Posts tagged ‘Politics’
Politics: Departmental Dossier–DJEI
Monday, November 7th, 2011The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is a successor to the long-standing Department of Industry and Commerce, which was established at the foundation of the State. It has had 10 re-configurations since 1977, including the incorporation of employment policy into the department, which had been in the Department of Labour from 1966-1993. The department is seen as an important and economic one. It has five divisions: competitiveness and jobs; innovation and investment; commerce, consumer and competition; corporate services, employment rights and industrial relations; and EU...[full story]
Politics: Labour’s by-election win
Monday, November 7th, 2011Dublin West now has two Labour TDs following Patrick Nulty’s win on October 27. Dublin West’s newest TD cites his priorities as protecting Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, working for better public transport in Swords and west Dublin, and job creation in the constituency. Patrick Nulty, 28, a Labour Dublin City councillor, won the by-election on the fifth count with 17,636 votes. His percentage of first preference votes (24.3 per cent) was an improvement on his general election performance of 6.3 per cent. Fianna Fáil candidate and 25-year-old music teacher David McGuinness came...[full story]
Politics: Oireachtas overview
Monday, November 7th, 2011The Dáil has started its first full term with a new schedule, including sittings on first Fridays. Legislation required under the EU-IMF deal continues to progress through the Oireachtas. The Dáil is currently in its first session under the new reforms, devised by the Government. Among the changes are Leaders’ Questions now occurring three days a week, first Fridays sittings, longer sittings and a revamped adjournment debate format (now called topical issues). In the last innovation, a relevant Minister debates a topic chosen by a deputy. Both speakers have two slots. On 7 October...[full story]
Politics: Progress for the quartermasters
Friday, August 19th, 2011The Government has satisfied the EU-IMF Programme requirements for Quarter 2 of 2011 and is currently working on those for the third quarter. Re-structuring of the banking system remains central to implementation. eolas examines the progress of the second and third quarters. At the beginning of July representatives of the ‘troika’ (the EU, ECB and IMF) were back in Dublin for another progress review. The press conferences of government ministers and the troika confirmed that Ireland continues to meet its quarterly targets for measures required by the programme. Of the €67.5 billion...[full story]
Politics: Croke Park review
Friday, May 13th, 2011Peter Cheney considers the Croke Park Agreement’s progress as unions and ministers prepare for its first annual review report. As the Croke Park Agreement Implementation Body prepares to publish its first annual review, ministers and unions are insisting that it is the only way to deliver savings. However, the slow speed of reform is being questioned as an EU-IMF deadline approaches this autumn. By the end of quarter three, the bail-out memo requires “an appropriate adjustment, including to the overall public service wage bill” to cover any “potential shortfalls in the projected...[full story]
Politics: Criminal justice plans
Friday, May 13th, 2011eolas summarises the Government’s justice commitments in each part of the system and the opposition’s alternatives. Policing In a commitment that will resonate with the public, the Government pledges to “ensure that rogue bankers and all those that misappropriate or embezzle funds are properly pursued for their crimes” and receive “the full rigours of the law”. Garda representatives have claimed that Ireland’s financial crime investigations are undermanned compared, for example, to Denmark. A consolidated anti-corruption law would also be enacted. Convicted white collar...[full story]
Politics: Fianna Fáil’s future
Friday, May 13th, 2011Fianna Fáil adviser Frank Lahiffe argues that the party could enter government again in the next decade if it is “innovative and thoroughly realistic”, as he examines the party’s new front bench. Election 2011 produced one of the most astonishing results of any general election in Irish history. Fianna Fáil, the major part of governments throughout the 20th century and for all of the 21st century up to this year, was reduced to 20 seats, losing an astounding 58 seats since the 2007 election. So where did it all go wrong for a party which turns 85 this year? People can blame the...[full story]
