My thesis

I’ve been interested in the Mahon inquiry into corruption for some time now. The relevance of this story to modern Ireland is pointed because it affects what we see around us, or rather, what we see built around us.

The planning process in Ireland to develop land for commercial, domestic or other uses affects us as citizens profoundly.

I’m started an online thesis project. Delivering daily, up-to-date, reportage of news coming from Dublin Castle.

I haven’t got a comments option going yet, so post any comments here if you like ,

slan

CitiZenJon

started up a new blog,

http://citizenjon2008dublincastle.wordpress.com/

J.

The Oireachtas

On Wednesday, I beseeched Tony Gregory’s PA Valerie to put me on the list for the public gallery at the first sitting of the government in 2008.

I considered it an important addendum to the Mahon Tribunal’s investigations because several important questions had been unearthed during the Taoiseach’s questioning on the 20th and 21st of December 2007.

New figures revealed following the tribunal’s investigation found that Mr. Ahern’s compliance with tax laws were problematic.

The Taoiseach, formerly Minister for Finance, said that his compliance with tax requirements would be decided after the tribunal made its ruling a week before the Dail was due to resume government.

In the chamber of the Oireachtas Mr. Ahern refuted that claim,

“It is not correct. If I said so, I wasn’t correct, so I can’t recall if I did say, but I did not say, or if I did say it, I didn’t mean to say it, that these issues can’t be dealt with until the end of the Mahon tribunal”.

Watching the leader in action today in the Dail chamber was a revelation. Particularly telling was the poor attendance of government ministers after an initial vote. The place cleaned out in a few minutes, leaving Bertie and Brian Cowen mumbling to each other behind their hands.

As a signifier of the current dynamic of the government’s front bench, one need look no further than observing their seating habits in the Dail chamber.

Immediately following the vote, which was attended by all government ministers, there was an evacuation en masse prior to ‘leader’s questions’. The Taoiseach looked down at his pad, seemed to make notes. As the leader of the opposition, Enda Kenny opened up a barrage of strong criticism of the Taoiseach, the government ministers for supporting him and criticizing the tribunal’s activities subsequent to the Taoiseach’s last appearance there.

Mr. Ahern was permitted a response, he bumbled his way through it (above), uttering, as opposition leader Eamon Gilmore put it, a quadruple negative that he would have to reread from Dail transcripts to understand.

As leader’s questions continued, the government cabinet ministers imperceptibly disappeared into various ante-chambers. When Sinn Fein’s Caoimbin O’Caomhain, stood to ask the Taoiseach about his evidence to the tribunal only Brian Cowen, who faithfully sat by the Taoiseach and Martin Cullen-seated several empty places away-remained.

He struck an isolated figure, more so when Cowen excused himself. As he passed Cullen, he passed some comment. Cullen glanced at the Taoiseach seated alone now on the front bench, and moved to the seat next to him.

As leader’s questions continued Bertie’s chin disappeared deeper into this chest.

Later opposition call for a motion of confidence in the Mahon tribunal from the government

Greens make historic decision to go for government.

	Green Party delegates vote with an 86% majority to join Fianna Fail in the formation of the 30th Dail CitiZenJon reports Green Party members, 510 members to be exact, traveled from all over the country today to attend a specially convened conference to debate and vote on proposals from the majority party Fianna Fail to enter a coalition to form the next government. Outside the Mansion House party faithful and protesters alike waited eagerly for the results of delegates’ decision. After the vote, press were invited inside to hear the decision. The packed hall, hushed to silence as the announcement was made. A majority of 86% voted to accept FF’s proposals. Green leader, Trevor Sargent, also announced he would be stepping down as leader, following his campaign statement that he would not go into government with FF.
CitiZenJon reports from the Green Pary Conference
Greens leader Trevor Sargent was swarmed by media who jostled and jigged for position to question Mr. Sargent on his decision to step down.During the electoral campaign Sargent had repeatedly stated that he would not go into government with Fianna Fail. Sargent, showing a largesse rarely seen in Irish politics, decided to step down to pave the way for the party to enter government tomorrow when the 30th Dail convenes to create the new government cabinet. The Greens compromised on several policy issues such as the use of Shannon airport by US troops on their way to Iraq and on the contentious route of the new M3 motorway through the historic Tara area.They also had to step back from opposing the co-location of public and private hospitals on private land which they had vociferously opposed during the election. As debate raged inside over the policy compromises conceded by the party, outside protesters waited quietly. The sudden about-turn on these ‘core’ issues has generated serious debate among their constituents. The decision by the Greens will allow the party to enter government for the first time in their 25 year history.
	Sargent announces his resignation from the leadership of Greens

The Eagle has landed

Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern cranks up the race for government today as the Fianna Fail hustings arrives at the GPO CitiZenJon reports There was an air of expectation at 11:30 today as journalists, photographers, cameramen and the party faithful awaited the arrival of Fianna Fail’s Bertie Ahern outside the GPO on O’Connell Street. As David Davin-Power basked in the mid-day sunshine and cameras jostled for position I took the opportunity to catch a few shots of Bertie as he arrived to cheers and heckles from the crowd. Several onlookers called, “Where’s your 80 grand.” Another chanted: “You’re wrecking this country.” But party members and passers-by cheered as the Taoiseach alighted from his car and began shaking hands and clapping backs to all and sundry. Bertie then entered the GPO, nimbly ducking and diving the swarm of media, for a quick photo opportunity with employees before racing out to meet Dubliners on the city’s main thoroughfare.

Bertie on hustings through Dublin city centre

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It was like a carnival as the Taoiseach zig-zagged across Henry Street greeting bemused pedestrians, pausing briefly for the myriad photographers before moving on. One eastern European girl said, “Who was he?” after he had vigorously grasped her by the hand. A plain-clothes organiser of the event tried to cajole a shy shop assistant to hand the leader an umbrella and say “You might need this”, a stage managed moment, but the girl in question was shy and backed away. The organiser, lost his temper and said, “For f**k sake you’re useless.” before racing on to scout the next photo op. Bertie’s nimbleness was impressive as he turned down Moore Street, shaking hands with fruit sellers. Another lady presented the Taoiseach with a bunch of flowers and Bertie kissed her and gave her a hug as cameras flashed in unison. Next stop was the fishwives of Moore Street where the Taoiseach and his entourage laughed nervously when someone joked, “there’s something fishy going on Bertie.” But the bevy of photographers kept snapping just the same.

Bertie Ahern meets the public on Henry street

Payments scandal set to dog Bertie’s election hopes

	Bertie Ahern refuses to answer questions into financial impropriety on the election trail today. As his hustings kicked off in Dublin journalists questioned the Irish leader regarding payments due to be investigated by the Mahon Tribunal. Judge Mahon announced on Monday that the Tribunal had been due to examine an allegation that Mr Ahern received £80,000 from the Cork developer, Owen O’Callaghan. Judge McMahon said it would be unfair for Mr. Ahern to be required to give evidence concerning his financial history during the party’s electoral campaign.The Tribunal will now resume hearings on 28 May. The Taoiseach has said that the decision was totally a matter for the tribunal and he had been not aware that it would happen. Mr Ahern today reiterated that Mr O’Callaghan never gave him a penny and said he would deal with the issues concerning the tribunal when they arrive. The decision by Judge Mahon couldn’t have come at a better time for Fianna Fail who would undoubtedly be damaged by any appearance by their leader in the Tribunal of inquiry concerning dodgy land deals in his earlier career.
Bertie dodges bullet as Tribunal postpones investigation

Bertie Finally Calls Election

Irish Taoseach Bertie Ahern announces election after weeks of speculation in the Dail Bertie Ahern, has finally done it and disolved the 29th Dáil. Polling in the General Election will take place on Thursday 24th May. The Taoiseach went to Áras an Uachtaráin this morning to seek the dissolution from the President of Ireland. Bertie’s decision follows months of speculation, and campaigning for the election, which had to be held no later than early June.Recent polls suggest its gonna be a close one, and no single opposition party has a clear advantage. As I write Marian Finucane is speaking to Enda Kenny. Check out the RTE’s broadcast on the web at rte.ie/live. Kenny seems enthusiastic, “It’s a pleasure to hear the news that the game is finally on on this beautiful sunny day.”Now that’s what I like to hear.He has promised that if he is given the mandate from the electorate he will fulfill his promises (and their are many) on the economy, the nurses strike and all the myriad other issues he proposes to magically resolve.

Polling could be a considerable influence on election results

Narrow margin in favour of alternative coalition

An alternative government made up of Fine Gael and Labour, with the possible support of the Greens, has pulled ahead of the current Government in terms of popular support, according to the Irish Times /TNS mrbi opinion poll.

YouTube and Democracy: politics embraces the Internet

It seems the political parties are finally catching up with the runaway sprint that is d’Internet. Puffing, gasping-red faced with gut hanging out, and lagging 15 laps behind, the fellas up in City Hall have finally got the message; yes, the internet can help you in the race for the Oireachtas.

One invaluable innovation is You Tube: a web site where one can post movies, albeit in a somewhat lower quality format. You Tube is fast becoming one of my daily ports of call (while I have my morning coffee and read the Guardian Unlimited) The Fianna Fail political parade definitely seems to be up for it. They posted the following film of their Ard Fheis only hours after it was broadcast, prime time, on RTE 1-Ireland’s national tv station.

Now, everybody always pats Bertie on the back after these tirades but to tell you the truth, I don’t believe Bertie has much going for him in the Oratory department. His speeches to the party faithful always seem a bit forced to me.

But hey why don’t you judge for yourself.

Bertie Addresses Fianna Fail Ard Fheis		A You Tube video released on d’Internet recently

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I found this recently on ABC about presidential nominee Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

2008 Campaign Goes Negative on YouTube

Unauthorized Anti-Clinton Ad Shows YouTube’s Potential ‘08 Influence

A striking, new and unauthorized negative campaign ad for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., that attacks his presidential nomination rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is the latest sensation on the popular video sharing site You Tube.The 74-second ad is a creative take on director Ridley Scott’s controversial 1984 Super Bowl commercial that launched Apple as a brash alternative to market leader IBM.

			If you only click one you tube on this blog, click this one A facinating insight into how politics, negative advertising and mud-slinging can damage electoral candidates in the U.S.

Fine Gael chaffing at the bit for election race

Fine Gael ready to deliver says leader

			Fine Gael certainly hopes it will double its chances over the next weeks as the Irish general election is due to kick off any day now but why the zipped mouths over Ireland’s embarrassing record on the environment The main oppostion party in Ireland at the moment Fine Gael has set its sights high indeed. Without the strength to capture the ultimate prize in Irish politics, government, they are barking about a coalition with Labour and the Greens. The Irish Times covered his comments recently Voters are tired of smug Government, FG leader insists
Fine Gael’s baby-kissing Enda Kenny Doubles up

The Green Party

A disappointing year so far from greens

Trevor Sargent TD	John Gormley TD	Eamon Ryan TD	Paul Gogarty TD

I have been disappointed with the Greens performance so far this year. With so much ammunition (furnished by the current Fianna Fail government) concerning waste, water, power, the marine and overall poor investment in Ireland’s infrastructure one would have thought they would have been one of the most vocal parties in the Dail. The Irish Times, Ireland’s paper of record has predicted big things for 2007.

Five years ago, the Greens won six Dáil seats with slightly less than four per cent of the vote and if opinion poll figures carry though to the current election, they could end up with 10 or more TDs this time around. At this stage of the proceedings, the Greens look like an essential component of any secure Rainbow coalition and will very likely find themselves being wooed by Fianna Fáil at the same time.

Sargent has said he will step down if the Greens go in with Fianna Fáil, it seems like this habit is catching, but that he is willing to serve as a minister in such a coalition. It’s an intriguing, some would say jesuitical, proposition from Sargent who is generally seen as a choir-boy innocent in the cynical hurly-burly of Irish politics.

The Green leader showed up at Dunlaoghire to the farmers’ market to comment on ‘organic sellers’