Isobel draws our attention to an absolutely gripping documentary called the Holy Show on BBC NI earlier this week. It’s a re-visiting of a film that the maker Alison Millar put together as a student over several months of Father Michael Clearey, his housekeeper and her son. It turns out the boy was also the preist’s son. It’s quietly powerful (possibly because of the naivety that Isobel mentions of the earlier film) and even though it was only 1991, it …
I meant to blog this at the time, but Suzy Byrne marked what could be the first step in a major constitutional change (it gives rise to a fascinating discussion in the comments zone) in southern law regarding same sex families. Suzy picks up this concise report from the Irish Times on the day: …Mr Justice Hedigan said there was nothing in Irish law to suggest that a family of two women and a child “has any lesser right to …
More on the ongoing saga of the de Rossa incident. From Jazz Biscuit… who quotes the Wise Up Journal: We Are Change Ireland informed Oakley that they are willing to hand over the full un-cut footage to the Gardai as part of their investigation of the event, as they are completely innocent. We await the outcome with interest… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …
When Tony Blair was getting ready to say ‘goodbye’ he took the opportunity to get a few things off his chest, such as his opinion of the “feral media”. Bertie Ahern seems to be doing the same – it was his last full day in the Dáil as Taoiseach today. We’ve already had his view of the prospects, or otherwise, of a united Ireland. Today the Irish Times reports that, as with Blair before him, Ahern might have been holding …
The Irish Times picks up a PA report on the statement by the NIO on the continuation of co-operation on policing and justice matters between the UK and Republic of Ireland governments in the run-up to, and beyond, the May target date – following the recommendations of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Schengen, anyone? Anyone?From the NIO statement Notes to Editors 1.The Criminal Justice Review (2000) made several recommendations relating to co-operative working between Northern Ireland and the Republic …
Conall points to Tom Kelly’s piece in yesterday’s Irish News, which focuses on what wasn’t said at that controversial breakfast on the Armagh/Louth border: the proverbial elephant in the room, i.e. a prospective unification of the two parties. The disjoint between instincts of some SDLP apparatchiks and realpolitik on the ground among the wider nationalist community often means they are blinded to things like elephants in the room. Of course, the presence of a hugely popular Taoiseach is a huge …
There’s been a bit of a ruck over an alleged attack on Irish Labour Party MEP Prionsias De Rossa outside Liberty Hall on Monday night. Like many of these matters, things aren’t always as they seem. A website called We Are Change Ireland (via P.ie) has footage suggesting that he actually tripped over inside the building after running after a cameraman. It’s rather dark and indistinct, but… it looks embarrassing… Adds: Smiffy at Cedar Lounge on who We are change …
It may be mid June before Peter Robinson is safely ensconced in the Office of the First Minister. Brian Cowen will have his feet firmly under the table by then. But despite some speculation to the contrary, and personalities that seem remarkably divergent in character – as the Independent puts it – “Robinson (59) – koi fish collector and golfer; and Cowen (48) – pub singer and Offaly GAA supporter” – the most important convergences between the two men are …
Shane Coleman has a scathing piece in yesterday’s Sunday Independent on the development of a new education policy for the Gaeltacht areas, which insists that schools must provide “a minimum of 2.5 hours per week for English as Language 2, as set out in the Primary School Curriculum, cannot be delayed beyond the start of the second term in Junior Infants.” This in the face of evidence from NUI Maynooth that children who are educated in their early years in …
Red C had a poll out yesterday (albeit on a half size sample) which will undoubtedly underwrite the political instincts of Bertie Ahern to cut whilst he’s ahead. It gives FF a five point rise from 35% to 40%. Fine Gael drops to 22% 28% from 30% (not so ouch!). Also 15% of previous Fine Gael voters would be more likely to vote Fianna Fáil, as would nearly 20% of independent voters. Pat Leahy on the others: Support for the …
In yesterday’s Sunday Business Post, Steven King, “a former adviser to former UUP leader David Trimble”, had an interesting perspective on the role of Bertie Ahern in the lead-up to the 1998 Agreement that the out-going Taoiseach was reminiscing about on RTÉ Radio. It was early November and, as good young unionists, we were wearing poppies in remembrance of the dead of the world wars. Should we take them off in deference to our hosts, we wondered? We decided instead …
Arguably the most important consequences for politics in the Republic are for parties other than Fianna Fail. Brian Cowan seems to have laid out his ground thoroughly and is relatively popular across the party. The immediate sense of relief, liberation even, is likely to be most keenly felt amongst the coalition partners. But the pain is no doubt being carried on the opposition benches. Kenny’s address on Wednesday was funereal. The normally ebullient Olwyn Enright wore (if she’ll forgive me …
A RTÉ report notes some of the comments by out-going Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, on the 10th anniversary of the 1998 Agreement, in an interview on RTÉ Radio’s This Week. Other points to note in the interview include Fianna Fáil “grave reservations” at amending articles 2 and 3 of De Valera’s constitution [approx 9min 20s in.] Ahern’s thanking Sinn Féin for not using posters campaigning against that constitutional change – despite having them printed [approx 11min 30s in]. And on the …
There’s been a lot of good journalism flooding the market in the wake of Bertie Ahern’s pre-announcement of his resignation. Fintan O’Toole’s borrows from Charles de Gaulle’s famous line, l’état c’est moi’ as a marker both of Ahern’s and Haughey’s premiership. Ironically, the former French president was also a (albeit a more distant one) scion of rural Ireland. For all the Ahern symbolised a significant brake with the past, O’Toole argues, in one respect he was the same as his …
Confirmation, if any was needed, that Brian Cowen will succeed Bertie Ahern as leader of Fianna Fáil and as Taoiseach. No other candidates were nominated by the 2pm deadline. Formal confirmation of the succession will take place on Wednesday. Pete Baker
With the jockeying over, for now, Brian Cowen has formally put his name forward to be the next leader of Fianna Fáil and, with it, Taoiseach. From the RTÉ report Mr Cowen was nominated by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, and seconded by the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan. He is expected to be the only candidate when nominations for the leadership of Fianna Fáil contest close tomorrow afternoon. Although it is still technically possible that another TD could enter …
The race may seem to be more about ruling themselves out of the race to replace Bertie Ahern but, as Adam says at Irish Election, with Brian Cowen all but crowned, “The real power struggle seems to be for the Deputy Leadership / Tanaiste Portfolio..” and, potentially, the next leadership race. It’s another echo of the Blair/Brown handover.. Pete Baker
Over at Comment is Free I’ve noted some intial thoughts on the unexpected announcement of the substantial foreshortening of the Taoiseach’s retirement. If his party didn’t expect it yesterday, it also reveals that they never quite understood the man, even if they loved him truly, madly and deeply. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across …
RTÉ is currently carrying coverage and speculation on an expected statement from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in light of the recent conflicting evidence to the Mahon Tribunal and his legal challenge in the courts. That speculation includes the possibility that he might announce standing down as leader of Fianna Fáil.. Update You can ignore the question mark. Bertie Ahern to tender resignation as Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil on Tuesday 6th May. Hmm.. That’s Blair, Paisley, Ahern.. anyone else? Adds …
Dublin Opinion and Cedar Lounge Revolution have strong posts on the controversial situation that the Republic’s most popular political internet forum, Politics.ie, now finds itself in. I have little to add, other than to note that no one, no matter who they are, should treat the potential of legal action with anything less than deadly seriousness, no matter the size or location of their assets. It is the one instruction I give all our bloggers, and something we are very …
