Author Archives: Bodger

Sinn Fein TD Eoin Ó Broin

This morning.

At  launch of Sinn Féin’s policy on housing Eoin Ó Broin said despite FF and FG ruling out his party as coalition partners in favour of an amalgam of smaller parties….

…the only opinion poll of the campaign so far – the Behaviour and Attitudes Poll in the Sunday Times which suggests Sinn Fein is at 19% is just one point behind Fine Gael on 20% – “does not show that we are being squeezed in that way.”

Rather, he says, it shows that Sinn Féin is in a “key position” in terms of the potential composition of the next government.

“We know what happens when you put the Labour and Green Party in Government. They break their promises and they allow Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to do exactly what they would do when they are left to their own devices. Sinn Féin is different.“

Sinn Féin pitches itself as the only real alternative (RTÉ)

Rollingnews



This morning.

National Concert Hall, Dublin 2.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on stage as tax-owing Apple CEO Tim Cook addresses an IDA ”Looking To The Future’ event.

Chinese sweatshops.

Rollingnews

Previously: Core Values

‘sup?

This morning.

Milltown, Dublin 6

Carlosfandango writes:

This is Mr Heron, spotted on my walk this morning with my dogs.

On what is supposed to be some bullpoo ‘blue Monday’ get out there if you can and go see some beautiful nature.

Breathe in the Spring that’s on its way and enjoy.

FIGHT!

This morning.

Kildare, County Kildare.

You may be interested in [Fianna Fáil TD] Frank O’Rourke’s ridiculous election postering. He’s been on your site before  concerning the mileage allowance scheme and having clamps removed from his van

.

This morning.

Davos, Switzerland.

The Irish Times reports:

European commissioner for trade Phil Hogan has stepped in to address business leaders attending IDA Ireland’s annual dinner at Davos this week, as the Irish contingent at the World Economic Forum (WEF) is shaping up to be the smallest in recent times.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had been due to host the IDA dinner on Thursday for 40-50 international executives at the Swiss Alpine village, but this was cancelled last week as he called a general election for February 8th. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe also cancelled his planned appearance as the campaign got under way.

WEF regulars Bono and Denis O’Brien will also not be attending this year, according to their representatives.

Phil Hogan to address business leaders at IDA event at Davos (Joe Brennan, The Irish Times)

Getty

Meanwhile…

A new report by Oxfam has found that Ireland has 17 billionaires – the fifth highest number of billionaires per capita in the world.

Oxfam launched the study ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos which begins later today.

In its summary, Oxfam writes:

“Economic inequality is out of control. In 2019, the world’s billionaires, only 2,153 people, had more wealth than 4.6 billion people.

“This great divide is based on a flawed and sexist economic system that values the wealth of the privileged few, mostly men, more than the billions of hours of the most essential work – the unpaid and underpaid care work done primarily by women and girls around the world.”

The report can be read in full here

Rollingnews

This morning.

Leeson Street Bridge, Dublin 2.

Pint of Plain writes:

Last week this bench (left) beside the Grand Canal was cordoned off by gardai as part of the mechanical homeless removal investigation. Today it is home to this poor man in a sleeping bag. Eoghan Murphy still smiles from his telephone pole

Last week: At Leeson Street Bridge

“The Lord Mayor Should Make A Statement”

“More Interested In Apportioning Blame”

Yesterday.

A fact-check carried out by the Business Post in relation to comments made by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty on RTÉ Radio One about the number of GPs in Ireland now compared to five years ago shows her information has been contradicted by the HSE and the Medical Council.

There you go now.

Election Factcheck (Business Post)

H/T: Susan Mitchell

Previously: Regina’s Gratuity

The Regina Monologues

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy

Yesterday.

In the Irish Mail on Sunday.

The newspaper’s political correspondent Craig Hughes reported that Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin had accused Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy of “manipulating social housing figures“.

It followed Mr Murphy saying on Friday that 10,000 social homes were provided last year – 6,545 new builds, 1,325 “acquisitions” and 2,130 houses “that local authorities and approved housing bodies acquired through long-term leases”.

Mr Murphy has said that, if he’s re-elected, 60,000 social houses will be delivered over the next five years.

However, Mr Hughes reported that Mr Ó Broin has called this pledge into question, writing:

But Deputy Ó Broin claimed that Minister Murphy is wrong to include more than 2,000 homes that had been acquired through long-term leasing.

According to the deputy, social houses acquired through long-terms leasing should not be included in the social housing delivery figures.

“In 2016 the cross party Housing and Homelessness Committees’ report very clearly defined social housing as housing that is owned by the council or AHB [approved housing body]. It’s only Minister Murphy and his Government that defines social housing any differently.”

Mr Ó Broin was reported as saying:

“The owner of a long-term lease property can withdraw, so you can’t categorise it as social housing as it is not owned by the local authority or approved housing body and ends up costing the taxpayer two to three times the price.”

Mr Hughes reported that the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland plan pledged to deliver 25,000 new homes (private and social) every years between 2017 and 2021 but that it failed to reach its target every year.

He also reported that the number of new homes built in 2019 is estimated to be between 20,000 and 21,000 but the final figures have yet to be released.

In addition, Mr Hughes reported that although a spokesman for Mr Murphy had pledged to provide Mr Hughes with a breakdown of the latest social housing figures – which were finalised last week – no figures were provided.

The spokesman said Mr Ó Broin’s comments were “regrettable” and misleading, adding: “Long-term leases are for 20-30 years with an option to renew. They are social houses and as secure as any other”.

Anyone?

Rollingnews