I recently had the pleasure of attending the launch of the results of an audit of Ireland's debt in Buswell's Hotel.
Carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Limerick and led by Dr. Sheila Killian, 'An Audit of Irish Debt' provides a very accessible picture of Ireland's debt. The audit was commissioned by the trade union UNITE and the Irish NGOs Afri and Debt and Development Coalition Ireland. Based on information from the Central Bank, the ECB, the CSO and NTMA as well the financial accounts of various financial institutions, Reuters data, Dáil questions and wikileaks cables; the report is extremely thorough.
Of key importance though is that the report is independent and politically neutral.
It may sound like a dry read but the information within this audit personally affects every citizen in Ireland and is well worth a look.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Referendum Matters
The Dáil resumes today and has an opportunity to provide some much needed focus.
Despite the fact that this session will undoubtedly be extremely busy, the reality is that come the end of October, the public will be called upon to cast their votes in two referendums. If approved, these will:
- allow the pay of judges to be reduced in line with any future reductions in public service pay.
- give Oireachtas committees the power to hold inquiries that can make findings of fact.
Whether or not such issues are uncontroversial does not negate the need for robust analysis and discussion. This has been conspiciuously absent.
The dearth of inspirational candidates in the upcoming Presidential election has fostered a degree of public apathy and is debasing the status of an office that should be able to stake claim to a perennial place within the hearts of this country's citizens. This cannot and should not be allowed to happen to a process that alters the document that defines who we are as a people and a country.
Referendums matter. Admittedly some more so than others. But they all count.
Despite the current difficulties this country faces, the upcoming referendums should be treated with the respect and consideration they deserve and not ignored by the media or our political representatives. Some much needed attention would be very welcome in the coming weeks.
Despite the fact that this session will undoubtedly be extremely busy, the reality is that come the end of October, the public will be called upon to cast their votes in two referendums. If approved, these will:
- allow the pay of judges to be reduced in line with any future reductions in public service pay.
- give Oireachtas committees the power to hold inquiries that can make findings of fact.
Whether or not such issues are uncontroversial does not negate the need for robust analysis and discussion. This has been conspiciuously absent.
The dearth of inspirational candidates in the upcoming Presidential election has fostered a degree of public apathy and is debasing the status of an office that should be able to stake claim to a perennial place within the hearts of this country's citizens. This cannot and should not be allowed to happen to a process that alters the document that defines who we are as a people and a country.
Referendums matter. Admittedly some more so than others. But they all count.
Despite the current difficulties this country faces, the upcoming referendums should be treated with the respect and consideration they deserve and not ignored by the media or our political representatives. Some much needed attention would be very welcome in the coming weeks.
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