Blog
Real positives for Fianna Fáil
Posted on 16/02/11 by Tony Killeen
Two polls in two days, one looking at Dublin, the other at the National picture. I won’t pretend either of them were unadulterated good news for us, but looking behind the headlines there are real positives for Fianna Fáil.
The first thing to say is that Micheál Martin’s message of new politics and real reform is connecting with the Irish people. Just three weeks into the job as leader, he is already the most popular leader, with a satisfaction rating of 42%.
I believe this figure is a real measure of how people have responded to Micheál as the new kind of leader that the country needs now. He is the only one demonstrating the kind of positive vision the country is calling for. He is the only leader, who has set out in detail, an honest and ambitious plan for Ireland. On election day, I think people will want to deal Micheál, his team, and his new approach to politics the strongest possible hand in the next Dáil.
Returning to the polls, before anyone takes them as a foregone conclusion, people should remember the quality of the candidates standing for Fianna Fáil up and down the country. These are people who have strong records nationally and locally. These people are embedded in their communities, working hard for ordinary working people on the ground. They are people, who know the needs of their communities, have delivered for them in the past, and who have plans for the future of their local areas. This isn’t wishful thinking, these are hard political facts and I think they shouldn’t be discounted.
Make no mistake about it, the rag bag of independents and crackpot socialists are ideal if you want the next Dáil to be a four year screaming match. But when it comes to keeping recovery in focus, they just don’t have a clue.
What we need is a way to constructively reform this country. The only leader who has put forward a plan to do that is Micheál Martin, and we need him to have as strong a team as possible in the next Dáil.
Before I finish, I want you to recall a similar series of polls in the Evening Herald and the Irish Independent at the same point in the 2007 election. Despite those poll predictions, we finished seven points higher on election day itself.
We are in a similar position now. No one has voted yet, the country wants a new approach to politics, and it is up to all of us to deliver that.
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Why Delay Recovery?
Posted on 10/02/11 by Tony Killeen
Have a think about this question: When should a sick patient have the treatment that will restore them to health?
Is it:
a. Now, or
b. Later
In this election, when you boil it all down, that’s really the big question that we all face.
We have the diagnosis: We are borrowing too much.
Left unchecked, the debt will destroy international confidence and investment in our economy. If it is allowed continue to grow it will destroy jobs and cripple ordinary workers with extra taxation.
We have a cure: Bring our spending under control. By doing so, we will reduce borrowing.
This is what we have been doing for the past three years. Look at our record trade figures and you will see that these difficult but correct decisions are bearing fruit. The decisions taken have seen our manufacturers return to growth, creating jobs all around Ireland.
This is no time to run away from recovery policies. Delaying difficult decisions will only make the economy weaker, while all the time the ills of emigration and unemployment will get worse instead of better.
So the opposition needs to ask itself this: Will it implement recovery policies now or later?
Right now, the people need leaders with the courage to do the right thing even when it’s not popular. Micheál Martin has made it clear in the Fianna Fáil plan that he will continue to work for recovery and continue to take the right decisions for the Irish people.
For me personally it’s not even about trade balances or GDP figures. I support Micheál in this because when I consider the heartaches in families caused by emigration and unemployment, I think why on earth would anyone delay recovery by even one day? Ireland needs a leader like Micheál Martin who has the courage to do the right thing right now.
We have the plan, it needs your support. Click here to read and share the Plan.
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Labour Lurch Leftward
Posted on 04/02/11 by Tony KilleenUp to a while ago Labour thought they had this election cracked. First, get the old hard left vote in the bag. Then, roll out the populist soundbites that work in the focus groups and the soft-option policies that won’t offend anyone.
It worked for a while but they now have a problem: Just when Labour were looking the other way, Sinn Féin started muscling in on their old Worker’s Party, hard-left vote.
Eamon Gilmore will do anything not to lose this war on the extremes of Irish politics http://www.sbpost.ie/newsfeatures/labour-and-sinn-fein-in-fight-for-left-supremacy-54210.html. Brian Lenihan couldn’t have been more clear in his analysis “The Labour Party is looking over its shoulder all the time at Sinn Fein and is afraid of being outbid in populist stakes and unreal economic policy”.
By the looks of things he will do anything to beat Gerry.
Gerry gives two fingers to international funding; Eamon then says he will rip up the agreement and get a new one.
Gerry says we can put balancing the books on the long finger; Eamon then says we can put it off another year.
None of these positions are credible. This election has only just started and Labour have turned their backs on the difficult but correct decisions required to support recovery for Ireland. Instead they are busy fighting a street fight for extremists on the left.
The Sinn Féin “Wealth Tax” in particular is another example of this trend. The truth is that the Sinn Féin “Wealth Tax” would see all mobile wealth fleeing from Ireland. The only wealth that can’t be moved is land. As Brian Lenihan warned “Every acre of land will have to be taxed to get the type of return Sinn Féin want out of their Wealth Tax”.
Where is all this going? Where will this populist bidding process get us?
Our nation’s recovery is fragile, but real. Our exports are at historically high levels, and the performance of our manufacturing industries has stabilised. This wasn’t achieved by luck, chance or accident - It was achieved with a sound, realistic approach to solving our nation’s problems.
However, if given the chance, Sinn Féin and Labour’s increasingly extreme policies would destroy any chance of recovery.
Can you help us find examples of Labour’s left lurch? Post them below.
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Gerry’s Magic Wand
Posted on 03/02/11 by Tony Killeen
I was listening to Gerry Adams talking about what Sinn Féin would do if they have a say in the next government. Seems that one of the first things they would do is raise taxes. Then they would raise them again. Then they would raise them again and again and again. In fact, Sinn Féin are proposing to tax Irish workers families and business to fill in two thirds of the public spending deficit.
Sinn Féin say the economy can deal with it. The fact is that as Micheál Martin said yesterday, Sinn Féin’s taxes will cause huge damage across rural Ireland and choke the Irish economy. Sinn Féin’s plans mean hammering jobs, workers and ordinary people with penal taxes. None of it is a credible answer to our problems.
Of course the other great Sinn Féin promise in this election is that if they had their way the IMF would be sent packing with their €50 billion. Sounds great doesn’t it? But what would we do, how would we pay for the public services that ordinary people rely on?
Well Gerry says we’d live off our savings for a while. Then what?
Seriously, then what would we do? How would the country operate if it had no money? Where would we get money if we had just told the lender of last resort to get stuffed? As Micheál said today, Gerry thinks he can wish the deficit away with a magic wand. Think about what would happen in this country if Sinn Féin had their way and we turned our back on affordable international funding?
It’s time for Sinn Féin, and all the other opposition parties, to stop peddling false promises. They’re telling people what they want to hear rather than what needs to be done.
The truth is that if we went the way of Sinn Féin, tens of thousands of nurses, gardaí and teachers would go to the ATMs and find they hadn’t been paid. Social Welfare wouldn’t be paid. The elderly would go without their pensions. Schools and hospitals would close because we would have no money to run them. The collapse of public services would cause unimaginable hardship for ordinary people everywhere.
The truth is that Sinn Féin’s plans on the economy are not credible and are profoundly dangerous. Playing games with our ability to pay for services simply isn’t on. Also slapping penal taxes on Irish workers and businesses will choke the economy and condemn thousands of Irish families to poverty.
It’s time Sinn Féin stopped playing their dangerous games with the economy. What Ireland needs is a real, credible plan. What do you think? Should Sinn Féin start spelling out what are their funding alternatives?
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Fine Gael and Labour completely at odds over how to fund higher education into the future - Conlon
Posted on 11/01/11 by Margaret Conlon
The publication of Ireland's first ever National Strategy for Higher Education by the Government, more commonly known as the Hunt Report, has today highlighted the complete lack of education policy from the Labour Party and also the gaping differences between Fine Gael and Labour on how to fund higher education.
The Labour Party cites education as one of its core policy areas, but yet it has very little to say on it. Labour has yet to produce any substantive education policy document or offer any solutions to the funding problems facing the higher education sector, particularly in relation to increasing demand for college places. Last year, Labour’s Ruairi Quinn accused Ireland’s higher education strategy of “lying in tatters” due to rising student numbers yet he continued to rule out the reintroduction of third level fees.
The demand for college places increased by 9% last year and today’s Hunt report states that we need the capacity of our higher education system needs to double over the next twenty years. If we continue to ignore the current funding problem in the manner of the Labour party, then we will be left with a higher education system unable to cope with the demand for places and risk compromising quality standards. We need to introduce a sustainable and affordable funding model that ensures as many people as possible benefit from a world class education system.
It is difficult to see how a Labour/Fine Gael government could reach agreement on this matter. Their current policies in this area are diametrically opposed. Fine Gael has proposed the introduction of a graduate tax that would heap substantial debt on graduates the moment they enter the tax system no matter what their level of earnings. We all know it often takes years before students begin earning a decent income. Yet FG proposes that students will begin paying back up to €17,000 in debt irrespective of their level of income. This proposal goes much further than the recommendation of the Hunt Report. The Hunt Report recommendation is much more equitable and affordable and will ensure that greater numbers of students from lower socio economic backgrounds can afford to attend college.
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Support for under pressure mortgage holders this new year - Thomas Byrne
Posted on 07/01/11 by Thomas Byrne
As there are indications that interest rates may rise, it is more important than ever that under pressure mortgage holders know that the new revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears is there to help.
The Central Bank has just published the new revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA).
The Central Bank Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) reflects the recent recommendations made by the Government founded expert group on mortgage arrears and personal debt chaired by Hugh Cooney. I was pleased to see that many of the recommendations reflected the recommendations that were made in the Report I co-authored with Deputy Olwyn Enright of Fine Gael last February.
Under the new CCCMA lenders will not impose arrears charges or surcharge interest on borrowers who are in arrears and who are co-operating with the new Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) with effect from 1 January 2011.
The revised CCMA includes more detailed requirements for lenders when dealing with borrowers experiencing arrears and financial difficulties.
Borrowers who notify their lender that they are facing financial difficulties and may be at risk of mortgage arrears will be able to avail of the CCMA and lenders must establish a Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) to deal with arrears and pre-arrears customers.
I am especially happy to see that as part of the CCMA lenders must ensure that communications with borrowers are presented in a clear and consumer-friendly manner and must make an information booklet available which provides details on the resolution process. This is very good news as it is often the stress of contacting their banks that puts people off discussing their financial pressures.
Also as part of the CCMA, lenders cannot contact the borrower more than three times, by whatever means, in a calendar month other than correspondence required by the CCMA or other regulatory requirements. I know that many people found relentless contact from their lenders added to an already pressured situation.
I am also happy to see that a lender must not require a borrower to change from an existing tracker mortgage to another mortgage type, as part of an alternative arrangement offered to the borrower in arrears or pre-arrears.
In addition to this Code recommendations made by the Cooney Group on the issue of personal debt have received the support of the Government and will be rolled out by the end of this year. These include supporting people who lose their homes by allowing them to stay in the home while the local authority finds appropriate accommodation. It is also envisioned that a Deferred Interest Scheme for borrowers who can pay at least 66% of the interest giving them up to 5 years to get back on their feet. Lenders should also consider letting borrowers in negative equity trade down to a more affordable. It is also proposed that a statutory non-judicial debt settlement system should be established.
Protecting family homes is a major priority for me and an issue I have worked on for the last 18 months. We are already helping almost 18,000 families directly through mortgage interest Supplement. We have refocused Mortgage Interest relief to help those who bought their homes at the peak of the market. In addition banks must now wait at least twelve months before they can apply for repossession.
I know there are families in my own constituency and around the country who have lost their jobs or have taken a pay cut and are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments as a result. These measures in addition to the practical action we have taken to date will help them retain their home. I would urge those who are worrying about their mortgage repayments to talk to their lender. In addition confidential free advice on coping with debt problems is always available with MABS.
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Darragh O’Brien wishes everyone a happy and safe New Year
Posted on 31/12/10 by Darragh O’Brien
I want take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe new year. The new year for many people brings an opportunity to make plans and set goals for the year ahead.
It remains a great privilege for me and all of my colleagues to serve the people as their TD in Dáil Eireann.
I believe our work in our constituencies has had real benefits and we are seeing many educational and school building projects progress.
Like many around the country I have a young family. I want what is best for them. I want what’s best for you and your family. This principle is what guides me and the work that I do in the Dáil.
In recent months we have seen very important jobs and investment announcements but I know the numbers of people signing-on, despite being down significantly over the past 5 months, is still too high. I know from personal experience the difficulty and distress that comes with unemployment and working to tackle this problem and ensure there’s investment in education services are my top priorities.
Again I want to wish everyone a happy new year and I want to continue to do my level best for the people in the years ahead.
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The outlook for farmers in 2011 is one of positive growth - Johnny Brady TD
Posted on 27/12/10 by Johnny Brady
As we edge closer to 2011 and look for increasing signs of economic recovery, one industry that can be confident of having a strong positive outlook for 2011 is the Agri Food industry.
Recent statistics from the CSO point towards a massive recovery in the agriculture sector since 2009. According to the CSO’s advance estimate of Output, input and Income, the first estimate of operating surplus in agriculture in 2010 shows an annual increase of 46%. This follows a 31.1% decrease in 2009. After an extremely difficult year in 2009, farmers are experiencing a much needed reversal of fortunes.
In recent months, the Government outlined the integral role that the agri food industry will play in our economic recovery in the coming years. It began with the publication in July of Food Harvest 2020, an ambitious ten year plan for the industry. The report of the 2020 Committee on the future of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sector sets targets to increase exports by a third to €12billion on an annual basis over the next decade.
In December’s budget, we once again recognised the vital role that agriculture and the agri food industry will play in this country’s economic recovery. The sector is highly labour intensive and is a vital part of the rural economy. As a result, payment levels for all the main agricultural schemes have been maintained for 2011.
We will continue to support farmers incomes through the re opening of the Agri-Environment Scheme, continuing payments under REPs, Farm Waste Management payments, funding for the Suckler Welfare Scheme and spending on the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The total Department expenditure in 2011 will be almost €3 billion.
In 2010, total direct payments to the agriculture sector are expected to amount to circa €1,900 million, which includes payments under the Single Payment Scheme, the Area Based Disadvantaged Compensatory Allowance Scheme, REPS, forestry premia, disease compensation and other smaller schemes.
While Food Harvest 2020 is an ambitious ten year plan, the financial support provided in the budget along with recent CSO indicators prove these targets are achievable. Strong Government support means the sector is well placed to drive our economic recovery and move food and drink exports from €7 billion to €12billin over the next decade. The outlook for farmers and the rural economy in 2011 is undoubtedly positive.
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Drivers must not let road safety achievements of 2010 go to waste over the Christmas period - Blaney
Posted on 24/12/10 by Niall Blaney
This Christmas our roads will be extremely busy as people all around the country try to make it home for Christmas and visit their families. With the extremely icy weather conditions looking set to stay until next week, there is a much higher risk of road accidents this Christmas unless people take extra caution and drive carefully.
A number of key milestones were reached in 2010 in tackling road safety. Reducing excessive and inappropriate speed on our roads is a key road safety issue. The rollout of the safety camera project in November this year represented a major achievement in our Road Safety strategy. Recent figures released from the Gardai indicate that the safety cameras project is already having a major impact in saving lives on our roads.
According to Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey, there has been a sharp decline in people being killed or seriously injured on the roads in recent weeks since the introduction of the speed cameras. There has been a reduction of 51 in the numbers killed or seriously injured in the period from November 17th to December 13th compared to the same period last year. The Garda Commissioner has put this down to the introduction of the speed cameras.
In July 2010, the Road Traffic Bill 2009 was signed into law allowing for the lowering of the current maximum legal blood alcohol concentration limit. This bill also introduces mandatory roadside testing of drivers involved in collisions and administrative fixed penalties for certain drink driving offences. Mandatory roadside testing will come into place early in the new year.
Finally, one of the biggest achievements in the area of road safety has been the improvement in our road network. This week saw the completion of the major inter urban roads programme with the opening of the final stretch of the M7 from Castletown and Nenagh. This completes the major inter urban routes linking Dublin with Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and the Border and has significantly reduced journey times and improved road safety around the country.
While we've reached many milestones in 2010, there is never any room for complacency. One life lost is always one too many. It is important that we don’t see any sign of complacency over the Christmas period. As the severe weather conditions continue, I would urge drivers to be extremely vigilant and not let the many achievements of the past year go to waste.
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Jobs focussed Budget will get Ireland back to work
Posted on 08/12/10 by Darragh O’Brien This Budget is a budget for jobs, growth and stability. Getting people back to work remains our number one priority. It is the driving force behind everything we do. Over €1 billion has been allocated to invest in capital programmes in 2011 which will support 10,000 jobs.
There is a support for those who create jobs and for those seeking employment.
The Budget puts a welcome focus on the construction sector which has been devastated by job losses. Budget 2011 will introduce tax incentives for a retrofit scheme and reform the relevant contracts. I am hopeful that construction firms will be able be able expand into this area.
Our corporation tax of 12.5% will be retained. This will help to secure and expand on the thousands of jobs that we have attracted to Ireland through Foreign Direct Investment. Employers will also be supported to create employment with the expansion of the Employer Job PRSI Scheme and the extension of the tax exemption scheme.
There will also be a 3 Year Tax Exemption for Start-up Companies that commence a new trade in 2011. The scheme is being modified so that the value of the relief will be linked to the amount of employers’ PRSI paid by a company in an accounting period subject to a maximum of €5,000 per employee. If the amount of qualifying employers’ PRSI is lower than the reduction in corporation tax liability otherwise applicable, relief will be based on the lower amount.
For those seeking work we are this Budget plans to provide 5,000 additional places in the private sector under the skills Development and Internship Programme. In addition to this, 5,000 places will be provided in the public service under the Work Placement Programme. In the Community and Voluntary Sector 5,000 places will be provided under the Community Work Placement Scheme.
There are no easy solutions but I am confident that the Budget and the National Recovery Plan outlines the necessary and achievable measures to get this country back on its feet.
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen has given some excellent interviews on RTÉ and Newstalk in recent days. You can listen back to them by clicking here.
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