The Labour Party in Government

[Apjp]

On the plus side, if FF stagnate where they are(19-20 sail seats or thereabouts), and Labour lose over half their seats, we are in for a major shake up.

[disability student]

He'd better take another flight out of the country. That is about all he has left to cheer everyone up.

I saw he reportedly flew to Berlin the other day. Why, no-one knows. Airmiles?

Why not ask re his diaries re FOI?

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Eamon has a diary? Maybe he does. The US ambassador holds on to it for him.

[PaddyJoe]

Goldhawk this week has a short piece about "Labour's Euro Women"
It claims that Labour's three MEPs are now "singing off the same, dissident, hymn sheet" because they will face the electorate in just over 18 months time.

"Childers has successfully carved out an independent niche for herself following the the stance she took last year on Kevin Cardiff's appointment to ECA and the Stalinist treatment she received from the party leadership in response"

"Prendergast recently came onside with Childers(and offside with Gilmore) when she
stood alongside her colleague in demanding that James Reilly resign over his recent selection of primary care centres and his treatment of Roisin Shortall. Now Costello has capitulated and she joined the two sisters in a joint statement recently demanding that Ireland joins in with other EZ countries in a FTT or bankers transaction tax, in direct contradiction of Labour Party policy"

The Phoenix predicts that Childers is the most likely of three to survive 2014 but "Prendergast is a dead woman walking' and Costello is 'in a most precarious position'.
The piece concludes with a fairly sarky remark about senior Labour figures once imagining Childers 'to be a harmless eccentric"

[Greengoddess]

I imagine they regard Childers as a harm[I]full [/Ieccentric at this stage . Churchill described her GF as a " murderous renegade". Needless to say none of the characters here are up that standard. . I do however wish they were.

[Greengoddess]

Then there is this renegade today......

The Irish Times - Friday, November 2, 2012
Labour must assert values, says chairman


THE OUTSPOKEN Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney has said his party must ensure its traditional values are taken into account when the budget is being formulated by Cabinet Ministers.

Mr Keaveney warned that people would become angry and cynical unless powerful vested interest groups were challenged and said the last budget had too little impact on well-off individuals.

“We in Labour must now assert our values on questions like social justice and the continuing protection of the lower paid and other vulnerable groups in society and impress these values on Government policy in general and on the budget in particular,” he said.

Mr Keaveney said the challenge facing the Labour Party was to ensure that income inequality did not continue to grow. He said those tasked with framing the upcoming budget must take this into account.

“The budget will not be accepted unless it is seen to be fair and just in terms of the different burdens that the budget will place on the various groups in our society,” he said.

People in the middle- and lower-income groups could not be asked to bear any further effects of fiscal adjustments while those on higher incomes escaped “any significant burden”, he said.

“It is simply an injustice that the only financial effect of the last budget of someone on a high income like myself was confined to a loss of €105; the household charge and the septic tank registration fee.”

The Galway East TD said he had been alarmed by reports of a large rise in the number of tax exiles. “This practice must be addressed. There is something seriously wrong whereby someone can avail of tax avoidance in that manner while their family still resident here can enjoy the publicly provided services paid for by other citizens paying their full share of the tax burden,” he said.

“Unless issues like these and powerful vested interest groups like the hospital consultants are challenged and addressed, then the willingness of the rest of those in society to play their part in our recovery will be lost and replaced with cynicism and anger.”

Mr Keaveney has been something of a thorn in the side of the Labour leadership in recent times. An email he sent to Labour personnel describing a meeting with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore where the resignation of former minister of state for primary care Róisín Shortall was discussed was leaked, causing discomfort for the party.

[Shaadi]

Then there is this renegade today......

The Irish Times - Friday, November 2, 2012
Labour must assert values, says chairman


THE OUTSPOKEN Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney has said his party must ensure its traditional values are taken into account when the budget is being formulated by Cabinet Ministers.

Mr Keaveney warned that people would become angry and cynical unless powerful vested interest groups were challenged and said the last budget had too little impact on well-off individuals.

“We in Labour must now assert our values on questions like social justice and the continuing protection of the lower paid and other vulnerable groups in society and impress these values on Government policy in general and on the budget in particular,” he said.

Mr Keaveney said the challenge facing the Labour Party was to ensure that income inequality did not continue to grow. He said those tasked with framing the upcoming budget must take this into account.

“The budget will not be accepted unless it is seen to be fair and just in terms of the different burdens that the budget will place on the various groups in our society,” he said.

People in the middle- and lower-income groups could not be asked to bear any further effects of fiscal adjustments while those on higher incomes escaped “any significant burden”, he said.

“It is simply an injustice that the only financial effect of the last budget of someone on a high income like myself was confined to a loss of €105; the household charge and the septic tank registration fee.”

The Galway East TD said he had been alarmed by reports of a large rise in the number of tax exiles. “This practice must be addressed. There is something seriously wrong whereby someone can avail of tax avoidance in that manner while their family still resident here can enjoy the publicly provided services paid for by other citizens paying their full share of the tax burden,” he said.

“Unless issues like these and powerful vested interest groups like the hospital consultants are challenged and addressed, then the willingness of the rest of those in society to play their part in our recovery will be lost and replaced with cynicism and anger.”

Mr Keaveney has been something of a thorn in the side of the Labour leadership in recent times. An email he sent to Labour personnel describing a meeting with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore where the resignation of former minister of state for primary care Róisín Shortall was discussed was leaked, causing discomfort for the party.

Lots of light and no heat as usual from Mr Keaveney. One of the must vulnerable Labour seats in the country and SFA to show for his access to power, only incessant yapping from one of the supposed consciences of Labour.

Where's the beef Mr Keaveney?

[Richardbouvet]

Colm Keavney is a bogus rebel and a very soft thorn in the leadership's side.

Anytime he shows up on programmes like RTE "Late debate" he acts as a wooden spokesman for the government.

Why has Keavney not come out in suppport of the real rebels like Nulty, Childers or Broughan, who actually speak for the party grass roots?

[Shaadi]

Colm Keavney is a bogus rebel and a very soft thorn in the leadership's side.

Anytime he shows up on programmes like RTE "Late debate" he acts as a wooden spokesman for the government.

Why has Keavney not come out in suppport of the real rebels like Nulty, Childers or Broughan, who actually speak for the party grass roots?

+1. A careerist politician if ever there was one.

[DCon]

Why has Keavney not come out in suppport of the real rebels like Nulty, Childers or Broughan, who actually speak for the party grass roots?

Does he get an Allowance for being party Chairman? Surely the State pays him more for that

[disability student]

Lots of light and no heat as usual from Mr Keaveney. One of the must vulnerable Labour seats in the country and SFA to show for his access to power, only incessant yapping from one of the supposed consciences of Labour.

Where's the beef Mr Keaveney?

Mr Keaveney operates like a 'good cop, bad cop'.

The interesting bits is that Govt ministers (FG/Lab) would qualify for their glold plated pensions next Feb 2013.

[fluffybiscuits]

Then there is this renegade today......

The Irish Times - Friday, November 2, 2012
Labour must assert values, says chairman


THE OUTSPOKEN Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney has said his party must ensure its traditional values are taken into account when the budget is being formulated by Cabinet Ministers.

Mr Keaveney warned that people would become angry and cynical unless powerful vested interest groups were challenged and said the last budget had too little impact on well-off individuals.

“We in Labour must now assert our values on questions like social justice and the continuing protection of the lower paid and other vulnerable groups in society and impress these values on Government policy in general and on the budget in particular,” he said.

Mr Keaveney said the challenge facing the Labour Party was to ensure that income inequality did not continue to grow. He said those tasked with framing the upcoming budget must take this into account.

“The budget will not be accepted unless it is seen to be fair and just in terms of the different burdens that the budget will place on the various groups in our society,” he said.

People in the middle- and lower-income groups could not be asked to bear any further effects of fiscal adjustments while those on higher incomes escaped “any significant burden”, he said.

“It is simply an injustice that the only financial effect of the last budget of someone on a high income like myself was confined to a loss of €105; the household charge and the septic tank registration fee.”

The Galway East TD said he had been alarmed by reports of a large rise in the number of tax exiles. “This practice must be addressed. There is something seriously wrong whereby someone can avail of tax avoidance in that manner while their family still resident here can enjoy the publicly provided services paid for by other citizens paying their full share of the tax burden,” he said.

“Unless issues like these and powerful vested interest groups like the hospital consultants are challenged and addressed, then the willingness of the rest of those in society to play their part in our recovery will be lost and replaced with cynicism and anger.”

Mr Keaveney has been something of a thorn in the side of the Labour leadership in recent times. An email he sent to Labour personnel describing a meeting with Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore where the resignation of former minister of state for primary care Róisín Shortall was discussed was leaked, causing discomfort for the party.

Empty words and very empty words at that.

Brendan Howlin wants to cut wages for public servants and make some redundant
Moan Burton has made cuts that affect most in society
Ruairi Quinn is making is expensive to go to college, we should educate our way out of recession

All while Labour is taking it up the arse from FG...

What is Keaveney trying to achieve here? Look like a rebel so that he gets a few votes when Labour falls flat on its hole but its ok Colm was seen to be fighting with the working class...this type of self serving bullshit makes me sick...honestly...

[Greengoddess]

CLP holding a meeting.

The Campaign for Labour Policies are holding a meeting on this Saturday, November 17th, to*organise as members to push our TDs and Minister for action on the x-case, and choice.*

Whatever Labour, and this government, does at this stage, its too late. Savita Halappanavar's death in Galway could have been prevented by any government over the past 20 years legislating according to a Supreme Court ruling. And it could have been prevented by the timely reporting of the Expert Group on related cases.*

To look back on Labour's time in government and see even this most basic progress on fundamental human rights not happen, would be inexcusable.*

Let's make sure our TDs, Senators and Ministers know how we feel, and know what we expect of them as our representatives.*

[ang]

Good Luck with that @Greengoddess Labour already had a chance to do something about that earlier this year but they decided to vote NO - (How TD's voted are available at bottom of linked page) -

Medical Treatment (Termination of Pregnancy in Case of Risk to Life of Pregnant Woman) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed)
Thursday, 19 April 2012

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas....6?opendocument

[EMUII]

CLP holding a meeting.

The Campaign for Labour Policies are holding a meeting on this Saturday, November 17th, to*organise as members to push our TDs and Minister for action on the x-case, and choice.*

Whatever Labour, and this government, does at this stage, its too late. Savita Halappanavar's death in Galway could have been prevented by any government over the past 20 years legislating according to a Supreme Court ruling. And it could have been prevented by the timely reporting of the Expert Group on related cases.*

To look back on Labour's time in government and see even this most basic progress on fundamental human rights not happen, would be inexcusable.*

Let's make sure our TDs, Senators and Ministers know how we feel, and know what we expect of them as our representatives.*

I get the feeling unless something happens pretty soon to alter Labour's course, the list of things considered inexcusable will be quite long.

Granted, this is a heart-wrenching tragedy and I can only extend my sympathies to all those involved, but there is little point asking an up-until-now largely ignored group within Labour to hold a meeting and say "down with that sort of thing".

If the CLP is genuinely concerned that Labour needs to be rescued, maybe it's time they were a little more pro-active in their approach.