A referendum to expand the size of the cabinet would just look like ‘jobs for the boys’
Taoiseach Micheál Martin recently floated holding a referendum to amend the Constitution to increase the number of members of government. Article 28 provides as follows: “The Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than fifteen members who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.” As somebody […]
Post bye-election squabble among left-wing parties does not inspire confidence for future
As the dust settles on last week’s two bye-elections, perhaps it is time to reflect on their outcome. Claims by some so-called left-wing parties that the results were affected by the policies of Sinn Féin need some critical analysis. First, we should remember that the voters were not choosing a government or even mapping out the shape […]
Stop demonising one-off rural housing. Not everyone wants to be surrounded by neighbours
Discussion on our response to global warming and climate change becomes unduly polarised between points of view held by eco-activists on the one hand and sceptics on the other. Without needless controversy, there are some serious issues on which I believe fair-minded discussion is badly needed. One of these issues is that of what is […]
We must never repeat the colossal damage we inflicted on ourselves during Covid-19
As I write, Ireland still awaits the outcome of the review process chaired by Prof Anne Scott, an expert in medical ethics, into the State’s response to the Covid pandemic of 2020. And rather than waiting further for the outcome of that report, I feel compelled to express my own opinions on how the Irish State (and […]
There’s a Bermuda Triangle of dereliction in Dublin. The solution lies in Leinster House
Last week Olivia Kelly reported in The Irish Times that Dublin City Council was “finally” appearing “to be arming itself” in the battle against dereliction. Its superweapon, apparently, will be the Dublin City Development Corporation, a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) dedicated to city regeneration. This will happen “in the coming months”. The non-statutory SPV will have an “independent” board of directors […]
War in the Middle East has cooled enthusiasm of conservatives for an Irish Trump
Less than three months ago, US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh attended both days of the inaugural IRL Forum organised by Eddie Hobbs. Hobbs reportedly told the Irish Examiner that there was potential for an “Irish Trump” in the ranks of the Independent Ireland party. The newspaper reported that Walsh’s office had contacted Hobbs to facilitate his attendance at […]