WHAT a great week for Ireland. Our nemesis, the credit rating agencies, are beating a retreat; the British Tories have been forced to form a coalition government; Cameron and Clegg are going to follow us down the road of pain and penance; the two happy UK victors are 18 months behind us. And we know they will not look quite so happy in four weeks.
Not a bad feeling.
The rest of Europe is in the manure business, too. Yippee.
Ten days ago, the euro was on the eve of destruction.
Continue reading ‘No Wonder Merkel’s Angry’
AER Lingus still rules OK? Last Wednesday a basement in the bowels of Leinster House resembled a padded cell for the insane. Michael O’Leary has turned the lunatics in the aviation asylum on their heads.
A man who was shedding no less than 1,100 jobs at the airport descended to the dungeon to confront a man who was promising 300 in the same place. The Oireachtas Transport Committee was hosting the row between O’Leary and Mary Coughlan’s allies in Dublin Airport and Aer Lingus.
Wednesday morning’s news had revealed that Christoph Mueller — of Aer Lingus and Germany — was threatening to make 1,100 employees compulsorily redundant.
On the same day Michael O’Leary — of Mullingar and Ryanair — entered the arena promising 300 jobs.
Continue reading ‘Mary: Muddled or Muzzled?’
AN engaging little man dropped into the French Embassy last Monday. Some small men exude an instant presence. Charlie Haughey and Napoleon come to mind. Nicolas Sarkozy had none. Initially, at least. But he could grow on you.
The pre-Sarkozy coffee, croissants and cakes session was more enlightening than the message from the President of France. We Irish were all treated to tea and French pastries in the salon. Cosy groups formed. Gerry Adams entered into a little huddle with Finian McGrath. Patricia McKenna was deep in conversation with Andy Storey of Afri and Richard Boyd Barrett . There was a chasm of contact between the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps.
Continue reading ‘Did Sarky Turn Tables On Tax?’
I am looking forward to voting Yes in next year’s referendum. Two days after the No vote, Lisbon Mark Two is already a live runner. The despair in Government circles and the anger at the result in Europe is being replaced by realpolitik. Even on Friday as he conceded defeat, Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to rule out a second referendum, Cowenspeak for “It’s the first option”. Yesterday Le Figaro, the Sarkozy-leaning French daily, suggested that amendments or protocols would do the trick.
And they probably will.
Continue reading ‘Already Looking Forward To Lisbon Mark Two’
The Scene: the Elysee Palace, June 20 (next Saturday). A private breakfast celebration for five heads of state: Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel, Silvio Berlusconi and Gordon Brown are already seated.
French flunkey: “Madame et Messieurs: Monsieur le premier ministre d’Irlande, Brian Cowen.”
Applause as a triumphant Taoiseach enters the room.
Continue reading ‘The Great Lisbon Tax Ambush’
Michael O’Leary has had a wonderful week. He lost €30m personally; Ryanair bombed by half a billion in value; profits tanked by 27 per cent; earnings per share dropped by 24 per cent. Even better, O’Leary issued a shock profit warning: the worst was yet to come.
Best of all, the President of France defeated him in a bizarre court case.
Continue reading ‘O’Leary’s Sixty Grand Bruni Bargain’
Published November 16th, 2007 in Europe, International Affairs
It would be appropriate for a national dialogue on the new EU treaty to begin at an early stage. There exists a widespread assumption that all parties and persons are in favour of passing the treaty, which may or may not be true. However, the EU is not treating Ireland very well at present. Some member states are continually trying to undermine the basis of Ireland’s economic success - our corporation tax rate of 12.5%. So we must use what leverage we have to defend our interests. Here’s what I told the Seanad:
Continue reading ‘EU Treaty Our Opportunity To Play Hardball’
On Thursday, the Seanad debated the IDA and its record of attracting investment into the country. Minister Michael Ahern and Senator Ivor Callely spoke for the government. Their speeches reflected an enormous confidence in the future. I do not know whether or not that is misplaced, but there is a danger about being too smug over the future of the IDA, just because it has been so successful in the past.
Unfortunately, the ostriches on the government benches seem to be blind to the dangers ahead. The formula for growth which worked in the past, based on low taxes and foreign investment, is being successfully emulated by numerous others today. In order to compete, the country’s infrastructural problems - problems like broadband - must be tackled. Here is an edited version of my speech in the Seanad chamber:
Continue reading ‘The Ostriches Gabble Glibly; But The Risks Ahead Remain’
Published June 2nd, 2005 in Europe, International Affairs
The evidence on the European constitution so far is that with all the great conservative establishments being in favour of it, the people are not. We recently had a superb debate on Europe which is now, I suppose, to some extent already overtaken by events. The fact that we did have a very good debate might be an indication that we should do so again.
It is a cliché to say that Europe is in a crisis but it is an opportunity for Seanad Éireann to take a lead, especially given that Ireland was an author of the constitution which is causing so much controversy and difficulty throughout Europe. The date of the referendum is not fixed. Perhaps it would be useful if in the next few months, including after the summer recess, we were to take the bull by the horns on this issue.
Continue reading ‘Establishment Favours Constitution, but do the People?’
Published March 23rd, 2005 in Europe, International Affairs
The Senators who spoke about the serious developments with regard to the breach in the Stability and Growth Pact in Europe deserve to be heard. There must be a hearing because, as Senator Dardis said, Ireland received a serious ticking off for breaching the rules. Why should we put up with the bullying tactics of France and Germany? Continue reading ‘We should not put up with the Bullying Tactics of France and Germany’
