Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

The Devil’s parsnip.

Get back!

Giant Hogweed?

Meanwhile…

Progtastic.

Last night.

Washington DC, USA.

Via Independent.co.uk:

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday that a door-to-door canvassing effort begun during the White House’s “Month of Action” in June would be part of the new effort to surge vaccination rates in states where the numbers of Covid-19 vaccinations are lowest.

Ms Psaki said that the campaign would include “targeted, community-by-community, door-to-door outreach to get remaining Americans vaccinated by ensuring they have the information they need about both how safe and accessible the vaccine is”.

Biden goes door-to-door to boost shots as Delta variant sweeps US (Independent.co.uk)

Meanwhile…

Gulp.

Meanwhile…

Strewth.

Meanwhile…

Um.

From top: Fine Gael Councillor and Dublin Bay South bye-election candidate, James Geoghegan; former Taoiseach John Bruton

This morning.

Further to fallout from Una Mullally’s Irish Times profile of Dublin Bay South Fine Gael candidate James Geoghegan…

…via former Taoiseach John Bruton

…Una Mullally fails to mention his work as an elected member of Dublin City Council, where he serves on key committees. Perhaps this sort of work is below Ms Mullally’s elevated field of vision.

She does, however, mention that he worked as an intern in the EU delegation in Washington, while I was ambassador there.

His work included writing reports on meetings he attended in Washington DC on behalf of the EU.

They were of a standard of insight, thoughtfulness, and readability to match those authored by some of the excellent diplomatic and professional staff of our delegation.

I believe, on that direct experience, his election to the Dáil would enhance the Oireachtas as a whole.

John Bruton,

Dunboyne, county Meath

You couldn’t make it up.

Irish Times Letters

Previously: To The Manor Born

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Dublin Castle this morning

This afternoon.

The Dail at the Convention Centre.

Social Democrats co-leader Rosin Shortall said:

“Back in May, the Taoiseach said he didn’t agree with local authorities entering long-term leasing deals. He said, “no local authority should be on the other side of this, engaging in a long-lease with these institutional investors”.

“Later that month, the Taoiseach was clear that “long-term leasing is bad value” and said “that is my view and I continue to make that clear”.

“Despite this, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has quietly submitted an amendment to a Finance Bill, which comes before the Dáil tomorrow. The amendment will actually incentivise cuckoo funds to swoop in, purchase homes from underneath the noses of first time buyers and then lease them back to the State.

“The measures introduced by the Government, to limit the activity of cuckoo funds in the residential property market, were the bare minimum required. It didn’t even bother to include apartments, preferring to let cuckoo funds feast on them.

“Now we learn that even the bare minimum has been diluted. That the promises made to the people, to do something about the activity of these funds, are worthless.

“When I raised this issue in the Dáil today, the Taoiseach refused to withdraw the amendment. In fact, he barely acknowledged it – preferring to obfuscate and dodge any questions.

“Fundamentally, this government cannot be trusted. Instead of helping young people trying to buy a home, it prefers to help the vultures seeking to profiteer on their misery.”

Yesterday: Under Two Minutes Afforded To Debate Each Amendment

RollingNews