Intrepid Ibex. It sounds like a cartoon character from CBBC, but it’s the codename for the latest Ubuntu distribution, released today. This afternoon, I installed it on two computers, although I must admit that the news that it came packed with the older version of OpenOffice did give me pause for thought. Despite that, I… Continue reading »
Oct
31
Oct
30
End Of The Road
The Planning and Payments tribunal isn’t quite over yet. There are still a few loose ends to be tied up, questions that retired country manager George Redmond has to answer in cross-examination. Then there are the final reports, which will take up to a year to write. Finally, probably a month or so after the… Continue reading »
Oct
28
For Richer For Poorer
A religious think-tank has criticised the Ombudsman for pointing out that Irish tax laws discriminate against unmarried couples. The Iona Institute describes itself as ‘a pro-religion and pro-marriage organisation’. Institute director Davis Quinn said it would be a ‘serious mistake’ to treat married and unmarried couples in the same way. He went on to add… Continue reading »
Oct
27
On The One Road
How long can you stay angry? Old age pensioners marched on the Dáil last week to protest against budget cuts, as did students. Teachers are planning demonstrations this week. Army families are upset at plans to close several regional bases, and the farmers aren’t far behind. The popular backlash against the budget had an effect… Continue reading »
Oct
24
Chutzpah
The definition of chutzpah used to be the murderer who killed his parents, then appealed to the court for mercy during his trial because he was an orphan. That definition may have to be updated in light of the lawsuit brought against Microsoft in China Dong Zhengwei, a Beijing lawyer, is taking a case against… Continue reading »
Oct
23
End Result
Cops planted fake bombs, then ‘discovered’ them, in order to get promotion. A cop was involved in blackmail. Cops coerced a man to make a false witness report. As a result, twelve innocent people were arrested for murder. Several of them were mistreated in custody, and the cops obtained a false confession. Cops harassed those… Continue reading »
Oct
21
Climbdown
Biffo blinked. As I write, I’m watching live coverage of the Taoiseach’s press conference to announce the government is backing down from the decision to remove free medical cards from all citizens over the age of seventy. By increasing the income limit for a medical card to €700, the government has ensured that all but… Continue reading »
Oct
20
Where’s Wally?
Somehow, I can’t but feel a tinge of schadenfreude at the government’s dilemma as it tries to dig itself out of the hole it has created with the decision to end free medical care for citizens over the age of seventy, only to find itself stymied by the Competition Authority in its attempt to negotiate… Continue reading »
Oct
17
A Stake In The Future
Within the next few weeks, I get to vote on the latest national pay deal, Towards 2016. The first paragraph speaks of ‘a dynamic, internationalised and participatory Irish society and economy, founded on a commitment to social justice and economic development that is both environmentally sustainable and internationally competitive’. Behind the lofty ideals is a… Continue reading »
Oct
16
Word Power
Let’s call a spade a spade. It’s not an income levy, it’s a tax increase. Depending on your income, Brian Lenihan just delivered you a tax increase of between up to two percent. The minister is faced with a hole in the public finances, and to close the gap between revenue and expenditure he has… Continue reading »