16 thoughts on “De Friday Papers

  1. Steph Pinker

    Even though Schmidt is taking a break after the 2019 RWC, he’ll definitely have a couple of choices; either the Lions’ head coach for 2021 in South Africa, or he’ll succeed Hansen with the All Blacks, bringing in Ian Foster (if not already appointed) and/or Vern Cotter – which is a pity for us, as I can’t see Farrell fulfilling Schmidt’s legacy – unless O’Gara decides to return to these shores, or Lancaster appointed as assistant coach.

    Interesting times ahead though.

    1. jusayinlike

      Joe Schmidt has been the best coach in the world for almost a decade.

      The first glimpse the world got was this match in 2011.

      https://youtu.be/zF5rs9flFlw

      See 11 minutes in for the pomp.

      The system is in place in Ireland for Farrell to flourish thanks to Michael Cheika initially and Joe for evolving it.

      lreland #1

  2. DeKloot

    Well I think it’s lining up nicely for him to lead the All Blacks especially now that Hansen has announced his retirement.

  3. Giggidygoo

    Pairc Ui Caoimh
    Children’s Hospital

    Were there tenders involved? If so, the costs of building etc. shouldn’t increase.
    We sit back and continually accept massive increases in costs. We also accept the state not capable of due diligence in awarding contracts.
    So who is the beneficiary or beneficiaries when these over runs occur? And why are we paying above the tender price?
    That’s where broadband had been heading before the real opposition took out FGs ‘independent’ Naughten and Actavo.
    And here we have a new ‘confidence’ and supply agreement. FFG – sharing out the spoils between each other.
    Has to stop.

    1. Cian

      These questions definitely need to be asked.

      There are two scenarios:
      1. The scope hasn’t changed – but the price has. This needs serious investigation and shouldn’t be allowed to happen.
      2. The scope has changed. makeyup example: The tender for Pairc Ui Caoimh asked for fences. The tenderer said they would put in wooden fences and priced accordingly. GAA agreed to the price. Later GAA changed their mind and say no – we actually want metal fences. Tenderer says okay – that is an extra €1m. This is less bad – we still need to find out why the original tender didn’t specify fully.

  4. Eoin

    Another pic of Theresa May (in the Telegraph and Independent) that could be reproduced as a Carravagio or perhaps a Hieronymus Bosch. Two EU leaders fist-bumping, while the two first amongst equals share a shoulder-touching hug. And the look on Theresa’s face on her only bops…

    Meanwhile, the Express has gone to the dogs altogether. “Give us your best deal”. Sort of thing to say to Dave on the market stall.

    Sad times for Britain.

    1. Eoin

      The Times (UK edition) leads with “EU humiliates May with refusal to budge”
      Below the headline

      “PM returns empty handed after Brussels strikes out demands over Irish backstop

      Theresa May was humiliated by European leaders late last night after they rejected pleas for any further concessions to get her Brexit deal through parliament. France and Ireland led a move to strike out a compromise agreement that would have given the prime minister “political and legal assurances” that Britain would not be trapped in an indefinite Irish backstop.”

      What was Theresa May expecting. The withdrawal agreement is clear that the backstop remains unless and until a better solution can be found (and Ireland has a veto on that solution). Same pic in the Times also.

      1. Otis Blue

        May’s headless chicken routine pretty much confirms that Perfidious Albion can’t come up with any other realistic solutions to obviate the need for the backstop.

    2. Slightly Bemused

      At least the Express is talking about an issue of huge importance to the UK. Meanwhile the Daily Star decides to ignore it altogether and guarantees ‘No Boring Brexit Stories’. Never mind that, here are a few pretty pics and some petty gossip instead!

  5. Eoin

    Fair play to Noel Kelly Management, Claire Byrne’s agent.

    Day after Claire’s Derrough Media Limited is revealed as the recipient of €216,000 from loss-making RTE, just look at Claire there on the accommodating Indo supporting some worthy cause or other (sick child, tick). Let’s not talk about the €216,000 for an hour of shallow TV (presumably it’s so shallow because Claire doesn’t have the depth or time to research the subjects) plus the occasional News at One stuff. Let’s ignore all the extracurricular stuff, like €5k speaking gigs for organisations which some think impacts upon her impartiality as a presenter.

  6. Eoin

    The Department of Agriculture and the State’s Valuation Office are still in the doghouse over the payment of €23m for the Harold’s Cross greyhound track that was only worth €6-12m according to a valuation which is believed by the public accounts committee. The Times Ireland reports:

    “Seán Fleming, the PAC chairman, said he agreed that no information had been provided on how the final sum had been agreed. “It just refers to the protocol for transfer,” he said.

    Mr Fleming said that the PAC would now seek details from the Valuation Office for each property it had valued in 2017 and 2018 involving a transfer between state bodies.

    “If we see this €23 million is the norm for valuations of other transfers between state bodies, it is well and good. If it is an outlier, we will want further information on that,” Mr Fleming said.”

    1. paddy apathy

      If the €23m was an outlier that’s worrying but if €23m was the norm it should be even more worrying as the valuations office are doubling or tripling property prices above market rates as standard practice.

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