Michael TurleyLocal Representative for Donnybrook, Sandymount, Ballsbridge and MilltownSupporting Chris Andrews for Dublin South East |
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June 13, 2006Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey passes awayPosted 1547 days ago by Michael Turley on June 13, 2006 Read here for more details and here for an official statement from the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Slugger O'Toole has an interesting post on the former Taoiseachs passing.A controversial figure (even within his own party), the different aspects of his complex character will be more fully understood in time. Here is a letter I wrote to the Irish Times in 2003 in defence of Mr. Haughey after a fairly predictable attack from Kevin Myers. A balanced obituary piece from the London Times. Well written, slightly wry piece on Haughey by Colm Toibin. RTE radio interview with Senator David Norris about Haughey and Joyce (the Senator is disappointed that Bloomsday activities are cancelled because of State funeral arrangements). June 8, 2006Minister Willie O'Deas McCabe commentsPosted 1552 days ago by Michael Turley on June 8, 2006 Interesting post on Slugger O'Toole. The recent documentary about Garda McCabes wife on the 10th anniversary of his murder has caused the media to refocus on Sinn Feins loose grasp of the concept of justice and glaring contempt for the established rule of democratic law.Martin Ferris, when asked if he would assist the Gardai in their investigations, offered the perhaps ideologically sound but otherwise suspect excuse, "I have been an IRA volunteer in my lifetime. I have been a victim of a person who informed on me. I would never betray that loyalty to an organisation to which I once belonged." It is obvious that Mr. Ferris is operating in the same moral vacuum as elements within Northern Ireland security services who are obstructing some well known collusion cases. Over the last couple of years, Mr. Ferris has also claimed that the men serving time for attempted robbery and shooting two Gardai are not criminals either because of their IRA affiliation or due the fact that they were "fundraising". I hope Mr. Ferris still has his medical card because he's going to hurt himself doing the mental gymnastics required to square that particular circle. Minister of Defence, Willie O’Dea, puts it well when he said: "Martin Ferris has given us the Sinn Féin definition of justice....Sinn Féin has forfeited the right to talk about justice." "...it seemed the only circumstances where Sinn Fein was against crime was when it was being committed by someone who did not support the party and where it did not require its members to support the gardai." He added: "Since the signing of the Good Friday agreement, we have waited for Sinn Fein to finally decide if it is a political party or just a political wing. Martin Ferris now makes it clear that they barely even qualify as a political wing." February 27, 2006Yob ProtestPosted 1653 days ago by Michael Turley on February 27, 2006 In the wake of Saturdays yob protest, Michael McDowell has serious questions to answer regarding his competence as Minister for Justice.While correctly defending the right of the unionist demonstrators to march, he did not make the most basic of provisions to allow for a worst case scenario. In effect, he gave dissident Republicans (a tiny political minority) a significant platform to promote their agenda of division amongst the alienated youth of the north inner city, who made the most of an exciting Saturday afternoon. He also landed a double whammy by handing negative elements within unionism a significant propaganda victory. McDowell is fine when in full verbal flight attacking militant republicanism but has not delivered one practical measure to arrest their corroding influence on society. In his defence, one might say that only the riot organisers can be held responsible for Saturdays chaos but his inability to direct the security services to control and maintain order is a serious reflection on his abilities to perform as Minister for Justice. Organisation of the 1916 commemoration will be an even more fraught issue now. Some interesting Riot Photos and a good analysis piece by Susan McKay here. February 22, 2006Tackling Election FraudPosted 1658 days ago by Michael Turley on February 22, 2006 Councillor Damien Blake proposed a simple but clever idea to counter possible election fraud in a recent discussion about Minister Roches recently reported concerns over inaccuracies in the electoral register.He suggests that a voters PPS number should be linked to their entry in the electoral register. Nice to see a bit of lateral thinking brought the debate. I will be adding my voice to the calls for this measure to be introduced. Update - Feb 23: Minister Roche emailed to say that the suggestion above is one of the solutions being examined. February 16, 2006EU Services Directive AdoptedPosted 1664 days ago by Michael Turley on February 16, 2006 Mainstream analysis of the EU services directive seems to suggest that, by rejecting the "country of origin" principle, the European Parliament managed to reach a manageable consensus.Ireland, with an economy which has a healthy focus on the services industry, seems to be well positioned to take advantage of the directive. It is a pity that sections of the opposition (that is one half of a so-called alternative government) felt the need to attempt to stir up protoxenophobic sentiment as some form of half-baked protest against what should be a positive development for all European consumers. Printed in the 26 February 2006 edition of The Sunday Business Post Click here for more information and here for Minister Martins press release. September 15, 2005Bankrupt Unionist LeadershipPosted 1818 days ago by Michael Turley on September 15, 2005 The underwhelming and embarrassing response by the Unionist leadership to the recent shocking disturbances in Belfast comes as a surprise to those of us who remember the stern, upright and apparently law abiding Unionist spokesmen who unequivocally condemned violence in the past.In the absence of any substantial response by the DUP or UUP we were treated to a belated and farcical Orange Order press conference. A low point included an inept defence, by Belfast Grand Master Dawson Bailie, of a clearly very aggressive sword waving Orange Order member "peacefully" challenging a police officer. By way of accidental insight Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters stated that "Perhaps the most worrying thing about the weekend's events is the widespread feelings of frustration within the Protestant community". Maybe that is because Unionism has ignored the social conditions of its underclass and shown little interest in practical issues such as education and job creation. Even now, the predictable Unionist response will abnegate responsibility for the behaviour of people they should be representing - blaming the British and Irish governments rather than pushing for positive and imaginative social agendas. The spluttering, headless entity that passes itself off as Unionist leadership today seems more interested in causing mayhem over principles based on sectarian divides than deal with the social deprivation in communities who currently find their political outlet through teenage rioters. Published in the Irish Times Letters Section - http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/letters/2005/0916/index.html June 9, 2005Dunphy, McBrearty and McDowellPosted 1916 days ago by Michael Turley on June 9, 2005 Well done to Eamon Dunphy and team (Newstalk 106 morning show) for maintaining the spotlight on the appalling injustice involved in the turgid McBrearty saga. As someone who, on occasion, has admired the Justice Minister for his intellectual vigour and his forthright political leadership, I was horrified to hear his comments attempting to deflect responsibility for his part in obstructing justice. I wonder, in two years time, when he loses his Ministerial post if he will regret his moral misjudgment?Without vigilant and determined, not to mention quality, journalism, important issues like this can easily fall off the radar. April 26, 200416 Moore StreetPosted 2325 days ago by Michael Turley on April 26, 2004 My colleague Eoin Ryan has been campaigning to preserve 16 Moore Street. Apparently Dublin City Council believe the building to be "architecturally worthless". I remember reading Frank MacDonalds book "The Destruction of Dublin" where he describes how the relevant authorities got an English architectural consultant to deliver the same verdict on Fitzwilliam Street (then the longest unbroken line of Georgian building in Dublin).What must have been regarded as the architecturally superior ESB HQ now resides there. See here for more details. April 20, 2004Electronic Voting WebsitePosted 2331 days ago by Michael Turley on April 20, 2004 The Government Electronic Voting Website (including interactive demo) is available at http://www.electronicvoting.ie/.Update: Following the Electronic Voting Commission report the electronic voting initiative has been delayed. April 8, 2004Smoking Ban - So Far, So GoodPosted 2343 days ago by Michael Turley on April 8, 2004 Apart from one high profile incident - John Deasys one man battle against the "nanny state" in the Dail Bar - it seems that the Workplace Smoking Ban is a welcome success. In his defence John Deasy could only moan about the aforementioned "nannystateism" (a hackneyed phrase trotted out regularly by those who are unwilling or unable to debate the issue sensibly - possibly without even understanding the full meaning of the term itself).A couple of the locals in Kielys had given me a bit of stick about the ban in the months running up to the ban but it seems the fear of not being served is a powerful incentive to observe the new rules. It looks as though the Dutch will be following our example in 2005 and the rest of Europe thereafter. I am proud that my party is leading Europe with this progressive legislation. Along with the pioneering plastic bag tax we are showing that, where there is a political will, imaginative new legislation is possible. |
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