NOVEMBER 2008
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 21
Former Taoiseach Disputes Cromwell Story
Bertie Ahem has taken issue with an account of one of his first official visits to London as Taoiseach.
In the introduction to a new book about Oliver Cromwell, by Micheal 0 Siochru, it is claimed that Ahern stormed out of the office of the then British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, on being faced with a portrait of Cromwell.
Ahern says he remembers the occasion in 1997 and was indeed uncomfortable at the portrait being given a place of honour. Cook noticed the reaction and asked Ahern how he felt about the portrait.
According to Ahern, Cook was taken aback at the strength of the feeling in his response. He did not, however, walk out of the room. •
Ahern Falls and Breaks Leg
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern fell downstairs at his home on October 21 and broke his right leg.
He has, however, remained active, although using crutches, and was in the Dail for the vote on the over-70s medical card issue. That night he attended the Trinity College Historical Society to be presented with a gold medal for his outstanding contribution to public discourse. •
Morale of Irish Workers in Brussels Hit by Lisbon Outcome
Speaking to a Joint Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the FU, RTF's European editor Sean Whelan reported a lowering of morale among Brussels-based Irish civil servants following the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
He spoke of the "shrinkage in terms of Irish influence" that is perceived following the No vote.
Whelan also highlighted other problems generated by the Irish No vote; internal political problems in Austria, tension between the prime minister and the president of Poland; and fears in Croatia that the country will not be admitted to the EU in 2010
•
Fight Between Brothers Ended in Death
Derek McGrath (36), of Blanchardstown in Dublin, was jailed for four and a half years after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his brother Anthony (23) in October 2006.
The court heard that Derek McGrath had been drinking for two days, first at a 40th birthday party and then at a family christening, before becoming involved in a violent row with his brother.
He had also taken cocaine and Valium. Anthony McGrath died from a single stab wound to the neck.
In imposing sentence Justice Paul Carney noted this was the fourth case of fratricide he has had to deal with in recent times.
Irish Government Under Pressure Over Budget as 25,000 Protest in Dublin
ONCERNs over the abolition of the universal medical card for over 70 pensioners, a one percent tax levy on all incomes, and the threat of the rein traduction of third-level college fees, led to over 25,000 people taking to the streets of Dublin on October 22 in protest of the budget earlier in the month.
The Irish Government came under immediate pressure following the publication of its emergency budget on October 14, forcing it to make reversals and amendments to measures such as the abolition of the universal medical card for the over 70s and a one percent levy on minimum wage workers.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan pulled forward the publication of the annual budget from December to October in an effort to address the growing economic crisis facing the country.
In presenting the budget to the Dail, Minister Lenihan called it "no less than a call to patriotic action."
The Finance Minister made massive cuts across all public spending and increased tax revenues in an attempt to raise over S3 billion in 2009.
Nevertheless he also warned that the country would face a budget deficit of 6.5 percent of GDP, well above the FU limit of three percent.
Major features of the budget included:
A one percent levy on all incomes up to FU 100,100, rising to two percent for those who earn above EU100,100 (amended on October 22 to exempt those earning the annual minimum wage of EU17,500 or lower).
Abolition of the universal medical card for the over 70s to be replaced by a means test system (amended on October 22 to exempt about 95 percent of current card holders from the means test).
The loss of around 400 primary and secondary school teacher positions, as well as reductions in child benefit payments and childcare supplements.
A 10 percent pay cut for all government ministers and all top senior civil servants.
Sharp tax increases on cigarettes and alcohol, as well as a FU10 tax on air travel leaving Ireland.
The government made the changes to the medical card proposals after coming under fire from opposition parties and mounting public disapproval over the scheme.
In a protest organized by the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament on October 22 an estimated 15,000 people took to the streets to voice their opposition to the changes surrounding the availability of free healthcare for the elderly.
This followed a protest the previous day in which Minister of State for Health John Maloney was heckled by over 1,000 older people and forced to leave the stage before he could address a meeting organized by Age Action Ireland in St. Andrew's Church, Dublin.
Labour's Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, Roisin Shortall TD, noted that "not since the tax marches of the 1980s has there been such a display of public anger."
Fianna Fail's coalition partner the Green Party also expressed disapproval over the handling of the proposal. Deirdre de Burca, Spokeswoman for Health and Children, said that her party was extremely critical over the way changes to the over 70s medical card system were "planned and communicated."
In announcing the changes to the medical card scheme, in which 95 percent of current card holders will not be means tested, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that he "very much regretted" any anxiety caused to the country's older people.
Those who have an income that exceeds FU700 weekly (FU1400 for couples) and new applicants from January 1, 2009 will still face a means test.
On the same day, the Government also announced it would be dropping the one percent tax levy on those earning the national minimum wage (FU8.65) or under.
It is estimated this will cost the Budget about FU50 million in the next year but the move received a "guarded welcome" from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
However the Government's problems were further compounded following separate protests on October 22 by students in Dublin over the increase in student registration fees by 67 percent (up to FU1,150 annually) and the continued threat of the rein traduction of third-level fees.
Over 10,000 students marched from Parnell Square to Leinster House in a demonstration led by the Union of Students in Ireland.
This followed a rally held the previous day on the campus of University College Dublin, where Finance Minister Brian Lenihan was due to deliver a speech, in which three students were arrested.
Addressing the rally outside Leinster House, USI President Shane Kelly praised the commitment of the student population for keeping pressure on Minister for Education Batt O'Keefe over the recent cuts in education.
THE UNION OF STUDENTS in Ireland protest against the possible reintroduction of third level tuition fees.
"He is very happy asking for our money, but he doesn't want to listen to what we have to say on the subject," he said.
The protest has prompted opposition parties and teacher unions to argue for more focused attacks on the education budget which will see increased class sizes, job losses and school closures over the next year.
Speaking from a trade mission in China on October 23, which he was forced to postpone for two days owing to the protests, Taoiseach Brian Cowen argued that he had demonstrated responsive leadership over the budget crisis but also admitted his authority has been affected.
Mark Traynor is a freelance writer from Dublin currently living in Vancouver, B.C.
BRIAN LENIHAN
Second Arrest Warrant for Couple Thought to be in Canada
A warrant has been issued by the High Court for the arrest of construction company directors Colm and Martina McNulty, of St. Margaret's in Co. Dublin - they are believed to have fled to Canada.
The couple had been the subj ect of a court order to pay EU 1.8 million to another company and also owe some EU2.2 million which they borrowed to buy properties.
Last month the District Court also issued an arrest warrant in respect of the McNultys. This related to their failure to pay EU180,000 in pension contributions deducted from their employees.
•
British Airways Suspends its Dublin to Gatwick Service
Brian Lenihan's budget tax on travel has led British Airways to suspend its Dublin to Gatwick service, the airline's chief Willie Walsh has confirmed.
Walsh said the route had already been under review but since the Government's decision to impose a EU10 exit tax from March 30, "we have taken the decision to suspend our services from Dublin to Gatwick at that time."
•
Annie Moore Remembered in New York
Annie Moore, the Irish teenager who was the first immigrant to be processed through the Ellis Island Immigration Centre in 1892, was commemorated in New York in October. Many of her descendants were present when a monument was unveiled in her memory in Calvary Cemetery. Among those who spoke on the occasion was Niall Burgess, Consul General of Ireland in New York, while Ronan Tynan sang Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.