Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Previous editions
CATHAL Magee is the new kid on the HSE block. This week he embarks on the most challenging public sector role of delivering on patient safety and timely care.
SO, what’s new pussycat? After several sleepy weeks of the silly season, reality reasserts as the kids go back to school.
OFFICIALLY, gambling is a taboo subject in this country. Betting is a minority pursuit, as only 17% of adults wager more than once a week.
THIS weekend marks the official holiday exodus of our public policy makers.
AS THE full extent of the nation’s failings becomes visible, we should reflect on what aspects of Irish behaviour and attitudes differ to the rest of the developed western world. What are the cultural issues to address that contribute to us being on the brink of bankruptcy?
THE second NAMA business plan explodes many myths expounded when it was originally advocated.
THE focus on rural Ireland over recent weeks related to blood sports.
THE mid-point of the year sees the publication of the half-year exchequer returns and CSO data on the economy. This will form the backdrop to the formation of December’s budget.
I USED to be an inveterate funeral goer – several per week. I hadn’t been to one for the past two years until the unexpected death of newspaper man and former schoolmate, Alan Ruddock.
THE two Brians need to wake up fast. Recent news emerging about Anglo Irish Bank is analogous to the BP oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.
PROFESSOR Brendan Drumm epitomised the worst aspects of public administration late last week.
DID you happen to see the Heineken Cup final (albeit on Sky)? There was a defining moment in the second half.
HAVE you encountered the latest social phenomenon? The Celtic Cubs are voting with their feet. They’ve heard all the propaganda about recovery and positivity. Their real choice is Canada, Australia or Britain. Emigration parties are now commonplace as well wishers offer their best for a bright new future.
GETTING up at 3.50am to present the early Newstalk radio show means my body clock doesn’t understand bank holiday weekends.
DURING our last general election in 2007, my occupation was bookmaking. Our firm pioneered betting markets for every candidate and constituency.
THE state of our public finances has taken on a severe international dimension in the past week. Two events have brought into sharp focus the perilous path Ireland treads.
THE toast at the annual Labour party conference in Galway was ‘Eamon Gilmore for Taoiseach’. This ambition has a semblance of credibility in the context of the party leaders’ opinion poll approval ratings.
THE Croke Park accord is apparently heading up a cul de sac. Key public sector unions are coming out against the revised pay deal.
THE Croke Park accord is apparently heading up a cul de sac. Key public sector unions are coming out against the revised pay deal.
THE implosion of our financial services sector just keeps giving more trauma and we have been constantly misled with only partial, minimalist, optimistic instalments of information. This has led the state to take ownership of virtually the entire indigenous banking sector and its liabilities.
AND so they’re off. The people of Britain, as long expected, are taking a trip to the polls on May 6.
BEFORE the dawn comes the darkest hour. This week’s choreography between the Minister for Finance, Central Bank governor and Financial Regulator seeks to reconstruct the Irish banking system. We have to hope it works. Don’t be too fearful about the enormous sums being injected into AIB and Bank of Ireland.
WHAT was happening last week in Bray garda station? Is it possible that a process has started whereby former senior bankers, who have brought our economy to the precipice of insolvency, will face the four-letter ‘g’ word? Get a grip. Cop yourself on. Ireland doesn’t do gaol, it does golf. There is little imminent prospect of justice. We should not be surprised.
THE Taoiseach returns today from Washington. At the top of his in-tray is next Tuesday’s ministerial reshuffle. This represents his last chance to refresh his Government.
POLITICIANS are geared to think only as far as the next election. They go into liquidation if they lose their seat.
THERE is an unanswerable case now for the Government to publish a white paper on banking. The multiplicity of reasons for this needs to be chronicled.
THE past week may prove to be a defining moment for the Greens in Government. Before the dawn comes the darkest hour. They learned however much they wish to avoid a general election, Fianna Fáil are even more eager to evade the electorate.
THE media frenzy about George Lee has abated. Opinion is divided whether Fine Gael could have managed him differently or he was impatient, unreasonable and egotistical.
GEORGE Lee has made an eejit of himself. The biggest loser in George Lee’s series of decisions to exit RTÉ and now return is himself. He has reduced his broadcasting and political careers to a media circus. Within a week, this will have evaporated.
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