There were two driving forces in this great aviation debate. It all very well to speak about great strategic interests, visionary decisions, long-term key directions and even to straddle the ideological divide between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. Good financial and economic arguments have been made on both sides but the two motivating forces …
Monthly Archive
for: ‘May, 2005’
Transparency and the Semi-States
Aer Rianta is a semi-State body that has gone walkabout. Who is in charge? The outgoing board is under threat and is a lame duck. The Minister for Transport is apparently introducing a plan which does not have the support of the Taoiseach. A letter from the leader of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions …
Sellafield Affects Northern Ireland and Republic Alike
Today the Seanad debated a Government motion on Sellafield. I am delighted this motion has been proposed because I have been tabling motions on Sellafield for a very long time in a similar, but perhaps not quite so detailed, manner. No matter how many times motions are tabled regarding Sellafield and the danger it poses …
Revenue Clampdown on Consumers while Institutions don’t Suffer!
Next week the Revenue will begin a major investigation into undisclosed funds invested in life assurance products. What will occur on Monday, 23 May, is now on everyone’s mind for it is on the radio every morning. Innocent people were seduced into taking out policies or doing something unawares and have been penalised in the …
What will the European Constitution do for Ireland?
By definition, the benefits of the European Union are historical. For Ireland, membership has undoubtedly been tremendously beneficial and useful. The evidence suggests that the efforts to make a political union have been extremely successful. It is easy to be emotionally pro-European for the reasons I outlined. However, it is difficult to be honest about …
Sellafield a Blot on Anglo-Irish Relations
The British Prime Minister made a speech on nuclear waste and nuclear energy last night. In the height of arrogance in dealing with the Irish Republic, he decided to approve another generation of nuclear plants in the United Kingdom. This morning the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, made the same …
The Pensions Board is Sick and Sleepy – Fire Them!
The Pensions Board is a pretty sick, inadequate body. We have a problem currently with pensions because we have a fairly sleepy Pensions Board. The board is made up of political appointees who represent various vested interests in the pensions industry. They are the last people who should be on the Pensions Board. The pensions …
Marginal North Dublin Seats Deciding the Future of Dublin Airport
A serious aspect of this matter is that what is happening is unknown to Members of this House. We should debate this issue now and not next week or the week after when a deal has been cooked up between politicians, trade unions and other businesses. If we debate this after an agreement is made …