Maman Poulet

Just finished watching the Primetime special on Declan Ganley, had to keep reminding myself it was a special on the founder of Libertas and not a certain runaway solicitor (yup am waiting for that one! – it’ll be a popcorn and champagne night.)

Katie Hannon has been busy chasing leads and putting questions to Ganley, Nunn and McGuirk. I liked her style but could have done with less of the scary music!!

After a tour of Eastern Europe including Albania and Latvia and a lot of talk about contracts and deals and non deals in the USA  we find out the Standards in Public Office Commission are on the hunt (performing an investigation under Irish Law on the sources of funds of third parties) for the source of the money for Libertas, the loan from Ganley in particular - but Ganley thinks SIPO are part of the Brussels conspiracy that is out to get him and is going legal.  (Every rumour or story seems to emanate from Brussels – I worry if Brussells is such a terrible place why is Mr. Ganley headed there shortly!)

So have you seen it? Your thoughts?? Gavin does not understand why Ganley gets Primetimed about his finances and not the other political parties…

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In today’s Irish Times report on the trip to Orlando taken by Mary Harney and Rody Molloy and the ministerial recollection on the hairdo’s I am struck by the number of people in the travelling party.

THE THEN tánaiste and minister for enterprise Mary Harney travelled to Orlando, Florida, at the expense of Fás in July 2004 in a party that included the former director general of Fás, Rody Molloy, and his wife, and the then secretary general of Ms Harney’s department, Paul Haran, and his wife.

Mr Molloy announced his resignation on Tuesday following intense controversy over expenditure on trips to Florida, including expensive flights for his wife paid for by Fás. As head of Fás he reported to Ms Harney’s then department.

The flights in July 2004 cost €4,824.07 each. Also on the trip were Ms Harney’s husband, the then chairman of Fás, Brian Geoghegan, Ms Harney’s press secretary and her private secretary.

So that was The Minister, her husband who was chair of FÃ?S, the secretary general of the department and his wife (????), her private secretary and a press secretary. This is on top of all the FAS executives and their spouses…

It was the launch of a training programme – not talks between two warring continents over nuclear missile numbers!

The cost of the hairdo etc. is not a resigning matter – it’s very embarrassing for the Minister that everyone spent a few days thinking that FAS executives were getting their nails done. You’d feel a bit sorry for Mr. Molloy at this rate.

Unlike Damien I think Leo Varadkar would do well to move back to FÃ?Sgate watch, the way contracts were awarded and tenders for millions of Euro not advertised and stop being a silly lad appearing on every radio/tv station that’ll have him calling for Ministerial resignations. A look at regulations for how many civil servants one needs to hold the Minister’s hand is only peripheral but interesting none the less.

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You may remember one of the more salacious details in FÃ?Sgate is the payment of a bill via a FAS credit card to Solutions Nail and Beauty Bar in Florida in August 2005.

How many Government Ministers were in Florida in August 2005? We know Mary Hanafin was there – but was Mary Harney also away at that time with her husband Brian Geoghegan? – who as you may remember was the Chairperson of FÃ?S at the time (appointed by .Minister Harney before they married.) Harney now says that she had a blowdry or two in 2004 paid for by FÃ?S.

Give it a few hours and I think we’ll be hearing rather more about ministerial hairdos and the like!

Update

RTE reporting on Harney hairdo but she says no…not in 2005 anyway!

Harney denies $410 bill

Responding to rumours that the $410 bill related to Mary Harney her spokesman said she was not in Florida in 2005.

However she did go to a FÃ?S event the previous year and had a wash and blow dry in preparation for some events but that this would not have amounted to $410.

Update 2

Leo Varadkar was on to this earlier today.

I’m looking for Hanafin’s denial now.

Update 3

Minister Harney did have her hair done and it was paid for by FAS but says it did not cost $410 – Cowen says she has explained her part of it. Varadkar wonders why it did not come out the Minister’s personal expenses and why did FÃ?S pay for it?

Which leads me to wonder what do Ministers claim for as expenses? And are they all FOIable??

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And how many more to go? We’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg or as Gavin said the opening of one very deep rabbit hole!

By the by I heard that the next president of the GAA is an Assistant Director General in FÃ?S – it may or may not be a busy year for some next year!

Actually that brings me to the topic of guest/Corporate boxes in Croker and state agencies paying thousands of euro a year to entertain ‘guests’ aka themselves. Think I found a rabbit hole!!!

Corporate Suites

There are 87 corporate suites located on level six of the stadium and vary in size from 12 to 33 seats.

Ticket Entitlements

* Private hospitality suite with seating directly outside for all GAA events played in Croke Park
* Right of first refusal for tickets to other events held in Croke Park such as concerts and other sports
* Option to purchase season car park pass for reserved parking at Clonliffe College

As a corporate suite holder you can enjoy:

* Fully furnished suite with plasma screen accommodating from 12 – 33 guests
* Private catering and bar facilities in your suite
* Access to Premium level facilities
* Complimentary programmes for all GAA matches

Prices range from:

* €152,000 for 5 years
* €280,000 for 10 years

So gwan leave me some carrots in the comments and let’s name names!

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Maman Poulet’s ears were burning today…

What is the connection between Brian Cowen and Rody Malloy, Director-General of FÃ?S??

“I know him and he has been an excellent public servant down through the years,” he said. “I have every confidence in him.”

Is it Offaly? Rody is from Birr… Maybe it was a school connection?

Or is it a matter of being related by marriage? Brian’s wife Mary’s maiden name is Molloy…

Update - still no news on this and in fact there have been official denials so that’s that – it seems lots of other people were thinking it from the searches leading here!

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Back from Brussels where I took part in a press trip organised by the European Commission representation in Ireland.*

You’ll be reading a lot in the coming days about a Financial Stimulus package proposed by the European Commission after a request for same from the Council of Ministers last month. Details of the package on how the EU intends to save itself and individual member states from ruin were leaked yesterday and work is still going on – it seems it will be announced on Wednesday. However we were given information by the Secretary General of the European Commission, Irish woman Catherine Day, and President Barroso seems to be talking about it also.

The package will be all about the three T’s – ‘Timely, Targeted and Temporary’. It will include proposals for tax cuts, fast tracking of Structural Funds to stimulate growth, and a percentage of GDP (maybe 1% or maybe not) from member states. There will also be consideration of the budget deficit problems that Member states find themselves (a bit of slippage, sliding, etc. but not much more tolerance for that on the Irish side of the house and that’s where the T in Temporary might come in.) Whether cuts, savings or spending already proposed by governments (I’m thinking the ’subprime’ lending scheme in the budget last month) will be seen to contribute to the member state’s contributions remains to be seen.

Other messages of the day were ‘look at Iceland and the mess they are in’ and ‘Denmark who don’t have the Euro and have high interest rates’. I was aware that there is a lack of discourse in Ireland on the importance of the Euro to Ireland’s future financial stability – though I’m not sure who now will be doing the talking on that and would actually be listened to!

It was very interesting to hear spokesperson after spokesperson talk about the issues presented by Lisbon and Ireland’s non (or not yet) ratification. Lots of talk about the commissioner issue – how Ireland could have a commissioner if we voted yes – Lisbon might allow us to keep the Commissioner whereas when the Nice Treaty kicks in next year it actually decreases/limits the numbers of commissioners.

It might have been more useful to debate if having an Irish Commissioner is really of any use at all – the work of the Permanent Representative’s Office in Brussels seems to be more important in analysing how Irish interests are represented. 

Whilst our visit was taking place Sweden ratified the treaty – so that’s 24 down, Poland about to sign and 2 states left to ratify . I say not yet because it was clear that the Commission expect another vote, a different campaign and a different result.

There are far more pressing issues on the European Commission agenda in the coming months and while they are waiting for Brian Cowen to appear next month before them with the masterplan, time frame etc. there is a lot more going on. Climate Change and the afore mentioned Financial Stimulus/Economic Recovery plans and continuing EU unity on issues such as Georgia are those which take up most time and energy and they are not all waiting with anxiety on the Irish government and electorate to make up their minds again.

However I don’t think that Commission officials really grasp how unpopular/inept the Irish government is at the moment and how Lisbon is probably a non touchable issue in the months ahead. Competency of the Irish government and other actors on the issues and communicating them is something that I know a lot of bloggers have been talking about recently. (See Simon’s great post on the meeting with Margot Wallstrom last week. And thanks to Alexia for pointing out that Commissioner Wallstrom has blogged her thoughts on the visit also.)

We had briefings from spokespersons from the Economic and Finance Directorate, Agriculture, Institutional Communications. Lunch with Charlie McCreevy was jovial and ‘intimate’ and slightly surreal but off the record – actually there was no commentary on Ireland’s current situation financial or EU institutional issues at all. It was food blogger photo heaven but I’m not a food blogger…

The ghost of commissioners past also made an appearance at the beginning of our trip – Padraig Flynn was staying in the same hotel. No chance to ask him about the remaining houses or his thoughts on stimulus, governmental melt down or finance bill issues (such as will he have to pay a 3% levy!).

So that’s the initial impressions, more posts later from the trip including meanderings on explaining the European Union in the light of the the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on ‘How to solve the Lisbon problem’. I see Coir were throwing their rattles out of the pram yesterday – pity I missed it live. I hear the grumpy old men (Cullen, Hook and Dunphy) were also giving their views to the committee also. That committee has provided the most Oireachtas fun in ages – we should find another crisis for a subcommittee to solve! What you mean the banks are in meltdown, job losses through the roof….

* Full disclosure – the trip was paid for by the European Commission. Many thanks to them for arranging it and continuing to think of new media/citizen journalists in broadening the coverage and keeping us informed. Look out for that disclosure in the old media’s coverage…and send me the flying pig while you are at it!

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EU Commission Representation in Ireland: ‘Would you like to go on the next press trip to Brussels?’

Me: ‘Yes‘

So here I am spending the day in Brussels with some other bloggers and Irish Political Correspondents. There are lots of briefings planned and lunch with Ireland’s EU Commissioner.

More from ‘the day I met Charlie McCreevy’ and the reaction of pol corrs to bloggers entering the media scene later! I’ll be twittering from time to time too I expect!

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Absolute Win!! Via Rick - Red Lemonade performs her national service to the blogosphere and Irish society in general

I confess to being an Irish Apprentice watcher (yes it is a pile of rubbish) and to being infatuated with Bill’s Secretary and the fact she does not seem to do anything except say ‘Bill will see you now’ and give the contestants the evils…

What has always intrigued me was the range of office equipment available to her and how it changed from week to week. When the laptop appeared I was highly excited but it does not seem to work!!

Head Over to Red Lemonade for a week by week analysis and commentary from the nameless guardian of the boardroom door.

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Immediately following his election Obama’s transition team launched change.gov. This site aims to continue his relationship with his supporters whilst detailing and also recruiting people to work in his administration (it explicitly lists a ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for those working in the Obama led White house and other agencies).

Today further information is provided on the agenda of an Obama led government on issues for the LGBT community and other civil rights issues. Whilst Irish LGBT’s have workplace and service protection, there are several issues on this list that are not on the agenda of the Irish rights movement never mind the Irish Government.

Support for the LGBT Community

“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”

— Barack Obama, June 1, 2007

The Obama-Biden Plan

* Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

* Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

* Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

* Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.

* Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell: Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

* Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

* Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. Obama also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma — too often tied to homophobia — that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as president.

* Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

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This is a new phrase I learnt which is in use by the European Movement referring to Ireland’s choices on EU membership at the moment. . (When I heard it first it gave me memories of school bus tours and wanting to …ok you know the song.)

The European Movement is a group which has recently reorganised and hosted an interview with EU Commission Vice President, Margot Wallström which I mentioned last week. I was invited to attend and along with a sprinkling of bloggers had a chance to speak with her after the interview in that bloggers huddle. 

An article in last week’s New York Times asked about the possibilities for a European Obama. Steven Erlanger meant in race terms and the article reflects on European differences in race, intercultural and multicultural politics.

When I think about an Obama type figure in Europe in these post Lisbon/pre Lisbon 2 or 1.5 my thoughts turned to a good communicator, someone who breaks through the mould, promises change and transparency and recognises people’s differences and fears in negotiating discourses on European Citizenship.

Last week whilst watching EU Commissioner Margot Wallström speak I wondered what happened to our European Union/Unity evangelists? Where did they disappear to? Ms Wallström was very impressive, and although I had heard of her before, I don’t think I had ever heard her speak and I doubt many in the general public would have a clue who she is.  At a national level in the evangelical scale we have had Dick Roche.  

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin is only getting into his stride, there is nobody in the Fine Gael or Labour sides of the house that I could point to being evangelical in their leadership on European Affairs. 

Deaglán de Bréadún (who still seems to really like the aul blogging!) wearily treads over the coals that are the reasons why Ireland does not like the EU so much and what has to be done….

There is very little interest in or commitment to the European ideal in this country for reasons one could well speculate about. Maybe it’s the fact that the South stayed out of the second World War and the people do not understand or appreciate the role of the EU in maintaining peace in Europe. Maybe it’s the education system. Even some of our senior politicians don’t seem to have a good grasp of how the EU works. Until we see people emerging on the Yes side who have the same zeal, commitment and singlemindedness as Declan Ganley and the Cóir activists – whatever one’s views of their politics –  the prospects for getting the Treaty passed will remain uncertain.

And with groups coming out with phrases like the above, and publications like this, Government Ministers saying ‘trust us’ and EU politicians and decision makers like Margot hiding their lights under bushels I can only agree at the moment!

Declan Ganley has spent the day on the airwaves and I have not heard anyone zealous, committed or singleminded who was able to counter or correct him.  There are large hints about us getting to keep our commissioner (more about that later in the week) but how is that going to make people feel any better about Ireland’s membership of the European Union?  Maybe when we find our evangelists they could ignore Mr. Ganley’s whining for a while and concentrate on making sure people understand membership of the European Union and what it really means. 

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