Today's papers reviewed (courtesy of newstalk and twitter)

[Baron von Biffo]

The IT wants the public to choose an object that represents modern Ireland. The choice is restricted to 10 pre-selected items.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...breaking6.html

If there was a free choice and if an ugly affectation could be classed an object I'd suggest the dort accent. It first assailed our eardrums in the nineties and has rapidly spread from it's Dublin South-side roots like a particularly noxious weed to infect most of the country to the detriment of most of our regional accents.

[homer]

The IT wants the public to choose an object that represents modern Ireland. The choice is restricted to 10 pre-selected items.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...breaking6.html

If there was a free choice and if an ugly affectation could be classed an object I'd suggest the dort accent. It first assailed our eardrums in the nineties and has rapidly spread from it's Dublin South-side roots like a particularly noxious weed to infect most of the country to the detriment of most of our regional accents.

Plus one, but I think it is still mainly Dublin and RTE?

[Baron von Biffo]

Plus one, but I think it is still mainly Dublin and RTE?

Alas no, it's spreading. Down the East coast it's oozing towards Wexford like pus from a septic wound, thought without the same appeal. It's so sad when listening to kids on telly, say around the time of the Leaving Cert results, and not knowing what part of the country they're from unless it's written on screen.

[DCon]

It's so sad when listening to kids on telly, say around the time of the Leaving Cert results, and not knowing what part of the country they're from unless it's written on screen.

this is true

seems a particular thing to Ireland that a regional accent is looked down on by some

[DCon]

today's offerings

THE IRISH TIMES

Pension charges punching hole in retirement funds
Airlines must pay for delays, says court
Sedative and tranquiliser use increases 40% on five years

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

Schoolgirl (12) sues drunk mum over death crash
Families face new €300 hike for health insurance
Phone trouble delays €570m power line

THE IRISH EXAMINER

Gardai probing online approach to girls
White-collar workers heavy benzo users

THE IRISH DAILY MIRROR

4-YEAR-OLD RAPED BY BOYS AGED 8 & 9

THE IRISH DAILY MAIL

ARE THEY REALLY WORTH €11M A YEAR IN EXPENSES?

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/featured...-october-2012/

[Baron von Biffo]

SW appeals can take more than a year to get to an oral hearing.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/s...ed-571632.html

No doubt those who think that government should be run like a business will assure us that getting rid of more PS workers is the way to address this.

[Baron von Biffo]

The lid is slowly being lifted on the scandal that is the pension industry.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...es-211814.html

Workers in the private and public sectors are paying large sums every year that ultimately benefit shareholders and the taxpayer respectively, more than themselves.

It's an indictment of the trade union movement that this shameful trade wasn't dealt with during the Social Partnership years.

[disability student]

SW appeals can take more than a year to get to an oral hearing.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/s...ed-571632.html

No doubt those who think that government should be run like a business will assure us that getting rid of more PS workers is the way to address this.

No surprise there as they used to be productive back then. But lot of good workers have left Appeals office as there was a huge staff turnover (still) in Social welfare.

I spoke to a PS worker in Store street as the person in question told me that the relationship between the management and the staff are at all time low. They even refused to work productively since the levy came in as they pay almost identical amount of levy deducted from their salary. PS workers have the backing of the union.Hence a stand off between them.

That department isn't the only one, other two departments as well.

[Baron von Biffo]

Jim Higgins is doing his bit for privatisation. He wants to undermine Bus Eireann by forcing it to allow rival businesses to use its facilities.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...be-211771.html

[Baron von Biffo]

Reilly's bull in a china shop approach to consultants pay could wind up in the courts if he attempts to force further pay cuts on them.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...on-211768.html

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...nt-211766.html

That's a scenario that the government would surely regret. If the courts upheld the contracts it could embolden other state workers to go the same route and might even inject a little starch into the spines of union leaders.

If the courts don't uphold the contracts it will have serious implications for workers rights across both sectors.

[Baron von Biffo]

Shatter has published a bill to allow for payment of fines by instalments over a 12 month period and to allow for attachment orders in default.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...325626339.html

So far as it goes it's a good idea - the objections from Niall Collins are risible - but it fails to address the unequal impact of fines depending on the income of the offender.

A €100 fine imposed on someone on the dole represents 1% of their annual income but it would be a trifle to someone on a six figure salary. If we fined offenders a proportion of their income the punishment would be the same for rich and poor.

[DCon]

today's good news

THE IRISH TIMES

Lenihan’s letter on bailout acceptance released
Incredible bitterness displayed in Quinn case, says judge
Referendum copies to be pulped after right to life error

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

Price hikes give the ESB a profit surge to €230m
Gardai probe rape claim against major celebrity
Melanie’s delight as book finally hits shelves
House prices boosted by biggest rise since crash

THE IRISH EXAMINER

Holidays in school year ‘harm pupils education
IAA: Pilot college financing like a Ponzi scheme
Enda ‘European of the year’ in Germany as ratings fall at home

THE IRISH DAILY STAR

GAA PLAYER’S PRIVATES ‘TORN OPEN IN MATCH’

THE DAILY MAIL

SLASH AND BURN FOR TEACHERS’ PAY DEALS

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/featured...n-of-the-year/

[Baron von Biffo]

If any area of the public sector is perceived to be performing poorly we're inundated with comment from the media and business interests criticising its inefficiency. You might be mistaken for believing that the opposite would be true and that successful public enterprise would be lauded. Not a bit of it.

When the ESB is shown to be one of the most successful businesses in the country it's criticised for 'piling price hikes on customers'.

http://www.independent.ie/business/i...m-3271953.html

[Baron von Biffo]

Aer Lingus forcing a strike.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/i...le-571866.html

[DCon]

Troika, Reilly, Dail a joke

THE IRISH TIMES

Government confident of bailout exit next year
Reilly called to explain age limit for allowance
Department of Taoiseach’s spending brought to book

THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

We’re ready to leave bailout, says Noonan
80 garda stations to be shut and replaced by ‘clinics’
Pupils who miss school too often face new rules

THE IRISH EXAMINER

Dáil ‘a joke’ as €112m spend passed
Two boys took part in gang rape, court told

THE IRISH DAILY STAR

RAPE PROBE CELEB: I DIDN’T DO IT
THE IRISH DAILY MIRROR
STREETS OF FEAR

THE IRISH SUN

COPS LET OFF SAVILE SEVEN TIMES

THE IRISH DAILY MAIL

HURLING ALL-STAR AND HIS ‘HIP FLASK’ DEFENCE

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/featured...-october-2012/