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 […]
Prejudice, not rationality, will decide #Brexit outcome – and the Irish have reason to be scared
There is an old and somewhat cynical definition for a referendum: “A referendum is a process whereby you get an answer you didn’t expect to a question you didn’t ask”.
Brexit would be gradual, planned and phased in
Brexit is viewed with grave apprehension here in Ireland – and with good reason. It would leave the Republic a member of the EU – bound, theoretically, on a journey of “ever closer union” with the other EU members – while our closest political ally in most EU matters and our greatest trading partner, the […]