Paul O’Connell – Freeman of Limerick

Great move by Limerick City Council. THis man is an Irish colossus.
He, alongside BOD should be made ambassador at large by the government
when he retires.

Transform Lowry into a modern day Ballinrobe Boycott. It is the real answer to that sliveen. There is no excuse for pretending that he was anything but an abuser of power.

There is a world of a difference between Michael Lowry and Denis
O’Brien. I see Denis O’Brien as a force for positivity in Ireland. His
business in the Caribbean and in North America is so big that living
in Ireland is probably not the best thing for him . But moving as a
tax exile was demeaning and lowers his standing among people like me.
This may no longer be the case. He is obviously a decent man and
Fergus Finlay makes that clear. I disagree with him on Independent
News and Media. I think that he should have ignored Tony O’Reilly and
Co. Why waste money on a joust, especially in the hundreds of
millions?

Denis O’Brien is responsible for shuffling millions of euro into
Ireland. It is up to the government to set rules to limit media
ownership. This is an issue of principle not ad hominem.

I talk to Mick Bailey when he rings me. I would talk to Denis O’Brien
if I meet him. The government should and must talk to him. It is in
the people’s interest even if it annoys Joan.

Captain Boycott and Ballinrobe should be the political response to
Lowry.Enda Kenny must know that. He should ask his cabinet to take
note and act accordingly.

Denis O’Brien and proximity

Nobody should be admired for their philanthropy if they are tax exiles

By Fergus Finlay

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

HERE’S my honest answer to a couple of tricky questions.

Would I be happy to shake Denis O’Brien’s hand? Yes I would.

Would I be happy to be photographed with him (in the unlikely event
that he had any interest in being photographed with me)? Yes I would.

Read more

US PGA should boycott Augusta National Golf Zoo. Discriminate against women! Keep it up lads. Great to see you’re pathetic.

The Masters 2012: Augusta National membership ruckus reaches boiling
point as chairman Billy Payne stonewalls
The row over Augusta National’s lack of female members escalated on
Wednesday night as chairman Billy Payne repeatedly refused to answer
questions on whether the club would invite Virginia Rometty, chief
executive of long-time Masters sponsor IBM, to join its ranks.
The Masters 2012: Augusta National membership ruckus reaches boiling point

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Louis Kilcoyne RIP

I understand the relationship between Louis and Shamrock Rovers. With
John McNamara, I made a bid for Milltown to remail as a football
ground in 1987. It was developed as a housing estate. Louis got out. I
don’t blame him. I would love to know what Bertie and Des Richardson
know about all that. Louis joins Jimmy Keane, John Breen and Jack
Wilson in the Elysian Fields. May they rest in peace.

Ivan Yates

To whom it concerns,

Ivan Yates commands respect because of his transparent analytical
ability which discards propaganda and dishes out a common sense
summary of the major issues of the time in his column in the Irish
Examiner.

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Tribunal outcome won’t change minds of voters at next election (Irish Examiner)

By Ivan Yates

Thursday, March 29, 2012

UBIQUITOUS coverage and analysis of the Mahon Tribunal report suggests
we have arrived at a watershed moment in Irish politics.

Never again will our highest public officeholders be allowed to become
compromised by business interests. An end to sleazy side deals where
favours are done in return for cash is supposed to ensue. Such is the
disgust and nausea about corruption that we will banish the
opportunity for secret backroom deals to occur.

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Census 2011

Household charge – Whats up?

Household Charge – Dublin City Council

The Household Charge was introduced in 2012 as part of the EU/IMF
Programme. The charge is €100 per household payable by 31st March.
Householders who pay after this date incur penalties.

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There is just such a parenting programme in Ballymun which must be supported.

The Irish Times - Tuesday, March 20, 2012
 Study shows benefits of parenting programmes

CARL O'BRIEN

NEW RESEARCH shows high-quality parenting programmes result in
improved child behaviour and provide major long-term benefits for both
families and the State.

Researchers from NUI Maynooth have found that while it costs about
€2,200 on average to deliver a programme per family, the health,
social and economic benefits are estimated to be worth €315,000 per
family.
 Read more