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 [...]
Statement from Enda Kenny on ‘Bruton affair’
This is the text of the full statement of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny this afternoon which saw the party leader sack his Deputy, with the inevitable prospect of a full blown challenge to Kenny’s leadership. ‘Over the weekend, I had a meeting and other conversations with Deputy Richard Bruton during which he informed me that [...]
Carbon levy means double fuel whammy – McBrearty
Poorer households are facing a double fuel whammy at the end of next week. The fuel allowance “season” which runs from September to April each year for over 300,000 families is set to end next week. The day after, on May 1st, the new Carbon Levy comes into force on some home heating products. The [...]
Cowen has become a Taoiseach on borrowed time
The dust has settled a bit and the weekend reports on how the government reshuffle has been viewed by the Irish public is very clear from the polls. Up here in the North West, Mary C got a reprieve from the executioner’s chair and got moved to Education. She will need all of her ear muffs to [...]
O’Domhnaill extends congratulations to Tánaiste on Education appointment
Donegal South West Fianna Fáil Senator Brian O’Domhnaill has extended his congratulations to his colleague, An Tánaiste Mary Coughlan TD, on her appointment to a new portfolio in Cabinet – Education and Skills. The announcement was made as part of the Cabinet reshuffle announced by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD in the Dáil yesterday. Senator [...]
Irish Defence Minister resigns
Irish Defence Minister Willie O’Dea has resigned from government this evening. It is the first high profile resignation of this administration and the opposition will now be gunning for more action. It followed comments made about a local Sinn Fein councillor in Limerick that were recorded by a Limerick based journalist, that ultimately came back to haunt [...]
Joe sounds sour note on Ireland’s next ‘Irish’ commissioner
All but one of the Irish MEPs gave their warm congratulations to Máire Geoghegan-Quinn this week following her strong performance at the European Parliament hearings in Brussels. Over three hours of hard questioning, Ireland’s Commissioner-designate for Science, Research and Innovation vowed to translate innovation into jobs, make science more attractive to young people, improve access [...]
Compulsory fitted lights needed on all bikes manufactured in Europe – Keaveney
Irish Fianna Fail Senator Cecilia Keaveney has today urged the Government to bring forward proposals at a European level ensuring all bike manufacturers introduce compulsory fitted lights on all bikes manufactured and sold throughout Europe. According to teh Donegal based Senator: “Another aspect of the Government’s approach to road safety needs to be securing the [...]
Irish Corporation Tax surcharge a cop-out
Donegal Senator Pearse Doherty has described the Finance Minister’s decision to introduce a corporation tax surcharge over a levy on banks as a cop-out. The Sinn Féin Senator said the surcharge would allow banks to continue to pay CEOs and board members exorbitant salaries before they ever had to pay the state a cent for the NAMA [...]
“Civil war in this country”-Minister Gormley on public/private divide
Irish Minister for Environment John Gormley has said we “have a type of civil war in this country between the private and public sectors”. Minister Gormley also asked public service unions “do we take cuts, or is it a case of having your cheques bounce because we’ve nearly got to that stage”. The Minister was [...]
McDaid tells FG – Stop flogging a dead horse over Ceann Comhairle
Ger Gilroy who is standing in for Eamon Keane on Lunchtime on Newstalk 106-108 fm was told today by Donegal North East TD and former Sport and Tourism Minister Dr Jim McDaid that Fine Gael’s should stop flogging a dead horse in pursuit of Mr John O’Donoghue, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail (pictured left), who has announced that [...]
Donegal ‘No’ vote fallout under scruitiny
Today’s media have given myriad reasons why the two Donegal constituencies voted ‘No’ again to the Lisbon Treaty on Friday last. Right wing religious groups have been cited as has its Conservative nature, the latter springing the prospect of a Tory candidate in the Donegal south west bye election, no doubt! It was also a great stick, with [...]
Cope supports Barroso & says EU works better with Lisbon
Speaking yesterday evening in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Pat the Cope Gallagher Irish MEP for the North and West said “I support the re-nomination of Jose Barroso as the next president of the European Commission. He is the right person for the job and his track record of leading the European Commission has been [...]
TD’s asked do they want the whip
Dr Jim McDaid TD lost the whip because he disagreed with the government over the dropping of the MPV vaccine by Health Minister Mary Harney. That was in the constituency of Donegal North East. Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon resigned the party whip after they showed their displeasure at the governments decision to transfer breast [...]
Tax report targeting households outdated – Doherty
Responding to the Commission on Taxation report released today, Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty said the report is deeply flawed. Instead of making the tax system fairer, the majority of the recommendations would further squeeze ordinary householders according to Doherty. The Sinn Féin Senator said the Government has showed with NAMA, Bord Snip and now [...]
Stephen Bennett – Painter
One of Ireland's finest artists in the North West