73 thoughts on “De Wednesday Papers

    1. ReproButina

      There are international conventions for storm naming. One of those conventions is that if a storm already has a name then that name is used, which was the case with Helene. Helene was a hurricane that we caught the tail end of.

      Storms have to hit Orange status to be named and Ali is the first Atlantic winter storm of the season to merit that.

  1. Giggidygoo

    Well, well, well. The broadband tender debacle about to be finalized. Note the members of the consortium, supposedly all electronic groups. But as forecast months ago when the dropouts started happening, the broadband contract was being teed up as a replacement sop for the planned beneficiary of the Water project.
    Yes folks, Actavo gets into the communication business. Under a FG government. A tender with just one grouping bidding.
    http://www.thejournal.ie/national-broadband-plan-5-4242690-Sep2018/

    1. Otis Blue

      Hmm, I don’t recall Actavo being mentioned previously as part of a consortium for the NBP.

      Haven’t they timed their run nicely?

    2. MaryLou's ArmaLite

      I shudder at the thought of an SF/IRA led tendering process. How many years now since ye contrived to manufacture an excuse to not actually take seats in Stormont?

      1. bisted

        …long time indeed…can hardly remember what reason the shinners gave…something to do with contractual malfeasance?

        1. MaryLou's ArmaLite

          Was it something to do with Irish Language? Actually the reason does not matter, SF/IRA wanted a way out so they manufactured an excuse when it suited them.

        2. Giggidygoo

          Another member of the Church of the Assumption.
          Another FGer tries the ‘look over there’ line.
          Toddle along there boyo.

        3. Giggidygoo

          Same hymn book. ‘And the next hymn is “Look over there”’
          Two shills who weren’t tipped off by HQ about Actavo ( Siteserv ) being involved in the issuing of a communications contract. Now gone full circle eh? And while the Moriarity Report still gathers dust, the seeds of a new report are planted.
          No doubt this tender will be finalized before the election.

      2. Giggidygoo

        ‘ye’?
        Another member of the Church of the Assumption.
        Another FGer tries the ‘look over there’ line.
        Toddle along there boyo.

  2. SOQ

    Gardai unwilling to change will be shown the door.

    Mandatory redundancies so. I think the GRA might have something to say about that. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into another consultancy feeding ground like Irish Water. And remember the last big change eh? Pulse. A step by step guide on how not to design and roll out an IT system.

      1. ReproButina

        Oh my sky fairy! I never thought of it that way! Where were you during the lengthy debate and campaign when well thought out arguments like that could have made a difference?

        1. Cranky Pants

          Where was the state when it became necessary to defend the integrity of the referendum?

          Hiding behind lies, obstruction and an activist judiciary.

          1. ReproButina

            You lost the debate, you lost the referendum and you lost the high court challenges. Time to lose the sour grapes.

      2. Murtles

        You’re about 4 months too late there CranPan. Just in case you were asleep, a democratic referendum was held and the outcome was to repeal the 8th amendment. On the plus side there are flights going to Libya each day from London if you want to hop on one. There’s no democracy there and due to ongoing conflicts and war, everyone’s life equally has no value. Bring your crying chair.

      3. millie st murderlark

        The protection of existing life, of living breathing woman with families. Yeah, you’ll find Irish people DO care about that.

  3. Ollie Cromwell

    “EU support for Ireland comes at a price.”
    Well.I.Never.
    Here’s me thinking all that support was just the love of the Irish.

    1. Topsy

      …but but but I thought the auld Backstop was sorted by Leo last Dec, or so he declared. As usual our EU “partners” will poo on us. Leo & co (as with all previous Irish Govs) will bend over and take what’s coming.

      1. ReproButina

        Maybe read more than the headline Topsy. The article goes on to say it won’t happen and that Sasamach and Ireland’s tax are not being linked by anyone.

  4. Giggidygoo

    Coveney, McEntee and Varadkar may hire a podium again. To announce that the backstop is being replaced with a new one. We’d like to hear the details. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-backstop-no-drama-2680nzxrm

    In the meantime, it emerges that there is a thinking that EU will support Ireland, provided our tax regime is changed. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-17/irish-said-to-face-eu-tax-pressure-in-return-for-brexit-support

    Waiting for the boy Varadkars spin.

    1. ReproButina

      As above, it’s garbage.

      The backstop won’t change until after the Conservative party conference and then only if they come up with a better deal.

      Ireland’s tax rates are not being linked with Sasamach. The suggestion was rejected repeatedly yesterday and last week.

      1. martco

        agree, but as we’re all speculating…

        I think it WILL come into play but not as described in those publications, not part of the “deal” as you say

        lookit from an Irish pov its all -ve unless somehow there’s a total reverse and we go back to business as normal (which seems completely unlikely)

        SO I think some flavour of stuff is absolutely going to hit the fan & when it does that’s when the tax talks will come into play, we’ll get double hooked then & properly owned

        ich nichten lichten

        1. ReproButina

          Even ignoring that we have a veto on any and all tax changes at EU level why would the EU, seeing that Ireland’s economy has been hit by Sasamach, an economy they only recently had to bail out, decide to make matters worse by trying to force taxation changes?

          It’s not happening. Sasamach aside, Juncker has been talking about tax harmonisation for years. This is some speculation trying to link the two to create a story but it’s nothing more.

          1. Giggidygoo

            The bailout – sure weren’t they great to help us out?. And the only thing they wanted in return was that we didn’t burn bondholders and, shudder the thought, pay back the bailout with interest.

          2. ReproButina

            I really don’t see why people play the bailout up as the EU being somehow evil. Did the EU make FF guarantee the banks? Did they go near our corporation tax when they had us over a barrel on the bailout? We requested the bailout because the economy was destroyed. The bailout was a loan, of course we had to pay it back, just like Greece, Italy and Portugal. The interest rate was cut twice in 2011 to ease the burden and Ireland exited the bailout programme in 2013.

          3. Giggidygoo

            @Repro. A bailout in itself wouldn’t be evil. What was evil though was us being stiffed to pay out the bondholders, when those were in fact corporations/banks that ‘invested’ (investments may go up or down?), but who it turns out invested in a no-lose scenario.

          4. Ollie Cromwell

            Ireland was given a €67.5 billion EU-IMF bailout.
            It still owes €44.5 billlion including a very nice €3.6billion to the UK who magnanimously agreed to help out an old chum who had fallen on hard times.
            €44.5 billion.
            It’ll be decades before Ireland stops paying huge amounts for its greed and stupidity and,let’s be honest,timidity in the face of threats from Frau Merkel.
            The bailout and Lisbon 2 confirmed in the minds of most Europeans that the Irish are good at singing rebel songs when they’re pissed but fill their pants when the going gets tough.

          5. ReproButina

            Yeah, I agree Giggidy. The IMF had no issue with us burning the bond holders but the ECB and US Treasury Secretary were having none of it. I’d love to know the reasons behind that but it was one of the conditions of the bailout and we were in no position to refuse.

          6. ReproButina

            Of course part of the motivation for the loans may well have been to protect foreign banks, which was certainly the case for the UK, so that could explain why the protection of the bondholders was written into the conditions.

  5. Ollie Cromwell

    Fortunately I really like fudge because there’s going to be a lot of it around in the next couple of months.
    Late-night compromises in Brussels and a last-minute push over the line are the traditional MO of the EU.
    Barnier now says that border checks can take place using technology away from the border – something he said was impossible only a few weeks ago.
    Fact is crunch time is approaching and Ireland has little clout.Varadkar served his usefulness by inserting his tongue in Drunker’s rectum when he was called to do so and now it’s the turn of the big boys to play.
    Not long now.
    https://interactive.news.sky.com/2017/brexit-countdown/

    1. Brother Barnabas

      “by inserting his tongue…”

      such a crass lowlife

      people don’t dislike you because you have different views; people dislike you because you’re an bottomole.

      1. Ollie Cromwell

        I know – that’s what kills cretins like BB.
        Deep down they know Ireland is going to be sold down the river,that it has caved in in the past ( Lisbon 2nd referendum anyone ? ),that when it gets to the 11th hour they’re going to fall in line behind whatever Merkel/Macron cook up.
        I’m not sure whether it’s their embarrassment or anger at the country’s impotence in these negotiations which causes them to lash out.
        It’s quite droll however.

        1. Nigel

          What kills you is that given our options we’re not falling in line behind the UK. It’s like an abusive ex haranguing someone for not getting back with them. Everyone knows there could be hard roads for sticking with the EU. It’s still a better prospect than Brexit. We know it’s particularly gnawing at your guts when the foam-speckled insults fly. No Deal and fudge or Chequers! So easy!

          1. Ollie Cromwell

            Ireland is the goby fish that survives by cleaning the rotting flesh from teeth of larger fish.
            Without the UK as its export market and landbridge to Europe it would be little more than a third world country enveloped in the omnipresent fumes of cow dung.
            A successful Brexit for Blighty is Ireland’s only hope for a decent economic future because when the EU come after the Corporation Tax rate as they will almost certainly do Ireland will be in deep ordure.
            The future economic prosperity lies outside Europe,the least-performing continent on the planet after the Antarctic.
            Smart Irish businessmen understand this.The pitchfork-waving yokels masquerading as intellects on here don’t.

          2. Nigel

            His guts are ON FIRE. ‘You need me! You’re nothing without me! It’s a big bad world out there and only I can keep you safe you ugly stupid [insert obscene degrading noun of choice here]’

          3. Nigel

            Ollie’s reeling on a rain-soaked street at 3am screaming incoherently at the house three doors up from the house where his ex lives, never mind the restraining order, and here’s his sozzled friend jon slumped on the kerb slurring into a kebab that he should show that ungrateful so-and-so who’s boss.

        2. Martco

          as ever @Charger there’s only one response needed with you:

          “Poor Ollie. You’re like a dog being taken to be neutered bragging about the great car ride you’re going on.”

          ©️ReproButina

          1. Ollie Cromwell

            The red-bottomed monkeys gathered round to admire the crimson tinge of each other’s backside.
            Then sniffed them approvingly.
            Together we are strong,they simpered.
            We have our red bottoms to protect us.

        3. Martco

          as ever the only response required for your daily scutter:

          “Poor Ollie. You’re like a dog being taken to be neutered bragging about the great car ride you’re going on.”

          (copyright ReproButina)

  6. dan

    Gardai unwilling to change will receive a large pay off, is this Country for real?

    On another topic:
    Alcohol consumption is falling in Ireland and has been doing so for 15 years despite the price collapsing.
    The real reason for minimum alcohol pricing, appease publicians.
    From FG manifesto:
    Supporting Irish Pubs: Fine Gael recognises the importance of the Irish pub for tourism, rural jobs and as
    a social outlet in communities across the country. We will support the local pub by banning the practice
    of below cost selling on alcohol, particularly by large supermarkets and the impact this has had on alcohol
    consumption and the viability of pubs.

  7. rotide

    I’m not exactly sure how you do it Ollie, but you are a master.

    You never insult people which is a good start. . You also very very rarely start your gambits by replying to people, this is what I find most admirable, you just post stuff and people reply and reply with little to no goading and you can practically see the spittle collecting on monitors. Day after day after day it’s a rinse and repeat in the papers column.

    I’m mystified by it, but It’s impressive to see

    1. Ollie Cromwell

      Aagh,you’ve seen through my cunning plan.
      Express an opinion,don’t get involved in bitch fights with intellectually-challenged inferiors,poke the groupthink with a cattle prod and sit back to watch the usual buttheads whine in fear.
      Glad you enjoy my work.
      Lots more of it to come now Brexit is entering the endgame.

    2. Nigel

      I think it’s this weird attitude that provoking a response – what other people might call initiating a conversation, however antagonistic – is somehow impressive, which sets the bar for achievement so low you have to dig a wee trench to get it down there.

    3. Ollie Cromwell

      I also tend not to engage people in pointless back and forths.
      Not only does it save my valuable time it also enrages the hell out of them which,of course,is a nice added bonus.
      It is interesting,however,that of all the posters on here the same two or three dullards respond every single time to one of my posts.
      I can’t help thinking it’s the fear of the unknown,the stranger in the troop of red-bottomed monkeys whose posterior isn’t glowing crimson,the reluctance to engage in debate without quickly resorting to abuse.
      It’s the sign of a closed mind.

  8. Ollie Cromwell

    It’s also rather like organisations such as The NewYorker magazine inviting Steve Bannon to take part in one of its events but then withdrawing it because of readers’ complaints that they don’t want to hear what Bannon says.
    These idiots cannot even bring themselves to listen to views they don’t agree with.
    And when The Economist manages to stand-up to the twitterati mob watch how their editor interviews Bannon – interrupting,virtue-signalling for her life,desperately in fear of him making a point the audience might agree with.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAfm5L_DOLM
    It’s Jordan Peterson v Cathy Newman all over again,

  9. Ollie Cromwell

    Apropos of nothing much there’s a great video doing the rounds of Venezuela president Maduro enjoying a fancy steak dinner while millions of his citizens are starving and in poverty.
    Venezuela,of course,being Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite socialist experiment.
    But it’s the cringey carving of the restaurant owner that makes it all so perfect.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWCVMPTkPeA

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