Archive for August 2009

Tomorrow Brian McCormick Cup soccer matches

August 25, 2009 Irish News & Sport No comments

Brian McCormick Cup Round 2 games that are scheduled for tomorrow night. Just make sure that none of the games have been called off as a result of the bad weather in the North West over the past few days. The schedule is as follows at present, but is subject to change so check with your Club Secretary.

Wednesday 26th August 6.30pm

      Gweedore Area

      Gweedore Celtic v Keadue Rovers

      Glenea United  v Dunlewey Celtic   

      Letterkenny Area

      Bonagee United  v Lagan Harps

      Kilmacrennan Celtic v Milford United 

      Lifford Area

    Lifford Celtic   v Cappry Rovers
    Drumoghill Celtic/Castlefinn Celtic  v Ballybofey United 

      Donegal Area

      St Catherines   v Eany Celtic

      Donegal Town  v Drumbar FC

Brian McCormick Cup Round 2 fixtures

Brian McCormick Cup Round 2 fixtures

Donegal & Sligo nurses will not accept pay reductions

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport, Sligo News & Sport No comments

 INO logo

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), which represents nurses at Letterkenny and Sligo General Hospitals has responded to comments made by the Minister for Health and Children, Ms. Mary Harney TD, yesterday.

And they have reiterated their outright opposition to any attempt, by government or the HSE, to reduce the pay and allowances currently paid to nurses and midwives.

The INO reminded the government that nurses and midwives had already endured:

the imposition of the 7.5% pension levy;

the reduction, of 1,600 nursing posts in the past 18 months; and

the continued non-filling of all posts that fall vacant and the HSE’s continued initiative to terminate the employment of all staff with less than 12 months service;

are already contributing more than their fair share towards the country’s current difficulties and the need to stabilise our public finances.

 

They said this afternoon that it was also necessary to reiterate that nurses and midwives are not well paid, compared to many other sectors of the economy, and did not, in any way, contribute to the current economic mess which was brought about by the actions of government and a reckless banking sector.

 

“The INO will protect its members with, if necessary, industrial action if there is any attempt to impose pay cuts on its members.

 

“In addition the INO will also be active participants in discussions, across public service unions, with regard to any initiative, thought necessary, to protect the income of other essential public servants, providing essential public services, on a 24/7 basis.

 

Speaking today INO General Secretary Liam Doran said:

“Nurses and midwives, through a combination of the pension levy and the loss of frontline posts, are already contributing more than their fair share to address our economic difficulties.  It is frontline staff, particularly nurses and midwives, that are bearing the brunt of these staffing cuts, which amount to over 1,600 in the past 18 months, and, despite this, nurses and midwives continue to strive to deliver safe care to their patients.

 

Against this background the INO will mobilise, as required, to defend the total income of our members, whether in the form of pay or allowances, while also striving to maintain safe standards of care to patients and clients”.

Honest and mature debate needed on Lisbon Treaty – Doherty

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport No comments
Senator Pearse Doherty

Senator Pearse Doherty

Sinn  Fein  senator  Pearse  Doherty has today called for an “honest and mature  debate”  on  the  Lisbon Treaty in the coming weeks. The Donegal representative  also  called  on people to “read the treaty” before they
decide which way to vote on October 2nd.

Mr Doherty said:

“In  the past week the public debate on the Lisbon Treaty has started to intensify  with  Yes and No campaigners, including Sinn Fein, laying out our  stalls.  Already  a  broad  range  of issues including the economy, neutrality,  farming,  fishing  and  democracy  have been the subject of claim and counterclaim.

“Sinn Fein is calling on both the yes and no sides to engage in an open, honest  and  mature  debate.  Neither  side  is served by exaggerated or
unfounded claims. Nor is either side served by scaremongering.

“What  is needed is a serious debate about the content of the Treaty and its implications for Ireland and the EU. Sinn  Fein is committed to such a debate. Our approach will be to shine a  light  on  the  Treaty  text  and  attempt to explain its meaning and implications.

“Those  of  us opposing the Treaty also have a responsibility to outline
what  we  see as the the alternatives to Lisbon. Saying no is simply not
enough.

“I  am  also  urging  the  electorate  to read the Treaty for themselves
before  they  decide  how  to vote on October 2. Despite being a complex
legal document, many of its sections are perfectly understandable to the
lay reader.

“This  treaty will significantly alter the shape and direction of the EU for  decades to come. It is vital that the general public are engaged in the  debate  and  feel sufficiently informed to vote on October 2nd.

All protagonists  in  the debate, politicians, civic society, the government and the media have a responsibility in this regard. An honest and mature debate  will  lead  to a more informed public and an increased turnout.”

Donegal Construction Chief warns on local job losses

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport No comments
CIF have come out strongly in support of supporting local jobs in Donegal

CIF have come out strongly in support of supporting local jobs in Donegal

The Irish Construction Industry Federation has called on Donegal politicians to ensure that public procurement processes do not disadvantage local contracting firms.  The call was made after it emerged that Donegal contractors were losing out on local projects to contractors from outside the county, including from Northern Ireland.
 
Speaking on behalf of the Donegal Branch, CIF Director Ray Gilboy said:
 
“We are lucky in Donegal to have local contracting companies that can hold their own with the best in the world.  They’ve consistently delivered on behalf of public bodies in Donegal and have made a massive contribution to local employment and economic activity.  Now a situation is emerging whereby local contractors are not able to get on tender lists to carry out local projects and as a result, the jobs and spending from these projects is going elsewhere. 

“It’s a huge drain on the local economy and it needs our TDs and County Councillors to ensure that local procurement agencies do not put local contractors at a disadvantage”.
 
The CIF Director added that the issue isn’t about price:
 
“Local companies are as competitive, if not ore competitive, than companies from elsewhere but it is impossible to deal with competition from Northern Ireland where wage rates are significantly lower than here and there is concern that certain Northern companies may not be paying the legally binding wages that apply in the construction industry in the Republic of Ireland.  There is an onus on procurement authorities in the Republic to ensure that the legally binding wage rates are being paid.  You can’t on one hand expect local companies to pay the rates and at the same award jobs to companies from other jurisdictions who are not compliant”.
 
Mr. Gilboy also pointed out that the CIF has written to every TD in the country and to the Chairman of all County, City and Town Councils calling on them to change the existing procurement processes to ensure that local contractors have a better chance of getting on tender lists. 
 
“It is not just a case of local contractors losing out to those form the North.  In some circumstances pre-qualification is set up in such a way as to make it virtually impossible for a small, family owned contracting firm to get on the tender list even though they have a demonstrable track record in delivering similar projects, and at excellent value for money for taxpayers.  The CIF has put proposals to elected representatives in every part of the country and it is vital that they act on these”.
 
Responding to the issue of Finner Camp, Mr Gilboy further pointed out that the CIF is writing to the Department of Defence highlighting that all contractors operating in the Republic of Ireland, irrespective of where they are from, must comply with the terms and conditions of the Registered Employment Agreement for the Construction Industry, which lays down the rates of pay applying to the industry.

Sligo Rose makes Rose of Tralee history

August 25, 2009 Sligo News & Sport No comments
Sligo Rose Sinead McGill

Sligo Rose Sinead McGill

A little bit of North West history will be made tonight when a Sligo Rose will appear for the very first time in the Rose of Tralee finals.

It is also a very special year for the competition as it celebrates its 50th anniversay this year. The event will be hosted by Ray D’arcy who has comfortably fit into the role made famous by adopted Donegal son, Gay Byrne and later Marty Whelan.

Sinead McGill from Gurteen has been selected to represent Sligo and the television audience is usually one of the highest on RTE television each year.

Earlier Charlene Anderson, a member of the Donegal Road Traffic Corps had been initially crowned the Sligo Rose, but it later emerged that she was over the age limit for the event, by a matter of weeks, a move local organisers said had been totally innocent and for which they later apologised.

Sinead then got the crown and went one better at the regional finals in Portlaoise, when she was selected to get to the Tralee finals.

So there was a happy ending and so fingers crossed for the Yeats County beauty Sinead McGill, who has already impressed the thousands of people in Tralee for Ireland’s most famous beauty pageant.

Donegal GAA results & fixtures

August 25, 2009 Irish News & Sport No comments

Donegal GAA fixtures for the weekend

Donegal GAA fixtures for the weekend

Results

Wednesday 19th August

Under 21 B Championship Quarter Finals,

Carndonagh 2-10 4-07 Naomh Bríd   

Division 4

Convoy 2-15 1-04 St Eunans

    

Saturday 22nd August

Senior Reserve Championship First Round Playoff

Kilcar 3-09 2-09 Cloich Cheann Fhaola      

Intermediate Reserve Championship First Round Playoff,

St Nauls 1-12 0-08 Na Rossa         

Junior B Championship Quarter Finals,

Naomh Conaill 0-14 3-07 Glenfin             

Convoy 1-08 0-10  Naomh Colmcille 
 

Daly Brothers Lifford Junior A Championship Semi Final,

Milford  2-07 0-06 Downings      

Division 1 Reserve

Dungloe 4-09 0-10 St Eunans     

Division 1

Dungloe 1-08 1-08 St Eunans 

Glenswilly 0-10 2-10 Ardara     

Division 2 Reserve

Naomh Muire –          Off – Termon             

Division 2

Naomh Muire 1-12 0-09 Termon             

Division 3 Reserve

Bundoran – Off – Carndonagh         

Naomh Bríd – Off – Urris                      

Division 3

Bundoran 2-05 1-08 Carndonagh            

Naomh Bríd 1-12 0-05 Urris                         

Division 4

Muff   1-10  0-07 Red Hughs        

Sunday 23rd August 

Daly Brothers Lifford Junior A Championship Semi Final,

Moville 2-10 0-09 Naomh Padraig 

Junior B Championship Quarter Final,

Pettigo 0-08 1-14 St Eunans       

Senior Hurling Championship,

Four Masters 2-04 4-16 Setanta       

Mac Cumhaills 1-08 1-12 Burt  

          

Division 2 Reserve  

Aodh Rua –        Off – Gaoth Dobhair         

Division 2

Aodh Rua 1-07 1-07 Gaoth Dobhair       

St Nauls 1-11 1-14 Buncrana                  

Division 1 Reserve

Kilcar –        Off – St Michaels               

Glenswilly – Off – Ardara                          

Division 1

Naomh Conaill 1-07 1-07 Four Masters              

Kilcar 3-12 2-12 St Michaels                   

Division 3

Fanad Gaels – Off —    Cloich Cheann Fhaola    

Fixtures 

Tuesday 25th  August 

Junior B Championship Quarter  Final,

Convoy,  @ 6.30pm

Mac Cumhaills v Downings                Paddy McKeever  

Division 4  @ 7.00pm

Naomh Colmcille v Naomh Ultan             Paddy McGonagle  

Wednesday 26th August 

Under 21 B Championship  Quarter Final, ET if Necessary,

VENUE TBC  @ 6.00pm

Convoy v Naomh Muire          Kieran McShea  

Thursday 27th August 

Division 4  @ 7.00pm

St Eunans v Convoy                Tony Gallagher  

Saturday 29th August 

Senior Reserve Championship Quarter Final,

Glenties,  @ 5.00pm

Dungloe v Aodh Rua                  Seamus Bradley  

Senior Reserve Championship Quarter Final,

MacCumhaill Park, @ 5.00pm

Glenfin v Four Masters         Paddy McGonagle  

RTÉ  Raidió na Gaeltachta Senior Championship Quarter Final,

Glenties,  @ 6.30pm

Dungloe  v St Michaels            Trevor McBrearty

Linesmen  Connie Doherty   Terence McShea  

RTÉ  Raidió na Gaeltachta Senior Championship Quarter Final,

MacCumhaill Park, @ 6.30pm

Glenfin v St Eunans               Jimmy White

Linesmen  Paddy McGonagle   Kieran McShea  

Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final,

Venue TBC @ 6.30pm

Burt v Four Masters         Albert Wade  

Division 2 Reserve  @ 5.00pm

St Nauls v Mac Cumhaills        P McGowan 

Malin v Naomh Muire          JJ Lafferty  

Division 2  @ 6.30pm

St Nauls v MacCumhaills          Liam Brown   

Malin v Naomh Muire            Tony Gallagher  

Division 3 Reserve  @ 5.00pm

Carndonagh v Naomh Bríd        Kieran Friel

Fanad Gaels v Naomh Columba    Bennie Trearty  

Division 3  @ 6.30pm

Carndonagh v Naomh Bríd      John Friel

Fanad Gaels v Naomh Columba   Hugh McGarvey  

Division 4 Reserve  @ 5.00pm

Convoy v Naomh Colmcille       James Trearty

Moville v Downings             John Farren

Naomh Ultan v Letterkenny Gaels      Thomas McBrearty  

Division 4  @ 6.30pm

Convoy v Downings               John Joe Doherty

Naomh Ultan v Letterkenny Gaels   Joe Doherty

Naomh Pádraig v Milford                   Paddy McKeever  

Division 5  @ 6.30pm

Pettigo v Naomh Conaill   Rory McGonagle  

Sunday 30th August 

Senior Reserve Championship Quarter Final,

Glenswilly,  @ 1.30pm

Killybegs v Kilcar                Don Langan  

Senior Reserve Championship Quarter Final,

O’Donnell Pk,  @ 4.45pm

Ardara v Naomh Conaill     Pat Walsh  

RTÉ  Raidió na Gaeltachta Senior Championship Quarter Final,

Glenswilly,  @ 3.30pm

Kilcar  v Gaoth Dobhair      Paddy McBride       

Linesmen   Jimmy White    Don Langan

  

RTÉ  Raidió na Gaeltachta Senior  Championship Quarter Final,

O’Donnell Pk,  @ 6.15pm

Ardara v Naomh Conaill   Seamus McGonagle

Linesmen  Pat Walsh   Kieran McShea  

Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final,

Burt   @ 5.15pm

Setanta v Mac Cumhaills        Hugo Wallace  

Division 3 Reserve  @ 1.00pm

Burt v Bundoran          Noel Rodden  

Division 3 Reserve  @ 1.30pm

Na Rossa v Cloich Cheann Fhaola  Jimmy Brennan  

Division 3  @ 2.30pm

Burt v Bundoran             Kieran McShea

Division 3  @  3.00pm

Na Rossa v Cloich Cheann Fhaola Connie O’Gara  
 

Wednesday 2nd September 

Division 4  @ 6.30pm

Naomh Colmcille v Muff                Gareth Devenney  

Notes 
 

Tickets are now on sale through Clubs for the Development draw that was launched recently. Tickets cost €10 each or €20 for 3. Draw is due to take place on 24th October.  

Congratulations to Milford and Moville who have qualified for the final of the Daly Brothers Lifford Junior A Football Championship which is due to take place on Sunday 13th September 

The Quarter-finals of the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Senior Football Championship will take place this coming weekend with two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Quarter-finals of the Reserve Championship are due to be played as curtain raisers to the senior matches. The Draw for the Senior Semi-Finals and the Semi Finals of the Junior B Championship will take place live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta immediately after the Ardara  v Naomh Conaill match in O’Donnell Park on Sunday evening 

A Referee’s meeting will be held in Jackson’s Hotel on Thursday 27th August at 8.30 p.m.  It’s important that all referees attend this meeting. If unable to attend please telephone Frankie Doherty at 087 6775403 
 

Please note the new Email addresses for the County P.R.O.  pro.donegal@gaa.ie  and for the County Secretary secretary.donegal@gaa.ie

Some Clubs have yet to activate their new e mail address, we would ask these clubs to do so immediately.

The new G.A.A. e-mail system, powered by Google technology, went live in early May.   Just over 62% of all clubs were using the system as at the 24th August 2009. ( In Donegal 36 of the 40 (90%)  of clubs are using the system.) 
This is excellent progress in such a short period of time.  Note that an e-mail address has been set up for all clubs, so all that needs to happen is for each Club Secretary to log on to the new system and start using it. 
Please note that the old e-mail system will be switched off on the 31st October. 

Once again we remind Clubs that no fixtures are to be changed without reaching agreement with opposing club and match referee. Both clubs must inform the CCC Secretary of the change, informing him of day, venue, date and time of the proposed fixture, and also confirm that the referee appointed for the original fixture is available to referee the game. Unless such information is made available in writing (email)  to CCC Secretary, no fixtures will be changed.

 
As part of our 125 celebrations we hope to  hold a  photographic exhibition of club and county teams from the 20’s 30’s 40’s 50’s 60’s70s 80’s 90’s. 
We ask that each club submit as many Club team photo’s as are available from each decade. If any county team photo’s are available we would be grateful if you could send them as well. 
Photos can be submitted to the Rúnaí Charlie Ó Dónaill McCumhaill Park Ballybofey ( Email secretary.donegal@gaa.ie) by jpeg image or hard copy. All hard copies will be scanned and returned within one week of receipt. Apart from having them displayed in the exhibition a collection of photographs will add greatly to the material already held in the County Archives in Lifford. 
 
 
 
 

Admission prices for 2009 as agreed by County Committee

Championship Q/Fs S/Fs  Final

Junior:    €10.00

Under 21s €5.00  €8.00 €10.00

Intermediate:   €10.00 €12.00

Senior: €10.00 €12.00 €15.00 

Get Club Results & Fixtures by Email 
Supporters can now subscribe for their Club and County Results by weekly email.  This results service is provided by the County Board in conjunction with eSports Manager software (Scoreboard).  The service is free and commenced last weekend.  To subscribe for the weekly email you must complete a short on-line form.  http://GAA_Results.sportsmanager.ie  

GAA 125th Year celebrations 

As part of our GAA 125th Year celebrations, A Club Wall is being elected outside the entrance to the GAA Museum in Croke Park.  The role of the club forms a central part of the GAA, and in recognition of this, every GAA club will have their club crest represented on this wall.

In addition to the Club Wall, a new interactive database is being compiled by the GAA Museum to provide information about Clubs to both GAA members and the public. The database will be a key installation in the Museum and each club is being sent their own log in to input their details online. This will take no more than 10 minutes.  

V.H.I. G.A.A CUL Camps 2009 

The Annual V.H.I Cúl Summer Camps are continuing again this week and will run right through until the end of the month at clubs throughout the County.   

Aug 24th – 28th Aug

Buncrana H/C Chris Walsh 086 0515438 

**      H/C  =  Hurling /Camogie 

Further information is available from the County Co-ordinators Michael Murphy (086 6003159) or Gavin Craig (086) 2019635 

Fixtures and Results

For up-to-date information on all fixtures, results, league tables and updates check the Donegal GAA website at www.donegalgaa.ie 

Both the Northern and Southern Regional Board Websites are accessible via the main Donegal G.A.A. site.  Fixtures, news, results and up to date information on underage activities in both regions is available on these websites  

Hurling  Notes 

In all Hurling games and Hurling practice sessions, it is mandatory for all players up to and including under 21grade to wear a helmet with a facial guard and from the 1st January next it is mandatory for all players (irrespective of grade) in hurling games and hurling practice sessions to wear a helmet with a facial guard 

Age criteria

Clubs please note that for player’s to be eligible for respective grades listed. A player shall meet the  stated criteria on 1st January each year (R 134  O.T 2008) ; 

Adult:              Be over 16 years

Under 21:  Be over 16 and under 21 years

Minor: (U18)  Be over 14 and under 18years

Under 16:  Be over 12 and under 16 years

Under 14:  Be over 10 and under 14 years

Under 12:  Be over   9 and under 12 years

Girls may participate only up to and including the Under 12 grade 

Ulster Council CDP Programme 
 
125 Pins 
These are available to purchase from the Ulster Council GAA Offices. For 
further information please contact Bernie McGlinchey on 028 37 521900 
 

Daly BrothersLifford Intermediate Championship Semi-final Draw

Bundoran V Naomh Columba

Fanad Gaels v Urris 

Intermediate Reserve Championship Semi-final

Bundoran v Naomh Columba

Fanad Gaels v St Nauls

Dates, Venues and Times to be confirmed

Irish MEP to head up Icelandic accession negotiations on behalf of the European Parliament

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport No comments
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP

Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP

Donegal based Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP for the constituency of North and West of Ireland will be shortly named as the new chairperson of the European Parliament delegation that will be dealing with political relations with Iceland over the next two and a half years.
 
The ALDE group in the European Parliament, to which Fianna Fail is now a member, has a number of different chairmanships of European Parliament delegations to various parts of the world.
 
In the negotiations relating to the carve up of these positions within the ALDE group, Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP is to be appointed as the chairperson of the European Parliament delegation that will deal with political relations with all EFTA countries which include Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. Pat the Cope Gallagher’s appointment will be formally made during the session of the European Parliament which will take place in Strasbourg during the middle of September next.
 
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP said that ” I believe that future accession negotiations between Iceland and the EU will take place in a spirit of determination and co-operation. Iceland is already a member of both the European Free Trade Agreement (E.F.T.A.) and of the European Economic Area Agreement (E.E.A.).
The European Commission, following a decision by EU leaders at the end of July is now carrying out an assessment as to the key issues that need to be addressed during these prospective accession negotiations.  
 
As an Irishman, I am acutely aware of the political, social and economic benefits that the European Union has brought and continues to bring to our country which is an island located on the periphery of Europe.
Iceland is an island based on the periphery of Europe aswell and it is clear that there is a strong body of opinion in Iceland that wants to develop closer links with the European Union aswell. “

Ex GAA President to head new B&B body

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport, Fermanagh News & Sport No comments

Ex GAA President Peter Quinn is to head Ballyshannon-based B&B body

Ex GAA President Peter Quinn is to head Ballyshannon-based B&B body

Fermanagh businessman and former GAA president Peter Quinn is to take over as Chairman of Ireland’s leading national B&B organisation, the Town and Country Homes Association. The appointment comes just one week after Ballyshannon-based TCH announced its intention to join with Irish Farmhouse Holidays (IFH) to form a new all-island body.   

Quinn takes up the chair today as the TCH board meets in Dublin, and when the merger process is complete, he will remain as chairman of the new organisation – Irish Town, Farm and Country Homes (TF&CH).   

Quinn says that his main priority is to “unify and strengthen the Bed and Breakfast sector.  Together we can form a larger and more unified B&B body to tackle the main issues facing this sector.” 

He identified the main issues as compulsory licensing of B&B properties and the introduction of a grading system – such as exists for hotels – “in order to offer a better quality product to the consumer.”   

He says there is also a need for B&Bs to highlight what they do best compared to other accommodation providers. 

“The sector has certainly improved its brand image and raised its profile,” says Quinn. 

“Falling hotel prices are competing with the B&Bs so niche and brand marketing will be very important in retaining and developing demand for what they have to offer.”    
 

“The core values of the B&B product remain the same and visitor feedback shows that people still want the home-cooked food, local knowledge and one-to-one service they get from a B&B.  But we need to further promote package breaks so that visitors to B&B can easily access activities such as golf, angling, hill-walking, culture and heritage.” 

Quinn’s business pedigree is relatively well known.  He is a director of the Cavan based Quinn Group, and runs his own business – Peter Quinn Consultancy Services. 

In addition, he is chairman of TG4 and of the National Social Finance Foundation. His background in tourism includes his involvement in the Quinn Hotels, his role as first chairman of the Green Box green tourism body, and his consultancy’s work on a range of urban and rural tourism projects.  

His appointment as chairman of TCH comes at a crucial time for the tourism industry and for the organisation itself.  TCH has been consolidating a technological and developmental revolution, which now sees it at the cutting edge of online booking systems.  

In addition, it has been developing joint marketing activities for members and working with individual B&Bs to provide more and better packages of activities for visitors.   

Chief Executive Helena Healy says Peter will assist their work in unification of the sector. “The B&B sector has a lot to offer the Irish tourism offering, his expertise will help us ensure the further development of the product on the national and international stage”.

Aranmore man holds key to NAMA’s future

August 25, 2009 Donegal News & Sport No comments
Senator Dan Boyle's father came from Aranmore Island

Senator Dan Boyle's father came from Aranmore Island

Green Party Chairman, Senator Dan Boyle has insisted that his party’s support for the government over NAMA is far from guaranteed. He was one of the key negotiators during the formation of the current Irish government.

Less well known is that while he is perceived to be a Cork man, just like legendary blues guitarist Rory Gallagher, Senator Boyle’s roots are very much Donegal. His father came from Aranmore Island and his grandparents from the nearby mainland.

Ironically, it could be his influence which will decide whether another Donegal politician, Tanaiste and Employment Minsiter Mary Coughlan, keeps her job. 

He said that the Greens would have to conduct an internal process before they would make any decision on the thorny matter of NAMA, which is widely believed will leave the nation in economic oblivion and destitute for years to come. 

As the days grow shorter and the fears over NAMA increase, it could be that the Donegal man, may have more say in how the deal proceeds than those in Fianna Fail. 

Last week Dan Boyle also said that “Questions have to be asked” of Taoiseach in any banking inquiry.

He was speaking on Lunchtime with Eamon Keane on Newstalk 106-108 fm where former Dirt Inquiry committee member Sean Ardagh said he saw “no reason” why Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen shouldn’t appear before such an inquiry.

Presenter Eamon Keane asked Senator Boyle if he thought the then Minister for Finance Brian Cowen should appear before any committee:

“I think you’d have to look at the wider policy aspect. There has been a degree with the legislation that a lot of autonomy has been given to organisations but political direction, political control is also part of where we find ourselves and questions have to be asked and they have to be assessed.”

Eamon Keane put it to Senator Boyle it would be legitimate to ask the previous Minister for Finance (Taoiseach Brian Cowen) and others of that era to appear before the inquiry.

“I think you’re looking at a situation in Britain where they’re going to have a tribunal in relation to the Iraq war and how they found themselves in that and former Prime Minister Tony Blair is involved in that. Yeah, I think not only previous Ministers for Finance but as a previous opposition spokesperson on Finance I would be happy to participate in such a Tribunal myself.”

Interesting days ahead . . . .