under fire amid spiralling jobs losses -- has denied abusing her powers, despite accounting for one in every 10 passport fast-tracking requests made since the beginning of 2008.
Ms Coughlan helped procure the passports using a special rapid service available to Oireachtas members.
The practice was criticised last night by anti-corruption organisation Transparency International (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Transparency+Interna tional), which said it could be seen as undue interference in the work of civil servants.
The group also said senior politicians should be focusing their efforts on tackling the economic crisis rather than devoting so much time and resources to acts of clientelism.
Under the system, TDs and senators can leave passport applications given to them by members of the public in a drop box in Leinster House (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Leinster+House).
These applications are processed by a special unit at the passport office and the passport is issued within five days -- half the time a regular application would take.
Some 4,383 applications were dealt with in this way between January 2008 and the end of last month, according to documents released under the Freedom on Information Act.
The amount of applications fast-tracked by the Tanaiste was only surpassed by her fellow Donegal Fianna Fail (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fianna+Fail) TD Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, who helped speed up 539 passports in that period.
In contrast, Cabinet ministers such as Eamon O Cuiv (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Eamon+O+Cuiv), Martin Cullen (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Martin+Cullen), Mary Hanafin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Mary+Hanafin), Willie O'Dea (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Willie+O'Dea), Batt O'Keeffe (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Batt+O+Keeffe), Micheal Martin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Micheal+Martin) and Eamon Ryan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Eamon+Ryan) used the service less than 30 times in the same period.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brian+Cowen) was the second most prolific Cabinet member after the Tanaiste, fast-tracking 154 applications.
He was followed by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dermot+Ahern) on 106, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brendan+Smith+(Irish +Politician)) on 102 and Health Minister Mary Harney (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Mary+Harney) on 98.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Noel+Dempsey) helped fast-track 90 passports, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brian+Lenihan) speeded up 56 applications, while Environment Minister John Gormley (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+Gormley) used the service 36 times.
A spokeswoman for Ms Coughlan denied there was anything unusual about the number of times the Tanaiste's office had used the facility.
"It is a reflection of a service offered in her constituency office and the level of engagement with constituents," the spokeswoman said.
However, Transparency International Ireland (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ireland)'s chief executive John Devitt (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+Devitt) said the practice was unfair on people who used the regular system and didn't jump the queue.
"It reinforces the public perception of TDs and senators as fixers rather than legislators," he said.
Applications
The six Donegal TDs accounted for 1,421 -- or just under one-third -- of all fast-tracked applications since the beginning of 2008.
Mr Gallagher, who is campaigning for a seat in the European elections, told the Irish Independent: "It is not an abuse of the system."
He said he and the Tanaiste were inundated with requests to fast-track applications because of the remoteness of Donegal (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Donegal) from Dublin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dublin) and a high awareness among constituents of the availability of the service.
However, TDs in similarly remote counties, such as Kerry and Clare (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Clare), have used the facility only a handful of times in the same period.
Calls were made to scrap the service last year amid claims it was unfair on ordinary citizens and allowed politicians to use a resource provided by the State to effectively garner votes.
However, despite a review being ordered by then Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, the facility was retained after Fianna Fail, Fine Gael (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael) and Labour all argued it should continue. The passport office deals with over 600,000 regular applications each year.
- Shane Phelan

[markinmanc]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/8364500000-for-ministers-in-house-perks-1749272.html

Government ministers have availed of a little-known perk to claim over €500,000 in the past six years for maintaining second homes in Dublin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dublin), the Sunday Independent can reveal.
Ministers who live outside Dublin are each receiving thousands of euro in tax breaks towards purchasing and maintaining their second homes in the city, a measure that has so far escaped the Government's attempt to cut back on benefits to politicians.
The disclosure comes in the week that over 154,000 house-owners officially lost mortgage interest relief, a cutback announced in the Budget last month.
In that Budget, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brian+Lenihan) also announced what he called a "share the pain" measure designed to curtail the huge cost of paying ministerial pensions to sitting TDs.
But the proposal, which was resisted by some of the former ministers concerned, ran into an immediate legal obstacle. Now the Attorney General and senior officials in the Department of Finance (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Irish+Department+of+ Finance) are working on new legislation in an attempt to finally introduce the measure.
The biggest beneficiary is former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Bertie+Ahern), who is currently in receipt of pension payments totalling €164,000, in addition to his TD's pay and lucrative expenses regime. However, such pensions are also claimed by prominent opposition members, including Enda Kenny (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Enda+Kenny), Richard Bruton (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Richard+Bruton), Ruairi Quinn (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ruairi+Quinn) and Michael D Higgins (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Michael+D.+Higgins).
The disclosure today that current Government ministers are quietly claiming significant sums to maintain second homes in Dublin will further anger taxpayers, who are already outraged at the level of remuneration, including huge sums in unvouched expenses, available to all sitting TDs and senators.
The little-known tax break, known as the Dual Abode Allowance, means a minister, or minister of state, who represents a constituency outside Dublin can claim for a second residence.
It can also be claimed on rented or hotel accommodation. If the second residence is owned by the minister, an allowance equivalent to the annual mortgage/home loan interest paid on the loan taken out to purchase the second home can be claimed.
And if the property is acquired during the term of office, the costs of acquiring the residence other than the capital cost of the house may also be claimed, for example, auctioneers and solicitors fees.
In addition, a minister is entitled to an allowance for the actual vouched costs spent on maintaining the second residence. Examples of maintenance costs are light, heating, repairs, insurance etc.
If the minister or minister of state uses hotel accommodation as a second residence, the allowance is equivalent to the actual cost of room rental.
Furthermore, an office-holder is entitled to an allowance for the actual vouched additional costs associated with maintaining a second residence in a hotel.
The benefit, contained in Section 836 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act, allows ministers to claim tax relief where "arising out of the performance of his or her duties ... a minister or minister of state is obliged to maintain a second residence".
In the Dail last week, Labour's Ciaran Lynch (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ciaran+Lynch) was told that more than a dozen ministers and ministers of state have claimed more than €500,000 over the past six years alone.
In 2003, claims submitted by 19 ministers cost €109,450. Most recent figures, for 2007, indicate that 16 ministers took advantage of the scheme at a cost of just over €88,000.
Yesterday, Mr Lynch told the Sunday Independent: "In a situation where clerical workers in the offices of these ministers are being docked with heavy pension levies, this is surely a perk too far."
He also expressed concern over the absence of "transparency" in relation to which ministers made the claims. He said: "In Britain (http://www.independent.ie/topics/United+Kingdom) at the moment there is a furore over poorly audited payments to politicians which has nearly brought the Government to its knees. I am sure ministers here are not using taxpayers' money to build ornamental duck ponds or clean their moats, but at a time when thousands of people are experiencing negative equity, and are struggling to pay the mortgage, it is astonishing the Government sees nothing wrong with the spectacle of ministers second homes being subsidised by the taxpayer."
The qualification period for ministerial pensions is merely two years in office and is payable from the age of 55. Ministers and minister of state also avail of generous severance payments if they are demoted after only two years' service. TDs and senators also avail of a raft of unvouched expenses and allowances administered by various departments, the Houses of the Oireachtas (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Houses+of+the+Oireac htas) Commission and the Revenue.
Members can claim a range of payments without receipts, mileage allowances while using public transport, and daily overnight costs of €139 without necessarily having incurred any outlay. The expenses bill for TDs and senators is estimated at over €40m this year.
A spokesman for Revenue confirmed to the Sunday Independent that laws governing the arrangements TDs have for unvouched expenses date back in some instances to 1938 and 1962.
A Department of Finance spokesman said yesterday the Budget Day pledge to cut long-service bonuses to TDs had been implemented despite resistance. These increments of €3,100 and €6,400 for TDs with seven and 10 years' service have now been stopped and will no longer be paid.
But any savings will accrue in the future as the increments are frozen only from the time of the Budget and the cuts do not apply to those TDs who already qualified for the service bonuses.
"As for ministerial pensions, the Attorney-General is now looking at that issue in consultation with the Department of Finance and the legislation is being drafted and these new proposals will be brought to Cabinet shortly," a Government spokesman said.
- JOHN DRENNAN and JOHN WHELAN

[markinmanc]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0528/breaking41.htm

There have been further calls today for full disclosure of the value of assets belonging to religious congregations and the terms of the 2002 deal made with the government in the wake of the Ryan report into institutionalised child abuse.
Earlier today, the Dáil passed an all-party motion that apologised to the victims of childhood abuse for the failure to intervene, accepted all the recommendations of the Ryan report, and called on the congregations to commit to making further substantial contributions in reparations.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore urged the Government to voluntarily publish all documents relating to the negotiation of the 2002 deal between the congregations and the State.
The deal indemnified the religious orders from all redress claims made by victims in exchange for payments and property transfers totalling €127 million. The total bill for the redress scheme is likely to be about €1.3 billion.

[Golfer]

There must be no post offices left in Donegal.
I got my passport renewed in 10 days though the passport express at the post office.

[markinmanc]

Nice to know where your extra taxes are going, eh?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0529/angloirish.html



Anglo Irish Bank has written off €308m it lent to ten 'longstanding clients', reported to have been given the loans to buy shares in the bank.
The ten individuals who borrowed the money subsequently became known as the 'Golden Circle'.
This morning, Anglo released results which show a €4.1bn loss for the six-month period to the end of March.
Advertisement

Read (http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0529/anglo2009.pdf) the report
It warned that losses could reach €7.5bn over the next three years.
The Government now plans to seek EU approval to put €4bn of State money into the bank in the coming weeks.

Anglo Irish Bank chairman Donal O'Connor admitted its lending had been imprudent and the results very disappointing.
He said total loan losses are likely to reach €7.5bn. Among those losses disclosed today €31m on loans to former directors.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan confirmed that up to €4bn of State money would be invested to recapitalise the bank.

He said winding up Anglo, the third biggest bank in the country, was not an option.

Minister Lenihan said the priority has been to stabilise the bank.
The results show deposits from businesses in Anglo dropped by almost €9bn after nationalisation.

[markinmanc]

SO how much taxpayers money will be spent to ensure FF stay in power?

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/lowry-and-healyrae-secure-their-assurances-1767760.html

Independent TD Michael Lowry met with the Taoiseach yesterday to get guarantees that social welfare recipients will not be unduly targeted in December's Budget.
Mr Lowry (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Michael+Lowry) and fellow Independent Jackie Healy-Rae (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Jackie+Healy-Rae) sought extra assurances for their support ahead of tonight's motion of no confidence in the Government.
Mr Lowry said he wanted to "lay down a few markers" with Mr Cowen but he is almost certain to vote with the Government today.
Mr Healy-Rae contacted Health Minister Mary Harney (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Mary+Harney) amid fears that the HSE (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Health+Service+Execu tive+(Ireland)) will close vital services at Kerry General Hospital (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Kerry+General+Hospit al).
After his meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brian+Cowen), Mr Lowry said: "There are a number of issues I want to raise. I believe the Government will have a majority with or without me. But the crunch is the December Budget," he said.
Mr Lowry said before his meeting that a verbal commitment from the Taoiseach would be enough to secure his vote later tonight.
South Kerry Independent TD Jackie Healy Rae -- who has consistently voted with Fianna Fail (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fianna+Fail)-led governments since his election 12 years ago -- did not seek a meeting with Mr Cowen or his officials ahead of the vote of confidence.
But the HSE's announcement yesterday that some services in hospitals in Cork (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Cork) and Kerry will be curtailed prompted Mr Healy-Rae to contact Ms Harney.
Guarantee
"I talked to Minister Harney and I've got a 100pc guarantee that acute services will not go in Kerry," he said. "Do you think I could vote with the Government if they cut services at Kerry General Hospital? How could I face them in Kerry ever again after my two sons topped the poll at the weekend? Not a hope in hell."
Yesterday's assurance given to Mr Healy-Rae is the second time he has sought guarantees on his agreement with the Government. His eight-page deal also contains a guarantee that there will be "no reintroduction of third-level fees".
Mr Lowry said last night that the Government had "respected and honoured" his agreement.
He claimed that additional services for Nenagh Hospital (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Nenagh+Hospital), grant aid for community groups and additional funding for roads and environmental schemes in his constituency are as a direct result of his deal.
- Aidan O'Connor

[markinmanc]

How the money you are lending the banks is creating megaprofits for an elite, whilst undermining the state healthcare system:


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0616/1224248898639.html

Where is the justice in a church-run private hospital allowing rich people to avoid tax, writes FINTAN O'TOOLE
LAST WEEK, Goodbody Stockbrokers sent out a glossy prospectus to its private clients. Its aim is to arrange “a syndicate of investors to acquire a relevant interest for tax purposes in a new up to date and enlarged private hospital to be built within the grounds of Saint Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG) Limited in Elm Park, Dublin 4”. The stockbrokers, for a fee of over €2 million, are looking to raise €38 million from rich investors towards the cost of building a co-located, for-profit private hospital.
SVHG, as the prospectus helpfully reminds investors, “has its origins back in 1834 when Mother Mary Aikenhead, foundress of the Religious Sisters of Charity, established St Vincent’s Hospital”. Its shareholders are the Sisters of Charity whose “values of human dignity, compassion, justice, quality and advocacy . . . guide us in our work”. The building of the new private hospital is certainly an act of charity – towards the needy rich. As the Goodbody prospectus makes clear, the primary attraction for investors is the avoidance of tax. Investors are to receive capital allowances from the Revenue of €388,267 over seven years for every €100,000 invested. Essentially, from the point of view of the investors, the new hospital is a tax shelter. It is a place where stressed-out money, that might otherwise be spent on nasty things like schools and, um, hospitals, will be afforded the tender loving care it deserves.
This tax relief is not the only aspect of State generosity evident in this project. The investors’ funds will cover just €38 million of the cost of building the super-private hospital. The rest – €154 million – is to be borrowed from Bank of Ireland.
How is this possible in the credit crunch, when many viable and productive businesses are finding it impossible to get finance from the banks?
Earlier this year the Saint Vincent’s project was foundering precisely because the banks were wary of putting up the money. What happened to change this situation? The taxpayer (via Brian Lenihan) put €3.5 billion into Bank of Ireland. Effectively, as well as subsidising the private investors, the public is lending over €150 million to a company owned by the Sisters of Charity. Apparently, the State has nothing better to do with this kind of money than to put it into the provision by a religious order of more healthcare for the wealthiest in society.
The supposed purpose of these public subventions is, of course, to free up beds in public hospitals. Interestingly, this is not quite what Goodbody is telling its prospective investors. It lists the “project rationale” as “to increase capacity to meet increased [private] demand in South County Dublin” and “to upgrade and enhance the acute care provided by SVHG”. Only as an afterthought does it add that “the greater capacity in the new private hospital . . . also offers the potential to free up resources in the public hospital”.
Note the lovely word “potential”. The money men have a nice way of cutting through the political propaganda – the point of the new, publicly subsidised hospital is to expand services for private patients.
Anything else is a possible side-effect.
What does all of this say about the role of the religious orders? Time and again, we are told that the point of their continued control of State-funded institutions is the preservation of “values”. In this case that would be all those lovely things like justice and compassion. They would also include, according to the SVHG, “a governance ethos which places a premium on medical excellence delivered in a charitable and loving environment and on an equal basis to all . . . irrespective of social standing and means”.
Where’s the justice in allowing rich people to avoid tax? In using badly needed, State-backed credit to expand services for the well-off? What sense of values allows you to claim that your special mission is to provide healthcare “irrespective of social standing and means” while you’re actively reinforcing a system of health apartheid? And if it is not to uphold justice and equality or to advocate for the poor, what is the point of church control?
The other set of questions concerns the process of reparation for the industrial school abuses. The Sisters of Charity ran five industrial schools, including St Joseph’s, Kilkenny, and also ran Madonna House. They were responsible for severe physical violence against children and for a consistent failure to protect children from sexual predators.
How should they make reparation?
Here’s an idea – if the stated objective of the co-location policy is to create more public hospital beds, why not do this in a way that is truly just and does not involve collusion with tax avoidance and health apartheid? Give the existing private hospital to the State. The great motto of Mother Mary Aikenhead, who founded the Sisters of Charity, was “give to the poor what the rich could buy with money”.
What better way to live up to this mission, and to make recompense for the wrongs done to children, than to stop taking from the poor to allow the rich to buy health with money?

[How bad boy]

I've made some good money off the shares of those banks and I'm fairly skint, so it's not all bad...

[markinmanc]

€100k of travel expenses over two years? :crazyeye:


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/0728/1224251493023.html?v ia=mr

THE COSTS of flights and accommodation for Ministers travelling to high-profile events abroad “invariably involve a high premium”, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has said in a statement.
Commenting on the expenses incurred by John O’Donoghue, former minister for tourism and now Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, the department said “every effort is made to secure the best possible rates” for Ministers and their delegations. The statement was in response to a Sunday newspaper report that documents released under the Freedom of Information Act showed Mr O’Donoghue, his wife Kate Ann and his private secretary, ran up a travel bill of more than €100,000 over a period of two years.
Among the listed items of expenditure were a series of €900-a-night hotels, €9,616 for car hire in Cannes, €120 for hat rental in London, €250 for water taxis in Venice and €80 in India “for moving the luggage”.
On a four-night visit to the Venice Biennale art exhibition in 2007, the former arts minister, his wife and the department official ran up hotel bills of €5,834. The water taxi to and from the airport cost €250.
On a visit to Cannes in May 2006 for the annual film festival, Mr O’Donoghue stayed in the Hotel Montfleury in Cannes at a cost of €990 a night and a total bill of almost €5,000. Car hire for that trip came to €9,616, according to the figures cited by the Sunday Tribune .
A limousine in Berlin where Mr O’Donoghue was attending a World Cup soccer game cost €2,436, while his official’s hat rental as “per dress code at official function” during a visit to London cost €120.
During a two-day stay at the Hotel Le Bristol in Paris in 2006, Mr O’Donoghue and his wife ran up a bill of €1,943.80. Limousine hire during a trip to the UK for St Patrick’s Day came to €8,843. A visit to India included a claim of €80 by the official for tips “forked out to the Indians for moving the luggage around airports, hotels etc”.
Asked to comment on the figures yesterday, the department said: “Ministers, given the nature of the brief, travel abroad to high-profile events, such as the Venice Biennale, the Olympics, the World Cup matches, all of which are regarded as contributing to the promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination and a venue for international sports events. The costs of flights and accommodation for such events invariably involve a high premium worldwide.
“In relation to the procuring of accommodation and car hire, every effort is made to secure the best possible rates for the Minister and the delegation. The cost of facilities at airports relates to fees charged at a standard rate.”
Tourism development and promotion was “one of the key objectives of the department”. The tourism sector was “underpinned by the arts and sports sectors, which also serve to enhance the tourism product”.
“Given the nature of the arts, sport and tourism brief, it is customary and necessary for the Minister to attend major events in Ireland and abroad. International marketing is regarded as an essential activity in the attraction of tourists to Ireland.”
A spokesman for Mr O’Donoghue declined to comment.

[jd26]

Considering what the Speaker resigned for in the UK, O'Donoghue should go.

But we don't do resignations in Ireland.

And the worst is he's guaranteed to retain his seat because you can't vote against the ceann comhairle in Ireland.

[quincytwo]

Considering what the Speaker resigned for in the UK, O'Donoghue should go.

But we don't do resignations in Ireland.

And the worst is he's guaranteed to retain his seat because you can't vote against the ceann comhairle in Ireland.
Why on earth should they resign when they know they can always rely on people like you to complain about ' unfair' treatment of politicians ?

You and people like you are the problem !

[jd26]

Why on earth should they resign when they know they can always rely on people like you to complain about ' unfair' treatment of politicians ?

You and people like you are the problem !

Christ, you're boring.

Unable to discuss the issue, just attack another poster.

Now, why do you want to distract from John O'Donoghue's corruption?

Do you think he should resign?

Do you think there should be a motion of no confidence in the ceann comhairle (not that it could pass)?

Do you think the ceann comhairle should be accountable to the electorate?

[quinnC2]

Surely the Greens have something to do with this.

Dan Boyle, I'm watching you!

*shakes fist*

[markinmanc]

Surely the Greens have something to do with this.

Dan Boyle, I'm watching you!

*shakes fist*

Nice user name.

[quincytwo]

Christ, you're boring.

Unable to discuss the issue, just attack another poster.

Now, why do you want to distract from John O'Donoghue's corruption?

Do you think he should resign?

Do you think there should be a motion of no confidence in the ceann comhairle (not that it could pass)?

Do you think the ceann comhairle should be accountable to the electorate?

Jd, remember you started the ball rolling with the attacks on me; I only ever wanted to concentrate on issues and politicians, but you couldn't resist the mob mentality - it still goes on so stop whinging like a little big girls blouse.

Lets start with the local issues of abuse such as the scandalous Lord mayor's salary, car and driver and expenses. This is a local site so lets deal with local issues first.

[markinmanc]

Jd, remember you started the ball rolling with the attacks on me; I only ever wanted to concentrate on issues and politicians, but you couldn't resist the mob mentality - it still goes on so stop whinging like a little big girls blouse.

Lets start with the local issues of abuse such as the scandalous Lord mayor's salary, car and driver and expenses. This is a local site so lets deal with local issues first.

You tend to attack specific people, not policies which manages to alienate people like myself - I think you have good points to make but they end up looking like a vendetta.

[quinnC2]

Jd, remember you started the ball rolling with the attacks on me; I only ever wanted to concentrate on issues and politicians, but you couldn't resist the mob mentality - it still goes on so stop whinging like a little big girls blouse.

Lets start with the local issues of abuse such as the scandalous Lord mayor's salary, car and driver and expenses. This is a local site so lets deal with local issues first.

Yes, we simply MUST get the agenda back on to that dastardly Dan Boyle!

How dare he force his leftist enviro-marxist doctrine on me.

I won't take it DBTD, I won't!!!

*shakes fist*

[markinmanc]

Meanwhile the country's opera companies are to be closed. Peopl will argue that their not essential, but a short time saving will result in a great cultural loss.

More money for limos though. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0730/1224251670828.html

[jd26]

Woo hoo

More centralisation into Dublin.

But they already managed to close Cork's opera company earlier this year, so screwing around with Wexford is no surprise.

Undoubtedly, they will centralise everything into something taken from Opera Ireland - supposedly the most prestigious company, but actually the one that does nothing to put on productions outside Dublin or promote opera nationwide.

[markinmanc]

Woo hoo

More centralisation into Dublin.

But they already managed to close Cork's opera company earlier this year, so screwing around with Wexford is no surprise.

Undoubtedly, they will centralise everything into something taken from Opera Ireland - supposedly the most prestigious company, but actually the one that does nothing to put on productions outside Dublin or promote opera nationwide.

Whilst an internationally lauded opera house (paid for by the taxpayer) will sit empty.

[jd26]

And the minister will hide behind the Arts Council decision, while happily claiming credit whenever they spend money.

[markinmanc]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/revealed-tds-lavish-expenses-1849357.html

TDs are living an extravagant five-star lifestyle and the tax payer is picking up the tab, a new investigation into their expenses gravy train reveals.
A two-month investigation by the Sunday Independent reveals today the true extent of our politicians' excess, particularly when travelling overseas during 2008.
For the first time, we have obtained the full details of the top 10 expenses claimants in 2008, who between them shared a startling €727,382 in largely tax-free expenses.
Some of the most extravagant claims include luxurious business-class travel, a €1,500 bill for three days in a five-star hotel, a €500 mobile phone bill run up in South Africa (http://www.independent.ie/topics/South+Africa), €28,000 for retaining professional "media services", dinner and drinks, car park charges at Dublin Airport (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dublin+Airport) and taxi rides. One TD claimed a €6.57 foreign transaction fee for withdrawing money from his own account from an ATM in Geneva (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Geneva).
Full details Page 3
The politicians involved are Ned O'Keeffe (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ned+O'Keeffe), Beverley Flynn (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Beverley+Flynn), Brendan Kenneally (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brendan+Kenneally), Tom Hayes (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Tom+Hayes), Dan Neville (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dan+Neville), John Cregan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+Cregan), Niall Blaney (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Niall+Blaney), PJ Sheehan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/PJ+Sheehan), Pat Breen (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Pat+Breen) and Jackie Healy-Rae (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Jackie+Healy-Rae).
Several of those involved yesterday defended their expense claims, saying they are entitled to what they received. Importantly, these claims were made on top of generous subsistence and travel allowances given to the TDs, for travelling between their constituencies and Dail Eireann (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dail+Eireann) and when they are on foreign trips.
Our revelations come in the wake of fierce opposition from TDs to plans by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Brian+Lenihan) to radically reform the expense system which left the state with an €11m bill from TDs and senators last year.
A spokesman for Mr Lenihan told the Sunday Independent: "There has already been a 10 per cent across-the-board cut and a 25 per cent reduction in mileage. Those cuts have already happened. There is, however, concern about how the new system of expenses will work."
- DANIEL McCONNELL Chief Reporter Exclusive

[markinmanc]

Well it is a Bank Holiday weekend like.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coalition-silence-over-odonoghue-jet-trips-1849608.html


THE government parties last night maintained silence on the position of Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+O'Donoghue) after further embarrassing revelations about his expenses claims.
It has emerged that Mr O'Donoghue used the government jet over a six-day period in 2006 to travel to the Cannes Film Festival (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Cannes+Film+Festival ) in France (http://www.independent.ie/topics/France), a constituency event in Kerry, the Heineken (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Heineken) Rugby Cup final won by Munster (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Munster+Province) in Cardiff (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Cardiff), and a Ryder Cup (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ryder+Cup) launch near London (http://www.independent.ie/topics/London), at a total cost of €32,450 to the taxpayer.
The only figure to publicly call on him to explain his position was his constituency rival, independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Jackie+Healy-Rae), who described his use of the government jet as a "bloody joke".
Mr O'Donoghue was Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister at the time.

[leesider]

Lets start with the local issues of abuse such as the scandalous Lord mayor's salary, car and driver and expenses. This is a local site so lets deal with local issues first.

I asked Patricia Gosch about the lord mayor's salary when she knocked on my door during the local elections......she played dumb and wouldn't give me an answer.......a ceremonial position paying that amount is scandalous and then he gets a raise last year.

[markinmanc]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/berties-bigspending---plans-to-get-the-snip-1850019.html


During Mr Ahern's era, there was an expansion in political salaries, allowances and junior ministers. There were just 15 Oireachtas committees in 1999, but this number expanded to 24 under Mr Ahern.
This meant almost no government TD was without one of the paid committee positions of chair (€20,000), vice-chair (€10,000) and convenor (€6,000). While these payments have been cut or abolished, the Bord Snip Nua report said the number of committees could be reduced substantially to save €600,000 while still "maintaining the required oversight of the activities of Government".
The report also looked at Mr Ahern's decision to give untaxed party leaders' allowances worth €41,152 to all independent TDs in 2001.
Scrapped
At the time, he was dependent on the support of four independent TDs, including Jackie Healy Rae (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Jackie+Healy-Rae), to stay in government. The report said it could see "no justification" for these payments and recommended they should be scrapped.

[jd26]

Why does the ceann comhairle have access to the government jet?

Regarding the other story, their criticisms are a bit all over the shop. Although they might be trying to make the person involved look tight, I have no problem with the ATM claim. It was an expense incurred because they were travelling on legitimate business. And travel enough and all those little expenses add up.

The mobile phone bill is a bit dodgy. There should be guidelines about how often a phone can be used while abroad. But, while within the guidelines, it's fine to expense it.

Expenses payments for retaining media services is not on. Any media services required should be used by the government, not the individual TD.

[Actin The Sham]

Why does the ceann comhairle have access to the government jet?

Regarding the other story, their criticisms are a bit all over the shop. Although they might be trying to make the person involved look tight, I have no problem with the ATM claim. It was an expense incurred because they were travelling on legitimate business. And travel enough and all those little expenses add up.

The mobile phone bill is a bit dodgy. There should be guidelines about how often a phone can be used while abroad. But, while within the guidelines, it's fine to expense it.

Expenses payments for retaining media services is not on. Any media services required should be used by the government, not the individual TD.


I think that the media services grant to Beverley Flynn was a sop given to her by Bertie Ahern to manage her return to FF.

She also was getting an independent's allowance even after she rejoined the party.

The whole Beverley Flynn affair should be properly investigated and exposed.

Also, some FG TD from Clare billed for thousands of euro for staying in hotels in Dublin overnight, "as the direct route from Shannon to Heathrow was cancelled." Apparently he needed to fly to Heathrow but he had to stay in Dublin in a hotel on his way.
Why couldn't he drive to Cork or Dublin?

These guys are on another planet, and we paid them mileage to get there.

[jd26]

There's a perfectly good bus from Clare to Cork Airport

http://www.citylink.ie/timetable-galw2cork.htm

Although, God forbid a TD might use public transport.

[markinmanc]

I guess it's creating work. Mr Gormley showing himself to be a tad out of touch there imho.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/taxpayers-to-dig-deep-as-dail-lawn-works-go-ahead-1852469.html

THE diggers were in yesterday where the political bodies are buried.
Tarmac was torn up at the rear of Leinster House (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Leinster+House) as our politicians began to restore their back yard to its former aristocratic glory -- but at our expense.
It will cost a quarter of a million euro to lay a new lawn at the Merrion Square (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Merrion+Square) end of the parliament building, which was formerly the townhouse of the Earls of Kildare (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Kildare).
The move has been condemned as an "indefensible waste of public money" in these financially pinched times. But it went ahead yesterday anyway.

Fortune
The project will see the car park at the rear of Leinster House dug up at cost of €230,000. But it will cost the taxpayer a further small fortune to hire extra car parking spaces in the interim at other city centre locations.
Fine Gael (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael) TD Alan Shatter (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Alan+Shatter) last night described the work as "lunacy" at a time of unprecedented national economic crisis.
"This is not the time for taxpayers' money to be allowed to walk out the gates of Leinster House. A stop must be put to this midsummer madness," he said.
The decision to restore the lawn was taken earlier this year by a committee involving TDs and senators.
The lawn was turned into a temporary 68-space car park in 1999 when work took place on constructing the new Leinster House 2000 extension to the parliamentary campus.
Under planning permission conditions, the lawn had to be restored after a period of 10 years.
Mr Shatter called on Environment Minister John Gormley (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+Gormley) to support his call for the cancellation of the project -- and secure a retention order to comply with planning permission.
But a spokesman for Mr Gormley said the decision to restore Leinster Lawn was made by the all-party Houses of the Oireachtas (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Houses+of+the+Oireac htas) Commission, which includes three Fine Gael members. And Mr Gormley supported the move because he believed the people of Dublin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dublin) would prefer a lawn to "an ugly car park".
Meanwhile, a ramp malfunction at the Kildare Street gates of Leinster House on Tuesday night trapped vehicles belonging to the handful of politicians still at work there, it was confirmed yesterday.
The problem, relating to a hydraulic barrier, was fixed within a short time.
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor

[Cliff Barnes]

I guess it's creating work. Mr Gormley showing himself to be a tad out of touch there imho.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/taxpayers-to-dig-deep-as-dail-lawn-works-go-ahead-1852469.html

THE diggers were in yesterday where the political bodies are buried.
Tarmac was torn up at the rear of Leinster House (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Leinster+House) as our politicians began to restore their back yard to its former aristocratic glory -- but at our expense.
It will cost a quarter of a million euro to lay a new lawn at the Merrion Square (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Merrion+Square) end of the parliament building, which was formerly the townhouse of the Earls of Kildare (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Kildare).
The move has been condemned as an "indefensible waste of public money" in these financially pinched times. But it went ahead yesterday anyway.

Fortune
The project will see the car park at the rear of Leinster House dug up at cost of €230,000. But it will cost the taxpayer a further small fortune to hire extra car parking spaces in the interim at other city centre locations.
Fine Gael (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael) TD Alan Shatter (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Alan+Shatter) last night described the work as "lunacy" at a time of unprecedented national economic crisis.
"This is not the time for taxpayers' money to be allowed to walk out the gates of Leinster House. A stop must be put to this midsummer madness," he said.
The decision to restore the lawn was taken earlier this year by a committee involving TDs and senators.
The lawn was turned into a temporary 68-space car park in 1999 when work took place on constructing the new Leinster House 2000 extension to the parliamentary campus.
Under planning permission conditions, the lawn had to be restored after a period of 10 years.
Mr Shatter called on Environment Minister John Gormley (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+Gormley) to support his call for the cancellation of the project -- and secure a retention order to comply with planning permission.
But a spokesman for Mr Gormley said the decision to restore Leinster Lawn was made by the all-party Houses of the Oireachtas (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Houses+of+the+Oireac htas) Commission, which includes three Fine Gael members. And Mr Gormley supported the move because he believed the people of Dublin (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dublin) would prefer a lawn to "an ugly car park".
Meanwhile, a ramp malfunction at the Kildare Street gates of Leinster House on Tuesday night trapped vehicles belonging to the handful of politicians still at work there, it was confirmed yesterday.
The problem, relating to a hydraulic barrier, was fixed within a short time.
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor

The country in in the control of the banks and inept corrupt T.D's all brought to you live on R.T.E. radio every day.

Imagine presiding over a green party voting for cuts in public transport and the provision of car parking spaces for those who could most afford to pay ?

[jd26]

I'd swear they announced last month that they weren't going ahead with the lawn restoration because of the state finances. And then they try to sneak it in anyway.

[markinmanc]

I'd swear they announced last month that they weren't going ahead with the lawn restoration because of the state finances. And then they try to sneak it in anyway.

Ah, but they're not restoring a lawn, merely tearing up a car park for which the planning permission has expired!

[Actin The Sham]

The country in in the control of the banks and inept corrupt T.D's all brought to you live on R.T.E. radio every day.

Imagine presiding over a green party voting for cuts in public transport and the provision of car parking spaces for those who could most afford to pay ?

Am I right in assuming that these were temporary parking spaces and that the reinstatement of the lawn will mean that the politicians will now have to pay to park their cars?

I thought that was why the green party were pushing it, i may be wrong.

[leesider]

Am I right in assuming that these were temporary parking spaces and that the reinstatement of the lawn will mean that the politicians will now have to pay to park their cars?

I thought that was why the green party were pushing it, i may be wrong.


no the taxpayer will have to pay for that.......politican s pay for their own parking, are you mad!! ;-)

[markinmanc]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0811/1224252361043.html?d igest=1


FINTAN O'TOOLE
OPINION: Like the worst public service skiver, he cites ‘custom and practice’ to justify his absence
ONCE, WHEN I was working in a factory, I was sent up to a store room to fetch some heavy items. I met a fellow worker on the steep stairs and I realised he was carrying the same box up and down. I asked him what he was doing and he winked. “If the foreman sees me, he’ll think I’m busy.”
There are people in every job who put more effort and energy into avoiding work than into doing it. Most of their colleagues seethe with resentment and quiet contempt. Few ever do anything about it. If we’re at all serious about public service reform, that attitude has to change.
It is, for example, simply indefensible that primary and secondary teachers are entitled to 31 and 30 days a year respectively of uncertified sick leave. Teachers themselves should be in the forefront of scrapping this practice. Its existence obscures the reality that very few teachers actually exploit this skivers’ charter: primary teachers on average take just one of their 31 uncertified sick days a year. But the lazy minority undermines the value of public service for the hard-working majority.
If he wants to cut out this codology, however, Brian Cowen could start with one obvious malingerer in his own crew, a public servant who is paid €100,000 a year plus, a very generous pension, plus equally generous expenses, plus a car and chauffeur. He even has a special office at his supposed workplace, which cost the taxpayer €220,000 to refurbish just last year. Yet he is patently not doing the job he is paid to perform.
Bertie Ahern was re-elected as the TD for Dublin Central just two years ago, and he hopes to hold down this job until a general election in 2012. On Sunday, he started another job, as a sports columnist with the News of the World newspaper.
He has toured to exotic destinations such as Korea, Ecuador and Honduras making paid speeches, handled by his agency, the Washington Speakers Bureau. He is a director of the Newry-based “internationally established private property development and investment company” Parker Green International, for whom he also travels on business.
All of this is fine – provided he is adequately performing his principal job as a TD, scrutinising and voting on legislation. The Dáil members’ database describes him as a “full-time public representative”.
This is, to put it mildly, a bit of a stretch. In May, the Irish Independent reported that he had attended just 28 of 127 Dáil votes in the year since he resigned as taoiseach.
Since then, so far as I can see, his record of turning up for work has actually become worse. The Dáil sat for 18 days during June and July. I can find only two of those days – June 10th and July 10th – when Ahern was present and voting. The first of those occasions was the Fine Gael vote of no confidence in the Government, when every deputy was obliged by the whips to attend. Ahern was in New York and was reportedly disgusted that he had to fly home at his own expense to do his day job. The second occasion, July 10th, was the last day of term. Ahern, having missed so many important votes, managed to be present for one on the crucial motion: “That the Dáil . . . shall adjourn until 2.30pm on Wednesday, 16 September, 2009.”
Brazenly, he seems to regard this absenteeism as his right. His spokeswoman told The Irish Independent that “it was ‘custom and practice’ that former taoisigh only had to attend ‘important’ votes and could miss the day-to-day ones”.
Among the issues in the last two months alone not deemed sufficiently important for Ahern to vote on were the extension of deposit guarantees of €440 billion to the banks, the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill, urgent amendments to the Mental Health Act, the Housing Bill, dealing with the rights of tenants, the Institutional Child Abuse Bill and most of the stages of the Criminal Justice Bill.
None of these is, apparently, as important as, for example Manchester United’s prospects this season, a subject on which he has expressed his profound thoughts in the News of the World, sharing space with “I’m Jacko Girl’s Real Dad”; “Jade Goody’s Hubby in Eight-Hour Sex Orgy” and “Kerry to Have More Lipo to Keep Rat Husband”. Well, we couldn’t have an ex-taoiseach’s time wasted on trivialities or his dignity encroached upon by frivolities.
It seems clear that Bertie Ahern has no interest in dealing with legislation going through the Dáil and does not regard himself as being under any obligation to turn up for its “day-to-day” business. Like the worst public service skiver, he cites “custom and practice” to justify his unwillingness to the job he is paid to do. Why does he not resign? And how can we demand that the lazy and cynical minority in the public service shape up or ship out when Ahern’s colleagues seem unbothered by his evident unwillingness to do either?
This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times

[Crisp Sandwich]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0811/1224252361043.html?d igest=1


FINTAN O'TOOLE
OPINION: Like the worst public service skiver, he cites ‘custom and practice’ to justify his absence
ONCE, WHEN I was working in a factory, I was sent up to a store room to fetch some heavy items. I met a fellow worker on the steep stairs and I realised he was carrying the same box up and down. I asked him what he was doing and he winked. “If the foreman sees me, he’ll think I’m busy.”
There are people in every job who put more effort and energy into avoiding work than into doing it. Most of their colleagues seethe with resentment and quiet contempt. Few ever do anything about it. If we’re at all serious about public service reform, that attitude has to change.
It is, for example, simply indefensible that primary and secondary teachers are entitled to 31 and 30 days a year respectively of uncertified sick leave. Teachers themselves should be in the forefront of scrapping this practice. Its existence obscures the reality that very few teachers actually exploit this skivers’ charter: primary teachers on average take just one of their 31 uncertified sick days a year. But the lazy minority undermines the value of public service for the hard-working majority.
If he wants to cut out this codology, however, Brian Cowen could start with one obvious malingerer in his own crew, a public servant who is paid €100,000 a year plus, a very generous pension, plus equally generous expenses, plus a car and chauffeur. He even has a special office at his supposed workplace, which cost the taxpayer €220,000 to refurbish just last year. Yet he is patently not doing the job he is paid to perform.
Bertie Ahern was re-elected as the TD for Dublin Central just two years ago, and he hopes to hold down this job until a general election in 2012. On Sunday, he started another job, as a sports columnist with the News of the World newspaper.
He has toured to exotic destinations such as Korea, Ecuador and Honduras making paid speeches, handled by his agency, the Washington Speakers Bureau. He is a director of the Newry-based “internationall y established private property development and investment company” Parker Green International, for whom he also travels on business.
All of this is fine – provided he is adequately performing his principal job as a TD, scrutinising and voting on legislation. The Dáil members’ database describes him as a “full-time public representative”.
This is, to put it mildly, a bit of a stretch. In May, the Irish Independent reported that he had attended just 28 of 127 Dáil votes in the year since he resigned as taoiseach.
Since then, so far as I can see, his record of turning up for work has actually become worse. The Dáil sat for 18 days during June and July. I can find only two of those days – June 10th and July 10th – when Ahern was present and voting. The first of those occasions was the Fine Gael vote of no confidence in the Government, when every deputy was obliged by the whips to attend. Ahern was in New York and was reportedly disgusted that he had to fly home at his own expense to do his day job. The second occasion, July 10th, was the last day of term. Ahern, having missed so many important votes, managed to be present for one on the crucial motion: “That the Dáil . . . shall adjourn until 2.30pm on Wednesday, 16 September, 2009.”
Brazenly, he seems to regard this absenteeism as his right. His spokeswoman told The Irish Independent that “it was ‘custom and practice’ that former taoisigh only had to attend ‘important’ votes and could miss the day-to-day ones”.
Among the issues in the last two months alone not deemed sufficiently important for Ahern to vote on were the extension of deposit guarantees of €440 billion to the banks, the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill, urgent amendments to the Mental Health Act, the Housing Bill, dealing with the rights of tenants, the Institutional Child Abuse Bill and most of the stages of the Criminal Justice Bill.
None of these is, apparently, as important as, for example Manchester United’s prospects this season, a subject on which he has expressed his profound thoughts in the News of the World, sharing space with “I’m Jacko Girl’s Real Dad”; “Jade Goody’s Hubby in Eight-Hour Sex Orgy” and “Kerry to Have More Lipo to Keep Rat Husband”. Well, we couldn’t have an ex-taoiseach’s time wasted on trivialities or his dignity encroached upon by frivolities.
It seems clear that Bertie Ahern has no interest in dealing with legislation going through the Dáil and does not regard himself as being under any obligation to turn up for its “day-to-day” business. Like the worst public service skiver, he cites “custom and practice” to justify his unwillingness to the job he is paid to do. Why does he not resign? And how can we demand that the lazy and cynical minority in the public service shape up or ship out when Ahern’s colleagues seem unbothered by his evident unwillingness to do either?
This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times

The time for revolution is nigh...

[Mr Jefferson]

At the time of the pay rises for TDs weren't they justifying it saying you need to pay top dollar to gete the best people in. Well it turns out we have the same monkeys in charge only we're paying them more.

Shocka!

[corkoniense]

Picking up the bill to keep Bailey brothers in business

Tue, Aug 18, 2009

The hard-pressed taxpayers of Ireland are bailing out men who have shown utter contempt for the law, writes FINTAN O'TOOLE

IF YOU had only one word to explain the mess we’re in, the word would be impunity. And if you want to explain that impunity and its consequences, two simple statements would suffice. The first is that in almost any other democracy, Tom and Michael Bailey would be behind bars. The second is that the Irish taxpayer is bailing out their business.

There are three separate counts on which, in say the US or the UK, Michael and Tom Bailey would almost certainly have faced criminal sanctions. The first is massive tax evasion. In 2006, the Bailey company, Bovale Developments, reached a settlement of €22 million with the Revenue – believed to be the largest made. It resulted from an audit by the Revenue’s Special Investigations Branch going back 23 years to Bovale’s foundation in 1983.

Secondly, Mick Bailey engaged in bribery; making, according to the Flood tribunal reports, at least four corrupt payments, one to Ray Burke and three to the assistant Dublin city and county manager George Redmond. In paying these bribes, the Baileys did immense damage to both the political and planning systems, actively assisting the destruction of public confidence in the ability of public institutions to operate fairly and in the public interest.

Thirdly, the Baileys lied under oath and otherwise attempted to mislead and block a tribunal of inquiry established by the Oireachtas. Both of the Bailey brothers were found to have “hindered and obstructed” the Flood tribunal in a number of ways, including making untrue statements under oath. Mick Bailey was found to have given “false evidence” about a meeting with Ray Burke. He lied about money he had allegedly given to James Gogarty. He leaked information to the Sunday Independent and then claimed that he couldn’t co-operate with the tribunal because of his fear of leaks. Mick Bailey was also found to have given false evidence under oath in relation to meetings with George Redmond and dealings with him, including the payment of bribes.

Tom Bailey made a false allegation under oath about money he had given to James Gogarty. He also failed to provide the tribunal with financial records even when it obtained an order of discovery against him. Not only did Mick and Tom Bailey each give false evidence under oath, but the tribunal found that they had colluded together to tell the same lies. As the taxing master of the High Court put it in refusing to pay their legal costs, the Baileys engaged in “a deliberate attempt to ensure that the tribunal would never find the truth”.

There are, as you might expect, laws against this kind of thing, even in Ireland.

In almost any other democracy, it would be extraordinary for those whose company engaged in long-term tax evasion, who bribed public officials, give false evidence under oath and obstructed a public inquiry not to be prosecuted for all of these offences.

It would be utterly astonishing for them not to be prosecuted for any of them. Not alone, however, were the Bailey brothers not prosecuted, but they were still welcome guests at the Fianna Fáil tent at the Galway races.

And now we learn from Arthur Beesley’s story in yesterday’s Irish Times that Anglo Irish Bank, 100 per cent owned by the Irish people, is apparently propping up the Bailey’s British property development arm, Bovale Limited. The company has £76 million of credit due to be paid off within a year and would seem to be in imminent danger of insolvency.

Fear not, however. According to its accounts: “Over the course of recent months, the company’s directors have been in ongoing discussions with Anglo Irish Bank in order to ensure their continued support for the company’s operations.

“In the light of these discussions, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.”

This is what we’ve come to: the hard-pressed taxpayers of Ireland bailing out men who have shown utter contempt for the laws and institutions of the State and have shamelessly flaunted the fact that they got away with it.

The low (or perhaps more accurately, non-existent) ethical standards of the Baileys and their enablers within the political system fed into the culture of bad governance, pitiful regulation and cronyism that has had such disastrous consequences. It is particularly grotesque that one of those consequences is that we’re now going to be keeping the boys in business “for the foreseeable future”.

This has to be the test case in which we finally take a stand. Even if Anglo Irish is sucked in to supporting Bovale, it must do so on one simple condition – that the Bailey brothers must go.

No bank in its right mind should be putting money into a company controlled by people with a proven disregard for both legality and ethics. If a State bank does so, we’ll know for sure that when it comes to cleaning up the mess we’ve inherited, the State’s mind is still not right.

© 2009 The Irish Times

[markinmanc]

So he's only apolitical when it involve's voters but not businesses?


http://www.independent.ie/national-news/odonoghue-i-cannot-become-involved-in-drinkdrive-law-1870794.html


CEANN Comhairle John O'Donoghue (http://www.independent.ie/topics/John+O'Donoghue) told a group campaigning for the lowering of the drink-driving limit that he could not become involved in "political" issues.

This is despite the fact that Kerry publicans told the Irish Independent (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Irish+Independent) this week that Mr O'Donoghue and other politicians who met them personally were "totally supportive" of their demand for the drink- driving limit to remain unchanged. Mr O'Donoghue also forwarded a letter from a publican to Transport Minister Noel Dempsey (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Noel+Dempsey), who is planning to reduce the drink-driving limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.
Mr O'Donoghue was written to last year by the Public Against Road Carnage (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Public+Against+Road+ Carnage) (PARC) group, which was set up by Susan Gray (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Susan+Gray) whose husband was killed after being struck by a car. She sent the same letter to the other 165 TDs in the Dail to find out where they stood on the issue.

"We realise that drink driving (legislation) is the most challenged piece of legislation on the statute books in Ireland (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Ireland); therefore, the wording of the bill is of paramount importance. What we really need to know is that you favour, in principle, the changes proposed in this new Road Traffic Bill," she wrote. Mr O'Donoghue's secretary sent a letter back to the group on his behalf, saying he could not become involved.

"In view of the Ceann Comhairle's constitutional position and as the final arbiter on matters which may arise in the House during debate on legislation, the Ceann Comhairle cannot become involved in matters which are political in nature," he wrote. However, Mr O'Donoghue did forward the letter from PARC to Justice Minister Dermot Ahern (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Dermot+Ahern).


Meanwhile, Fine Gael (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael) Senator Paschal Donohoe (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Paschal+Donohoe) became the first to call on Mr O'Donoghue to resign his position as Ceann Comhairle due to his spending on overseas travel while Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister. "Our Oireachtas is now led by a man who is, literally, a waster. I can't understand why he is still in his job and why he hasn't commented on a month of revelations," Mr Donohoe said.

The Department of Transport (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Irish+Department+of+ Transport) has confirmed that one of the letters forwarded by Mr O'Donoghue to Mr Dempsey on the issue of the drink-driving limit was from a publican. It said the occupation of the individuals who sent the other two letters forwarded by him on the issue could not be determined. In total, seven of the 10 letters sent by Fianna Fail (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fianna+Fail) TDs to Mr Dempsey on the issue were from publicans.

Ms Gray said four of the Fianna Fail TDs who forwarded letters on behalf of vintners -- Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Batt+O+Keeffe), Sean Connick (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Sean+Connick) (Wexford (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Wexford)), Noel Treacy (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Noel+Treacy) (Galway East (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Galway+East+Constitu ency)) and Peter Kelly (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Peter+Kelly) (Longford-Westmeath (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Longford-Westmeath+Constituen cy)) -- did not respond to the PARC letter.
"It's a disgrace that some TDs have forwarded letters passed to them by vintners to Noel Dempsey for his consideration but PARC's letters were ignored by (the) same TDs," she said.
Ms Gray said TDs who thought there were more votes to be gained from representing the vintners instead of the people were "so wrong". In Queensland (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Queensland) and New South Wales (http://www.independent.ie/topics/New+South+Wales) in Australia (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Australia), the reduction of the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg cut the rate of serious collisions and fatal collisions significantly.
A spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue said he had forwarded the representations made to him on the drink-driving limit issue, as he was entitled to do. He was also asked what Mr O'Donoghue's position on the lowering of the drink-driving limit was, following the comments by Kerry vintners that he was "totally supportive" of their position. But he was not in a position to comment.
- Michael Brennan Political Correspondent

[markinmanc]

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/railway-safety-scandal-1871896.html

CRITICAL railway safety checks have not been carried out for the past three years because the watchdog does not have enough staff.
And Irish Rail (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Iarnrod+Eireann) admitted last night that its inspection regime -- covering more than 1,200 bridges -- would need to be reviewed after one of the busiest rail lines in the country collapsed into the sea last week.
The Railway Safety Commission (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Railway+Safety+Commi ssion) (RSC) has revealed that it was too busy approving new rail projects to carry out planned safety checks, and it was only able to recruit its full complement of safety inspectors this year.
The RSC is charged with ensuring Irish Rail and other operators perform to the highest safety standards, but last night it emerged that just half the necessary staff were in place to cope with the huge workload of checking safety systems.

[markinmanc]

http://www.politics.ie/current-affairs/88547-john-o-donoghue-his-wife-126k-expenses.html

Hard going at times, but interesting stuff.

[Mr Jefferson]

Some of the reports about FAS today were shocking. €600,000 spent on an advertising campaign that never saw the air, another €600,000 that can't even be accounted for and to top it all off, a budget of €250,000 for the yearly jobs fair in the RDS transfered to Croke Park for a paltry €500,000. Seemingly the head man didn't consult the board to sign off on that last one. Of course one of the board members is now the earstwhile GAA president, so it probably wouldn't have been a problem even if he had!

Coughlan said she was delighted with the report. I for one am in 'shock and awe'.

[doppellanger]

Some of the reports about FAS today were shocking. €600,000 spent on an advertising campaign that never saw the air, another €600,000 that can't even be accounted for and to top it all off, a budget of €250,000 for the yearly jobs fair in the RDS transfered to Croke Park for a paltry €500,000. Seemingly the head man didn't consult the board to sign off on that last one. Of course one of the board members is now the earstwhile GAA president, so it probably wouldn't have been a problem even if he had!

Coughlan said she was delighted with the report. I for one am in 'shock and awe'.

What is also scandalous, if a bit off-topic, is the courses on offer. The courses were relevant for multinationals coming in a few years ago and also for the building boom but they are largely irrelevant now.

They should be teaching people European languages to work in call-centres and to prepare them for emigrating to Europe.

[markinmanc]

So someone is telling porkies, but who? And will anyone actually care?


http://www.examiner.ie/home/cowen-fas-boss-did-not-threaten-to-sue-102043.html

THE Fás scandal descended to a new level of farce last night as Taoiseach Brian Cowen flatly contradicted evidence given to a Dáil committee and insisted Rody Molloy had not threatened legal action in order to secure his massive pay-off.


The Taoiseach’s assertion went against testimony by Department of Enterprise secretary general Sean Gorman to the Public Accounts Committee and is also at odds with statements by Green coalition leader John Gormley.



Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/home/cowen-fas-boss-did-not-threaten-to-sue-102043.html#ixzz0SOc 5RAR8