FF Vs. Libertas: Round 1

As the European Elections get closer and closer, I was lucky enough to witness some of the bickering first hand last night. As part of my Masters Degree, I was presenting a current affairs radio programme called, “The Bottom Line” and had invited four panelists to join me in a discussion of topics such as, the property market, the emergency budget two weeks on and the HSE’s new alcohol awareness campaign. Our panelists were Gabriel Dooley of Dooley Auctioneers, David Harvey CEO of the City Channel, Minister of European Affairs, Dick Roche and Caroline Simmons who is currently running for a seat in the European Parliament with Libertas.

Although the discussion began with the falling prices of property here in Ireland, it quickly turned to the €90b in toxic bank loans that need to be sorted out. The debate raged on about whether NAMA (the National Assets Management Agency) would work – or whether nationalisation would better solve the problem. This quickly turned into a blame-game as the Minister placed the blame on banks themselves rather than on the Government.

When asked what Libertas would do differently, Caroline pointed out the problems with the emergency budget including the fact that both the rise in VAT and promises of job creation weren’t mentioned.

Once she had spoken the arguing began. The Minister accused Libertas of concealing their sources of funding and Caroline quoted a daily mail article that said Dick Roche was paying thirteen assistants! What made the bickering ever more tense (and even more amusing) was the fact that our college studio was short microphones and the pair had to share a mic and even a set of headphones at one stage!

Try as I might, I could not stop the row in a very graceful manner and found myself uttering “now, now, you’ve both had your say”, as if calming down a set of squabbling siblings!

My producer was pressuring me to move on to the next topic – which is a shame – because I would have loved to have heard the altercation continue. Although there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Libertas, I was very interested in Caroline’s point of view, and will definitely be looking into her speeches in the coming weeks. She will have a tough campaign ahead of her as she vies for a Dublin Constituency seat against FF’s Eoin Ryan, Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell and Proinsias de Rossa who holds the seat for Labour!

“The world is looking on – and we have to do it”

The above quote from Finance Minister Brian Lenihan seems to sum up the Government’s position on yesterday’s Emergency Budget. In a live interview with TV3’s Collette Fitzpatrick, the Minister responded to questions on middle income families feeling the brunt of higher income levies and taxes by pointing out Ireland’s position in the world. Lenihan pointed out that Ireland has to compete with other Euro Zone countries and with nations around the world, and as a result, cannot be seen to let our problems get the best of us. He seemed very concerned with Ireland’s image internationally and called upon every citizen of Ireland to contribute to the preservation of that image. He also said, “If we’re competitive, we will pave our way in the world” this morning on Today with Pat Kenny.

So what are the main points of the budget? (from TV3.ie)

I thought the above was the best breakdown of the emergency budget!

Another point that should be made – is that people need to stop calling for the Government to declare their accountability. It’s just not going to happen – and they’ve made it clear that no matter who’s  fault this was, we’re all going to have to work towards the solution.

My main question is – what about job creation? I think people are willing to contribute to help our dying economy – but not if there aren’t programmes put in place to create more work for people.

Is Pam a Scam?

If you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, or haven’t been able to get your hands on a paper, a radio or a TV – here’s a quick run down of the issues involved in the Pamela Izevbekhai case:

Although the story of Pamela Izevbekhai and her two children has been in the media for the last number of years, the case seems to have reached new levels of public consciousness recently. The tale involves a Nigerian asylum seeker who arrived in Ireland illegally and who’s application for asylum was denied. She claims she cannot return to her home country because her daughters will be at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).

There are a number of issues at hand here. Firstly, as a Western nation we are both fascinated and disgusted at the thought of FGM – an ancient practice that the World Health Organisation calls “widespread” in Nigeria. Although there have been many refugee cases in Ireland, the mere mention of the threat of FGM has sent the country into a tizzy because it is unfathomable to us. Although it is a terrible and dangerous practice, my question is: is it our issue or Nigeria’s? Do we need to make a stand on FGM with a growing multicultural population?

Another issue is the cost of asylum seekers in Ireland and the precedent for future illegal immigrants this case could set. According to an article in the Irish Independent, the legal costs of asylum seekers was €300m in 2008. With the government and tax payers finding it hard to make ends meet, can we afford to be paying for illegal immigrants to be staying in the country? Especially when there are many legal refugees who’s applications for asylum have been accepted. If Pamela and her children are allowed to remain in Ireland, will it open the flood gates for future illegal immigrants who sight issues like FGM as reasons they cannot return home? I’m sure this woman is not the only one who fears this horrible practice.

Lately, Pamela’s story has appeared with holes in it – and so part of the reason it’s been talked about so much is that people are trying to decide whether to believe her or not. She claimed to have a daughter, Elizabeth who died of FGM when she was 14 months old. However, in recent weeks, Pamela has admitted that the death certificate was forged when the doctor demanded substantial payment for the original documents. The doctor on the certificate has given different answers on the topic. One RTE journalist recorded the Nigerian doctor reading from his notes and saying that he had treated Elizabeth Izevbekhai and completed an autopsy after a female circumcision. Yet, the same doctor now denies this original claim and is demanding €5000 for interviews with media outlets!

In another turn of events, the Nigerian Ambassador, Kemafo Nonyerem Chikwe, has told the Irish Times that FGM is not a widespread issue in Nigeria and that Pamela is embarrassing her nation by making it look like a barbaric place!

It seems to me that there is more going on here than meets the eye. Clearly, Pamela’s story is far more complicated than she is making it out to be. Perhaps she has fears for her own life in Nigeria and is using her children as an excuse to stay here in Ireland.

Either way, it seems the reputation of our judicial system hangs in the balance. It’s really a lose-lose situation. If we decide to deport her, we risk looking in-compassionate and siding with those who believe that FGM is not a widespread practice – and if we decide to let her stay, we look like we have a light touch and risk setting a precedent for future illegal immigrants.

Prohibition comes to Ireland?

As we anxiously await the coming of tomorrow’s emergency budget, it has become very obvious that excise duties on items like  alcohol are a given. In addition to these new taxes,  the Irish Times is reporting that further action will be taken to tackle the issue of low-cost alcohol being sold in off licences and supermarkets around the country. The moves will signal a more aggressive approach to lower the number of binge drinkers in Ireland and subsequently aid in solving the social problems attributed to alcohol.

I found this news story surprising – probably because, as a student, I have always found drinking very expensive (I suppose most things are expensive when you’re in University)! Students are always complaining about alcohol prices, and are made ever jealous by foreign students from Spain or Italy who tell tales of €1 pints. However, when you look at the bigger picture – even as a student – you’d be surprised at how cheap and easily you can get intoxicated. With this ease comes a greater number of problems.

I was shocked to learn that in some super markets, a bottle of beer retails at just €0.75, which is lower than the cost of some bottled waters! Deals like Tesco’s 48 cans for €24 are also controversial, especially when promoted around St. Patrick’s Day. Night clubs that promote €2 drinks are also going to be targeted, as the drinks included in the deal are alco-pops that naturally attract younger drinkers.

The Irish Times reports:

The regulations will allow for the prohibition of promotions aimed at selling alcohol at a reduced price, or free of charge, on the purchase of any quantity of alcohol or other product. They also allow for the prohibition of events or activities which are “intended or likely to encourage excessive consumption of alcohol”.

If this is to be taken seriously, then night club promotions will come to an end, and events like Oxegen and Electric Picnic will be heavily regulated.

Last year, regulations began to appear such as codes for displaying alcohol in windows, on-the-spot fines for disorderly conduct while under the influence and a off licences closing earlier – the new measures, set to be finalised in coming weeks will deal mainly with cheap alcohol.

Low-cost alcohol sales were curtailed in the UK last December when the Department of Health found that reducing cheap alcohol decreases consumption which in turn has had significant effects on reducing crime and ill-health (Guardian, Dec 2008).

I completely agree there are great social problems associated with drunken conduct here in Ireland. However, with no end to the economic recession in sight and “staying in” becoming the new “going out”, how will it effect the Irish social life?

With new alcohol regulations and as comparisons with the Great Depression keep surfacing, you can’t help but think of the period of American Prohibition in the 1920’s and the waves of crime it brought with it. Hopefully under the watchful eye of the European Commission, the new Irish regulations will see better results.

Inaugural Post

Welcome to The Electric Scoop, my stab at expressing the huge number of opinions I have based on current affairs and international news. Here you’ll find daily posts on some well-known stories from Ireland (my home for now!) and the US (my home away from home) as well as comment on lesser known events that perhaps haven’t made the headlines!

It felt fitting to begin this new blog on Barack Obama’s first day as President of the United States – in the spirit of hope change, and an honest look at the state of the world.

Yesterday’s momentous Inauguration was definitely a sight to behold with millions of people gathered in Washington D.C to usher in a new and exciting era in American and world politics. People around the globe watched coverage, interested in American affairs like never before.

However, today, the mood is a bit more pessimistic as journalists from near and far discuss the pressures and tasks that lie ahead of this new administration. Let’s see, as Obama sits down at his desk in the Oval Office today – will his to-do list look like this…?

To Do (Immediately):

1. Solve the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression

2. Decide exactly what to do with the $852 billion bank stimulus package

3. Iraq (16 month departure date?)

4. Afghanistan (more troops here?)

5. Send someone to sort out the Israelis and Palestinians

6. Vote Hillary in as Sec of State today

7. Sort out a Treasury Secretary…fast.

To Do (Next):

*Health Care reform

*Education reform

*Environmental reform

*Third world development

*Save the world

I agree that Barack Obama now has the problems of the entire world on his shoulders – but with so much hope and support from someone brand-spanking-new, it has got to be a step up from the last President’s efforts.

It was reported today that one of his first official orders as President of the United States was to put a halt on proceedings at Guantanamo Bay, the military prison camp that has been criticised for violating a number of human rights conditions. The cases, including the death sentence for five men held responsible for the September 11th terrorist attacks will be put on hold for 120 days. Obama has been urged to close down the prison in favour of bringing the cases into the US Court System.

Way to get down to business, Mr. President!