Politics

Broken promises and a discredited government

Michael Noonan's announcement last week on the promissory note deal is cause for a deepening pessimism about what is happening to this society. By Vincent Browne.

So now we know for certain: the Government is not seeking a fairer sharing of the cost of fixing Ireland's broken banks and is not seeking to require senior bondholders of Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide to share the cost of recapitalising these troubled financial institutions.

Burton: Mahon 'paints a picture of corruption endemic in politics'

Referring to “considerable public and political unease” about the fact that Denis O’Brien “has continued to pop up at various public events, most recently at the New York Stock Exchange” (alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny), Minster for Social Protection Joan Burton told the Dáil today that “It is perhaps time for the Government to reflect on how it should in future interact with people against whom adverse findings have been made by tribunals.”

Blinded to the realities in front of our eyes

Power, ambition, conceit and deference lead us to deny that which is obvious, but which doesn't suit our own interests. By Vincent Browne.

Many years ago there was an emperor who was exceedingly fond of beautiful new clothes. He had a robe for every hour of the day, spent all his money on clothes and spent most of his time changing from one outfit to another.

The pervasive cynicism of Irish politics

It wasn't just Fianna Fáil who didn't want to confront Bertie Ahern on his finances back in 2007. By Vincent Browne.

We knew before the 2007 general election that Bertie Ahern's explanations for the tens of thousands of pounds sloshing through his bank accounts, the steel safes in St Luke's and in his ministerial office at the Department of Finance, and his then partner Celia Larkin's own accounts were lies. We knew that the stories of the house at 44 Beresford Avenue, Drumcondra, were lies. We knew the "digout" stories were untruths.

Micheál Martin's statement on the Mahon report

The report of the Mahon Tribunal is extremely serious for all who care about public life in Ireland.  The report has wide implications for different parties, groups and individuals.  I am very clear about those implications which relate to Fianna Fáil and those members of the party who betrayed the privilege and responsibility of holding public office

'I know some people will feel that aspects of my personal finances are unusual'

Below, Bertie Ahern's statement on the Mahon Report, released this evening.

I note the publication today of the Mahon Tribunal Final Report which are not the findings of a court of law.

At the outset, I want to make clear that I have had the great honour and privilege to serve as an elected politician for over 30 years.

I have dedicated my life to politics and serving the interest of the Irish people in politics. I have never accepted a bribe or a corrupt payment.

Mahon: Bertie untrue; Padraig Flynn, Liam Lawlor corrupt

In its final report published today, the Mahon Tribunal found that Padraig Flynn "wongly and corruptly" cashed a £50,000 cheque for his personal use. The cheque, paid by developer Tom Gilmartin, was intended for the Fianna Fail parliamentary party and issued "on the understanding that steps would be taken by Mr Flynn to ease or remove obstacles and difficulties then being faced by Mr Gilmartin in relation to Quarryvale".  The Tribunal also found that former TD and councillor Liam Lawlor corruptly accepted £75,000 in relation to a development at Bachelor's Walk in Dublin.

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