Plumbthedepths wrote: » Isolation for 2 weeks , job done. Where would expect ex patriots to go? Were you happy for medics to return home, how do you think they got here, teleportation?
Cupatae wrote: » Yeah, goods not people.
Plumbthedepths wrote: » We are an island, we need to import stuff. Either by air or sea.
keynes wrote: » All of these countries have sensibly closed their borders. Ours are still completely open and until that continues, the virus is still coming in and lockdown will have to continue
Idbatterim wrote: » Throwing money away on rent hang on here , you are getting something in return . secondly if a house you are interested in buying, drops a hundred k in a year , while you rent, you still think it's a waste renting?
Ace2007 wrote: » While we need an opposition, you have a certain cohort of groups that will never enter government - if your not going to have the balls and stand up and be counted, do you have a right to sit in opposition and constantly give out? SF know that they do not want to be in government right now, or even in the next 2/3 years - they know it's political suicide - and hence you rarely hear of them these days, but the problem they have is that if FF/FG don't get a government and we get another election - they will have to decide - do we run enough candidates to potential go into government, and if not - how do they handle that in the media - because they perform so well last time. I actually think they wold lose seats if there was another election, but again that wouldn't mind, as would mean not being in government.
Ace2007 wrote: » This is not the thread for it - but the way you go on about the first couple for instance - they are living a lifestyle that perhaps they didn't need - the mansion of a house, 2 SUV's, kids enjoying the best of everything. Did this couple not learn anything from the crash in 2008? It's very easy to blame governments/banks etc - but at what stage do people not have to take responsibility for their actions. Why didn't that couple maybe just get a normal size house, maybe not have 2 SUV's etc. Why do their kids think they need to best of everything. Why did they decide to get the hefty mortgage? Why is it fair that some people who live beyond their means think that the banks should act with kindness when we get out of this mess, (all for the banks doing nothing during the mess), but if the couple learned nothing from the 2008 crash and thought of a rainy day fund - ideally 6 months worth of expenses), then they will never learn. One thing hopefully they do realise is that health is wealth. I have friends who won't buy a house because they see it as being in debt for 30 years as a bad thing - I think throwing money away on rent is madness but they like the freedom.
BoatMad wrote: » I see several countries , Denmark , Austria , Norway , Czech Rep are about to relax, in a small way some of the restrictions , I can’t see us being too far behind that curve.
FloatingVoter wrote: » Well, I assume some of the teachers have a vague recollection of the kids capabilities over the year. As for the matriculation bit, let the colleges set the entry exams. While their parents are in danger of losing their livelihoods or at least having them set back somewhat, a poxy litttle exam is of little consequence. If one outcome of this pandemic is the end of the be-all and end all LC then I'll pop the champagne now. It's ruined enough people down the decades. I'm not one of them - I'm a fast study but I saw plenty of lives wrecked by the thing. I wouldn't worry about the emotional little students rolled out for the cameras - they'll all become teachers and safely back in school for life in a few years no matter what.
FloatingVoter wrote: » We actually do need an opposition. It'll be a stronger one with SF there and far safer for them. God help us if they had to do something. It might even prove unpopular.
Ace2007 wrote: » There are too many politicians elected to sit in opposition, if FG/FF can't get enough independents/Greens or SD (lets group them as "others" to on in with them, then under what circumstances where these "others" willing to actually be in government, as if they all came together they could form a government with SF - but it seems that they don't want to do that either. Actually madness to think we can elected someone and then they can be like na don't want to be in government, I'm happy to sit in opposition, as life is easier.
kravmaga wrote: » Yes but Poland just like the Czech Republic locked down their respective borders faster than any other European country including ourselves Ive been in both countries many times over the years and when they plan to do something they do it, unlike in Ireland , too much talk no action. Both countries are well ahead of Ireland and have had a lower death ratehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Polandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_the_Czech_Republic
road_high wrote: » Not a peep out of the Mary lou one once the **** hit the fan- not so long ago she was touring the nation telling us how “she’d won the election”. Surely herself and all the other wasters could come together via Teams to push forward a grounding for a new government of “change” we were told was badly needed? As before the majority lies outside FG or FF yet not one of them can be bothered governing. A shocking outcome and clear contempt for those (arguably very deluded voters) that democratically elected them all.
Ace2007 wrote: » You can't do the continuous assessment part when the school year in pretty much over, I asked the poster for a solution to the problem we are in, because he says the actions of the government are shameful. It's easy to sit on the arm chair and give out - but there is not solution that anyone can come up with that is fair for the LC this year.
polesheep wrote: » Normally the laws are made by the people we elect. We did not elect this government.
FloatingVoter wrote: » Continuous assessment. Everybody at least passes the useless exam. Interviews / matriculation exams for the colleges. Worst comes to worst they can have a gap year while the system sorts itself out. Given that most graduates have degrees in something they don't know why they chose in the first place it might produce a more talented generation. Less event managers and systems analysts. Less people allergic to cats and dogs training to be vets because the points are massive. Off-topic, but one idiot I grew up with trained to be a marine biologist - he couldn't swim and was afraid of water. Last time we met, he was a hell of a barman. The Leaving Cert is only important to those it's inflicted upon.
road_high wrote: » Pretty much- I know and I think we all do, couples living the dream and had been working hard and earning very good livings- one may be in Construction/trades, the other working as a Hairdresser/Beauty/leisure trade. Mansion of a home with a hefty mortgage, one or two new SUVs on the drive, kids in tow used to the very best of everything. Now they're both at home, if lucky getting the Covid welfare payment for now. Hoping and praying this nightmare might end soon. Yes, the banks may be fobbed off for a few months. Or rent on a premises put on a hold. But nearly two months into this total shutdown, how long will those kind of repayments stay on ice? Another couple I know one had been front of house in Gym (god knows when they'll reopen?). Other works in the Golf industry ( a real pain on the arse that did think he was essential to the planet but that's another issue and wouldn't wish him to lose his job). They have a mortgage, fine house and cars and kids. These are the kind of real people caught in the fall out. I'm lucky in the sector I work in is an essential component of the supply sector. But who's to say what the future could bring?
alwald wrote: » The current government exceeded my expectations in terms of how they handled the situation with COVID-19. They moved fast, took bold decisions, increased social welfare for those affected and are taking a hit to save lives. No-one want a lockdown and an economic shock but it is the only solution until we get the desired results. Either way people will be unhappy, if the government apply a lockdown people will be moaning about it, if the government don't take any actions then people will fear for their health...the current measures are necessary and temporary. People are complaining but the lockdown is here until the 5th of May with a possible extension. People can moan as much as they want but the law is the law and it applies to all regardless if you agree or not.
road_high wrote: » I know. And I respect that. Also while critical of the government on aspects, they've done a lot better than many others and moved fairly fast. I can't see the social welfare level lasting, it isn't possible. No more than in the next 6 months it'll be possible to keep going at the levels of public spending we have been enjoying. Frivolities like welfare bonuses are out the window and I would envisage a cut to the standard allowances too. The longer we are shutdown the more inevitable these become, sadly.
FloatingVoter wrote: » Very few are outright hostile to them. Criticism is a vital part of democracy. Each and everyone of this government (and FF / SF for not playing political football) have families and friends that they're worried about. You can trawl my previous posts to find references to Fianna Fail gangsters, Varadker's shallowness and shinnerbots. You'll find plenty. In a way I think we've been served well by having a proxy government where no-one knows who really should be in charge. Without the fuss, we've landed with a kind of national government that's run by consensus, not who fixed the most potholes in Leitrim or where you stood on the water charges. For all my gripes, I think it's working out. How it ends up, nobody knows. And me not even drunk yet.
road_high wrote: » That's why my heart sank yesterday listening to Varadkars ****e. Those poetry quotes are useless to the ordinary person. I and we all know the disruption and worry that is causing and the it felt like the knife was pushed in a bit further yesterday. I'm not happy that the state was on top of the Nursing home, hospital and PPE situations. Not to mention the disappointing performance over testing. Why promise 15,000 tests per day when you don't have the capacity to do that?
