Figures Reveal How FAS Lived it Up at Robbie Williams Concert at Taxpayers’ Expense
25th Feb 2010
FAS executives and their invited guests spent a total of €723 on alcohol and €1,532 on food at a Robbie Williams concert, while the total outlay on tickets for the event was €784, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act to TV3.
Commenting on this information Chairman, of the Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen TD said;
“Once again F S top brass have shown that they were living in a parallel universe in recent years. There can be no justification for flagrantly wasting tax payers’ money on events like this which have absolutely no relevance to F S’ core business.
A report by the C&AG has revealed that between 2002-08 FAS spent a total of €35,000 on hospitality and tickets for sports events and concerts. When those at a high level in F S should have been concentrating on training and securing employment it appears some of them were more interested in enjoying themselves and letting the State pick up the tab.
The Public Accounts Committee has been vigorous in trying to uncover went on in FAS in the past and has produced a number of recommendations regarding the governance of the agency. We will be continuing our investigation of the agency in the coming weeks.
As part of this process we have asked for further detail regarding who exactly attended this concert and have requested additional information about other events arranged by F S.
It is some relief to Committee members that the new Director General of FAS has assured us that spending of this nature has been discontinued. However, it is clear that in the past, activity such as this was allowed to go under the radar and the Public Accounts Committee is determined that this not be allowed to happen again."
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Political Criminality ?
Haunted by The Spectre of Political Criminality
by theirishobserver.blogspot.com
The resignation of Green Party Junior Minister, Trevor Sargent one week after the resignation of Willie O Dea, is a sad day for Irish politics. After all that has happened in Irish politics, lessons have not been learned.
Those who hold Ministerial Office must not only be above criminality but must be seen to be above criminality. The vast majority of our politicians over many generations have held their office with dignity and professionalism. Yet the actions of a small number of politicians have condemned Leinster House to be Haunted by the Spectre of Political Criminality.
The Irishobserver.blogspot.com has been provided with legal documentation that clearly shows that the former Minister for Justice, Mr John O Donoghue TD used his office in such a way as to at best give the impression that he had criminal intent. Mr John O Donoghue TD is a man who cannot claim legal ignorance as he is in fact a qualified Solicitor. Mr John O Donoghue TD is a man that knows that Bunreacht NA hEireann clearly sets out in its Articles and in particular Article 35 the clear line that must exist between the Judicial Process and the Political Establishment. Mr John O Donoghue TD knows well that even modern day interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court demand that Justice be seen to be done. That all persons are treated equal before the law.
From the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com it is clear that John O Donoghue TD had criminal intent in relation to at least one criminal trial, it is clear that John O Donoghue TD believed that he could use his office to influence the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to a criminal case and that such criminal activity would like so much else go undiscovered. It is absolutely clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that the DPP was indeed contacted by a politician at the same time as these legal documents show O Donoghue's secretary preparing a draft letter to the DPP in relation to the same criminal case.
It is clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that the DPP failed in his duty when they did not pass this criminal communication directly on to the Gardai for full investigation. If any ordinary citizen tried to interfere with a criminal case they would face prosecution for at least Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice.
How can the citizens of this State be expected to act as good citizens if those who hold high office appear to send out the message that crime pays as long as you can get away with it. How can we expect high standards from those in society when some of those who hold high office continually drag the political establishment into the gutter. How can we expect young people to abide by the rule of law when people qualified in the knowledge of our law use that knowledge to act in a criminal fashion or are seen to act in a criminal fashion. It is clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that John O Donoghue TD is a man not fit to hold office or even sit on the back benches.
A person holding high office who makes the slightest infraction on our laws and on our Constitution is a person much worse in nature than the person of the most heinous criminal disposition. It is even more grievous that at the very time that Mr O Donoghue was at best seen to be abusing his position he was spouting about Zero tolerance of any infraction of our laws and good citizenship.
The legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com shows that Mr O Donoghue TD more so than any before him has ensured that Leinster House will continue to be Haunted by the Spectre of Political Criminality.
Theirishobserver.blogspot.com is well aware of Mr O Donoghue's access to well paid Senior Council yet theirishobserver.blogspot.com will not be a coward like so many others, theirishobserver.blogspot.com will not be driven into silence by the suited rent boys of the Goldmines, theirishobserver.blogspot.com has the legal documentation to show beyond all reasonable doubt that Mr John O Donoghue TD did at very best have criminal intent while holding the office of Minister for Justice, he will be helped and supported in that criminality only by those who are equally as criminal in nature.
It is then no surprise that Willie O Dea and Trevor Sargent have fallen into this political quagmire, the question is, why has O Donoghue and others got away with it, while good Politicians like Willie and Trevor have paid a heavy price.
by theirishobserver.blogspot.com
The resignation of Green Party Junior Minister, Trevor Sargent one week after the resignation of Willie O Dea, is a sad day for Irish politics. After all that has happened in Irish politics, lessons have not been learned.
Those who hold Ministerial Office must not only be above criminality but must be seen to be above criminality. The vast majority of our politicians over many generations have held their office with dignity and professionalism. Yet the actions of a small number of politicians have condemned Leinster House to be Haunted by the Spectre of Political Criminality.
The Irishobserver.blogspot.com has been provided with legal documentation that clearly shows that the former Minister for Justice, Mr John O Donoghue TD used his office in such a way as to at best give the impression that he had criminal intent. Mr John O Donoghue TD is a man who cannot claim legal ignorance as he is in fact a qualified Solicitor. Mr John O Donoghue TD is a man that knows that Bunreacht NA hEireann clearly sets out in its Articles and in particular Article 35 the clear line that must exist between the Judicial Process and the Political Establishment. Mr John O Donoghue TD knows well that even modern day interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court demand that Justice be seen to be done. That all persons are treated equal before the law.
From the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com it is clear that John O Donoghue TD had criminal intent in relation to at least one criminal trial, it is clear that John O Donoghue TD believed that he could use his office to influence the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to a criminal case and that such criminal activity would like so much else go undiscovered. It is absolutely clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that the DPP was indeed contacted by a politician at the same time as these legal documents show O Donoghue's secretary preparing a draft letter to the DPP in relation to the same criminal case.
It is clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that the DPP failed in his duty when they did not pass this criminal communication directly on to the Gardai for full investigation. If any ordinary citizen tried to interfere with a criminal case they would face prosecution for at least Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice.
How can the citizens of this State be expected to act as good citizens if those who hold high office appear to send out the message that crime pays as long as you can get away with it. How can we expect high standards from those in society when some of those who hold high office continually drag the political establishment into the gutter. How can we expect young people to abide by the rule of law when people qualified in the knowledge of our law use that knowledge to act in a criminal fashion or are seen to act in a criminal fashion. It is clear from the legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com that John O Donoghue TD is a man not fit to hold office or even sit on the back benches.
A person holding high office who makes the slightest infraction on our laws and on our Constitution is a person much worse in nature than the person of the most heinous criminal disposition. It is even more grievous that at the very time that Mr O Donoghue was at best seen to be abusing his position he was spouting about Zero tolerance of any infraction of our laws and good citizenship.
The legal documentation provided to theirishobserver.blogspot.com shows that Mr O Donoghue TD more so than any before him has ensured that Leinster House will continue to be Haunted by the Spectre of Political Criminality.
Theirishobserver.blogspot.com is well aware of Mr O Donoghue's access to well paid Senior Council yet theirishobserver.blogspot.com will not be a coward like so many others, theirishobserver.blogspot.com will not be driven into silence by the suited rent boys of the Goldmines, theirishobserver.blogspot.com has the legal documentation to show beyond all reasonable doubt that Mr John O Donoghue TD did at very best have criminal intent while holding the office of Minister for Justice, he will be helped and supported in that criminality only by those who are equally as criminal in nature.
It is then no surprise that Willie O Dea and Trevor Sargent have fallen into this political quagmire, the question is, why has O Donoghue and others got away with it, while good Politicians like Willie and Trevor have paid a heavy price.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Flooding ESB
ESB to Face Questions at Oireachtas Environment Committee over Decision to Release Dam Water during Cork Floods
22nd Feb 2010
ESB officials responsible for deciding to release large volumes of flood water from Inniscarra Dam which may have contributed to extensive flooding in parts of Cork City will appear at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government, tomorrow, (23rd) at 3:45 pm.
The meeting is part of the Committee’s report examining adverse weather conditions and what preventative measures can be implemented to restrict the damage caused by severe weather.
As part of its investigation, last month committee members visited the areas of Cork badly damaged by the flooding and met with residents whose lives had been severely impacted.
Committee member Ciaran Lynch, TD, said: "During our visit to Cork, some of the residents we met were extremely critical of the ESB for their decision to release millions of tonnes of floodwater from Innisacrra Dam. They claimed they were not given adequate warning and that it contributed to extensive destruction to their homes, property and livelihoods. They were extremely angry and upset by the whole situation and clearly feel they have not received a proper response from the ESB.
However, when we visited Inniscarra the ESB defended their actions and claimed that the impact would have been worse had they not acted. Tomorrow’s meeting will allow the Committee to establish exactly why ESB took the course of action they did, if it was strictly necessary, if ample warning was given to Cork residents and whether the ESB were fully aware of the effects of their decision.”
Nicholas Tarrant, Glen Pope and Tom Barry from the ESB will attend the meeting.
22nd Feb 2010
ESB officials responsible for deciding to release large volumes of flood water from Inniscarra Dam which may have contributed to extensive flooding in parts of Cork City will appear at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government, tomorrow, (23rd) at 3:45 pm.
The meeting is part of the Committee’s report examining adverse weather conditions and what preventative measures can be implemented to restrict the damage caused by severe weather.
As part of its investigation, last month committee members visited the areas of Cork badly damaged by the flooding and met with residents whose lives had been severely impacted.
Committee member Ciaran Lynch, TD, said: "During our visit to Cork, some of the residents we met were extremely critical of the ESB for their decision to release millions of tonnes of floodwater from Innisacrra Dam. They claimed they were not given adequate warning and that it contributed to extensive destruction to their homes, property and livelihoods. They were extremely angry and upset by the whole situation and clearly feel they have not received a proper response from the ESB.
However, when we visited Inniscarra the ESB defended their actions and claimed that the impact would have been worse had they not acted. Tomorrow’s meeting will allow the Committee to establish exactly why ESB took the course of action they did, if it was strictly necessary, if ample warning was given to Cork residents and whether the ESB were fully aware of the effects of their decision.”
Nicholas Tarrant, Glen Pope and Tom Barry from the ESB will attend the meeting.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Israel
Israel Has Serious Questions to Answer Regarding Fake Irish Passports- Ambassador to be Invited to Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs
19 Feb 2010
Urgent answers are needed to establish who was behind the use of five fake Irish passports by members of a hit team allegedly responsible for assassinating a senior Hamas official in Dubai.
Police in Dubai have declared that they are 99% positive that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency was behind the assassination of a senior Hamas military commander in the Emirate on 19th January . The information from the forged passports has also been handed on to Interpol.
Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“The fraudulent use of Irish passports in any circumstances is extremely sinister. However, the fact that false Irish passports were used by persons believed to have committed murder in Dubai makes it all the more disturbing and sinister.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Israeli Ambassador yesterday who informed the Minister that he had no information on the matter.
I believe the Ambassador needs to firstly investigate this matter with his Government in Tel Aviv in order to establish what facts he can about the incident. I feel that it would then be beneficial for him to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as it would provide an appropriate forum for him to communicate to the members of the Committee anything he has subsequently learnt about this very grave situation.
Regardless of who was responsible for these murders, the Committee takes serious exception to the forgery and misuse of Irish passports, which could devalue the standing of the passports and potentially put the security of Irish citizens at risk.”
19 Feb 2010
Urgent answers are needed to establish who was behind the use of five fake Irish passports by members of a hit team allegedly responsible for assassinating a senior Hamas official in Dubai.
Police in Dubai have declared that they are 99% positive that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency was behind the assassination of a senior Hamas military commander in the Emirate on 19th January . The information from the forged passports has also been handed on to Interpol.
Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“The fraudulent use of Irish passports in any circumstances is extremely sinister. However, the fact that false Irish passports were used by persons believed to have committed murder in Dubai makes it all the more disturbing and sinister.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Israeli Ambassador yesterday who informed the Minister that he had no information on the matter.
I believe the Ambassador needs to firstly investigate this matter with his Government in Tel Aviv in order to establish what facts he can about the incident. I feel that it would then be beneficial for him to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as it would provide an appropriate forum for him to communicate to the members of the Committee anything he has subsequently learnt about this very grave situation.
Regardless of who was responsible for these murders, the Committee takes serious exception to the forgery and misuse of Irish passports, which could devalue the standing of the passports and potentially put the security of Irish citizens at risk.”
Israel
Israel Has Serious Questions to Answer Regarding Fake Irish Passports- Ambassador to be Invited to Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs
19 Feb 2010
Urgent answers are needed to establish who was behind the use of five fake Irish passports by members of a hit team allegedly responsible for assassinating a senior Hamas official in Dubai.
Police in Dubai have declared that they are 99% positive that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency was behind the assassination of a senior Hamas military commander in the Emirate on 19th January . The information from the forged passports has also been handed on to Interpol.
Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“The fraudulent use of Irish passports in any circumstances is extremely sinister. However, the fact that false Irish passports were used by persons believed to have committed murder in Dubai makes it all the more disturbing and sinister.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Israeli Ambassador yesterday who informed the Minister that he had no information on the matter.
I believe the Ambassador needs to firstly investigate this matter with his Government in Tel Aviv in order to establish what facts he can about the incident. I feel that it would then be beneficial for him to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as it would provide an appropriate forum for him to communicate to the members of the Committee anything he has subsequently learnt about this very grave situation.
Regardless of who was responsible for these murders, the Committee takes serious exception to the forgery and misuse of Irish passports, which could devalue the standing of the passports and potentially put the security of Irish citizens at risk.”
19 Feb 2010
Urgent answers are needed to establish who was behind the use of five fake Irish passports by members of a hit team allegedly responsible for assassinating a senior Hamas official in Dubai.
Police in Dubai have declared that they are 99% positive that Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency was behind the assassination of a senior Hamas military commander in the Emirate on 19th January . The information from the forged passports has also been handed on to Interpol.
Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said;
“The fraudulent use of Irish passports in any circumstances is extremely sinister. However, the fact that false Irish passports were used by persons believed to have committed murder in Dubai makes it all the more disturbing and sinister.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Israeli Ambassador yesterday who informed the Minister that he had no information on the matter.
I believe the Ambassador needs to firstly investigate this matter with his Government in Tel Aviv in order to establish what facts he can about the incident. I feel that it would then be beneficial for him to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as it would provide an appropriate forum for him to communicate to the members of the Committee anything he has subsequently learnt about this very grave situation.
Regardless of who was responsible for these murders, the Committee takes serious exception to the forgery and misuse of Irish passports, which could devalue the standing of the passports and potentially put the security of Irish citizens at risk.”
Friday, February 19, 2010
Public Accounts Committee
Public Accounts Committee Still Waiting for Report on Review of €126 Million of FAS Spending
Committee Told of Reduction of €290,000 in Spending on Foreign Travel over Last 12 Months while Spending on Sports and Concert Tickets has Ended
18TH Feb 2010
The D il Public Accounts Committee has still not received a report on the review of spending on a FAS programme which cost the taxpayer €126 million, it was revealed at today’s meeting.
It was also disclosed that the group in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are compiling the report have only met twice since last October. The PAC is seeking a review of the spending by FAS on its Competency Development Programme. This was a scheme intended to upskill Irish workers. In total, €126 million was spent on the programme.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“The Committee is exasperated by this delay. For coming up on two years now we have been trying to get the full picture regarding what has gone on at FAS. The hold-up in finalising this important report is hampering our investigations.
I urge the Department to deal with it as a matter of urgency. The fact that the group compiling the report have only met twice since last October does not give the impression that it is being treated as a priority.”
The Committee was informed that all spending on events such as concerts and sports tickets had now ceased and that credit cards were no longer given to employees. Last year, about €90,000 was spent on foreign travel, reduced from €380,000 in 2008 it was revealed to Committee members.
Also at the meeting, a letter published from a FAS employee, alleged that senior management at the agency had interfered with an internal audit process.
Bernard Allen said;
“The letter made public today made for some disturbing reading. It claims that senior management at the agency were effectively able to “face down” the audit team and delay the referral of the report to the proper authorities.
This issues needs to be addressed urgently as a situation cannot exist where employees are stopped form carrying out their legitimate duties.”
The Committee also learned that following advice from the Attorney General, there was no legal basis to set aside the severance deal made with the former Director General of FAS.
Committee Told of Reduction of €290,000 in Spending on Foreign Travel over Last 12 Months while Spending on Sports and Concert Tickets has Ended
18TH Feb 2010
The D il Public Accounts Committee has still not received a report on the review of spending on a FAS programme which cost the taxpayer €126 million, it was revealed at today’s meeting.
It was also disclosed that the group in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are compiling the report have only met twice since last October. The PAC is seeking a review of the spending by FAS on its Competency Development Programme. This was a scheme intended to upskill Irish workers. In total, €126 million was spent on the programme.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“The Committee is exasperated by this delay. For coming up on two years now we have been trying to get the full picture regarding what has gone on at FAS. The hold-up in finalising this important report is hampering our investigations.
I urge the Department to deal with it as a matter of urgency. The fact that the group compiling the report have only met twice since last October does not give the impression that it is being treated as a priority.”
The Committee was informed that all spending on events such as concerts and sports tickets had now ceased and that credit cards were no longer given to employees. Last year, about €90,000 was spent on foreign travel, reduced from €380,000 in 2008 it was revealed to Committee members.
Also at the meeting, a letter published from a FAS employee, alleged that senior management at the agency had interfered with an internal audit process.
Bernard Allen said;
“The letter made public today made for some disturbing reading. It claims that senior management at the agency were effectively able to “face down” the audit team and delay the referral of the report to the proper authorities.
This issues needs to be addressed urgently as a situation cannot exist where employees are stopped form carrying out their legitimate duties.”
The Committee also learned that following advice from the Attorney General, there was no legal basis to set aside the severance deal made with the former Director General of FAS.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tax Fraud
Stronger Deterrents Needed to Combat Tax Fraud through the Abuse of Limited Liability Status-D il Public Accounts Committee
17TH Feb 2010
Company law needs to be changed so that directors who wilfully try to avoid the payment of Fiduciary taxes, such as PRSI and PAYE, can be made personably liable, a new report by the D il Public Accounts Committee has recommended today.
The report examines the current checks and balances in place to tackle tax evasion caused by the abuse of limited liability status and makes a series of recommendations aimed at reducing the current level of write-off of this tax and ultimate loss to the exchequer.
Fiduciary taxes are those that are collected by companies and employers from staff and suppliers and are held in trust before being paid over to the State. The principal fiduciary taxes are PAYE and PRSI that are deducted from employees and VAT which is collected on the sales of the companies. In the past ten years, the Revenue Commissioners have had to write-off €1 billion in such taxes. In 2009, a total of €202.9 million of this tax was written off. This figure is expected to increase this year owing to the rise in number companies going out of business.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“At a time when, regrettably, more and more companies are going into liquidation we must ensure that we have tight controls in place to ensure that unscrupulous company directors do not abuse limited liability to avoid paying tax resulting in a loss to the exchequer.
While the Committee accepts that many companies become insolvent because of genuine trading difficulties and only go into liquation after valiant efforts to save the company, there is evidence that some directors are manipulating limited liability status to circumvent their tax responsibilities.
Often, such directors will reopen a business, normally in the same type of trade, under a different name. It is these rogue traders, known as “Phoenix Operators1” who the Committee is targeting.
As part of its deliberations the Committee examined best international practice in this area and consulted with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement informed the Committee that there were concerns about the behaviour of director of insolvent companies in about 15% of liquidations examined.
Evidence to the Committee showed that at present, 1,235 company directors are under scrutiny by the Revenue Commissioners. In 2008, seventy-seven directors were restricted by the High Court.
The report’s key recommendations are:
The Committee recommends that the law, which exists in the UK which can make company directors with a track record of non compliance, personally liable for PRSI contributions collected by the company.
That company law provide that directors are required to have their tax affairs in order when incorporating a new company or when being appointed to an existing company.
A review of the phoenix operator monitoring programme be widened to examine the interactions between Revenue and those businesses where there was a significant tax write-off to establish whether further measures are necessary in order to minimise the level of write-off
That the Company Law Review Group examine whether the current levels of capitalisation required when incorporating a limited liability company should be increased.
Bernard Allen added;
“The Committee accepts that any proposal to restrict the applications of limited liability has to be measured as we do not wish to inhibit entrepreneurial spirit, especially at a time when new businesses generating employment are needed now more than ever.
Nevertheless, what is equally important during this period of falling exchequer returns is that we keep revenue lost to the state to the absolute minimum. We feel these recommendations strike the correct balance in this regard. The measures we are proposing will mean greater disincentives for fraudulent directors and will ensure they are aware of the negative consequences which could arise if they deliberately evade paying due tax.”
The title of the report is Report on the Loss of Fiduciary Taxes arising from Abuse of Limited Liability. It is available at www.oireachtas.ie
17TH Feb 2010
Company law needs to be changed so that directors who wilfully try to avoid the payment of Fiduciary taxes, such as PRSI and PAYE, can be made personably liable, a new report by the D il Public Accounts Committee has recommended today.
The report examines the current checks and balances in place to tackle tax evasion caused by the abuse of limited liability status and makes a series of recommendations aimed at reducing the current level of write-off of this tax and ultimate loss to the exchequer.
Fiduciary taxes are those that are collected by companies and employers from staff and suppliers and are held in trust before being paid over to the State. The principal fiduciary taxes are PAYE and PRSI that are deducted from employees and VAT which is collected on the sales of the companies. In the past ten years, the Revenue Commissioners have had to write-off €1 billion in such taxes. In 2009, a total of €202.9 million of this tax was written off. This figure is expected to increase this year owing to the rise in number companies going out of business.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“At a time when, regrettably, more and more companies are going into liquidation we must ensure that we have tight controls in place to ensure that unscrupulous company directors do not abuse limited liability to avoid paying tax resulting in a loss to the exchequer.
While the Committee accepts that many companies become insolvent because of genuine trading difficulties and only go into liquation after valiant efforts to save the company, there is evidence that some directors are manipulating limited liability status to circumvent their tax responsibilities.
Often, such directors will reopen a business, normally in the same type of trade, under a different name. It is these rogue traders, known as “Phoenix Operators1” who the Committee is targeting.
As part of its deliberations the Committee examined best international practice in this area and consulted with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement informed the Committee that there were concerns about the behaviour of director of insolvent companies in about 15% of liquidations examined.
Evidence to the Committee showed that at present, 1,235 company directors are under scrutiny by the Revenue Commissioners. In 2008, seventy-seven directors were restricted by the High Court.
The report’s key recommendations are:
The Committee recommends that the law, which exists in the UK which can make company directors with a track record of non compliance, personally liable for PRSI contributions collected by the company.
That company law provide that directors are required to have their tax affairs in order when incorporating a new company or when being appointed to an existing company.
A review of the phoenix operator monitoring programme be widened to examine the interactions between Revenue and those businesses where there was a significant tax write-off to establish whether further measures are necessary in order to minimise the level of write-off
That the Company Law Review Group examine whether the current levels of capitalisation required when incorporating a limited liability company should be increased.
Bernard Allen added;
“The Committee accepts that any proposal to restrict the applications of limited liability has to be measured as we do not wish to inhibit entrepreneurial spirit, especially at a time when new businesses generating employment are needed now more than ever.
Nevertheless, what is equally important during this period of falling exchequer returns is that we keep revenue lost to the state to the absolute minimum. We feel these recommendations strike the correct balance in this regard. The measures we are proposing will mean greater disincentives for fraudulent directors and will ensure they are aware of the negative consequences which could arise if they deliberately evade paying due tax.”
The title of the report is Report on the Loss of Fiduciary Taxes arising from Abuse of Limited Liability. It is available at www.oireachtas.ie
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Banks, Mortgages, Moratorium.
Moratorium on Banks Repossessing Homes Should be Increased from 12 to 24 Months-Oireachtas Committee Report
16 Feb 2010
The current moratorium imposed on lending institutions from repossessing homes of people who have defaulted on their mortgage payments needs to be extended from 12 to 24 months, a report published today by the Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs has found.
This is one of more than twenty recommendations contained in a report which examines the high level of debt in Irish society, considers how best to protect those at risk of defaulting on mortgages and advises on how to manage high levels of personal debt caused by the economic downturn.
Committee member and report co-author Olwyn Enright TD said;
“The rapid decline in the economy and the unfortunate loss of employment has now fundamentally changed the ability of people to repay their debts. Accordingly, there must be changes in policy and practices to help people cope with this new reality.
Mortgage holders are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 35,000 people now in arrears and repossession orders soaring by almost 100% last year. For this reason, as a first step, the Committee is recommending that the current arrangement which obliges the capitalised banks (BOI and AIB) to wait twelve months before it can initiate legal action against homeowners who fall into arrears, be extended to all the financial institutions.
However, ultimately the Committee believes that twelve months is not an adequate timeframe and advises that the Government immediately work with the banks to extend the moratorium to two years. This measure will give homeowners the much needed breathing space to try and arrange their financial affairs and will mean they won’t loose their homes.
In addition, when homeowners do encounter genuine difficulty in meeting mortgage repayments there needs to be a strong incentive for them to engage with the lender in order to reach some accommodation. For this reason we are recommending that those who do avail of the 1Financial Regulator’s Code of Practice do not have their credit rating damaged.
To inform the report, the Committee conducted extensive research and held hearings with a range of agencies including; Irish Banking Federation, Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Central Bank, Community Welfare Officers and Irish Financial Service Regulatory Authority.
Some of the other key recommendations of the report include:
There needs to be a radical overhaul of the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme2. There is currently a lack of consistency and fairness in administering the programme.
Special assistance should be provided for those who are in mortgage arrears. One such scheme, operated in Scotland, allows the State to take a financial stake in a home at risk of repossession. The State makes financial payments to the lender but the mortgage holder retains ownership.
The practice of charging penalty interest on arrears should be banned.
The Financial Regulator needs to draw up a short, readable document on the rights of mortgage holders in difficulty and the options open to them.
Where lending practices have been reckless, responsibility should not rest with the borrower but liability proportioned to the financial institution.
Utility companies should refer customers to MABS prior to disconnection.
An alternative dispute resolution system should be developed so that borrowers can avoid the costly and intimidating adversarial court system.
Those who avail of the Financial Regulator’s Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears should not have their credit rating damaged as a result.
Committee member and report co-author Thomas Byrne TD added;
“In our analysis of best international practice we examined procedures in different countries for best coping with mortgage default. We established that possibly the most effective model is an equity sharing arrangement.
Such a system currently exists in Scotland, which incorporates the State taking a financial stake in the at-risk home. The mortgage holder still owns the home and continues to have responsibility for maintaining and insuring it. However, the Scottish government makes payments to the lender allowing the homeowner to reduce their own monthly payments.
The Committee believes this is a good approach and one that could work well in this jurisdiction.”
The report is entitled “High Level of Indebtedness in Irish Society."
During its hearings the Committee met with the Irish Banking Federation, Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Central Bank, Community Welfare Officers and Irish Financial Service Regulatory Authority, Free Legal Advice Centres, Mr Liam Croke, Financial Advisor and the Educational Building Society.
16 Feb 2010
The current moratorium imposed on lending institutions from repossessing homes of people who have defaulted on their mortgage payments needs to be extended from 12 to 24 months, a report published today by the Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs has found.
This is one of more than twenty recommendations contained in a report which examines the high level of debt in Irish society, considers how best to protect those at risk of defaulting on mortgages and advises on how to manage high levels of personal debt caused by the economic downturn.
Committee member and report co-author Olwyn Enright TD said;
“The rapid decline in the economy and the unfortunate loss of employment has now fundamentally changed the ability of people to repay their debts. Accordingly, there must be changes in policy and practices to help people cope with this new reality.
Mortgage holders are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 35,000 people now in arrears and repossession orders soaring by almost 100% last year. For this reason, as a first step, the Committee is recommending that the current arrangement which obliges the capitalised banks (BOI and AIB) to wait twelve months before it can initiate legal action against homeowners who fall into arrears, be extended to all the financial institutions.
However, ultimately the Committee believes that twelve months is not an adequate timeframe and advises that the Government immediately work with the banks to extend the moratorium to two years. This measure will give homeowners the much needed breathing space to try and arrange their financial affairs and will mean they won’t loose their homes.
In addition, when homeowners do encounter genuine difficulty in meeting mortgage repayments there needs to be a strong incentive for them to engage with the lender in order to reach some accommodation. For this reason we are recommending that those who do avail of the 1Financial Regulator’s Code of Practice do not have their credit rating damaged.
To inform the report, the Committee conducted extensive research and held hearings with a range of agencies including; Irish Banking Federation, Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Central Bank, Community Welfare Officers and Irish Financial Service Regulatory Authority.
Some of the other key recommendations of the report include:
There needs to be a radical overhaul of the Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme2. There is currently a lack of consistency and fairness in administering the programme.
Special assistance should be provided for those who are in mortgage arrears. One such scheme, operated in Scotland, allows the State to take a financial stake in a home at risk of repossession. The State makes financial payments to the lender but the mortgage holder retains ownership.
The practice of charging penalty interest on arrears should be banned.
The Financial Regulator needs to draw up a short, readable document on the rights of mortgage holders in difficulty and the options open to them.
Where lending practices have been reckless, responsibility should not rest with the borrower but liability proportioned to the financial institution.
Utility companies should refer customers to MABS prior to disconnection.
An alternative dispute resolution system should be developed so that borrowers can avoid the costly and intimidating adversarial court system.
Those who avail of the Financial Regulator’s Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears should not have their credit rating damaged as a result.
Committee member and report co-author Thomas Byrne TD added;
“In our analysis of best international practice we examined procedures in different countries for best coping with mortgage default. We established that possibly the most effective model is an equity sharing arrangement.
Such a system currently exists in Scotland, which incorporates the State taking a financial stake in the at-risk home. The mortgage holder still owns the home and continues to have responsibility for maintaining and insuring it. However, the Scottish government makes payments to the lender allowing the homeowner to reduce their own monthly payments.
The Committee believes this is a good approach and one that could work well in this jurisdiction.”
The report is entitled “High Level of Indebtedness in Irish Society."
During its hearings the Committee met with the Irish Banking Federation, Monetary Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Central Bank, Community Welfare Officers and Irish Financial Service Regulatory Authority, Free Legal Advice Centres, Mr Liam Croke, Financial Advisor and the Educational Building Society.
The Sentencing of Stephen 'Rossi' Walsh
The Sentencing of Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh for Child Rape
In 1993 when Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh was sentenced to 15 years for blowing up a pub in Ballybough, Stephen Walsh was afforded all of the trappings of a Political Prisoner. He was brought before the Special Criminal Court, he was surrounded by armed Gardai, and he was upon sentence taken to Portloaise Prison to serve his sentence with the other PIRA prisoners housed there. The reason Rossi was afforded the trappings of a political prisoner was the fact that he was a senior member of the PIRA in Dublin. Rossi was involved in a protection racket for the PIRA when he blew up the pub in Ballybough. Rossi had been found badly burned inside the pub when the bomb had gone off prematurely. Rossi told the court that he was simply walking past the pub and was sucked in by the explosion.
Stephen Walsh would eventually tire of the controlling mentality of the PIRA prisoners in Portloaise and he was then transferred to Limerick Prison, then to Cork Prison and eventually Wheatfield Prison. By the time Stephen Walsh reached Wheatfield Prison, he had lost over two years in remission for assaults on prison officers and other lesser offences. Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh was popular in all of the prisons in which he was housed. Rossi was and remains a keen footballer; he gained his nick name from a famous footballer named Rossi.
Rossi focused his attention on studying law when he reached Wheatfield. And Rossi soon became infamous around the Four Courts as he brought legal challenge after legal challenge on behalf of less knowledgeable prisoners and indeed himself. However, his greatest victory in the courts came shortly before his release from his 15 year sentence, when he successfully won back his two years lost remission. The courts took the view that Rossi had not been afforded fair procedures during his various disciplinary hearings in the various prisons. As a result of this victory the rules have now changed in relation to the loss of remission, i.e. a prisoner has the right to be legally represented at such hearings.
Upon Rossi’s release from Wheatfield Prison, Rossi found a new world order in his old tramping ground. Rossi had been behind bars for 12 years, he now returned to a Dublin that had been transformed. He said, “Even the feakin money is like monopoly money”, the punt had been replaced by the Euro since Rossi’s incarceration. Rossi was soon back playing football and indeed had intended to set up his own legal firm to help young lads who had fallen foul of the law.
However, Rossi’s return to society was soon to be meet by the Ghosts of his past. Rossi’s fondness of the media camera would be his down fall. Upon his release Rossi was seen on camera by a young woman whom Rossi had raped before he had gone to prison. The young woman contacted Gardai and made a statement, stating that she had been raped by Rossi when she was nine years old. Rossi denied the charges; however, he was convicted by a jury. Rossi in true republican tradition refused to offer a plea to the charges and so Mr Justice Carney entered a plea of not guilty, as is common practice.
At the end of the trial and upon delivery of the jury’s guilty verdict, Mr Justice Carney took the unusual step of asking the Gardai to read out Rossi’s previous convictions. Mr Justice Carney said he had done this so that the jury could see what they had been dealing with. However, this is highly unusual and perhaps Mr Justice Carney over stepped the mark on this occasion as he felt so moved to do so, based on the detail of the case before him. The jury when they have delivered their verdict have served their duty and are not entitled to be exposed to any further details of the case in this manner.
Yesterday (15th/2/2010) Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh appeared before Mr Justice Carney for a pre-sentencing hearing. Mr Justice Carney said that the details of the case against Stephen Walsh were, “One of the most repulsive sex offences ever encountered at the Central Criminal Court in my 18 years serving here”.
In contrast Mr Walsh’s defence team could simply ask Mr Carney to take into account Mr Walsh’s age when sentencing as they could offer no other mitigation. Mr Walsh is now 62 years old. For those of us who know the indicators often set down by Judges, Rossi is facing a very long sentence on Friday when he appears before Mr Carney once more for sentencing. It is also interesting to note that the Prosecuting counsel in this case Isobel Kennedy SC read out the Victim Impact statement.
Mr Justice Carney will be tempted to impose a life sentence. However, Mr Carney knows well that such a sentence in such a case will be challenged with intensity. It is therefore more realistic to suggest that Mr Justice Carney will impose a 15 year sentence on Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh. Such a sentence will upon appeal be reduced to 12 years and in any event Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh will be in his 70s when he is released.
Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh returned to Wheatfield Prison yesterday evening to rejoin his fellow prisoners in the Print Shop. Rossi has now been joined in the Print Shop by Eamon Lillis, who was recently convicted of the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley. However, unlike other prisoners Rossi does not engage in menial work such as printing and cutting prison stationery. No, already yesterday evening Rossi was sitting on his computer preparing an appeal. His appeal will be based on technicalities which is his speciality.
In 1993 when Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh was sentenced to 15 years for blowing up a pub in Ballybough, Stephen Walsh was afforded all of the trappings of a Political Prisoner. He was brought before the Special Criminal Court, he was surrounded by armed Gardai, and he was upon sentence taken to Portloaise Prison to serve his sentence with the other PIRA prisoners housed there. The reason Rossi was afforded the trappings of a political prisoner was the fact that he was a senior member of the PIRA in Dublin. Rossi was involved in a protection racket for the PIRA when he blew up the pub in Ballybough. Rossi had been found badly burned inside the pub when the bomb had gone off prematurely. Rossi told the court that he was simply walking past the pub and was sucked in by the explosion.
Stephen Walsh would eventually tire of the controlling mentality of the PIRA prisoners in Portloaise and he was then transferred to Limerick Prison, then to Cork Prison and eventually Wheatfield Prison. By the time Stephen Walsh reached Wheatfield Prison, he had lost over two years in remission for assaults on prison officers and other lesser offences. Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh was popular in all of the prisons in which he was housed. Rossi was and remains a keen footballer; he gained his nick name from a famous footballer named Rossi.
Rossi focused his attention on studying law when he reached Wheatfield. And Rossi soon became infamous around the Four Courts as he brought legal challenge after legal challenge on behalf of less knowledgeable prisoners and indeed himself. However, his greatest victory in the courts came shortly before his release from his 15 year sentence, when he successfully won back his two years lost remission. The courts took the view that Rossi had not been afforded fair procedures during his various disciplinary hearings in the various prisons. As a result of this victory the rules have now changed in relation to the loss of remission, i.e. a prisoner has the right to be legally represented at such hearings.
Upon Rossi’s release from Wheatfield Prison, Rossi found a new world order in his old tramping ground. Rossi had been behind bars for 12 years, he now returned to a Dublin that had been transformed. He said, “Even the feakin money is like monopoly money”, the punt had been replaced by the Euro since Rossi’s incarceration. Rossi was soon back playing football and indeed had intended to set up his own legal firm to help young lads who had fallen foul of the law.
However, Rossi’s return to society was soon to be meet by the Ghosts of his past. Rossi’s fondness of the media camera would be his down fall. Upon his release Rossi was seen on camera by a young woman whom Rossi had raped before he had gone to prison. The young woman contacted Gardai and made a statement, stating that she had been raped by Rossi when she was nine years old. Rossi denied the charges; however, he was convicted by a jury. Rossi in true republican tradition refused to offer a plea to the charges and so Mr Justice Carney entered a plea of not guilty, as is common practice.
At the end of the trial and upon delivery of the jury’s guilty verdict, Mr Justice Carney took the unusual step of asking the Gardai to read out Rossi’s previous convictions. Mr Justice Carney said he had done this so that the jury could see what they had been dealing with. However, this is highly unusual and perhaps Mr Justice Carney over stepped the mark on this occasion as he felt so moved to do so, based on the detail of the case before him. The jury when they have delivered their verdict have served their duty and are not entitled to be exposed to any further details of the case in this manner.
Yesterday (15th/2/2010) Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh appeared before Mr Justice Carney for a pre-sentencing hearing. Mr Justice Carney said that the details of the case against Stephen Walsh were, “One of the most repulsive sex offences ever encountered at the Central Criminal Court in my 18 years serving here”.
In contrast Mr Walsh’s defence team could simply ask Mr Carney to take into account Mr Walsh’s age when sentencing as they could offer no other mitigation. Mr Walsh is now 62 years old. For those of us who know the indicators often set down by Judges, Rossi is facing a very long sentence on Friday when he appears before Mr Carney once more for sentencing. It is also interesting to note that the Prosecuting counsel in this case Isobel Kennedy SC read out the Victim Impact statement.
Mr Justice Carney will be tempted to impose a life sentence. However, Mr Carney knows well that such a sentence in such a case will be challenged with intensity. It is therefore more realistic to suggest that Mr Justice Carney will impose a 15 year sentence on Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh. Such a sentence will upon appeal be reduced to 12 years and in any event Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh will be in his 70s when he is released.
Stephen ‘Rossi’ Walsh returned to Wheatfield Prison yesterday evening to rejoin his fellow prisoners in the Print Shop. Rossi has now been joined in the Print Shop by Eamon Lillis, who was recently convicted of the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley. However, unlike other prisoners Rossi does not engage in menial work such as printing and cutting prison stationery. No, already yesterday evening Rossi was sitting on his computer preparing an appeal. His appeal will be based on technicalities which is his speciality.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Mortgage Arrears
15 Feb 2010
A new report which examines the high level of debt in Irish society, considers how best to protect those at risk of defaulting on mortgages and advises on how to manage high levels of personal debt will be launched by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Family and Social Affairs, tomorrow, (16th) at 2pm in the AV Room of Leinster House.
You are invited to attend, or send a representative to the launch.
The report charts the substantial rise in personal indebtedness in Ireland over the last decade due to the easy access of credit. It also addresses some of the significant issues for, and makes recommendations to assist those coping with high levels of debt. Some of the questions it deals with include:
What measures should be introduced to reduce house repossessions and mortgage defaulting?
What is best international practice in dealing with mortgage and personal debt management?
What changes can be introduced to prevent some of the reckless lending practices of recent years?
What can be done to ensure people are fully aware of their options and rights when coping with debt?
Report authors, Olywn Enright TD and Thomas Byrne TD will be in attendance at the launch and will be available for questions.
Event: Launch of Report on High Levels of Indebtedness in Irish Society
Location: AV Room, Leinster House
Date: Tuesday 15th Feb, @ 2pm
A new report which examines the high level of debt in Irish society, considers how best to protect those at risk of defaulting on mortgages and advises on how to manage high levels of personal debt will be launched by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Family and Social Affairs, tomorrow, (16th) at 2pm in the AV Room of Leinster House.
You are invited to attend, or send a representative to the launch.
The report charts the substantial rise in personal indebtedness in Ireland over the last decade due to the easy access of credit. It also addresses some of the significant issues for, and makes recommendations to assist those coping with high levels of debt. Some of the questions it deals with include:
What measures should be introduced to reduce house repossessions and mortgage defaulting?
What is best international practice in dealing with mortgage and personal debt management?
What changes can be introduced to prevent some of the reckless lending practices of recent years?
What can be done to ensure people are fully aware of their options and rights when coping with debt?
Report authors, Olywn Enright TD and Thomas Byrne TD will be in attendance at the launch and will be available for questions.
Event: Launch of Report on High Levels of Indebtedness in Irish Society
Location: AV Room, Leinster House
Date: Tuesday 15th Feb, @ 2pm
Friday, February 12, 2010
Failte Ireland - Slan'
Failte Ireland is driving small tourist vendors out of business, with their out dated, petty rules and bully boys tactics.
This week I have spoken with several small tourist vendors who say they are being driven out of business by Failte Ireland.
The following letter have been recieved by a number of small tourist vendors who are struggling to keep their heads above water:
Failte Ireland
Re: Illegal Signs
Dear Sir/Madam
It has come to our attention that you are displaying 'Guest House' signs on your property.
Your premises are not registered with Failte Ireland as a 'Guest House' therefore you are committing an offence under Section 34 of the Tourist Traffic Acts.
The word 'Guest House' is protected title allocated to the premises, which are registered in the register of Guest Houses, maintained by Failte Ireland.
I am aware that you asked to have your premises removed from our register as it was costing you money you could not afford.
However, it will be necessary for you to remove all 'Guest House' sign(s) from your property and any websites and to desist from promoting your premises as a 'Guest House'.
Please remove the signs from your property within the next fourteen days and confirm in writing within this time frame that the signs have been removed.
Yours faithfully
This bully boy letter means that people who are the corner stone of our tourist industry are being forced to spend thousands of Euro that they dont have, in order to remove signs from their small premises. Many feel that Failte Ireland are using bully boy tactics to pressurise small BBs/Guest Houses to pay fees to Failte Ireland or be forced to removed signs that cost thousands of Euro to put in place, also the additional cost of tradesmen as many of these small vendors are older people not fit to take on the work themselves.
We need tourists in Ireland and we need to get back to our fine tradition of being a nation of welcomes, Failte Ireland is out dated, out of touch and needs to be closed down or taken in hand by our political leadership. How dare Failte Ireland threaten decent hard working people with criminalisation for doing nothing more than trying to survive in difficult times. Note that multi-national hoteliers have no such petty obligations.
Notes: Tourist Traffic Act, 1939:
34.-(1) It shall not be lawful for the proprietor of any premises to describe or hold out or permit any such person to describe or hold out such premises as a guest house unless such premises are registered in the register of guest houses and such proprietor is registered in that register as the registered proprietor of such premises.
(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(This information is brought to you by theirishobserver.blogspot.com - please use it as you feel fit).
This week I have spoken with several small tourist vendors who say they are being driven out of business by Failte Ireland.
The following letter have been recieved by a number of small tourist vendors who are struggling to keep their heads above water:
Failte Ireland
Re: Illegal Signs
Dear Sir/Madam
It has come to our attention that you are displaying 'Guest House' signs on your property.
Your premises are not registered with Failte Ireland as a 'Guest House' therefore you are committing an offence under Section 34 of the Tourist Traffic Acts.
The word 'Guest House' is protected title allocated to the premises, which are registered in the register of Guest Houses, maintained by Failte Ireland.
I am aware that you asked to have your premises removed from our register as it was costing you money you could not afford.
However, it will be necessary for you to remove all 'Guest House' sign(s) from your property and any websites and to desist from promoting your premises as a 'Guest House'.
Please remove the signs from your property within the next fourteen days and confirm in writing within this time frame that the signs have been removed.
Yours faithfully
This bully boy letter means that people who are the corner stone of our tourist industry are being forced to spend thousands of Euro that they dont have, in order to remove signs from their small premises. Many feel that Failte Ireland are using bully boy tactics to pressurise small BBs/Guest Houses to pay fees to Failte Ireland or be forced to removed signs that cost thousands of Euro to put in place, also the additional cost of tradesmen as many of these small vendors are older people not fit to take on the work themselves.
We need tourists in Ireland and we need to get back to our fine tradition of being a nation of welcomes, Failte Ireland is out dated, out of touch and needs to be closed down or taken in hand by our political leadership. How dare Failte Ireland threaten decent hard working people with criminalisation for doing nothing more than trying to survive in difficult times. Note that multi-national hoteliers have no such petty obligations.
Notes: Tourist Traffic Act, 1939:
34.-(1) It shall not be lawful for the proprietor of any premises to describe or hold out or permit any such person to describe or hold out such premises as a guest house unless such premises are registered in the register of guest houses and such proprietor is registered in that register as the registered proprietor of such premises.
(2) Any person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(This information is brought to you by theirishobserver.blogspot.com - please use it as you feel fit).
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Dail Public Accounts Commitee
The Dail Public Accounts Committee, will tomorrow (11th) question the CEO of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), John Corrigan and the Chairman of the National Pension Reserve Fund, Paul Carthy.
The meeting will take place at 10 am in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“Tomorrow’s meeting will provide Committee members with the opportunity to question those charged with managing these agencies at a time when their roles and functions have never been more significant.
For instance, National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) will operate as an independent commercial entity under the aegis of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
Also, the Minister for Finance recently delegated additional powers to the NTMA. These new responsibilities include; leading discussions with the guaranteed institutions on their capital needs and heading the consultation with the financial institutions on the restructuring of the banking sector.
It also has the significant responsibility of raising any necessary borrowings for the state which this year alone is projected to be in the region of €20 billion.
The National Pension Reserve Fund has a crucial role to play at the moment. Its task is to meet the costs of Ireland's social welfare and public service pensions from 2025 onwards when these costs are projected to increase dramatically due to the ageing of the population.The Committee is very keen to establish how they intend to manage this fund at a time when the state’s finances are under strain.”
The meeting will take place at 10 am in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House.
Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“Tomorrow’s meeting will provide Committee members with the opportunity to question those charged with managing these agencies at a time when their roles and functions have never been more significant.
For instance, National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) will operate as an independent commercial entity under the aegis of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA).
Also, the Minister for Finance recently delegated additional powers to the NTMA. These new responsibilities include; leading discussions with the guaranteed institutions on their capital needs and heading the consultation with the financial institutions on the restructuring of the banking sector.
It also has the significant responsibility of raising any necessary borrowings for the state which this year alone is projected to be in the region of €20 billion.
The National Pension Reserve Fund has a crucial role to play at the moment. Its task is to meet the costs of Ireland's social welfare and public service pensions from 2025 onwards when these costs are projected to increase dramatically due to the ageing of the population.The Committee is very keen to establish how they intend to manage this fund at a time when the state’s finances are under strain.”
Communications
Minister for Communications to Meet With Oireachtas Committee This Evening Regarding Delay in Appointing Nominees to RTE Authority and Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
10th Feb 2010
The Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will meet with Minister Eamon Ryan TD, this evening (10th) at 6pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
The meeting will discuss the nominations to the RTE Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
The meeting is taking place following a delay in the appointment of members to the RTE Board and Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
10th Feb 2010
The Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will meet with Minister Eamon Ryan TD, this evening (10th) at 6pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
The meeting will discuss the nominations to the RTE Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
The meeting is taking place following a delay in the appointment of members to the RTE Board and Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
Eight months ago George Lee, an economist reporter for Irish national television (RTE), decided to join Fine Gael (political party) and run for election in a by-election. Lee said he wanted to bring about change as the present Government was failing the Irish people. He said he would bring a new energy to the Irish political system. 27,000 people gave Mr Lee their vote because they believed he cared. Yesterday, Mr Lee gave a two finger salute to the Irish people as he resigned from politics after only eight months. Mr Lee said the Irish political system was ineffective and did not give him centre stage for his yet undeclared ideas. However, Mr lee was happy to enjoy several weeks paid holidays during his short term in office, and his job at RTE remains open for him.
I think George Lee has done a great dis-service to the Irish people, not just the 27,000 people who voted for him but also those people who viewed George Lee as a decent and honourable man, there is nothing decent or honourable about what George Lee has done. George Lee is concerned only with George Lee. I have never voted Fine Gael in my life, but that is neither here nor there. George Lee had an opportunity to encourage a new generation to get interested in politics, but it was too much hard work. George could have entered every school in this country and encouraged and been mentor to a new generation of political activists, however, George Lee done the sums and decided that the best pension was to be found on return to RTE before his unpaid leave was void in May.
Politics is hard work and George just was not up to the task, George missed the 6 O' Clock news, he missed being the centre of attention, he, like many who are addicted to the TV camera, just needed his daily fix and he was not getting it in the Dail. When I was a member of the Sinners - I worked my sweat to blood - but I never thought that I should be President of Sinn Fein, I watched people like COC give up his job as bank manager and go on the dole to work full time for the community. I watched him being ignored and marginalised as his new vision for the Sinners was not welcome, did he run away, No, politics is a long hard road and while we are entitled to criticise our politicians we have one of the greatest Political systems in the world.
Yes we have our problems, however, like a mature nation and people we deal with those problems by constant vigilence and critique, we dont run as soon as the going gets tough, we dont throw the toys out of the pram because we are not getting everything that we want. How dare George Lee abuse the democratic will of the people in this way, if you add up the time George Lee has spent in the Dail since being elected, most of us have spent more time in traffic jams, politics is about the long slog, sacrifice and guts. Who in their right mind would put themselves up to such public scrutiny and investigation. While I have and will continue to critique our politicians, our political system has more safe guards, checks and balances than any other democracy in the world, this does not mean that it is without fault, but running away does nothing for anyone only the self server.
look at how we as a people dealt with John Boy, while he was not alone, we as a people have made changes in the ways things are done in the Dail. We who helped scribe John Boys departure from that leather seat made history, George Lee could have made history, he could have used his time and knowledge to help our young people to get involved with politics and change how things are done if that were necessary. George Lee has shown one thing and one thing only and that he was not fit for purpose. For George Lee to say that he was approached by Fine Gale and not the other way round is ridiculous, nobody put a gun to his head. No, George Lee seen an opportunity to get full access to the TV screen, to be even more popular in woolly jumper land, he grasped that opportunity without considering the task ahead, without considering his responsibility to those who would elect him.
Fine Gael are not the losers here, the electorate are the losers, the people who used their time, energy and hard earned money to get to the ballot box are the losers here. Joe Duffy can have all the phone in's he wants but the very people who are saying George Lee was right to quit are the very quiters who have this country the way it is. George Lee is a quitter, he is a self server, he is a manipulator, he is all that is wrong with this country right now, we need leadership, we need stayers, not distractions.
It is clear from many commentators that they know little or nothing about our political system. If every politician was to walk away because they were frustrated with our political system, the Dail would be empty. I am absolutely fuming, angry, that this woolly jumper has used and abused our political system in this self serving way, how dare you. I watched Noel Whelan and Ivan Yates talk with Pat Penny last night on RTE, and they were absolutely correct when they said this was about George Lee and not Fine Gael, Enda Kenny or Richard Bruton. This is about a man who loves to be centre of attention, yet he did not produce one single word about what his policies for the country would be.
George Lee could tell us that Ricahrd Bruton rarely spoke to him, so what, I have lived my life without talking to Richard and my sleep is unbroken. Politics is about making your move, getting support, being clear in your direction and focus, George Lee was focused on Geroge Lee. I swear to God my key board is on fire I am so feakin angry. I have seen first hand what it takes it be in politics, I have watched the daily slog, I have watched the sacrifice. I know all about the corruption, the slight of hand, the wheeling and dealing. But thats where we come in, we are the interview panel for these people, if they are not up to task we simply let them go after 4/5 years some times sooner (remember 82), no employment appeals tribunal, just out on their heads, dont quote pensions and all that nonsense, thats again where we come in, we have already through our protests whether here or through other forum made changes in that regard.
We the people are the Board of Directors in relation to Dail Eireann, your vote is your power, we will not make changes by running like spoiled public school boys, I have always listened to Geroge Lee's economic commentary, I have often quoted him both academically, in business and in general conversation, never again, never again. He has for me become another intellectual mouth-piece, another woolly jumper seeking the comfort of the TV camera. He has let the people down so badly, those who support his self serving decision to run away are no better than he is, these are the same people who have our country in the state it is in today, people who would rather run and hide than face up to the task of moving this country forward, people who dont want to dirty their hands with the shovel of daily grind, they who hide behind their own delusions of self worth. I have sent an email to George Lee and I hope when he reads it he looks deep within himself, I hope he can look at the young people in this country and tell them that he had an opportunity to do good but decided that his own career and opportunities were far too important, than to be bothered with their needs, however, George wont be looking into anyones eyes as he can now go back an hide behind the RTE camera. Still at least he will see his own reflection in the camera lense that should please him.
How dare George Lee go on national TV and suggest that he has empathy with the 437,000 people on the live register, or the 60,000 young Irish men and women forced from this country last year, or the 37,000 people with mortgage arrears. George Lee's bed hoping from one 140,000 job to the next is simply the two finger salute for those people who would die to have a single hours work. Geroge Lee has shown that his empathy is with George Lee, he has shown that he has no imagination and that he is better suited to reading the ideas of others off the auto-que.
I think George Lee has done a great dis-service to the Irish people, not just the 27,000 people who voted for him but also those people who viewed George Lee as a decent and honourable man, there is nothing decent or honourable about what George Lee has done. George Lee is concerned only with George Lee. I have never voted Fine Gael in my life, but that is neither here nor there. George Lee had an opportunity to encourage a new generation to get interested in politics, but it was too much hard work. George could have entered every school in this country and encouraged and been mentor to a new generation of political activists, however, George Lee done the sums and decided that the best pension was to be found on return to RTE before his unpaid leave was void in May.
Politics is hard work and George just was not up to the task, George missed the 6 O' Clock news, he missed being the centre of attention, he, like many who are addicted to the TV camera, just needed his daily fix and he was not getting it in the Dail. When I was a member of the Sinners - I worked my sweat to blood - but I never thought that I should be President of Sinn Fein, I watched people like COC give up his job as bank manager and go on the dole to work full time for the community. I watched him being ignored and marginalised as his new vision for the Sinners was not welcome, did he run away, No, politics is a long hard road and while we are entitled to criticise our politicians we have one of the greatest Political systems in the world.
Yes we have our problems, however, like a mature nation and people we deal with those problems by constant vigilence and critique, we dont run as soon as the going gets tough, we dont throw the toys out of the pram because we are not getting everything that we want. How dare George Lee abuse the democratic will of the people in this way, if you add up the time George Lee has spent in the Dail since being elected, most of us have spent more time in traffic jams, politics is about the long slog, sacrifice and guts. Who in their right mind would put themselves up to such public scrutiny and investigation. While I have and will continue to critique our politicians, our political system has more safe guards, checks and balances than any other democracy in the world, this does not mean that it is without fault, but running away does nothing for anyone only the self server.
look at how we as a people dealt with John Boy, while he was not alone, we as a people have made changes in the ways things are done in the Dail. We who helped scribe John Boys departure from that leather seat made history, George Lee could have made history, he could have used his time and knowledge to help our young people to get involved with politics and change how things are done if that were necessary. George Lee has shown one thing and one thing only and that he was not fit for purpose. For George Lee to say that he was approached by Fine Gale and not the other way round is ridiculous, nobody put a gun to his head. No, George Lee seen an opportunity to get full access to the TV screen, to be even more popular in woolly jumper land, he grasped that opportunity without considering the task ahead, without considering his responsibility to those who would elect him.
Fine Gael are not the losers here, the electorate are the losers, the people who used their time, energy and hard earned money to get to the ballot box are the losers here. Joe Duffy can have all the phone in's he wants but the very people who are saying George Lee was right to quit are the very quiters who have this country the way it is. George Lee is a quitter, he is a self server, he is a manipulator, he is all that is wrong with this country right now, we need leadership, we need stayers, not distractions.
It is clear from many commentators that they know little or nothing about our political system. If every politician was to walk away because they were frustrated with our political system, the Dail would be empty. I am absolutely fuming, angry, that this woolly jumper has used and abused our political system in this self serving way, how dare you. I watched Noel Whelan and Ivan Yates talk with Pat Penny last night on RTE, and they were absolutely correct when they said this was about George Lee and not Fine Gael, Enda Kenny or Richard Bruton. This is about a man who loves to be centre of attention, yet he did not produce one single word about what his policies for the country would be.
George Lee could tell us that Ricahrd Bruton rarely spoke to him, so what, I have lived my life without talking to Richard and my sleep is unbroken. Politics is about making your move, getting support, being clear in your direction and focus, George Lee was focused on Geroge Lee. I swear to God my key board is on fire I am so feakin angry. I have seen first hand what it takes it be in politics, I have watched the daily slog, I have watched the sacrifice. I know all about the corruption, the slight of hand, the wheeling and dealing. But thats where we come in, we are the interview panel for these people, if they are not up to task we simply let them go after 4/5 years some times sooner (remember 82), no employment appeals tribunal, just out on their heads, dont quote pensions and all that nonsense, thats again where we come in, we have already through our protests whether here or through other forum made changes in that regard.
We the people are the Board of Directors in relation to Dail Eireann, your vote is your power, we will not make changes by running like spoiled public school boys, I have always listened to Geroge Lee's economic commentary, I have often quoted him both academically, in business and in general conversation, never again, never again. He has for me become another intellectual mouth-piece, another woolly jumper seeking the comfort of the TV camera. He has let the people down so badly, those who support his self serving decision to run away are no better than he is, these are the same people who have our country in the state it is in today, people who would rather run and hide than face up to the task of moving this country forward, people who dont want to dirty their hands with the shovel of daily grind, they who hide behind their own delusions of self worth. I have sent an email to George Lee and I hope when he reads it he looks deep within himself, I hope he can look at the young people in this country and tell them that he had an opportunity to do good but decided that his own career and opportunities were far too important, than to be bothered with their needs, however, George wont be looking into anyones eyes as he can now go back an hide behind the RTE camera. Still at least he will see his own reflection in the camera lense that should please him.
How dare George Lee go on national TV and suggest that he has empathy with the 437,000 people on the live register, or the 60,000 young Irish men and women forced from this country last year, or the 37,000 people with mortgage arrears. George Lee's bed hoping from one 140,000 job to the next is simply the two finger salute for those people who would die to have a single hours work. Geroge Lee has shown that his empathy is with George Lee, he has shown that he has no imagination and that he is better suited to reading the ideas of others off the auto-que.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Minister to be Questioned
Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD and CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Professor Brendan Drumm will be questioned by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health on Children tomorrow, (9th) at 3pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for committee members to question the two individuals who are in charge of the agencies with principle responsibility for delivering the country’s health and social care services.
Some of the issues which may come up for discussion at the committee include;
The call to introduce mandatory care standards and independent inspections of residential centres for disabled people.
The recent reductions in the cost of prescription drugs.
Response to the recent report from the Mental Health Inspectorate outlining concerns in the area of mental health facilities in Ireland.
Whether there has been any reduction in hospital and social services owing to the current budgetary situation;
Claims that there has been a delay in processing renewal of medical cards for over 70s by the HSE resulting in cards expiring.
Progress on the implementation of the consultants’ contract.
Chairman, of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Se n O’Fearghail TD said;
“The provision and management of the country’s health services are of importance to everyone. Tomorrow’s meeting will allow the members of the committee to directly put any issues they may have regarding the health service to those charged with its operation.
“Minister Harney and Professor Drumm will also be able to inform the committee regarding any significant developments or plans which are likely to be implemented throughout the health system over the coming months.”
The meeting will provide an opportunity for committee members to question the two individuals who are in charge of the agencies with principle responsibility for delivering the country’s health and social care services.
Some of the issues which may come up for discussion at the committee include;
The call to introduce mandatory care standards and independent inspections of residential centres for disabled people.
The recent reductions in the cost of prescription drugs.
Response to the recent report from the Mental Health Inspectorate outlining concerns in the area of mental health facilities in Ireland.
Whether there has been any reduction in hospital and social services owing to the current budgetary situation;
Claims that there has been a delay in processing renewal of medical cards for over 70s by the HSE resulting in cards expiring.
Progress on the implementation of the consultants’ contract.
Chairman, of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Se n O’Fearghail TD said;
“The provision and management of the country’s health services are of importance to everyone. Tomorrow’s meeting will allow the members of the committee to directly put any issues they may have regarding the health service to those charged with its operation.
“Minister Harney and Professor Drumm will also be able to inform the committee regarding any significant developments or plans which are likely to be implemented throughout the health system over the coming months.”
VAT on Waste
The Irish Government in its latest attack on the decent people of Ireland is to introduce a VAT charge on waste collection and disposal in Ireland.
If any of these Fattie Ministers ever bothered to step out of their chauffeur driven cars they would see that the countryside is already covered in tones of waste that has been dumped by people who in most cases simply cant afford to pay the present waste charges.
The Irish Government has become totally detached from the realities of the country they live in. Even Green Party, Enviroment Minister, John Gormley, jumps into a chauffeur driven car to go to the local radio station to do an interview about the Poolbeg incinerator.
Even Gormley, 'Mr get on your bike', has become poisoned by the Fatty administration of which he is now a part. Gormley has been bought by the lure of big business and comfortable leather seats.
Mr Gormley's mealy mouthed words about the Poolbeg incinerator that has been described as the chimney from hell, hold no sway with the people and generations who will suffer its consequences. One thing is for sure Gormley wont be choked by its fumes in his chaffeur driven luxuary.
Our country is quickly becoming the Skip of Europe. Councils only seem to have money to clean up when the latest bit of some motorway or other is having its ribbon cut by the Mercedes S Series brigade.
VAT on waste collection and disposal will see Ireland become known world wide as the Skip of Europe. The only time the Irish people will get Value in relation to waste disposal is when this Fianna Failure administration and its decaying green fig leaf are finally in the compost heap of political history.
If any of these Fattie Ministers ever bothered to step out of their chauffeur driven cars they would see that the countryside is already covered in tones of waste that has been dumped by people who in most cases simply cant afford to pay the present waste charges.
The Irish Government has become totally detached from the realities of the country they live in. Even Green Party, Enviroment Minister, John Gormley, jumps into a chauffeur driven car to go to the local radio station to do an interview about the Poolbeg incinerator.
Even Gormley, 'Mr get on your bike', has become poisoned by the Fatty administration of which he is now a part. Gormley has been bought by the lure of big business and comfortable leather seats.
Mr Gormley's mealy mouthed words about the Poolbeg incinerator that has been described as the chimney from hell, hold no sway with the people and generations who will suffer its consequences. One thing is for sure Gormley wont be choked by its fumes in his chaffeur driven luxuary.
Our country is quickly becoming the Skip of Europe. Councils only seem to have money to clean up when the latest bit of some motorway or other is having its ribbon cut by the Mercedes S Series brigade.
VAT on waste collection and disposal will see Ireland become known world wide as the Skip of Europe. The only time the Irish people will get Value in relation to waste disposal is when this Fianna Failure administration and its decaying green fig leaf are finally in the compost heap of political history.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Bond Star Suffered Brutal and Cowardly Death
Today Judge Barry White sentenced Eamon Lillis to 6 years and 11 months for killing his wife. Mr Lillis had been found guilty of manslaughter by a jury last week. The Judge said Lillis had shown no remorse and had devastated the lives of many people including tha if his 17 year old daughter. Lillis had lied to the police and even named a suspect for his cowardly crime.
Eamon Lillis will be due for release on the 4th of April 2015, this will include 25% remission for good behaviour. He could get temporary or early release before this date depending on his contacts or lobbying weight in Leinster House.
If Eamon Lillis remains in Wheatfield Prison this is how it works:
Today he will be served fish, mash and peas for his dinner. Sounds better than it is, but not bad. For tea will be be chicken nuggets, again not the nuggets we know and love, harder and without a barbeque dip. Still he will get a quarter pint carton of milk to wash it down. He will be allowed to make one 6 minute phone call to a pre-vetted number. He will be allowed one 30 minute visit tomorrow between 10am-12pm and 2-4pm. After that it is one call be day and one visit per week. Although a special (extra) 15 minute visit can also be asked for each week
He will remain in one of the 6 holding cells at the back of landing 3F for the moment and will be allocated to a landing on Monday. The holding cells are double cells, but he will remain on his own for now. These cells usually contain people who are awaiting to be allocated a landing.
Wheatfield houses some 150 sex offenders, yet landings 7-10 G contain the Dundon and Mc Carty gang members from Limerick. So the Governor has to be very careful where he places someone like Mr Lillis. He will most likely to be placed on 1F with people like Barry Mc Gee, Martin 'Bruce' Dunne, Fr Daniel Doherty, Gareth Feeney, Trevour Byrne (out for 14 hours and back in for att rape), this landing is safe and quiet for someone like Lillis.
This evening between the hours of 5.30pm and 7.30 pm he will be out for recreation, which is a game of pool with the other 31 lads on the landing, although he might not get a game as he will be at the bottom of the list.
Then 7.30pm he will be locked into his cell until 8am in the morning. At 8 am he will get a bowl of rice cripies or corn flakes with a quarter pint of milk. Then back into the cell until 9.30am where he will have the choice of going to the yard with all the junkies or staying in his cell.
If he smokes he will be immediately popular and will get used to the request, "Any dust Bud". If he does not smoke he will have to wait until he goes to the Tuck Shop on Tuesday when he can spend some of his 7 Euro gratuity on sweets, minerals, biscuits and ciggies.
Monday he will be allocated a landing, most likely 1F. He will share a cell with another inmate. 12ft by 8ft. steel toilet and sink, no swirl pool and no curtain. He will pay one Euro per week for his access to the 14inch TV, which he will have to share viewing with his new house mate.
On Monday he will also be allocated to a work shop or place in the Education unit. I imagine he will simply go to the education unit where he can study phography and art.
Of course it might well be that he has the contacts to get sent to Arbhour Hill hotel where other woolly jumpers are housed such as corrupt Fianna Fail press secreatry Frank Dunlop and that Garda Sargent from Drugheda who is into wee girls. And he wont be stuck for company of the religious kind either. Yep they are all nice and cosy in Arbhour Hill.
Eamon Lillis will be due for release on the 4th of April 2015, this will include 25% remission for good behaviour. He could get temporary or early release before this date depending on his contacts or lobbying weight in Leinster House.
If Eamon Lillis remains in Wheatfield Prison this is how it works:
Today he will be served fish, mash and peas for his dinner. Sounds better than it is, but not bad. For tea will be be chicken nuggets, again not the nuggets we know and love, harder and without a barbeque dip. Still he will get a quarter pint carton of milk to wash it down. He will be allowed to make one 6 minute phone call to a pre-vetted number. He will be allowed one 30 minute visit tomorrow between 10am-12pm and 2-4pm. After that it is one call be day and one visit per week. Although a special (extra) 15 minute visit can also be asked for each week
He will remain in one of the 6 holding cells at the back of landing 3F for the moment and will be allocated to a landing on Monday. The holding cells are double cells, but he will remain on his own for now. These cells usually contain people who are awaiting to be allocated a landing.
Wheatfield houses some 150 sex offenders, yet landings 7-10 G contain the Dundon and Mc Carty gang members from Limerick. So the Governor has to be very careful where he places someone like Mr Lillis. He will most likely to be placed on 1F with people like Barry Mc Gee, Martin 'Bruce' Dunne, Fr Daniel Doherty, Gareth Feeney, Trevour Byrne (out for 14 hours and back in for att rape), this landing is safe and quiet for someone like Lillis.
This evening between the hours of 5.30pm and 7.30 pm he will be out for recreation, which is a game of pool with the other 31 lads on the landing, although he might not get a game as he will be at the bottom of the list.
Then 7.30pm he will be locked into his cell until 8am in the morning. At 8 am he will get a bowl of rice cripies or corn flakes with a quarter pint of milk. Then back into the cell until 9.30am where he will have the choice of going to the yard with all the junkies or staying in his cell.
If he smokes he will be immediately popular and will get used to the request, "Any dust Bud". If he does not smoke he will have to wait until he goes to the Tuck Shop on Tuesday when he can spend some of his 7 Euro gratuity on sweets, minerals, biscuits and ciggies.
Monday he will be allocated a landing, most likely 1F. He will share a cell with another inmate. 12ft by 8ft. steel toilet and sink, no swirl pool and no curtain. He will pay one Euro per week for his access to the 14inch TV, which he will have to share viewing with his new house mate.
On Monday he will also be allocated to a work shop or place in the Education unit. I imagine he will simply go to the education unit where he can study phography and art.
Of course it might well be that he has the contacts to get sent to Arbhour Hill hotel where other woolly jumpers are housed such as corrupt Fianna Fail press secreatry Frank Dunlop and that Garda Sargent from Drugheda who is into wee girls. And he wont be stuck for company of the religious kind either. Yep they are all nice and cosy in Arbhour Hill.
80 International Parliamentarians
The Northern Ireland Assembly is to host 80 international Parliamentarians as part of the International Parliamentary Conference on Peacebuilding: Tackling State Fragility. The conference, organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, begins in London on 31 January and moves to Belfast on 4 February. It seeks to highlight the role of parliaments in peace building efforts and bring together delegates from across the world, to exchange knowledge and experience. Commenting on the Conference, The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay, MLA said: “We are delighted to welcome delegates of this International Parliamentary Conference to Northern Ireland. “Since restoration in 2007 the Northern Ireland Assembly has supported a range of initiatives aimed at sharing our experiences in conflict resolution with politicians and policy makers from other countries. “ Northern Ireland’s experience shows the importance of robust parliamentary structures and mechanisms which strengthen democracy and engage the people in creating a better future for all. This conference will give delegates the opportunity to examine and discuss many of the lessons learnt in Northern Ireland. There will be participation and input by parliamentarians, the media and members of civil society, all of whom will be able to contribute their experiences and views of the journey that our community has travelled, as well as the opportunities and challenges that still remain.†A cross-party panel of MLAs will share their individual and party experiences of the Northern Ireland peace process and the ongoing work to build public confidence in the political system. As part of the Conference, the delegates will visit local integrated schools and community groups in Belfast to see the work being done on the ground to strengthen community relations. Notes to Editors: International Parliamentary Conference on Peacebuilding: Tackling State Fragility is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch in partnership with the Northern Ireland Assembly and will be held at the Houses of Parliament, London (Monday 1 - Wednesday 3 February) and at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Belfast (Wednesday 3 - Friday 5 February). Interview and photo opportunities: Media access is permitted to plenary sessions on Thursday 4 February 10.00-13.00 and Friday 5 February 15.00-16.15 , and to the Reception in the Great Hall at 17.30 on Thursday 4 February. Media are asked to confirm attendance by contacting the Communications team at the numbers below . About CPA: CPA UK is one of over 175 branches of the CPA – the professional association of all Commonwealth parliamentarians. CPA UK’s membership is made up of Members from both Houses of the United Kingdom Parliament who work to strengthen parliamentary democracy. CPA UK conducts international parliamentary outreach on behalf of Parliament and the wider CPA by parliamentary diplomacy and parliamentary strengthening activities to contribute to the capacity of partner parliaments.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Minister Intentionally and Recklessly Putting Children At Risk ?
In my capacity as a voluntary worker I come into contact on an almost daily basis with people who have been released from prison. My greatest concern is the failure of this Government to put in place a seamless transition from prison to community for such released prisoners and in particular those who have been convicted of sexual criminality.
My voluntary work is done purely out of charity and I have never and will never benifit from one penny from any State or non State Agency. This is perhaps why I can speak so honestly about what is going on in our country.
It is my view based on the daily evidence presented to me that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is intentionally and recklessly putting children at risk of sexual molestation. This situation has come about by savage and reckless cuts in the supplementary rent allowance.
Since 2008 some recipients have had as much as 18% of their rent supplement cut. While people such as Mary Hanifin live in a world that is totally detached from reality, these intentional and reckless cuts are putting children and others at risk of sexual molestation.
Men and women who were released from prison having served sentences for sexual criminality, who have continued to co-operate with the Gardai above and beyond the weak obligations contained in the 2001 Sex Offenders Act, are now being forced out of their independent living accomadation and are being forced to move in with relatives who have children and incapacitated persons in their home.
Minister Hanifin is well aware of what is going on, yet insists on facilitating this criminal developemnt with savage and ill-considered cuts.
Minister Hanifin's Department, has written to certain released sex offenders and told them that they should contact their local community welfare officer, however, this is simply a slight of hand as those welfare officers have been forced to stay within tight financial guide lines. Even with verbal support from Gardai and other professionals, community welfare officers are being forced to refuse an appropriate amount of rent supplement to ensure that persons with convictions for sexual crime are not given access to children or other vulnerable people.
It is no surprise to this commentator that this Government continues to put its two fingers up at child protection, but surely there must be one decent member of Fianna Fail who is prepared to stand up and be counted. Do we have to wait for more Ryan and Murphy reports to see the impact of this Government's policies on little children.
My voluntary work is done purely out of charity and I have never and will never benifit from one penny from any State or non State Agency. This is perhaps why I can speak so honestly about what is going on in our country.
It is my view based on the daily evidence presented to me that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is intentionally and recklessly putting children at risk of sexual molestation. This situation has come about by savage and reckless cuts in the supplementary rent allowance.
Since 2008 some recipients have had as much as 18% of their rent supplement cut. While people such as Mary Hanifin live in a world that is totally detached from reality, these intentional and reckless cuts are putting children and others at risk of sexual molestation.
Men and women who were released from prison having served sentences for sexual criminality, who have continued to co-operate with the Gardai above and beyond the weak obligations contained in the 2001 Sex Offenders Act, are now being forced out of their independent living accomadation and are being forced to move in with relatives who have children and incapacitated persons in their home.
Minister Hanifin is well aware of what is going on, yet insists on facilitating this criminal developemnt with savage and ill-considered cuts.
Minister Hanifin's Department, has written to certain released sex offenders and told them that they should contact their local community welfare officer, however, this is simply a slight of hand as those welfare officers have been forced to stay within tight financial guide lines. Even with verbal support from Gardai and other professionals, community welfare officers are being forced to refuse an appropriate amount of rent supplement to ensure that persons with convictions for sexual crime are not given access to children or other vulnerable people.
It is no surprise to this commentator that this Government continues to put its two fingers up at child protection, but surely there must be one decent member of Fianna Fail who is prepared to stand up and be counted. Do we have to wait for more Ryan and Murphy reports to see the impact of this Government's policies on little children.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Enviroment
The Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s ongoing examination into the construction of a waste incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin will continue tomorrow (3rd) when the Dublin City Manager, John Tierney and representatives from Covanta Energy, the company contracted to operate the facility will attend the meeting.
The meeting will take place at 2pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House.
Last week, the Committee met with the Irish Waste Management Association who claimed the scale of the project was too large, that it was too expensive and would cost the taxpayer dearly.
Reservations have also been expressed regarding the nature of the contract between Dublin City Council and Covanta. It has been claimed that the contract guarantees the incinerator a definite quantity of waste per annum, should this quantity not be reached, the council would have to pay compensation to Covanta.
Committee Chairman, Se n Fleming TD said;
“The waste incinerator has proved to be a highly controversial project. Opposing sides have made strong claims regarding the scale and size of the plant as it is currently envisaged, while concerns have also been raised about the potential cost to the taxpayer and the impact it will have on other waste operators.
The Committee is anxious to try and establish some facts surrounding this contentious issue so will be interested to hear what Dublin City Council and Covanta as the company who will develop the plant have to say.”
The meeting will take place at 2pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House.
Last week, the Committee met with the Irish Waste Management Association who claimed the scale of the project was too large, that it was too expensive and would cost the taxpayer dearly.
Reservations have also been expressed regarding the nature of the contract between Dublin City Council and Covanta. It has been claimed that the contract guarantees the incinerator a definite quantity of waste per annum, should this quantity not be reached, the council would have to pay compensation to Covanta.
Committee Chairman, Se n Fleming TD said;
“The waste incinerator has proved to be a highly controversial project. Opposing sides have made strong claims regarding the scale and size of the plant as it is currently envisaged, while concerns have also been raised about the potential cost to the taxpayer and the impact it will have on other waste operators.
The Committee is anxious to try and establish some facts surrounding this contentious issue so will be interested to hear what Dublin City Council and Covanta as the company who will develop the plant have to say.”
Monday, February 1, 2010
EU Presidency
Following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, the upcoming eighteen months will be extremely significant for the direction of European Union policy.
For this reason, the nations holding the next three six month term EU presidency will address a meeting of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, tomorrow, (2nd) at 2pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
Spain, which currently hold the presidency will be represented by Ms Mercedes Rico, Ambassador of Spain to Ireland, Mr Robert Devriese, Belgian Ambassador to Ireland, who will assume the role in July 2010 will also attend the meeting while Mr Ferenc Jari of Hungary, who will take over the presidency in January 2011 will also present to the meeting.
Some of the most pressing issues which will be on the EU agenda in the upcoming eighteen months include; fully implementing the Lisbon Treaty, strategies for economic recovery, job creation , EU enlargement, situation in the Middle East
Ireland is scheduled to hold the EU Presidency in January 2013.
For this reason, the nations holding the next three six month term EU presidency will address a meeting of the Oireachtas European Affairs Committee, tomorrow, (2nd) at 2pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
Spain, which currently hold the presidency will be represented by Ms Mercedes Rico, Ambassador of Spain to Ireland, Mr Robert Devriese, Belgian Ambassador to Ireland, who will assume the role in July 2010 will also attend the meeting while Mr Ferenc Jari of Hungary, who will take over the presidency in January 2011 will also present to the meeting.
Some of the most pressing issues which will be on the EU agenda in the upcoming eighteen months include; fully implementing the Lisbon Treaty, strategies for economic recovery, job creation , EU enlargement, situation in the Middle East
Ireland is scheduled to hold the EU Presidency in January 2013.
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