Author Archives: Admin

Helen McEntee, new junior minister for European affairs, with her fellow junior ministers following their appointments yesterday afternoon with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, centre

This afternoon.

Further to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s choice of junior ministers yesterday…

Fine Gael has released the following statement:

Fine Gael in Government has done more than any other party before it, in terms of gender equality in politics.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has maintained the highest number of female Cabinet Ministers in the history of the State – first achieved in July 2014 .

Currently there are four female full Cabinet Ministers, including the Tánaiste, and in addition, a female Super Junior Minister who sits at Cabinet.

Of the 11 Fine Gael female TDs, six are either Ministers of Junior Ministers, including the Super Junior Minister, meaning 55% of Fine Gael female TDs occupy senior Government positions. Of the five Fine Gael female TDs who are not Ministers, four are first-time TDs.

Fine Gael introduced gender quotas cutting funding to political parties if they failed to run at least 30% women candidates at the General Election.

As a result of this, the 2016 election saw 35 women elected to the Dáil. This was the highest number of women ever elected to the Dáil and a 40% increase on 2011.

Fine Gael has more women elected to the Dáil than any other party. However, there is no room for complacency and we continue to work to encourage more women into politics.

Fine Gael ran more female candidates than any other party in the last local elections of 2014. In that election we had the highest number of female candidates ever to feature on a Fine Gael ticket.

The party gave every possible support to these female candidates in their electoral bids, including training and mentoring specific to the challenges faced by women in politics.

Fine Gael is completely committed to increasing the number of women actively participating in politics and will continue to seek to boost the number of women at al levels of the party.

FIGHT!

Related: Leo’s London romance shattered by women trouble back home (Ellen Coyne, The Times)

Previously: It’s Good To Be King

Statement via Hugh O’Connell

The wickedly fast Japanese sport of ‘pepe-sumo’, or miniature robot sumo wrestling, filmed here in real time  and compiled (from several years of footage) by Robert McGregor.

Bouts don’t last long. Refs wear shin pads.

kottke

Tonight.

On RTÉ One, at 8.30pm.

The Skype-based documentary series, Missing You.

RTÉ writes…

Tonight on Missing You viewers meet Emma Doyle and her family as they try to support her from afar while partner Paul goes through treatment for skin cancer.

Emma Doyle (26) left Kilkenny and her parents Joe and Johanne, to move to Perth, Australia in 2014. That year she met partner Paul Hobbs and soon after came the happy news that they were expecting a baby.

But just before their son Klay was born, Paul was diagnosed with stage 4 skin cancer which had spread to his brain. Doctors told him that if his treatment didn’t work, he had a life expectancy of 12 months or less. Emma is a rock of support to Paul, but when times get difficult she calls home to her parents in Kilkenny, for a shoulder to cry on.

Last night.

Eight homeless adults and seven homeless children slept at Lynam’s Hotel on O’Connell Street, Dublin.

The building is currently being turned into a so-called family hub.

Yesterday, Anthony Flynn, of Inner City Helping Homlessness, wrote:

Spent the day at Lynam’s whilst in and out of scheduled meetings, [today] will engage with the HSA and Tulsa, alongside Dublin Fire Brigade, in order continue to make sure that this site is not used for family or any other type of habitation.

The pictures tell a story look at the fire panel, would you let your children sleep here? Locks on fire doors, this is a total disgrace. My question is, who authorised its use?

Meanwhile…

Anyone?

Homeless Families Housed In Building ‘Without Fire Cert’ (98FM)

Why do so many homeless hostels only open at night? (Laoise Neylon, Dublin Inquirer)

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

Bertie Ahern is interested in running for the Áras if President Michael D Higgins does not seek a second term, according to the former Taoiseach’s brother, Maurice.

In an interview with The Irish Daily Star, the former Dublin Lord Mayor said there is no indication yet as to whether President Higgins will run again in the 2018 election…

Bertie Ahern interested in running for President, says brother (Irish Examiner)

Thanks Spaghetti Hoop

Best Actor Oscar; clockwise from left, My Left Foot (1990); There Will Be Blood (2008) and Lincoln (2013)

“Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor,” Leslee Dart, a spokeswoman for Mr. Lewis said in a statement released on Tuesday. “He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”

Leslee Dart, spokeswoman for Daniel Day lewis Lewis

Mmf.

Daniel Day-Lewis Announces Retirement From Acting (New York Times)

Really?

Property Description:Two Bedroom Small Cabin Accommodation perfect for a Couple in a beautiful farm setting just 5 minutes outside Kells. NO BILLS OR RENT – In return we are looking for a couple to help out on our farm – Female – must be good with children and reliable – approx 10 hours babysitting and house help per week. Good English Essential . Male – must be willing to help out with farm work for approx 10 hours per week – feeding animals – cleaning sheds – garden maintenance etc. Parking for Car and own outdoor space included. One Year Minimum. References Essential. Deposit Required.

Oh.

Maperath, Kells, Co, Meath (Daft.ie)

(Thanks Caoilín Rafferty)