Our government and diplomats have their work cut out now
Avoiding clichés such as “seismic”. “historic” and “game-changing” is difficult when describing or analysing the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom to leave the EU. The legal and political process of withdrawal will take years – years of uncertainty. Uncertainty is bad for our economic growth and investment. Until the UK’s trading […]
My open letter to Enda and Michéal
Dear Enda and Micheál,
It was about time that the two of you at least agreed to talk to each other.
The present impasse is definitely a problem for each of you personally. But it is a much bigger problem for the rest of us.
A note to say thanks – #Seanad16 campaign event
On Tuesday 5th April, we hosted a campaign meeting for over 170 friends, colleagues and supporters in the Royal Irish Academy as part of my candidacy for the NUI panel of Seanad Eireann. For us, the event was a reminder of the warmth and friendliness which characterises many election campaigns, but which is often not […]
The narcissism of small differences
This has been a bad week for Ireland. Instead of earning the respect of the people, the leaders of the two large parties seem intent on courting their contempt. Their efforts to position themselves favourably in the public eye and to outflank each other are pitiful. All the talk of 1916 and of patriotism, vision […]
No more political fudges on Seanad Reform
The NUI register which has more than 103,000 named voters is very much out of date, incomplete and patchy. The use of Registered Post is causing huge difficulties too.
No more political fudges on Seanad reform
Today the NUI have informed me that, of 103,000 ballot papers issued by registered post, only 15,000 completed ballots have been returned so far. A further 18,600 have been returned to the NUI as undeliverable, of which 600 have been re-posted to voters on request. This leaves around 70,000 votes which have yet to be […]