COF IDEAS – REINVENTING OUR DEMOCRACY A NATIONAL DISCUSSION IN: CROKE PARK, DUBLIN ON: 26TH MAY REGISTRATION: 10 AM Individuals and organizations from the full breadth of civil society will explore new ideas on democracy and share their thinking with each other on how to reinvent our democracy. Register now and join the discussion in…
Posted by Elaine Byrne Below is an extended chapter outline of my book, Political Corruption in Ireland 1922-2010, A Crooked Harp? published by Manchester University Press, launched last week. Outline of my book. Buy it on Amazon. The book is about to enter its second print run. Thank you for all your support to date. I…
Posted by Eoin O’Malley (26 April, 2012) François Hollande had made it clear in campaigning for the French presidency that he was no fan of the Fiscal Compact and indicated that he would be against French ratification of the Treaty. Now that his election looks more than likely he has again stated his opposition to the…
Posted by Elaine Byrne The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are currently engaged in a process of consultation in order to introduce a regulatory system for lobbying in Ireland. Department officials will publish a policy paper on the process in May and the anticipated legislation is due early next year. I believe that this is…
Adrian Kavanagh, 20th and 29th April 2012 A series of polls point to a drop in support for the two government parties in the wake of the Household Charge and Water Charge proposal controversies with Sinn Fein and the Others grouping appeating to be the main beneficiaries and likely to make significant seats gains should these results…
Adrian Kavanagh, 30th March 2012 The Paddy Power-Red C (30th March) poll makes for good reading for the government parties – it points to a cementing of the significant gains in Fine Gael’s support levels evident in the weekend’s Red C poll in The Sunday Business Post while Labour are ranked as the second most popular…
From Eoin Daly (posted by Jane Suiter) 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of our Constitution. The present Government has committed to establishing a “constitutional convention” this year, as part of its political reform agenda and on foot of the Programme for Government. However, the convention will serve essentially as an advisory group, constituted of citizens…
Matthew Wall The government’s recently unveiled proposals on the forthcoming constitutional convention make for disappointing reading for those who, like this author, had hoped that such a body could facilitate profound political reform in Ireland. The proposed convention, to be comprised of a chair, 66 members of the public and 33 elected politicians, is hobbled…
Adrian Kavanagh, 26th March 2012 The Sunday Business Post-Red C (25th March) poll points to a significant gain in Fine Gael’s support levels relative to the previous such poll (of March 4th) just a week ahead of the party’s Ard Fheis, with a slight decline in support levels for Fianna Fail, Labour and Independents. Sinn Fein’s position as the…
From Nuala Haughey, Advocacy and Research Officer, Transparency International Ireland As the Mahon report rightly states, corruption thrives in shadows and darkness. The twilight world of political finances – and the toxic nexus between business and political parties – is an obvious area where the disinfectant properties of sunlight are much needed. The Mahon report…
Irish Politics Forum 