The Government is under pressure following the emergence of the Public Services Card debacle, with the data protection commissioner ruling that the state had illegally gathered, and held, data on citizens. Costs incurred in the scheme will run to about the equivalent of a large euromillions win – all for nothing. It is very likely […]
Yesterday, a survey by the Sunday Independent revealed that GPs services are in crisis, with 44% of practices surveyed unable to take on any new patients. The Irish College of General Practitioners was quoted as saying a “perfect storm was brewing”. Spokesman Dr Liam Twomey, a GP in Wexford, said: “We are entering the perfect […]
This week, Gillette released a new advert for its SkinGuard range featuring an Australian fire-fighter whose courage and love for his family are inspiring. It seems the razor company has learned from its colossal mistake in January when it faced a huge backlash for lecturing men on ‘toxic masculinity’. Gillette’s “We Believe” video might go […]
Is ceann de na teangacha is ársa sa domhan í an Ghaeilge, téanga a labhraíodh in Éirinn fad is a bhí Éireannaigh ina gcónaí anseo. Is léir gur cuid lárnach dár bhféiniúlacht mar Éireannaigh í. Tá sé tabhachtach mar sin í a chaomhniú, a chur chun agus a athbheochaint. Sa bhliain 1602 briseadh cath ar […]
And just like that, politicians were outraged, upset and angry about the forest fires in Brazil and surrounding countries. It’s heartening that rabid deforestation, and in this case, slash and burn is making news and causing politicians to feign interest- for a few days at least until something else comes along. With the world watching, […]
The broadband plan is back in the news. The Journal.ie reports this morning that the Government spent €25million of taxpayer’s money on consultancy reports into the national broadband plan between 2013 and 2019. A hefty sum, by anyone’s standards: In a letter from the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to the Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee, seen […]
The Court of Appeal, in rejecting an appeal against the ‘buffer zone’ set up by Ealing Council outside a Marie Stopes abortion clinic, has confirmed that even silent prayer is a criminal offence within the zone.
Most CEOs have demanding jobs but few are asked to stand up to the might of the Chinese government when they are furiously trying to crack down on protesters in Hong Kong. Yesterday, Newsweek picked up on a story published by Taiwan News which claimed that Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg resigned from the company […]
Fintan O’Toole is not shy about declaring what he is. His working titles are “historian, biographer, literary critic and political commentator”. To these he adds “acclaimed” columnist, adding that he writes “on Brexit for the Irish Times”, which he calls “a form of self-harm”, adding that it is also “a form of fatal attraction”. His […]
The Irish government is refusing to discuss arrangements for a No-Deal Brexit with the UK. Will this cause chaos?
According to the generally well-informed Pat Leahy over at the Irish Times, Dublin is refusing even to engage with the British authorities on the arrangements that might be necessary in the event of a no-deal Brexit: The new British government wants to talk to Dublin about managing a no-deal exit, but Irish Ministers and officials […]
“‘Entirely inappropriate’ – anger as Fine Gael Youth leader attends US right-wing conference” This was the headline that greeted the group of 11 students and young professionals shortly after landing in Dublin Airport recently on a crisp Monday morning at 6 am. They had set off from Washington Dulles over 6 hours before and had […]