FF/FG/Green Government - Part 3

72sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251317#Comment_120251317

Pre-2011 was still a FF/FG govmt. Also creating an economic environment whereby people bought homes they could never afford is not exactly the opposite of a housing crisis. Where we are now though is a housing crisis, of such severity that it's a source of shame internationally, and

- a govmt housing policy optimised for overseas investors with some trimmings for Irish insiders (see all those An Bord Pleanala 'best practices')

- a govmt immigration policy optimized to attract all and sundry

- a govmt Ukraine support policy optimized to impress EU/NATO 

- a govmt communications policy that labels poor people racists (at least they're no longer all dole cheats!)

- govmt politicians not feeling any need to declare their own property assets

Of course they are mouthing off about introducing new schemes to accelerate, facilitate, alleviate, etc. but it takes a special kind of naivety to continue believing that Varadkar and O'Gorman are fighting the good fight

Blut2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120251317#Comment_120251317

The figures not changing much between 2011 and 2023 would be largely explained by Ireland still recovering from the recession until about 2015, and corona hitting from 2020-2022. So there were really only 4-5 'normal' years of immigration in that 12 year time span, and 4-5 years when people were actually leaving the country.

The rapid increases during the Celtic Tiger years are more representative of what we can expect this decade if the border policies remain unchanged.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120252999#Comment_120252999

Pre-2011 was still a FF/FG govmt

In the 30 years prior to 2011, FG were in power for just over 2 years as part of a rainbow coalition.

Also our housing crisis is not a "source of shame internationally". No one internationally pays the slightest bit of interest to it as they are too busy with their own problems. It is clearly an issue for Ireland, but the hyperbole, as usual, is off the charts.

There are myriad problems with housing in Ireland, and the govt have not done a good job. However, even a cursory look at any kind of sufficiently dense planning application will show you that, in fact, building housing is deeply unpopular in Ireland no matter what people say.

72sheep

The IT is oh so worried that young FF & FG TD's are being scared away from politics (by their FF/FG elders being relentlessly caught out ignoring "best practices"). But don't fret poor Stephen, those youngsters that "feel drawn to public service" will fight like rats to get onboard, LOL!

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/02/17/ambitious-relatively-young-tds-are-heading-for-the-exit-is-public-life-becoming-unbearable/

Blut2

€105k base salary + €50k expenses (which can be used for things like a personal car) + €40k ministerial salary once they're in the job long enough. Plus the fact its a job with a very high social cachet, plus the fact it attracts people who're idealistic or people who're power hungry who aren't necessarily in it for the money.

Its much harder work than most people think absolutely. But theres never going to be a shortage of candidates given the above.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120256607#Comment_120256607

I can expense travel with my personal car if I have to travel for work. There is nothing unusual about that. My total expenses are probably north of 100k annually.

The expenses thing drives me mad - crack down hard on expenses scandals and dodgy ones, but TDs absolutely rack up shitloads of legitimate work expenses.

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120256769#Comment_120256769

The FFG TDs have shown time and time again that they claim every last cent across a broad range of expenses. Dara Murphy (FG) showed how it could be done without even doing his job or attending the Dail. They promised reform there too, yeah right. Bertie is still claiming 70,000 a year on "secretarial assistance" expenses!

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120260519#Comment_120260519

I would agree that claiming expenses without even attending the institution is pretty bad...

I am not against a more robust expenses system. I am irritated by the cheap and easy way that people talk about TDs being on X amount plus expenses as if expenses are not a function of every single job in the private sector.

Blut2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120256769#Comment_120256769

TD's expenses are unvouched and are very frequently abused, so the expense allowance acts as effectively part of their salary. They frequently claim travel expenses to attend work on days they haven't even attended work. Its nothing remotely comparable to being reimbursed for mileage driven and studiously accounted for, or having to submit receipts for every meal, in a private sector job.

https://www.joe.ie/politics/dara-murphy-resigns-seat-dail-eireann-expenses-scandal-688422 - Fine Gael TD Dara Murphy has resigned his seat in Dáil Éireann. The Cork North Central TD had been at the centre of an expenses scandal after it emerged that he had been claiming his full expenses allowance despite being mostly absent from Dáil Éireann over the last two years.

https://extra.ie/2022/07/31/news/politics/43-tds-claimed-more-than-e50k-each - "43 TDs claimed more than €50k each in unvouched expenses"

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/tds-can-net-full-whack-of-travel-expenses-even-if-they-miss-a-raft-of-actual-dail-sittings-41515135.html - "TDs are able to claim the maximum level of travel and accommodation expenses for attending Leinster House, despite missing a large number of days when the Dáil is actually sitting."

etc

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120260974#Comment_120260974

Lots of jobs give a per diem rather than having to submit expenses.

The fact that some people abuse this (and clearly some are caught and face consequences) is not a reason to damn the whole system. Any system will have abuse - catching that is a good thing.

Given the nature of the job, I equally would not be surprised to learn that many TDs are paying for certain things out of their own pocket. It is a demanding job that at times requires 24/7 presence. Perhaps we would all be better off giving them "corporate" credit cards that they can put all expenses on and deal with it that way but the numbers we are talking about here are not particularly crazy.

Blut2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120261785#Comment_120261785

If I tried to claim yearly travel expenses of €25k for a 21km commute (like say Katherine Zappone), including expenses for days I didn't actually attend work, I would very quickly not be employed. As would anyone else in the private sector with an expense account. Again, theres absolutely no comparison to private sector expense accounts in the real world with this system.

Its not "some people" either, the abuse of the expenses system in Leinster House is endemic. There was only one TD out of 160 who claimed expenses of less than 10,000euro in 2021: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/revealed-how-much-in-expenses-your-local-td-claimed-in-2021-42086320.html

Excusing corruption because "the numbers we are talking about here are not particularly crazy" is terrible reasoning. "ah sure its only a few euros here or there" is what got us Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern and decades of pervasive political corruption.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120262044#Comment_120262044

10,00€ is a stupidly low bar to set though. I'm amazed a single TD came below that. The idea that anyone above that is abusing it is farcical.

They have constituency offices, significant travel expenses, entertainment expenses (which are common among all professions).

Being a (good) TD is expensive and I'm sure its not uncommon to pay above the expense limit for their actual expenses. Being a bad one is not as expensive, but then it should be up to the electorate to get rid of those people.

Blut2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120262206#Comment_120262206

"The idea that anyone above that is abusing it is farcical" is highly naive given the large number of TD's who've been avarous enough to manage to fall foul of even the current system's very, very limited oversight.

There is absolutely no justification for having an unvouched expense system to the tunes of tens of thousands of euros, per year, for every TD. If they have valid expenses they would have no problem providing receipts for them.

Again - try suggesting to a private sector employer that you have €50k of expenses in a calendar year, but you can't provide receipts for any of this, and see how far you'd get. You'd be laughed out of a job.

jmcc

Oh dear. Things not going well for FF in the paper of record.

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/02/23/fianna-fails-support-down-since-martins-exit-from-taoiseachs-office/

Regards...jmcc

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120278078#Comment_120278078

Interesting poll.

A couple of things to note. Green Party with a chance of holding all their seats in Dublin with an 8% share.

SF doing significantly worse among women - Mairia Cahill's book later this year will add to that problem.

51% among the 18-24-year olds who tend not to vote means the SF total is exaggerated and is in the nature of a protest vote, so volatile.

Current government likely to be close to a majority on those figures, maybe need some more secure deals with independents.

Cluedo Monopoly

Michael O'Leary absolutely skewered Eamonn Ryan on Morning Ireland today and he was dead right. He basically said we don't need any more memos or meetings, we need action on the drone impacts to Dublin airport. Worth a listen back.

Bishop of hope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120308921#Comment_120308921

Michael OLeary, yeah, the common man approach, I wonder which race meeting he's at today?

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120308962#Comment_120308962

I never see O'Leary as the common man. I see him as the hard working Executive getting things done and not putting up with excuses. The opposite of the 3 unwise men.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120308962#Comment_120308962

Things are getting desperate all right, when the perpetual complainers have to latch on to Michael O'Leary to support their non-stop rants about the government.

Thing is, Ryan doesn't care about the airline industry, he would cheer if Ryanair went bust, as carbon emissions would go down. O'Leary is no more than an irritating fly to him.

Blut2

Michael O'Leary has plenty of glaring problems as a person but theres not much point attacking the man not the ball here - hes completely right in this case. This is the 6th week of drone attacks on Dublin airport and the government has done nothing to stop them yet, its a farce.

Edit, to give some more detail to his comments:

"Mr O'Leary said 20,000 passengers were affected by last night's disruption.

He accused Mr Ryan of sitting on his hands and said having more meetings and producing memos is not a solution. It is time for the minister to take action or resign, he said.

"What we need today is not legislation, we need the minister to authorise Dublin Airport to spend the €100,000, buy the electronic equipment which will disable these drones when they are identified and bring them down," Mr O'Leary said.

"We need that done today. We don't need a memo to Cabinet next Tuesday. What happens if the airport is shut again Saturday or Sunday?"

Mr O'Leary said he understands Dublin Airport has sought permission from the Department of Transport to acquire anti-drone technology, but cannot get permission.

He said there is no reason why Ireland's main airport should not have this technology in place, and he called on Mr Ryan to outline his action on it by lunchtime.

Aer Lingus has also called for urgent action and said there needs to be a "step change in urgency ... from the key stakeholders charged with managing this critical issue". In a statement, the airline said the level of disruption is "concerning and unacceptable."

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309222#Comment_120309222

That's a very silly post. Read it back to yourself.

So it's fine that our main airport is continually disrupted while Ryan prepares a memo?

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309292#Comment_120309292

Ryan doesn't care if our main airport is shut, carbon emissions go down. So he is in no rush.

That your holiday to Spain is disrupted won't bother him either.

Cluedo Monopoly

Have you been drinking? He is the transport minister. Your beloved Fine Gael politicians have a less idiotic view.

Time to ‘ground’ illegal drone operators following three days of disruption at Dublin Airport – Doherty - Fine Gael

'Take action or resign' — Michael O'Leary vents fury over drone disruption at Dublin Airport (irishexaminer.com)

Fine Gael senator and former Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has also criticised the response.

Ms Doherty, a Fine Gael representative for Fingal, said: “Last night, flights were grounded at Dublin Airport for the sixth time in eight weeks after yet another drone operator threatened our airspace and public safety.

“My question is: what have Minister Ryan and the Daa done about the need to take down drones, and drone operators, over the last few years?

Cluedo Monopoly

Aer Lingus slams 'unacceptable' disruptions caused by drone activity at Dublin Airport - Irish Mirror Online

Aer Lingus has hit out at the lack of action to ensure illegal drone activity near Dublin Airport stops and says it is "unacceptable" as the airline calls for laws to be pushed through "as a matter of urgency".

jackboy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309312#Comment_120309312

Sure maybe it’s a Green Party supporting nutter launching these attacks on the airport.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309330#Comment_120309330

I am not a member of Fine Gael, as you well know, so less of the flaming and trolling in that regard.

Reducing air traffic is one of the Green's goals, so why would Ryan be in a hurry to fix this?

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309495#Comment_120309495

Ah stop. I am not engaging in your silly argument. Ryan will do what he's told soon enough.

blanch152

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0302/1359901-public-finances-show-deficit-of-2-5bn-in-february/

€4 billion transferred to the NPRF, some excellent and prudent management of the public finances.

Blut2

Yeah I'm sure the 4000 homeless Irish children in the country tonight will be delighted to hear the government is pumping up a savings account instead of building houses. Very prudent.

Bishop of hope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309280#Comment_120309280

I was transferred to Belfast myself recently on my way back to the continent, not a good situation I'd agree. But the DAA is responsible for the day to day running of the airport with a budget so I'd say if it was as simple as 100000 spend it would be done without any need for ministerial intervention.

Michael is as usual just venting his spleen and every govt naysayers is just latching on to its contents to help spread it around.

Cluedo Monopoly

Well It looks like O'Leary's intervention worked and anti drone technology is getting the priority it deserves.

Ryan's secret plot to reduce air transport in order to combat climate change has been thwarted.

howiya

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120309545#Comment_120309545

The NPRF has been dead since 2014 due to the absence of excellent and prudent management of the public finances.

First it was raided for recapitalising the banks. Then we said we couldnt afford to contribute the 1% anymore so stopped calling it a pension reserve and ISIF was born.

dasa29

New Poll

https://twitter.com/oconnellhugh/status/1632070650775961602?s=20

Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows major gains for SocDems - but Sinn Féin at 18-month low.

SF 29 (-2)

FG 21 (-1)

FF 19 (+1)

GP 4 (-)

Behold, the Holly Cairns effect

SD 9 (+5)

S-PBP 2 (-1)

Aontú 3 (-1)

Lab 3 (-1)

Ind/Oth 10 (-)

jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314071#Comment_120314071

Funny that Blue Hugh concentrates on SF while the big story is that of the SocDems rising to 9%. Don't think that there was any such increase in support for Labour when Bacik took over.

Regards...jmcc

Blut2

Holly Cairns is a lot more unique (different generation demographically to any other party leader, and the newest as a politician in general too) as a leadership candidate to be fair. Arguably a lot better too - none of the baggage that Bacik has from decades of lost elections.

It does remain to be seen if she proves an effective leader, but having more party leaders not already over the retirement age like her predecessors can only be a good thing.

Cluedo Monopoly

I wonder now who will be FF leader at next election. I think it will be Michael McGrath.

BoxcarWilliam99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120317094#Comment_120317094

I hope Stephen Donnelly. He would be an ideal replacement for MM.

Talking talking talking but never saying anything.

markodaly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314071#Comment_120314071

Lowest polling numbers for 18 months for SF.

The trend is down for them.

Meanwhile, someone like Holly Cairns can come along and steal their lunch.

CarProblem

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120320621#Comment_120320621

I actually agree with you for once

I've said it a lot since 2020 - a lot of SF's vote isn't for SF it's (IMO of course) people voting against the the likes of FF/FG. SF until now was the main beneficiary and is not at all guaranteed to continue to be the main beneficiary

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321625#Comment_120321625

Yep there's a massive floating vote on the centre left that can choose to rally en masse behind one particular party for reasons that are not entirely discerible to the observer. It came out for Labour in 2011 and SF in 2020. I doubt many of those voters could have told you in any detail why those parties were so much better than all the other options on the left but

Blut2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120320621#Comment_120320621

There isn't really much "stealing lunch" in our PRSTV system, particularly by a smaller party from a bigger party. And even more particularly between ideologically aligned parties. The SocDems are unlikely to run that many candidates, and in the few constituencies that they do run most of their voters will very likely given SF a second preference.

So even if the SocDems surged at SF's expense it would likely only result in a swing of less than 5 seats at very most. With those exact same seats likely to go into government in coalition with each other either way anyway.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120323290#Comment_120323290

I think Holly Cairns will play each side. She will castigate the current Government but won't rule out going into coalition with them. She will raise questions about SF's past and also climate change. That will allow her to choose after the election, but more importantly, in an electoral contest, will allow the party to pick up preferences from all sides.

Brussels Sprout

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120323290#Comment_120323290

I understand the point that you are making, with regard to preferences and transfers but I think there is an implicit assumption there that voters vote efficiently. That's not the case though. At any election if you look at the transfers there's always a significant number of exhausted ballots at the end of each round. These are from voters who may have only listed three, two or even only a single preference and end up ultimately not helping anyone to be elected.

One of the reasons that the left has always under-performed in election is that they have so many different parties. Transferring across parties happens at lower rates than transferring within parties. So if you have 5 or 6 different left-wing parties, when only 1 one those candidates is left standing then the sum of their transfers is often less than the sum of the total votes of the other candidates - because of all of this wastage.

In the context of SF and the Soc Dems, this can mean that a no-hoper Soc Dem candidate may take votes off of SF and many of those votes may never return to the SF candidate even after the Soc Dem candidate is eliminated.

Cluedo Monopoly

Votes over Citizens.

When homelessness is at record levels (11,000+), it's clear now this was a political decision and more concerned about timing.

Revealed: the ‘political’ motive to lift ban on evictions - Independent.ie

Cabinet feared spike in homeless numbers during May 2024 voting.

The Government feared an extension of the no-fault eviction ban would have seen a dramatic increase in homeless numbers close to the European and local elections next year, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

The political motivation behind the decision to end the ban this month — rather than in six to 12 months’ time.

-----------

Too transparent FFG, you will reap what you sow.

Cluedo Monopoly

Genius. He does nothing!

https://twitter.com/DrHaroldNews/status/1634626019083657218

Coolcormack1979

We could have a general election by June 23 yet.if there’s this explosion in evictions it’s going to be very hard to hid that

72sheep

O'Gorman out looking for brownie points on the weekend highlighting the critical need for the regulation of social media, LOL!

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41091286.html

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120350213#Comment_120350213

Why are you laughing at a TD getting online abuse?

72sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120353679#Comment_120353679

Cause our caring TD is brazenly executing a pernicious policy that 84% of voters disagree with and is now protesting about the lack of civility in public discourse. You're right though, it's not LOL, it's ROFL!!

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120354153#Comment_120354153

Even if he is brazenly executing a pernicious policy that 84% of voters disagree with, he doesn't deserve the type of online abuse he has been subjected to.