Tag Archive
Newsflash: Cowen resigns as FF leader, but remains as Taoiseach
What should have been another quiet January weekend has become the centre of political intrigue with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen tendering his leadership of the Fianna Fail party within the last few minutes. “It is the right thing to do for the party,” he said. The cards had been stacking against him all week [...]
Irish government Senior Minister resignations now at five
Senior Irish Ministers Noel Dempsey, Dermot Ahern and Tony Killeen have joined Health Minister Mary Harney in resigning from the coalition government Cabinet last night, bringing to five the number of senior Ministers who have resigned in the last 24 hours. The previous night, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin resigned.A spokesman for the Taoiseach confirmed last night that he [...]
Final disgrace by FF claims Pringle
‘Our disgraced government once again proved to the Irish people, as if we didn’t need another example, that they are completely incompetent and have mortgaged us all and future generations to protect the EU and the German and French banks that have recklessly lent to our crooked banking system’ claims Cllr Thomas Pringle. Cllr Pringle polled [...]
Israeli forces board MV Rachel Corrie
Fine Gael Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Billy Timmins TD, has responded to reports that the Israeli Defence Forces have boarded the MV Rachel Corrie in international waters by saying that this action was plain wrong, should not have occurred and that the ship should have been allowed to continue to Gaza. Deputy Timmins said the any [...]
Government legislates to tackle psychoactive substances
Minister Pat Carey, minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, has said that measures passed at cabinet today will send out a “clear message”, especially to young people, about the dangers of psychoactive substances sold through headshops. Pat Carey, T.D. Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs welcomed the measures taken by his [...]
“We weren’t asked” Minister Willie O’Dea on why Irish Army wasn’t used to rescue commuters and clear snow
As public anger grows over the Government’s response to chaotic weather conditions for commuters in Dublin, Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea yesterday said the Army hadn’t acted because “we weren’t asked”. Minister O’Dea also said that if the Government had got involved a week ago he didn’t really think “anything different would be happening”. On [...]
Alcohol Action Ireland: Time to share the burden with children affected by a parent’s drinking
Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, has called for the Government to examine the extent and impact of parental alcohol problems on children and to provide accessible, joined up services to children and families affected by a parent’s alcohol problems. Acting Director, Cliona Murphy, called for children and families to be put [...]
Irish Fishermen argue importance of mackerel quota
The Irish government believe that they have put down a strong marker to make clear that the important mackerel fishery is protected and that Ireland’s share of the fishery is maintained. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said following the talks: “Each year EU and Norway negotiate access [...]
Cope gives Irish nominee thumbs up
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP, the leader of the Fianna Fail group of the European Parliament, today said that the appointment by the Irish Government of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as our next European Commissioner is very inspiring political choice. “Màire is very pro-European in her political outlook and that she will bring her vast array [...]
New Irish EU Commissioner is Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (pictured left on RTE this evening) today said that she is honoured to have been nominated by the Irish Government to serve as a future member of the European Commission. “In the immediate future, I will be working with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and with An Taoiseach [...]
Irish government must listen to the people – Donegal Senator
Donegal Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has said the voice of the people must be heard by the Irish government after 60,000 people marched in support of a fairer way to deal with our economic problems today. Speaking after attending the rally in Dublin, Senator Pearse Doherty said the Government must listen to the alternative [...]
Irish productive sector cannot take further cuts
Speaking at a meeting of Social Partnership this week, which the Taoiseach and Minister for Agriculture attended, IFA President Padraig Walshe said, “farmers cannot afford to take further cuts on key farm schemes as cuts already made have had a disproportionate impact on farmers. Increasing taxes such as a carbon tax will also seriously impact [...]
Nursing Home ‘Fair Deal’ or con job
The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D., has announced the date for the introduction of the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme, A Fair Deal. How fair the deal is, remains to be seen though. But Minister Harney was buoyant. “ From that date onwards, people will be free to apply to the HSE for financial [...]
Irish Government must stay clear of hacking in to Child Benefit
As the content of the Mc Carthy report and the Commission for Taxation are scrutinised, and the December budget draws closer, fear is growing among mothers in relation to Child Benefit. Donegal SF Cllr Cora Harvey said: “The threat to children’s allowance in the next budget is causing real concern among families that have been [...]
New meaning for Irish diaspora – Tanaiste Coughlan
Irish Deputy Prime Minsiter and Tanaiste Mary Coughlan spoke this evening at the State dinner to conclude the Global Irish Economic Form, which took place in Farmleigh this weekend. She was speaking in the old ballroom of Dublin Castle, known as Saint Patrick’s Hall. Appropriately it is the same hall that Presidents of Ireland are [...]
Stephen Bennett – Painter
One of Ireland's finest artists in the North West