Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone writes about a phone poll of local councillors attitudes: “Two-thirds of Councillors from the two Government parties would support changes to the Croke Park Agreement, according to this survey carried out by my office. A total of 529 City and County Councillors responded to the phone poll, with 56% of… Continue reading Poll positions
Tag: public sector
The welcoming committee
You know how it goes. A bunch of guys (and they probably were guys, not gals) sits down to make some plans. For the most part, the meeting is businesslike, focused on the task at hand. But inevitably, because we are social animals, someone will crack a joke at some point. And just occasionally, someone… Continue reading The welcoming committee
Check Sums
As part of my job, I read too many government reports. Most of them are available online and can be downloaded without charge. Downloads are generally in PDF format, though occasionally a press release or speech is available only as a Microsoft DOC (I haven’t encountered the newer DOCX format yet). Checking document properties, it’s… Continue reading Check Sums
Joe The non-Plumber
It’s one of those memes that’s crept into public discourse in the last year or two. It’s not enough for a politician to say how tough it is for a typical married couple, they have to give a concrete example, something the electorate can relate to. Take James Reilly, Fine Gael health spokesman: ‘The guard… Continue reading Joe The non-Plumber
Your Call Is Important To Us
Imagine a single phone number for every government service. Apparently, the taoiseach was impressed with New York’s 311 service when he visited the city earlier this year, and thinks it’s an idea worth copying. ‘The Irish Government is planning to introduce the number in an effort to improve customer services,’ according to the Irish Independent… Continue reading Your Call Is Important To Us
Opinion Piece
Can a politician — particularly a member of a governing party — truly have a personal opinion? Earlier this summer, Dick Roche announced that Ireland should hold a second referendum on the Lisbon treaty — in his personal opinion. There’s no date for the re-vote yet, but that particular personal opinion seems to be almost… Continue reading Opinion Piece