Politics

Contrary to the narrative we are often told, warnings were given. They were simply not listened to. By Vincent Browne.

On January 24, 2008, a confidential paper was circulated within the Department of Finance, addressing the issue of the stability of Ireland’s financial institutions.

It was a prescient overview of the then and future state of Irish financial institutions. While it expressed a then-familiar confidence in the solvency of those institutions, it foresaw grave problems ahead.

It doesn’t matter how long the Oireachtas is closed. The fact is it plays no meaningful role in our society. By Vincent Browne. 

The precipitous end of the Dáil session underlines how nothing has changed in our political system, in our society, in our economy, in our public culture. Except maybe for the worse.

Democracy is hurt by transnational corporate interests. By Vincent Browne.

Today, we look at two coups, one domestic and the other foreign.

Neither of these is actually seen as a coup, even though, in both instances, powerful vested interests used their corporate muscle to get their way.

The domestic coup had its manifestation in Nama and in that September 30, 2008 bailout of the banks.

There is a culture of entitlement amongst lawyers to a lifestyle that is obscenely excessive in this society. By Vincent Browne.

Two barristers, Eddie Walsh and Constance Cassidy, are themselves parties to a legal action concerning the 410-acre Lissadell estate, which they purchased in 2003 for €4 million and on which they have spent about €9.5 million in restoration costs. The case taken by the barristers against Sligo County Council, which concerns rights of way over parts of the estate, ran for 58 days and the legal costs are estimated to run to €6 million.

Sam Smyth has broken some explosive stories over the last 30 years.

His work gave rise first to the McCracken Tribunal and, later, the Moriarty Tribunal.

He has shown shrewdness, persistence and an ability to form and cultivate valuable contacts over the years. It was with expectation, therefore, that many of us looked forward to his two-part TV documentary series on the Progressive Democrats.

We thought these Fianna Fáil people were without backbone. How we underestimated them.

At least we have got some clarity now. It is not so that Fianna Fáil TDs care about nothing. Nor is it so that the Labour Party necessarily cares about anything.

Staff undertaking strike action have worked a combined 170 years at the shop. By Philip Pilkington.

After twelve weeks of strike action by its employees, Connollys Shoes in Dun Laoghaire has been forced to close resulting in the loss of six jobs. The strike was undertaken by the Connolly workers in response to what they describe as a breakdown of communication on behalf of management.

After a series of one day strikes last September management entered into negotiations with the workers.

The most important aspect of the most recent Irish Times poll was not the 32% for Labour, but the combined 45% for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. By Eoin O Broin.

Individual polls tell you very little, it’s the overall trend that counts.

Since February 2009 Labour has scored from 20% to 25% in the MRBI polls. Their recent dramatic 10-point jump could either be an anomaly or an indicator of a significant surge.

Until we have a few more polls we just won’t know.

However the slump in support for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael has been coming for some time.

Commission must investigate the minister for finance’s intervention in plan to make banks more compliant. By Vincent Browne.

The Greens are about to engage in yet another capitulation over the terms of reference of the commission to inquire into the economic and banking crisis.

Kenny has won the support of his party, but time will tell whether the electorate will take him into their arms. By Vincent Browne.

Enda Kenny is stronger after the leadership heave. The Fine Gael leader showed steel, decisiveness and nerve, qualities relevant to being Taoiseach. There was also a graciousness about him in victory.