Economy: Looking ahead to 2012
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Figures from the arts, politics, business and the media share their thoughts on the way ahead in 2012. Brendan Keenan Economics editor, Irish Independent It looks as if 2012 will be another year of stagnation for the Irish economy. The endless euro zone crisis has dashed hopes that the year might have seen the start of recovery from the deep, four-year recession. Most analysts expect the volume of goods and services produced this year to increase by only half a per cent or so. When the large profits earned by foreign companies are deducted, national income may fall again,...[full story]
Europe: Ireland’s EU referendums
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012A poll on a fiscal treaty would be the ninth EU-related referendum in Ireland. Stephen Dineen looks at the electorate’s track record. The Government’s reluctance to hold a referendum on an EU fiscal compact is not surprising. Regardless of the amount of time, energy and cost involved, Ireland’s relationship with the EU at the polling booth has become complicated. UCD political scientist Professor Richard Sinnott, an expert on Ireland’s voting behaviour in EU referendums, told eolas he believes any forthcoming EU referendum will differ from previous ones. The Irish referendum...[full story]
Public affairs: John McGuinness on the Public Accounts Committee
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Public Accounts Committee Chairman John McGuinness talks to Stephen Dineen about its work, a possible banking inquiry and public service reform. For John McGuinness, who was previously a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) between 2002 and 2007, the workload has “increased dramatically” and “there is a huge amount of public commentary now” through phone calls and letters, both anonymous and named. The committee, which examines the Comptroller and Auditor General’s audits and value for money reports on public bodies, is “poorly resourced,” with three people staffing...[full story]
Europe: European Diary
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012New Parliament President As was widely expected, Socialists and Democrats Group leader Martin Schulz won the European Parliament presidency with 387 votes. This followed a deal with the European People’s Party, which had nominated the previous President (Jerzy Buzek) in 2009. In his acceptance speech, Schulz asserted that the MEPs were the “advocates of ordinary people” and criticised heads of government for making decisions “behind closed doors”. Opposing candidates Nirj Deva and Diana Wallis described Schulz’s election as a ‘stitch-up’ but he says...[full story]
Europe: European Citizen’s Initiative explained
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Peter Cheney considers the pros and cons of the European Citizens’ Initiative, a new system for sending 1 million-strong petitions to the Commission. From 1 April, people can start mass petitions to the European Commission, which it promises to consider as it draws up policy. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a lesser known part of the Lisbon Treaty which may improve the EU’s accountability or, alternatively, become a vehicle for populist causes. Commissioners claim that the initiative will help citizens influence EU policy. The Commission is commonly viewed as the most...[full story]
Europe: The Danish presidency’s priorities
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Denmark is presiding over the Council of the European Union, at a critical time for the euro, although it is not itself a member. The country sees itself as an honest broker amid the crisis, and wants to make Europe more responsible, more dynamic, greener and safer. Responsibility essentially means financial discipline. Denmark has kept a prudent budget and, on its watch, the first European semester (a review of national budgeting) will be completed. It is seeking progress on the Basel 3 standards for banking reform on negotiations on the EU’s 2014-2020 budget (the Multiannual Financial...[full story]
Euro enthusiast: Gay Mitchell
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012In the first of our interviews with MEPs, Gay Mitchell talks to Stephen Dineen about Ireland’s influence in the EU and his work in the European Parliament. A deficit of leadership is hardening public opinion against Europe and Ireland’s political leaders must energetically explain the European Union’s achievements to the people. That’s Gay Mitchell’s message as he assesses the State’s position in Europe and shares his perspective on the way forward for the continent. “We, for far too long, spoke to people about the money we got from Europe,” he recalls, pointing out that...[full story]
Public affairs: Party conference season
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012This spring will see a full season of party conferences for the first time since 2009. Neither Fine Gael nor Fianna Fáil have held ard fheiseanna in three years, due to the political and economic turbulence since then. Both governing parties will reflect on their first year for government, which has seen steady support for Fine Gael but a fall for Labour. The Fine Gael ard fheis is expected to take place in Dublin on 29-31 March. The event has been scheduled on Dublin Convention Centre’s website, but the party has declined to confirm this. Its last national conference, in Killarney...[full story]
Trade union desk: Time for a growth plan
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012ICTU’s Macdara Doyle argues that austerity has failed Ireland and urges the troika to open its eyes to the country’s economic predicament. Speaking recently in Dublin, Mr István Székely, the European Commission representative in the troika, issued a plaintive public appeal for proof that austerity was killing the Irish economy, not curing it. Speaking at a press conference held just before the troika departed Dublin for less austere climes, Mr Székely asked “everyone to bring up evidence because this discussion should be evidence-based and not on beliefs and definitely not...[full story]
