Conclusion of Oral Hearings of the Mahon Tribunal

I welcome the conclusion of the oral hearings of the Mahon Tribunal and look forward to the final report. It is worth noting that the Tribunal was established essentially to investigate the activities of Fianna Fáil politicians.  Those politicians under investigation have continually obstructed and delayed the work of this and other tribunals. 

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Debate on Agriculture Needed

Today in the Seanad I supported the call for a debate on the effects of the budget on agriculture in this country.  The actions taken in Budget 2009 in a host of areas cut right through agricultural policy in this country. 

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Fianna Fáil Are Far From Being the “Natural Party of Government”

Last week a view was expressed in the Seanad that Fianna Fáil is the natural party of Government.   

A poll published in The Sunday Business Post last weekend shows that support for Fianna Fáil stood at 26%, whereas Fine Gael was at 33%.  I am aware this is only a poll but it dispels the myth that the political structures of this country obey a natural order.  

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Revolt in Fianna Fáil May be Over but the Over 70’s Have Not Finished

I note that Members on the Government side of the House are quite smug this morning.  The revolt in Fianna Fáil over the medical card for those over 70 has ended but the question is whether the revolt of the elderly has ended and whether the Government’s policy of divide and conquer has succeeded.   

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A Mean Nasty Sneaky Budget

This budget is mean, nasty and sneaky.  It is mean in terms of the 1% levy because this is regressive.  It is nasty in terms of the increase in an array of health charges.  It is sneaky in many respects, particularly the way in which one must qualify for health benefits.  That is at the micro level.  Many of the sneaky elements were not in the Minister’s speech yesterday but are found in the small print.   

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