Irish politics discussion thread

^ inscrutable

it's gonna go

Rents. Why so high? Very annoying.

because while there's apparently huge amounts of property out there, most of it's either built in ridiculous places or is substandard or too small. Finding a decent place in a decent spot for a liveable amount is still somewhat of a coup, lyfe i guess.

Was pondering this yesterday, think that a campaign of heavy enforcement of building and rental standards is long overdue. There's been a bit of it with local authorities getting involved in the private rentals market over the last few years but it hasn't been enough to affect the overall standard. We don't need more housing anywhere, but we need better housing almost everywhere.

Whether the political will is there to chase landlords (big voting bloc there, every second sod and that is, of course, the problem) or whether they're still wary of doing too much too soon in anything related to the property market (however obliquely) remains to be seen.

If they see a second term, perhaps. The expertise is there-anyone newly qualified in one of the technical/engineering fields can do the checks, and it could be a handy jobs boost for small construction. Maybe a good use for all that lovely property tax money.

I meant it more as a moan but that is a very good answer.

I think the PTRB is a step in the right direction.

I think a 'Care and Repair' programme would be very wise.

James Reilly and Phil Hogan... They are just unbelievable.

It's like they have no shame or even fear of potential consequence.

Phil Hogan seems to have decided that if someone in the government has to be the one that everyone hates, then bring it fucking on.

jesus! The country has teeth yet. Watch the borderlands seccede.

what are you referring to?

quinn jailed for contempt

In jail for 8 weeks? One of the Irish Times writers reckoned Quinn is thinking "8 weeks in jail and I get to illegally keep my hundreds of millions? I'll take that".

if that was anything like what was happening, sure, but the jailing is for contempt during proceedings not the end result of them

It'll be interesting anyway. The texts, etc to radio have started. There's this mad blind spot about the knock on effect of his family's actions on the economy and everyone's insurance.

it's a vocal minority supporting him, but not that minor and very vocal indeed

How do you mean "not that minor"? It seems relatively small and at this stage pointless. Famous last words...

he's had a couple of thousand attending rallies up in the woods, addressed by a number of ralatively influential people. And, in a wider sense, there's far too many people in favour of letting him off or going lightly on him.

I suppose it's impressive on screen but as to it having an effect nationally? I sincerely doubt it.

nah it doesn't have an effect nationally, in itself it's symptomatic of the national problem i think- wherever he went he'd probably draw a decent crowd- still far too much sympathy out there for the feckless chancers, sure didn't he work hard to get where he is, didn't he come from a good family, isn't he a sthrong gaa man who says his prayers, the important stuff, y'know?

Yeah, I know. That's what's been disappointing really. Still not sure what D'Arcy was up to really. The GAA thing is not a surprise.

ray d'arcy? I didn't even know that moronic POS had weighed in. Gah.

Nope but I'm sure he's pretty down with the cat, isn't he from around that area? I meant Brian D'Arcy. There was a fair amount of media attention around his presence. Not to mention his rather ham fisted and disingenious defence.

well when yr fists are hams don't be surprised when you turn out to have acted rash-er-ly

This is why hallmark won't answer my calls btw

I thought it was your line of necro-mass cards.

Sample: "Though you are dead it is I who is stiff."

Two investigations are under way into the death of a woman who was 17 weeks pregnant, at University Hospital Galway last month.

Savita Halappanavar (31), a dentist, presented with back pain at the hospital on October 21st, was found to be miscarrying, and died of septicaemia a week later.

Her husband, Praveen Halappanavar (34), an engineer at Boston Scientific in Galway, says she asked several times over a three-day period that the pregnancy be terminated. He says that, having been told she was miscarrying, and after one day in severe pain, Ms Halappanavar asked for a medical termination.

This was refused, he says, because the foetal heartbeat was still present and they were told, “this is a Catholic country”.

She spent a further 2½ days “in agony” until the foetal heartbeat stopped.

Intensive care

The dead foetus was removed and Savita was taken to the high dependency unit and then the intensive care unit, where she died of septicaemia on the 28th.

wtf

Absolutely terrible story. More here: http://www.facebook.com/GalwayProChoice/posts/379753642107027

jesus christ why would anyone want to read more. unbelievable stuff.

Yeah I didn't feel like posting details from the other link but they make it clear there that refusing to remove the foetus significantly reduced the chances of the mother surviving.

christ

Awful altogether. Was on march in Dublin yesterday. Didn't last until speeches but from what I read they were very good. Daly had a great speech (maybe without name checking her buds in Daíl but what the hey). Will we see any change? Not sure. I hope so. This does seem to have avoided becoming mired in Pro- or Anti- discussions or maybe I've been missing it. Will we see any movement on that do you all think?

Daly did refer to our national leader as a political pygmy, which was certainly entertaining.

Wondering how well known the Savita case is worldwide. I saw that there was some comment in the Guardian yesterday but didn't read yet. Just a 2nd headline asking if it could happen here, which I assume was U.K. but could conceivably be Northern Ireland.

Utterly disgusting, should have been sorted years ago. Trying to think exactly when the X case was, is it '92? If not it wasn't that much more recent.

& it has had me thinking that I heard that some parts of the U.S. had abortion on the recent election ticket. Like stepping backwards from having a more progressive policy.

Also that a headline from India had Ireland accused of murder over the case

Made most of the news outlets in the UK. Second or third story on the evening news broadcasts.

^
This is what's likely to force change here. Irish women dying is one thing, but being embarrassed in public is what focuses politicians minds tbh.

Also wondered about the fate of the pro-lifers who seem to come out in force on Saturdays in Galway and Dublin at least, presumably elsewhere too? Did they get away with it yesterday? Or did people find uses for rotten fruit?

idk i think ppl are getting wise to engaging that set, be it over abortion, the FAMILY, gay marriage or whatever. If ppl start showing in force so that politicians are at least forced to confront what i'd guess to be the silent majority on this, that'd be progress.

There were some pro-lifers on O'Connell street. I don't think there was any real exchange.

OTM re political Pygmy.

I am greatly enjoying transcript of his constituency colleague from Newstalk. It seems to prove that the 'fornication' moment wasn't completely out of character.

Wondering how well known the Savita case is worldwide.
― Stevolende, Sunday, November 18, 2012 5:49 AM (7 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

maybe i'm posting from inside the internet/ilx bubble, but i think a lot of ppl over here (US) have heard about this

Endabashing seems to miss the point somewhat on this one.

unless you think legislating for this just slipped reynolds, bertie's, bruton's, cowen's minds the past twenty years, and you're hungry for them back besides.

There's room for more than one point though, and to remind FG that being 0.1 % better that FF is not a solid basis for government.

i'd argue the numbers, but i'll grant you the general thrust i spose

No fair enough, but it also works as a warning that the position in question would not be a solid basis for government, so don't go slouching over towards it.

fair warning for any band that take over from despots- don't just do a little better, or we'll slit your throats an all

Ha! I agree about knocking Enda. Too many others ignored this issue.

In Kerry for the night. I have not been asked by a Healy-Rae for a vote. I feel my visit is missing something.

Keeping in the tone of an Irish political thread.

ave that, mrs

fg backbenchers growling over abortion legislation.

Nobody in ireland born after 1963 or so has ever had a say on this matter. That's only about a million women, nbd. Keep grumbling lads, you're doing god's work. For him.

celtic tiger businessman hugh o'regan 'dies unexpectedly' amidst huge debt issues.

idk, y'know?

Are they saying it's suspicious?

I am appalled at the whole Daly Bill thing. Are we to never see legislation?