Bewildering, silly, inexcusable – the process of government formation since #GE16
It shows very little self-confidence for Fianna Fáil to refuse, on moral principle, to enter a partnership government in which they would be treated as equals with Fine Gael. But it does display a “cute hoor” mind-set that suggests that FF expects any new government to have to take hard decisions to govern properly for […]
An update from the NUI #Seanad16
Dear candidates, Here is an update on polling in the election: As of noon today 18-04-2016: Ballots cast: 19,186 Ballots returned: 19,500 Ballots reissued: 861. Today 18 April is the last day on which a voter can request that a ballot paper be re-issued with a reasonable expectation of getting the re-issued ballot paper in time to vote in the election. We will continue […]
Eamonn Mallie meets Michael McDowell
Recently, I sat down to discuss politics, nationalism and other topics with broadcaster and journalist Eamonn Mallie on Irish TV. You can watch the interview back here: https://goo.gl/1tEm8z
Preserving the political duopoly
Has Netflix’s hit success House of Cards been transformed into an Irish House of Cards reality TV show with the formation of a minority Fine Gael government supported by a number of independent deputies, some of whom have now taken seats at the Cabinet table? You might think that only Frank Underwood would give a […]
Five myths about the Rising
The centenary of the Easter Rising is surrounded by myth, moral ambiguity, historical revisionism, and by political re-interpretation and re-invention. For those, like myself, who unambiguously value and cherish the establishment of an independent, sovereign Irish republic, 1916 is the starting point of its existence, albeit that it was not brought to fruition for years afterwards. It is […]
Kenny and Martin must choose stability over stalemate
Under Article 28.10 of the Constitution, Enda Kenny must resign from office if a motion to nominate him as Taoiseach is defeated on Thursday 10th March. If that happens he places his resignation in the hands of the President. In that case every other member of the Government shall be deemed also to have resigned, […]