New Dail / New Taoiseach

efanton · 11-03-2020 02:02AM

Good loser wrote: »

Your last para (at least) is nonsensical.
You seek, or so you say, to have housing taxed at 'a far lower level' than fuel, food and electricity.
But in fact you want housing taxed at nil.
Taxes are collected effectively to transfer wealth/income from the better off to those poorer. The adjustment of tax rates is always subject to intense political scrutiny and the annual budget allows rates to be varied as the political forces decide.

No I dd not say that.

I said housing should be taxed at lower levels. Whether that includes a property tax or not is immaterial.
If the government reduced VAT then I see no reason why the LPT could no remain. If they choose not to reduce VAT but still insisted on LPT then they are simply scoring an own goal. If they scrapped LPT then they are to some small degree relieving the burden on those that can leat afford to pay that tax. My point is simply the government is extracting far too much tax from either the prospective home owner or those forced into renting property because they do not qualify for a mortgage.

The bottom line is taxation is now the difference between thousands of prospective home owners affording a home, renting property in the private rental market, or using government schemes such as HAP or the schemes to allow first time buyers to actually purchase a home. If these schemes are costing so much money,which they are for 2019 the costs were HAP €612 million, emergency housing €170 million, or the Help-to-Buy scheme cost €256.5 million, in total well over €1 BILLION every single year and rising, is it not time to actually reduce the cost of housing through reduced taxation, ( for those that wish to buy or those that wish to rent), rather than spend billions fixing the effects of an overpriced (or over taxed) market.

Runaways · 12-03-2020 09:10PM

I will never ever ride to Leo or Michaels defence.
They have plenty in their paid employ to do that as evidenced here.
But Arlene Foster today criticizing Varadkar for not consulting her on and implementing an all island response to the virus emergency really really takes the biscuit.
The absolute neck.

Same Arlene that refused repeatedly to engage in an all island brexit strategy.

Control of Northern Ireland needs taking out of such redundant retarded minds.
If it’s not no no never never, it’s finger pointing and blaming.

It’s got to stop.

Water John · 12-03-2020 09:13PM

I presume if NI want to implement our protocols, the UK PM won't stop them.

Runaways · 13-03-2020 10:44AM

Water John wrote: »

I presume if NI want to implement our protocols, the UK PM won't stop them.

That’s the crazy part. She was like a broken record saying NI will not diverge from the UK in any way in brexit. Now? Singing a very different tune. She’s hopeless.

Also the RHI report is out this weekend I think? She’s not long for the leadership I’d say

a very cool kid · 13-03-2020 01:41PM

Runaways wrote: »

That’s the crazy part. She was like a broken record saying NI will not diverge from the UK in any way in brexit. Now? Singing a very different tune. She’s hopeless.

Also the RHI report is out this weekend I think? She’s not long for the leadership I’d say

Arlene is a battleaxe this is confirmed.

Sinn Féin supporting her til they saw which way the wind was blowing was actually a bit of a surprise.

mr_fegelien · 13-03-2020 01:41PM

Can someone clarify the difference between the Dail and the Government?

Also do government ministers have to be in the Dail?

L1011 · 13-03-2020 01:47PM

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Can someone clarify the difference between the Dail and the Government?

Also do government ministers have to be in the Dail?

Government = Taoiseach and Ministers

Ministers need to be in the Dáil or Seanad (with a limit on numbers and roles allowed) when appointed but retain their right to address the Dáil even if they lose their seats until a new Minister is appointed.

blanch152 · 14-03-2020 02:08PM

Runaways wrote: »

That’s the crazy part. She was like a broken record saying NI will not diverge from the UK in any way in brexit. Now? Singing a very different tune. She’s hopeless.

Also the RHI report is out this weekend I think? She’s not long for the leadership I’d say

That report has shown up how inept, self-centred, stupid and incompetent all of Northern Ireland’s political parties are. Don’t let any of them near government down here.

BonnieSituation · 14-03-2020 02:32PM

blanch152 wrote: »

That report has shown up how inept, self-centred, stupid and incompetent all of Northern Ireland’s political parties are. Don’t let any of them near government down here.

So they're only good enough for Irish people "up there"?

We should send our politicians north to show them how proper corruption is done.

Remember when the English came over to show us how to govern ourselves?

coastwatch · 15-03-2020 09:50AM

The Green Party need to cop on quickly.
It's reported this morning that they are expected to withdraw from Government formation talks because they believe funding for climate change action programs will be re-directed to fight the corona virus.

They need to realise they are now becoming more irrelevant by the day.
The corona virus pandemic is taking care of climate change actions,
- No international flights
- No Cruise Ship voyages
- Reduced motor vehicle and public transport use
- Reduced non-essential production and consumption
and on, and on.

Wanderer78 · 15-03-2020 09:54AM

coastwatch wrote:

They need to realise they are now becoming more irrelevant by the day. The corona virus pandemic is taking care of climate change actions, - No international flights - No Cruise Ship voyages - Reduced motor vehicle and public transport use - Reduced non-essential production and consumption and on, and on.

This virus will pass, humans could be dealing with climate change issues indefinitely

Field east · 15-03-2020 08:39PM

coastwatch wrote: »

The Green Party need to cop on quickly.
It's reported this morning that they are expected to withdraw from Government formation talks because they believe funding for climate change action programs will be re-directed to fight the corona virus.

They need to realise they are now becoming more irrelevant by the day.
The corona virus pandemic is taking care of climate change actions,
- No international flights
- No Cruise Ship voyages
- Reduced motor vehicle and public transport use
- Reduced non-essential production and consumption
and on, and on.

Have the Greens made a Hugh mistake in withdrawing from gov formation discussions- although Eamon Ryan has not come out public ally yet to explain the decision. Coelision gov is all about compromise AND it is also about having more than a passing interest in the major issues of the day - in our case it would be health, housing and education at least. From what I can gather - because the Greens reckon that there will be no money available over the next few years for their ‘green’ policies they have no interest in being government. The Greens have let the ‘cat out of the bag’ by basically saying that they have no interest in health, housing and education.
Another point in relation to the Greens is the best party combination to form a stable government. Given all that is going on a FF, FG and the Greens seems to be by far the best option. although that could all change if There is a coup re getting MM out.
Are the Greens putting the party first and Fcuk the country?
In case the Greens are worried there are presences out there where some parties /party leaders put the country first and from a country perspective it paid off eg
(1) The Tallagh Strategy re supporting a Haughy gov.- although A Dukes got shafted over it
(2) Labour going in with FG after the 2011 general election. A FF /FG coelision was out of the question for a number of reasons but especially because , as they say FF was seen as TOXIC at the time. This produced a stablegov that managed the country out of a deep recession. Labour did not ‘get’ thanked as it lost seats in the next election
(3) FF assisted the outgoing FG led government through a ‘ confidence and supply’ arrangement. Again it was the only arrangement that was possible if the lead party was to have a good chance of implementing its policies- most of them and to provide a stable government. FF ‘stepped into the breech’ to play its part in running the country and got hammered for it in the last election - as did FG

All above governments LASTED THEIR FULL TERMS.
If the above is true re the Green’s position re entering government or otherwise , they should not be very surprised if they lose a big number of seats in the next election - more than if they enter government

Runaways · 15-03-2020 10:45PM

Think it was the IT inside politics podcast during the week said someone in the greens told him they got badly burned last time and no way they’re going in again only to carry the can.

Corona has upended everything so I’d reckon a national government is the only logical way forward now. That way they all get to avoid having to be accountable and all equally to blame.
Won’t happen though as we know.

Good loser · 16-03-2020 12:26AM

I generally support FG. Think the current cabinet was the best I've seen - in a long life.

They've played a blinder on the virus so far - Leo, Coveney, Paschal and Harris.

Water John · 16-03-2020 12:49AM

Yes they have, Irish politicians generally perform very well in any focused issue.

tikkahunter · 16-03-2020 12:55AM

Good loser wrote: »

I generally support FG. Think the current cabinet was the best I've seen - in a long life.

They've played a blinder on the virus so far - Leo, Coveney, Paschal and Harris.

They really are , slowly bringing the country into lockdown is the best policy. You see what way people have reacted so far - some are animals. I do have confidence in them . Where are all the SF mouths now we have a pandemic? Hiding under their rock , look at the state of them up the north .Why would anyone think they could run a country.

beggars_bush · 16-03-2020 12:35PM

Need to get a government in place asap

Couldn't care less who is around the table

landofthetree · 16-03-2020 12:39PM

Runaways wrote: »

Think it was the IT inside politics podcast during the week said someone in the greens told him they got badly burned last time and no way they’re going in again only to carry the can.

Corona has upended everything so I’d reckon a national government is the only logical way forward now. That way they all get to avoid having to be accountable and all equally to blame.
Won’t happen though as we know.

Another election is certain later in the year if we are back to austerity.

Its only right that the parties all put forward new manifestos if the crisis continues for months.

SF will have to adjust their plans to spend 25billion more per year by 2025.

James Brown · 16-03-2020 07:06PM

Good loser wrote: »

I generally support FG. Think the current cabinet was the best I've seen - in a long life.

They've played a blinder on the virus so far - Leo, Coveney, Paschal and Harris.

I'd like to think the brains behind it are not Leo, Coveney, Paschal and Harris.

James Brown · 16-03-2020 07:07PM

landofthetree wrote: »

Another election is certain later in the year if we are back to austerity.

Its only right that the parties all put forward new manifestos if the crisis continues for months.

SF will have to adjust their plans to spend 25billion more per year by 2025.

A worldwide pandemic and volatile stock market would do that alright.

Runaways · 16-03-2020 07:15PM

If only we had a spare €13 billion lying around that we won’t take even though it’s owed

Field east · 16-03-2020 07:25PM

beggars_bush wrote: »

Need to get a government in place asap

Couldn't care less who is around the table

In the short term at least , as they say ‘ do’nt fix it if it’s not broken’

James Brown · 16-03-2020 07:25PM

Runaways wrote: »

If only we had a spare €13 billion lying around that we won’t take even though it’s owed

I was watching a documentary on billionaires yesterday. Sad to see Ireland highlighted as a country enabling companies to dodge taxation at home.

Quin_Dub · 16-03-2020 07:25PM

Runaways wrote: »

If only we had a spare €13 billion lying around that we won’t take even though it’s owed

I had thought at this stage that everyone understood that the Apple Money is NOT OURS.

The money is (potentially) owed to the countries where the sales took place , not to Ireland.

If the courts eventually decide that Apple do indeed owe these taxes , then only a tiny % of the total amount would actually be due to Ireland. 99% of the money would be owed to other countries all around the world.

Field east · 16-03-2020 07:36PM

landofthetree wrote: »

Another election is certain later in the year if we are back to austerity.

Its only right that the parties all put forward new manifestos if the crisis continues for months.

SF will have to adjust their plans to spend 25billion more per year by 2025.

The last downturn in the national exchequer has lead to a lot of individuals / families losing their homes. This figure is going to grow quiet significantly because of people losing their jobs due to the impact of the virus on the economy. We could be in this situation for a year or more before the economy is back to some kind of a break even position.

Since SF’s top priority is the provision of housing for those that cannot afford such up to now I would be interested to know how many more houses does it plan to build over the next five years if it gets into government in addition to the 100,000 - in response to those individuals/ families that will not be able to pay their rents/mortgages due to losing their jobs over the virus

Bobtheman · 16-03-2020 07:44PM

dixiefly wrote: »

I have to say as a person who does not follow a huge amount of politics that I am really surprised (and disappointed) at the showing of the Labour Party in the polls.

Labour got an unfair amount of the blame for the bad parts of their government but very litte of the credit for what went right.

What sparked this thought was that someone said to me that they would vote Labour but they had no chance. To me I would far rather Labour than Sinn Fein as I feel they have a record of delivering a level of change - but one that is affordable.

Is it Brendan Howlin as a leader or did they just lose so many T.D.'s that they have no traction anymore?

There are a lot of delusional people out there who think we could have avoided any cutbacks . Most of our debt is from day to day stuff not bank debt. Bank debt made up about 40 billion of the 200 billion we now owe. The Trokia did over do the austerity but only a moron would say we could have avoided no cutbacks
The labour party made Sure that there was more of a balance between tax increases and Publix expenditure cuts.
It failed however to do anything radical in the health service. There should have been mandatory redundancies across the public sector where needed. Emphasis where needed
I didn't vote for labour in 2016 because of the bull**** they started peddling in education. It's noteworthy that ex minister Quinn is now on the board of a private education company and educated his kids in black rock college

efanton · 16-03-2020 07:44PM

landofthetree wrote: »

Another election is certain later in the year if we are back to austerity.

Its only right that the parties all put forward new manifestos if the crisis continues for months.

SF will have to adjust their plans to spend 25billion more per year by 2025.

Where on earth did you get the 25 Billion figure?

SF did not plan on spending anything close to that, even over a 5 year period.

Runaways · 16-03-2020 07:47PM

Quin_Dub wrote: »

I had thought at this stage that everyone understood that the Apple Money is NOT OURS.

The money is (potentially) owed to the countries where the sales took place , not to Ireland.

If the courts eventually decide that Apple do indeed owe these taxes , then only a tiny % of the total amount would actually be due to Ireland. 99% of the money would be owed to other countries all around the world.

Do you know how much tax Facebook pays here? Or google?

(They’re not exactly here for the weather )

Runaways · 16-03-2020 07:53PM

All the regulars complaining about anyone voting for SF are lifelong dole scroungers have gone strangely quiet.

Odd that.

efanton · 16-03-2020 07:57PM

Bobtheman wrote: »

There are a lot of delusional people out there who think we could have avoided any cutbacks . Most of our debt is from day to day stuff not bank debt. Bank debt made up about 40 billion of the 200 billion we now owe. The Trokia did over do the austerity but only a moron would say we could have avoided no cutbacks
The labour party made Sure that there was more of a balance between tax increases and Publix expenditure cuts.
It failed however to do anything radical in the health service. There should have been mandatory redundancies across the public sector where needed. Emphasis where needed
I didn't vote for labour in 2016 because of the bull**** they started peddling in education. It's noteworthy that ex minister Quinn is now on the board of a private education company and educated his kids in black rock college

The problem is the labour party actually stands for nothing now. It has no identity, nor does it have a manifesto aimed to garner support from its traditional supporters.

Not only did they not bring in any measures for their core voters but they actually enthusiastically enabled some legislation and measures that are still hurting till this day. Pay cuts for civil servants might have sounded like a good temporary measure in the aftermath of the crash, but Labour made no effort whatsoever to reverse those measures once austerity was over and the economy had significantly recovered. A dual wage system where new teachers earn significantly less than existing teachers yet another measure brought in by a Labour minister. A ban on recruitment in the Gardai and the health service that is now hurting the country, yet again supported by Labour but they made no effort to reverse those decisions once the economy showed significant signs of recovery.

No party throws away the support and trust of their core voters, but that's exactly what Labour did, so why should anyone be surprised that they have been punished severely for it.

New Dail / New Taoiseach

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