Category: Government

Hanifin to cut lone parent allowance

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin made a royal sweep down the stairs to announce to the nation that lone parent allowances are to be phased out.

It’s not a financial issue she glibly lied; it’s a social policy issue. She gave three reasons for this new ‘social policy’.

The child of a lone parent is four times more likely to be in poverty than in any other family.

The lone parent herself is most unlikely to take up full time employment because she becomes quite attached to the social welfare payment.

The payment mitigates against stable relationships and marriage.

Am I getting over sensitive or is this an incredibly arrogant and patronizing attitude towards those receiving welfare allowances?

Fuck you – Bertie

“Fuck you” said Green TD Paul Gogarty to Labour TD Emmet Stagg during a hot budget debate in the Dail.

The Irish Independent provides a full list of words that are prohibited in our (corrupt) parliament.

• Brat, acting the brat
• Buffoon, buffoonery
• Chancer
• Communist
• Corner boy
• Coward
• Fascist, fascist minister
• Gurrier
• Guttersnipe
• Hypocrite, bloody hypocrites, hypocrisy, etc
• Rat
• Scumbag
• Scurrilous, scurrilous speaker
• Yahoo

In a way this list makes sense because it reflects a reality that our incompetent and corrupt politicians would prefer to ignore. Take the chancer Bertie Ahern for example.

While the most severe budget in the history of the state was being debated he was traveling around Kerry promoting his rag of a book.

To ensure the comfort and safety of this hypocritical scumbag the screwed taxpayer is forced to provide him with a limousine, driver and two bodyguards.

Elaine Byrne and the Bebo revolution

I really do despair when I read the complete and utter rubbish sometimes written by opinion makers like Irish Times columnist Elaine Byrne.

In last Tuesday’s edition Byrne tells us that the youth of Ireland are on the march to create a better Ireland; that they are:

challenging the traditional orthodoxies that left the State with such a dearth of values.

What? Where are these young people? Where is this revolution? What challenges have they faced up to and overcome? Where are the visible and definitive signs that the youth of Ireland have made any impact whatsoever?

Byrne gives some examples of this ‘revolution’. Her sister took a photograph of a rock band member draped in the Irish flag and proudly posted it on her Bebo page.

Another young person speaks of the recession bringing forward a national self-awareness – where is this self awareness, I certainly have seen no evidence of it.

A law student from Galway says:

We may be children of the 1980s but we are not prisoners of the 1980s. We have the ability to lead and change this country.

Lead and change the country? Are we to expect a massive countrywide student demonstration that will bring the old (1980s) system crashing down to be replaced by an enlightened, progressive, fair and accountable regime?

Self-serving protests against the reintroduction of college fees are the only activity I’ve witnessed from students in recent times.

If the youth of Ireland are planning such a revolutionary change they must be planning it in a bunker deep within the Irish Times with immediate execution for anyone who lets the secret out because, to date, there’s absolutely no sign of action, passion or revolution from the youth of Ireland.

The same corrupt political system is still in place, the same corrupt financial sector is still in place, the same corrupt regulatory system is still in place, the same corrupt civil service is still in place and as we know only too well the same corrupt and still powerful church system is still in place.

Byrne continues with her praise of this mythical Irish youth with:

It has always been, throughout our history, the positivity and passion of young Ireland that has challenged the traditional orthodoxies of older generations.

Significantly, to support this ridiculous claim, she can only provide examples of revolutionary passion from people who were dead before the creation of our failed modern state.

People like Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, Parnell, Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. Sean Lemass gets a mention and he did indeed make a positive contribution to modern Ireland but all his good work was negated when the criminal Haughey took power and laid the foundations for the overtly corrupt banana republic the youth of today are, according to Byrne, on the brink of revolutionising.

Byrne sees another strand of change in the transformation of the age profile in political parties. The suggestion being that the youth are coming to the fore in politics; that this transformation will result in major change in how things are done in Ireland.

Again, there is no evidence to support this claim; no evidence of a political youth revolution; we don’t even hear raised voices from this sector.

When is the last time we witnessed protests or street marches from the youth wing of Fianna Fail or indeed Fine Gael or Labour? The youth of all the main political parties parrot their masters, they do what they’re told and that, invariably, is to follow the party line.

Have a look at the performance of Fianna Fail TD Dara Calleary on a recent Frontline programme. He looks and performs like a robotic clone just off the assembly line faithfully regurgitating dishonest Fianna Fail speak that has become the dominant symbol of that corrupt party.

If Elaine Byrne and her ‘revolutionary’ youth were in any way connected to the reality of what Ireland has become they would be organizing the wrecking balls to demolish Leinster House to serve as a symbol of our failed state.

They would be banning all sitting politicians from public office for at least ten years for their betrayal of the Irish people and they would be implementing a programme of education that would see the Irish people finally understand that political power belongs to them and not to the rabble of crooks and shysters who have created and ruled over our pathetic little banana republic for far too many years.

Copy to:
Elaine Byrne

Nasty boys at AIB jump the gun

Oh dear, what an embarrassing position those nasty boys at AIB have created for our boys Brian and Brian.

Everything was going fine, the banks, bankers, developers, politicians and all the rest of the ruling elite had their wealth, power and positions insulated against the financial crisis.

The entire system, including much of the media, were well into a propaganda campaign designed to convince the peasants that it was all their fault and they must pay the price.

But those nasty AIB boys just couldn’t control their innate greed and have spoiled the party by jumping the gun too early. Now the wealthy ruling elite will have to wait a little longer while Brian and Brian revert once again to pretending that they’re working in the best interests of the peasantry.

A week or two should do it before a fudge can be cobbled together which will allow the AIB boys to get back to what they’re really good at – ripping off their customers.

Lenihan's (potato blight) guidelines

Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, is amending Nama legislation to give himself power to issue guidelines to banks relating to the flow of credit to viable businesses.

The key word here is ‘guidelines’, there will be no legislation enacted that will force the banks to play their part in national recovery.

Lenihan’s guidelines mean absolutely nothing; he may as well be issuing guidelines to prevent potato blight on the moon.

Still fooling the outsiders

The latest report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Ireland is damning.

The economy will shrink by 2.4% next year and the country will suffer from permanently lower living standards. The property bubble, an unbalanced tax system and inadequate banking regulation are the principal causes of the collapse according to the OECD.

Defending its rosy assessment of the Irish economy just 18 months ago the OECD said that on that occasion it had based its findings on statistics provided by the Irish government (Irish Examiner).

And therein lies the central problem facing all outside organisations and governments when dealing with Irish politicians and officials – they will always be lied to.

Lying, dissembling, hypocrisy, misrepresentation and denial are part and parcel of the Irish official mindset; it’s a mindset that has become an integral and fully accepted part of Irish culture.

When outside organisations are dealing with Irish officialdom they invariably assume they are dealing with a typical Western democracy where honesty and accountability are seen as crucially important aspects in running a modern state.

On yesterday’s Lunchtime Eamon Keane picked up on a sentence from the OECD report concerning the setting up of Nama which demonstrates the naivety of outsiders when it comes to dealing with the Irish.

For Nama to fulfill these roles it is essential it has the necessary resources and expertise. That appropriate incentives exist for those working with Nama to achieve its objectives and that its independence from political and industry pressures is ensured.

Even a cursory examination of the Nama project cannot but help conclude that it is being set up under a cloak of secrecy and deception specifically designed to serve political and industry interests.

Secretive expenses perk exposed

An investigation by Shaun Connolly of the Irish Examiner has uncovered an obscure but lucrative expenses perk exclusively reserved for ministers, junior ministers and the Attorney General (Morning Ireland, 6th report).

The perk allows them to claim back tax relief for maintaining a second home in the capital that can either be owned or rented. They can also claim back money, without producing receipts, for maintaining a hotel room or guest house room in the capital.

He was unable to ascertain how a politician goes about maintaining a hotel or guest house room.

On average the non Dublin ministers that this applies to are claiming between five and six thousand per year.

Connolly, who had great difficulty obtaining details of the perk, said it was possible that a minister could have no second home in Dublin but still claim the money – no questions asked.

He added that the estimated 35,000 people facing the prospect of having their homes repossessed next year would not be happy to learn that ministers were using taxpayer’s money to feather a second nest.

Time to demolish tax shelters for the rich

Letter in today’s Irish Examiner.

It’s time to demolish tax shelter for the rich

IN recent months there has been considerable public debate on issues relating to Government expenditure cuts, our economic recovery and the need to protect Ireland’s most vulnerable groups.

We are being led to believe that the economic crisis leaves us with no alternative but to make drastic cuts to basic services and supports, including child benefit, social welfare and to the community sector that works directly with the most disadvantaged.

This false premise needs to be challenged.

There are real alternatives to this slash-and-burn approach being presented as the only option open to us.

It is a relatively unknown fact that the State loses tens, if not hundreds, of millions of euro every year in what is known as “tax expenditures” or “taxes foregone”.

These include the wide range of tax reliefs and shelters available from which the wealthiest people in Ireland benefit most.

The Commission on Taxation has identified an extraordinary 111 such “breaks”. Estimates indicate that substantial savings could be made — up to €8bn annually.

If these tax breaks were phased out or standardised. Child benefit is also defined as a tax break and is currently attracting a significant level of interest and attention.

However, child benefit plays such an important role in the fight against child poverty and supporting mothers that there is a strong case for it to be maintained.

We believe the bulk of taxes foregone could be better used to protect ordinary people and their families, including the most vulnerable against the worst effects of the recession.

The route to a more balanced and fair society is not about squeezing more out of those already bearing the biggest burden but by increasing revenue through tax reform, targeting those who continue to enjoy excessive salaries, privileges, expenses, bonuses, tax breaks and tax shelters.

The Government has real choices. It remains to be seen if it will do the right thing.

Anne Costello (on behalf of the following organisations in the Community Platform)

Age Action Ireland ATD Fourth World Cáirde Community Action Network Community Workers’ Co-op European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland Focus Ireland Gay and Lesbian Equality Network Immigrant Council of Ireland Irish Association of Older People Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed Irish Penal Reform Trust Irish Refugee Council Irish Rural Link Irish Traveller Movement Migrant Rights Centre Ireland National Adult Literacy Agency National Traveller Women’s Forum National Women’s Council of Ireland Older Women’s Network OPEN Pavee Point Rape Crisis Network Ireland SAFE Ireland Simon Communities of Ireland Threshold Vincentian Partnership for Justice Voluntary Drug Treatment Network Women’s Aid.

The tsunami is about to strike

Last October, in a piece about the deepening financial crisis, I wrote.

We’re in a moment just like that before a tsunami strikes. The sea is sucked out a great distance from the shore and people, in their ignorance and excitement, rush out to stare at beached fish flapping about. There’s absolutely no realisation of what’s just beyond the horizon.

That realisation is just now beginning to take hold on the general population as they look up in horror to see the gigantic wave about to engulf them, a wave that’s going to destroy all their hopes and dreams, a wave that’s going to send the Irish economy back to the dark, depressing days of the 1930s/1940s.

The fear can be gauged from reading Letters to the Editor, listening to radio talk shows and in particular from watching RTEs Frontline current affairs programme.

The Government, well aware of the looming disaster, was not idle during the past year.

The interests of bankers and property developers have been secured to the greatest degree possible to ensure they will survive the coming tsunami.

Judges, politicians, higher civil servants and other friends of the elite have all been allowed to decide for themselves what to contribute and what to keep in order to protect themselves and their families against the coming disaster.

EU bureaucrats are happy with the Government’s job of frightening Irish citizens into voting Yes thus keeping the European project on (their) track.

With all special interests secured the Government has turned its attention to ordinary citizens and, finally, told them the truth.

In the last week senior politicians, higher civil servants and representatives of the business elite have been wheeled out to warn citizens that they must be prepared to make major sacrifices in order to save the country.

The ruling elite are hoping that ordinary citizens will remain docile while willingly surrendering everything they have; they’re hoping that the sacrifices of the people will be enough to absorb the shock of what’s to come.

They’re hoping that when the tsunami has passed they can return from the safety of the government provided high ground and, after burying the dead, exploit the survivors. In other words, they’re hoping to return to the same corrupt system that’s responsible for the catastrophe.

I believe their hopes are in vain because ordinary citizens have virtually nothing left to give. The crisis is so massive, so overwhelming, that it cannot be avoided. Neither can it be resolved by the present cabal of corrupt and incompetent politicians.

Countless thousands are going to lose everything. The Government will not succeed in resolving the crisis; they simply do not have the experience, vision or intelligence to deal with such a massive crisis.

The country’s economy will end up administrated by the IMF and/EU bureaucrats, we will, effectively, lose our sovereignty. There will be no return to normality in the short or even the medium term. Ireland is looking down the dark tunnel of a prolonged and dangerous depression where it’s every man for himself.

The best Irish citizens can hope for is that the coming tsunami, as it destroys all their wealth and dreams, also sweeps away the entire rotten system and all those who support and defend it.

Seanad Eireann: a typical banana republic institution

My respect for Senator David Norris has taken a serious dent in recent times as I listen to his pathetic defence of that useless institution Seanad Eireann.

On other matters like gay rights, nuclear disarmament or the environment Norris is articulate and passionate but when comes to reform of the most exclusive and elitist club in the country he invariably waffles on about reform in the same manner as the rest of the cabal of political vultures

Reform, like the Senate itself, is now nothing but a sick joke. There have been at least 12 reports over the years recommending reform and nothing has been done. Every time defenders of this useless institution mouth the word ‘reform’ they are insulting the intelligence of Irish citizens.

On his radio show yesterday (Monday) Pat Kenny asked Fine Gael Senator Liam Twomey why the Senate was only sitting for a day and a half this week. The Senator waffled but didn’t answer the question and Kenny didn’t insist on an answer.

I rang Seanad Eireann and after the usual run around from Billy to Jack was eventually informed that the 60 member Senate was closed because seven of its members were attending the British/Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Swansea.

It should also be kept in mind that the election for this particular Senate was illegally fixed in true banana republic style.

Copy to:
Senator Norris