Many politicians seem to think we can interfere with every operational decision made by Aer Lingus. Whether we like it or not Aer Lingus was privatised some time ago. We cannot allow ourselves to be used by lobby groups left, right and centre for every decision it makes. Will we regard it as a semi-State …
Monthly Archive
for: ‘September, 2007’
Watch My Prime Time Interview On Auctioneers Here!
Last night, I appeared with Alan Cooke of the IAVI on a Prime Time Special on auctioneers. Alan accused me of knowing nothing about the auctineering business. I told him he was right – yet I managed to become one last year! Watch the full exchange between us here. buy cialis buy levitra buy propecia …
Thumbs Down to Mr. Hobbs
Eddie Hobbs or Northern Rock? Today is no time for investor heroics. Last week I pondered the eternal puzzle. I still have my SSIA money. Would I buy Northern Rock shares, take a punt in Eddie Hobbs’s Brendan Investments, or stick it into a deposit account? On Thursday I woke up determined to buy shares …
Patronage is the Great Curse Of Irish Political Life; And the Senate is its Greatest Symptom
Last week, the 23rd Seanad met for the first time. It gave me the opportunity to take the chair before the election of Cathaoirleach took place. I told my fellow members that there are great problems with the Seanad, problems which must be confronted before the 24th Seanad meets. We are too often seen, rightly …
Hand Back Your Bonus, Jim
Leinster House remained a lonely post-election graveyard last week. But I spotted two noble political ghosts: Pat Rabbitte, who recently resigned as leader of the Labour Party, was back at work. Des O’Malley, who less recently resigned as leader of the Progressive Democrats, was doing a bit of research. What are these two guys, who …
O’Leary seeks his ‘Mini Me’
Michael O’Leary needs help. A small ad in Friday’s newspapers reveals that his current assistant, Niall O’Connor, is moving on. It does not explain why Niall is off to quieter pastures. Rumours that he is seeking the advice of lawyers who specialised in compensation for army deafness are being denied. Michael wants an accountant for …
Mary, Mary….
If you have two women in your life, keep them apart. I should know. Disaster struck me recently. Ever since then, I have treated businesswoman and fellow senator Mary White with a grudging respect. Mary is a formidable female, especially when she is scorned. Last week when I returned to Leinster House after a holiday …
O’Leary’s Strange Bedfellows Snooker Ahern’s Unholy Alliance
While Senator Mary White remains on the warpath (see article here), Bertie Ahern should count himself lucky there is no currently identifiable Mrs Ahern. Senator White may have an unusual political approach to her opponents but she has hita chord on Aer Lingus. Her outspoken stance on the Shannon issue has struck strong resonances throughout …