Category: Government

Incapable of self government

This letter writer says – We may not be properly capable of governing ourselves.

I have no doubt – we are totally incapable of self government. The citizens of this country would be infinitely better off if they were directly governed from Brussels.

‘Nod and wink’ culture reigns supreme

Yes, Rody Molloy, director general of FAS, should have been shown the door without any financial inducement to do so, and Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue should have resigned. But we are expecting far too much.

As Irish people, we should know that doing the right thing is an English public school trait, not an Irish one. Doffing the cap and brazening things out are the two most recognisable Irish virtues, immortalised by Somerville and Ross and others.

It’s a post-colonial condition; we have a landlord lurking in our psyche and we must best him whenever we can. In politics and, let there be no mistake, in the realm of culture also, the fix, the ‘nod and wink’, the ‘we’ll see you right’ philosophy reigns supreme.

When criticism looms, the turf carts are circled.

I think we should begin to accept the fact that we are not a mature country and, indeed, may not be properly capable of governing ourselves.

Like children playing grown-up games, we are far too young to really understand responsibility in the real world, though it’s great fun pretending to be in charge like the adults.

Fred Johnston
Circular Road, Galway

Denial and pretence are the only options in a corrupt state

As always there’s a great deal of anger, comment and analysis surrounding the latest episode of the Fás farce.

But we’ve seen it all before, dozens upon dozens of times. A scandal erupts involving very serious allegations of fraud and corruption.

In an accountable jurisdiction police investigate, bring charges, people go to jail – end of story.

In a corrupt state, the corrupt system moves to protect itself. Set up an endless tribunal, hand the matter over to a powerless committee of politicians, sidetrack the matter to a safe house like the Office of Corporate Enforcement or simply pay off those who have been caught and are threatening to spill the beans.

In a corrupt state it is impossible for any politician, state agency or regulatory body to act against the corrupt without exposing the corrupt system itself.

Denial and pretence are the only options until somebody has the courage to stand up and tell the truth – and then act.

Catholic Church – Still lying, still greedy

I recently heard just a snatch of an interview with Michael O’Brien, a victim of the depraved Catholic Church who spoke so passionately on Questions & Answers.

He was pleading for financial assistance to help other victims but said he had only received €6,000 from the department and €4,000 from the Rosminians.

These miserable donations should be seen in the context of the great promises made immediately after the publication of the Ryan Report when both the Government and the obnoxious Catholic Church were playing for time.

We’re still waiting for these disgusting people to tell us where they’ve hidden their vast wealth. At the time, in a (obviously successful) ploy to deflect anger there were suggestions by these evil institutions that they would be willing to substantially increase their so far pathetic compensation payments by millions.

It should come as no surprise that lies and greed are still the chief characteristic of these so called holy and charitable organisations.

How the EU really see us

When RTE reported (5th report) on the United Kingdom Independence Party’s involvement in the Lisbon Treaty referendum they described the event as ‘an intervention’ in the campaign.

When the EU President visited Limerick the national broadcaster reported (3rd report) that José Manuel Barroso was ‘campaigning’ for a Yes vote.

And Barroso didn’t waste much time in his campaigning, he immediately described some opponents of the treaty as absurd liars while handing out what some have described as a €15 million EU bribe to former Dell workers.

Gerry Stembridge, speaking on the Marian Finucane Show (Sunday) said that even Yes voters would be shocked by Barroso’s behaviour.

He went on to say that the Dell announcement was nothing but a vulgar, sleazy bribe and was an indication of how EU officials viewed the Irish. Clearly, somebody has been advising EU officials on how business is done in Ireland.

There was also an incident during the first Lisbon campaign which indicated how we are viewed by our EU colleagues. The EU was in the process of challenging the Irish Taliban law that allows religions to hire and fire teachers and medical staff if they fall fowl of the religious ethos of a school or hospital.

The challenge was dropped in the belief that the backward and religiously oppressed Irish would be more likely to vote Yes if they were allowed to keep their medieval laws.

Don't worry, the banks will do the right thing

Brian Lenihan, admitting that the NAMA legislation doesn’t force the banks to do very much, said they have a moral obligation to do the right thing.

I recommend this excellent analysis Gavin links to of the danger this government has exposed the taxpayer to in its scramble to protect the interests of bankers.

Mary Coughlan, the vegetables and Einstein

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan continues to do what she does best – regale the nation with her ignorance.

Speaking to entrepreneurs to promote IDA Ireland’s aggressive new campaign to market Ireland abroad she touched on the idea of the survival of the fittest.

She said the IDA would be marketing Ireland as the innovation island:

like Einstein explaining his theory of evolution.

Earlier in the week Coughlan referred to the Green Party in Irish as na Glasrai (the vegetables) instead of An Comhaontas Glas

NAMA: Potential for corruption

During a discussion on NAMA today on RTE news (1st report, 1st item) there was a very interesting exchange between RTEs Business Editor, David Murphy and former Bank of Ireland chief executive Mike Soden on the possibility of corruption entering into the process.

David Murphy:

In this whole process as NAMA begins to try and run these loans as they’ve been acquired it’s fairly clear that there is latitude for corruption unless there’s significant measures in there to stop it…

…if you have corrupt individuals there at the helm within NAMA or elsewhere they are in a very, very powerful position and they are going to be making significant deals with significant investors…

…So there is going to be an issue there and it’s really important they make sure that part of the legislation is watertight.

Mike Soden:

One of the things that I’ve suggested a couple of times is that everything discussed between NAMA, the Government, the bankers and the developers should be done under oath.

The consequences of that is if you commit perjury there’s an automatic jail sentence and until we get some teeth into the legislation we are not going to get the results we want.

You’re saying (assuming) – ‘Everybody will behave as good boys’, well I don’t believe it and I think we have to make sure that they do behave.

But if the NAMA officials and experts are doing the valuations what then is the big risk?

Murphy:

One of the risks is that you’re in a situation where NAMA is going to take over an awful lot of properties and obviously there’s going to be latitude for people who want to buy those sites at certain prices to try to bribe public officials…

…Obviously we’re talking about buying an enormous amount of property in what is a falling market. If that market rebounds that property could be very valuable.

Our history as a country isn’t exactly squeaky clean when it comes to corruption both at government and builder levels.

Soden’s comment about automatic jail sentences for perjury is hilarious.

We have witnessed numerous politicians, businessmen and government officials lie through their teeth under oath at tribunals and other investigations. Not a single one has ever been charged never mind actually jailed.

It is only ordinary citizens who end up in jail for perjury, politicians, property developers and bankers are obviously exempt.

Provision has been made in the legislation that makes it illegal for interested parties to lobby politicians but it is an absolute certainty, given the rampant level of corruption in Ireland. that this law will also be ignored.

Still talking politely as the ship of state sinks

Transparency International Ireland held a public meeting last week under the headline ‘Restoring Trust in Ireland Inc.’

I’m going to analyse the contributions made in this debate in sections, highlighting what I perceive as the critical moments.

My comments are made from the Public Inquiry view that Ireland is an intrinsically corrupt state and that nothing will change until enough people come to accept this reality.

Discussions like this are useful, not because they are going to make a difference, they will not. The time for talk is long past, the corrupt body politic will not shift until they are faced with a radical or even a revolutionary reaction from the Irish people.

Such discussions do, however, help to highlight just how far away we are from even recognizing the seriousness of the situation never mind accepting that radical and immediate action is required.

After an introduction by John Devitt, Chief Executive of Transparency Ireland, Journalist Karen Coleman took over as moderator and introduced the panel.

Justine McCarthy (journalist)
Senator Dan Boyle (politician)
Susan O’Keeffe – (journalist and recent EU election candidate for the Labour Party)
Cobus de Swardt (Managing director of TI)

The first question to the panel was – Can politicians re-establish trust in politics.

Justine McCarthy, who spoke first, was clear and passionate in her view.

Politicians and in particular this government are incapable of re-establishing trust. They treat us with distain and contempt…as a people we are too soft…we let them away with too much…I just don’t believe them anymore.

At one point during her delivery McCarthy turned to Senator Boyle, who was sitting beside her and said; sorry Dan, and later added,

I have nothing bad to say about Dan, he’s a fellow Cork person.

This comment brought great laughter from everybody.

This was the critical moment. McCarthy simply couldn’t bring herself to criticise a politician who was sitting beside her, a politician she knew. Even if Brian Cowen was sitting beside her I believe she would still be reluctant to make strong criticism.

This is the critical difference between the Irish, a people who are politically ignorant, and a nation like France where citizens, as Ms. McCarthy pointed out, would be out on the streets by now.

Nothing will change until Irish citizens and in particular opinion makers like Ms. McCarthy begin to demonstrate real anger towards politicians.

I don’t believe that Senator Boyle is corrupt but he is a member of the corrupt Irish body politic and therefore should be treated with total contempt for bringing disaster on the nation.

Copy to:
Transparency International Ireland
Senator Boyle
Justine McCarthy

Eoghan Harris: In a reality of his own

I seldom make comment on writers like Eoghan Harris or Kevin Myers simply because they occupy a place so far from reality that it seems unfair to criticise them.

For example, here’s how Harris sums up the Cowen Late Late Show interview (Sunday Independent).

By the end, and no thanks to Tubridy, the audience grasped that behind Brian Cowen’s gruff shell is a gentle person, but one grimly determined to do his duty. And the more he reveals himself, the more we respect him.

Dublin Archdiocese Child Abuse Inquiry: When to publish?

This month the High Court will be making a decision on whether it is safe to publish the report of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse.

A very convenient section under the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 requires the Minister to seek directions from the High Court if the publication of the report might prejudice any criminal proceedings that are pending or in progress.

This section is convenient because it forces a delay in publication and gives the Minister flexibility on exactly when or if the report may be released.

This report is important because it is expected to be very critical of how the hierarchy (four archbishops and 15 bishops) handled sex abuse allegations between 1975 and 2004.

Given the many other crises facing the country it will be interesting to see just when this strongly Catholic minister decides to publish.