A tiny ray of light in these dark times? Learned legal opinion deems a referendum on TTIP necessary? Bring it on – we have our rural brethren to convince. Mind you, if they really WANT to compete with dirt cheap, gm fed, anti-biotic and hormone stuffed meat, which form a huge surplus in the USA, sobeit. If you are deaf to reason who can help you?
Walter-Ego
Didn’t Enda tell O’Bama that Ireland were fully behind it. Just wait for the Government spin if we do have a referendum. Yes for Jobs etc….
Shayna
Given that these meetings (TTIP) are held secretly, with only the best interests of the U.S and EU countries in mind, I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. We mere mortals, the electorate, shouldn’t need a referendum. An Tanaiste Nua will keep us right, after being briefed by “He, who cannot be sued, but will sue you over the top biscuit being broken in a packet, etc…” The thought of going off-grid and becoming an independent spoon whittler is increasingly appealing. (tv ad campaign).
Also – v. pleased that the whole Old Trafford thing today (yesterday) wasn’t IRA (new, continuity, future – or whatever) related. The British news media have bigged-up the fact that the terror threat level from Irish terrorists attacking the UK has risen to “Substantive”. To
offer a measure of what “substantive” threat means, BBC’s Simon McCoy asked Belfast reporter Mark Simpson what threat level Belfast suffered – Severe, Simon, it’s always severe here, reported Mark. It appears that the level below substantive is, well, there is no level below substantive.
Disasta
Why would we import meat? We’ve a great supply of the stuff. I never got why we’d need to import anything moo cow related.
DubLoony
Our meat exports to US are regarded as premium quality as they are grass fed.
The feedlot grain fed, drugged up e.coli infected slabs of meat like edible substances should never be allowed in here.
DubLoony
I think our rural cousins are already on it, independent foodies in West Cork in particular.
If there is more power to transnational corporations, over-riding court process here, then referendum is most likely in the offing.
some old queen
IT: Luas operator seeks to run Irish bus services
Not sure if on the front page but anyways. Transdev(Veolia) to bid for bus routes planned to be privatised.
The real story here is the first step in privatising the transport system, which the unions will not take lying down. If the buses go out then so will the trains. All of which will make the Luas dispute look like a tea party.
Observer
The real story here is the first step in privatising the transport system, which the unions will not take lying down.
Ah, think about this. Transdev already operate the Luas. So, is it tendering a few Dublin Bus routes really the first steps in privatising the transport system?
A fair portion of bus services operated in this state are run by private companies e.g. Louth, Cork, Kilkenny and Donegal. The issue up until now is that only the state companies have their loss making routes subsidised, and the private companies make a profit or exit. Tendering out a few routes will allow private operators to compete for the some routes that Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann operate and there is nothing to stop either of the state companies competing for those tenders. If they offer a better value for money service than private operators, they will win. If they don’t win those contracts because they can’t deliver that value for money, then they will lose, but the commuter will win.
some old queen
Yes, of course it is the first steps in privatising the state transport system. What else could it be?
But that is not necessarily a bad thing because as you rightly point out, there are operators out there who are doing an excellent job at half the cost. I am just predicting the reaction from the transport unions when they have to compete for routes that they previously owned.
MoyestWithExcitement
“But that is not necessarily a bad thing”
Don’t know about that. What happens to routes that aren’t profitable?
Sheik Yahbouti
Moyest, you are correct. In every other European country – with the exception of us and the UK public transport is heavily subsidised because it is seen, rightly, as a public good. Such a public good delivers workers to their workplace, shoppers to the markets and tourists everywhere, enhancing and easing life in general. The old argument of Public=inefficient need not hold sway in the modern world. Innovation and supervision takes care of that problem. Why do we constantly ape every dire mistake that the UK makes but never, ever, copy the few things they do well? The Tories and Noo Labour sold out long ago to de markets. We claim to be a proud, independant nation – let’s try what’s good for Irish people, for a change.
MoyestWithExcitement
There is a very weak and meagre mindset very prevalent in our society. I reckon, much like how centuries of not being allowed to own our land led to us having the highest rate of home ownership in Europe (at least at one point), it has also left us bereft of self confidence so we idolise multi national business execs as accomplished people who can show us the way. It’s pathetic.
some old queen
@ Moyest and Sheik.
And there is the conundrum. Is public transport provision to make a profit or a public service?
MoyestWithExcitement
It’s a public service. We need it to get to work to earn money to spend in shops and on rent which in turn helps pay the wages of others so THEY can spend money in shops and on rent. There seems to be loads of pensioners in Chapelizod. How do they get around if someone decides not to run any bus routes through there because it costs them money?
A tiny ray of light in these dark times? Learned legal opinion deems a referendum on TTIP necessary? Bring it on – we have our rural brethren to convince. Mind you, if they really WANT to compete with dirt cheap, gm fed, anti-biotic and hormone stuffed meat, which form a huge surplus in the USA, sobeit. If you are deaf to reason who can help you?
Didn’t Enda tell O’Bama that Ireland were fully behind it. Just wait for the Government spin if we do have a referendum. Yes for Jobs etc….
Given that these meetings (TTIP) are held secretly, with only the best interests of the U.S and EU countries in mind, I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. We mere mortals, the electorate, shouldn’t need a referendum. An Tanaiste Nua will keep us right, after being briefed by “He, who cannot be sued, but will sue you over the top biscuit being broken in a packet, etc…” The thought of going off-grid and becoming an independent spoon whittler is increasingly appealing. (tv ad campaign).
Also – v. pleased that the whole Old Trafford thing today (yesterday) wasn’t IRA (new, continuity, future – or whatever) related. The British news media have bigged-up the fact that the terror threat level from Irish terrorists attacking the UK has risen to “Substantive”. To
offer a measure of what “substantive” threat means, BBC’s Simon McCoy asked Belfast reporter Mark Simpson what threat level Belfast suffered – Severe, Simon, it’s always severe here, reported Mark. It appears that the level below substantive is, well, there is no level below substantive.
Why would we import meat? We’ve a great supply of the stuff. I never got why we’d need to import anything moo cow related.
Our meat exports to US are regarded as premium quality as they are grass fed.
The feedlot grain fed, drugged up e.coli infected slabs of meat like edible substances should never be allowed in here.
I think our rural cousins are already on it, independent foodies in West Cork in particular.
If there is more power to transnational corporations, over-riding court process here, then referendum is most likely in the offing.
IT: Luas operator seeks to run Irish bus services
Not sure if on the front page but anyways. Transdev(Veolia) to bid for bus routes planned to be privatised.
The real story here is the first step in privatising the transport system, which the unions will not take lying down. If the buses go out then so will the trains. All of which will make the Luas dispute look like a tea party.
The real story here is the first step in privatising the transport system, which the unions will not take lying down.
Ah, think about this. Transdev already operate the Luas. So, is it tendering a few Dublin Bus routes really the first steps in privatising the transport system?
A fair portion of bus services operated in this state are run by private companies e.g. Louth, Cork, Kilkenny and Donegal. The issue up until now is that only the state companies have their loss making routes subsidised, and the private companies make a profit or exit. Tendering out a few routes will allow private operators to compete for the some routes that Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann operate and there is nothing to stop either of the state companies competing for those tenders. If they offer a better value for money service than private operators, they will win. If they don’t win those contracts because they can’t deliver that value for money, then they will lose, but the commuter will win.
Yes, of course it is the first steps in privatising the state transport system. What else could it be?
But that is not necessarily a bad thing because as you rightly point out, there are operators out there who are doing an excellent job at half the cost. I am just predicting the reaction from the transport unions when they have to compete for routes that they previously owned.
“But that is not necessarily a bad thing”
Don’t know about that. What happens to routes that aren’t profitable?
Moyest, you are correct. In every other European country – with the exception of us and the UK public transport is heavily subsidised because it is seen, rightly, as a public good. Such a public good delivers workers to their workplace, shoppers to the markets and tourists everywhere, enhancing and easing life in general. The old argument of Public=inefficient need not hold sway in the modern world. Innovation and supervision takes care of that problem. Why do we constantly ape every dire mistake that the UK makes but never, ever, copy the few things they do well? The Tories and Noo Labour sold out long ago to de markets. We claim to be a proud, independant nation – let’s try what’s good for Irish people, for a change.
There is a very weak and meagre mindset very prevalent in our society. I reckon, much like how centuries of not being allowed to own our land led to us having the highest rate of home ownership in Europe (at least at one point), it has also left us bereft of self confidence so we idolise multi national business execs as accomplished people who can show us the way. It’s pathetic.
@ Moyest and Sheik.
And there is the conundrum. Is public transport provision to make a profit or a public service?
It’s a public service. We need it to get to work to earn money to spend in shops and on rent which in turn helps pay the wages of others so THEY can spend money in shops and on rent. There seems to be loads of pensioners in Chapelizod. How do they get around if someone decides not to run any bus routes through there because it costs them money?