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# brendan-howlin - Thursday 17 May, 2012

State Assets

Half of proceeds from sale of State assets can be used for jobs – Howlin

17/05/12 1,307 Views 42 Comments

The Public Expenditure and Reform Minister said that negotiations with the Troika had yielded such an agreement with the other half of the money being leveraged for further stimulus measures.

# brendan-howlin - Thursday 10 May, 2012

Old School

New Bill overhauls thousands of obsolete laws passed before independence

10/05/12 1,912 Views 11 Comments

Thousands of obsolete laws passed in Ireland before independence are being repealed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

# brendan-howlin - Thursday 26 April, 2012

Take 5

The 5 at 5: Thursday

26/04/12 4,796 Views 10 Comments

5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock…

From Business ETC Troika

In full: The Troika’s statement after the latest bailout review

26/04/12 2,934 Views No Comments

The full text of a statement circulated by the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Bailout

As it happened: Howlin and Noonan on the Troika’s sixth review of the bailout

26/04/12 3,031 Views 12 Comments

The Troika has completed the sixth review of Ireland’s bailout programme and the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform briefed the press earlier today.

From Business ETC Bailout

In full: Ireland ‘successfully concludes’ latest EU-IMF review

26/04/12 1,495 Views No Comments

The full text of a statement issued this lunchtime by Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin after the sixth Troika inspection.

Bailout

Troika to deliver verdict on bailout as programme reaches halfway point

26/04/12 1,618 Views 16 Comments

Officials from the EC, IMF and ECB are expected to give Ireland the thumbs up on its bailout.

# brendan-howlin - Wednesday 25 April, 2012

Public Sector

Howlin confirms review of €1.5bn of public sector allowances

25/04/12 3,632 Views 69 Comments

One union says it expects the review of some 800 different allowances and that some will go.

# brendan-howlin - Tuesday 24 April, 2012

Water Charges

Howlin insists no possibility of selling off Irish Water

24/04/12 1,784 Views 32 Comments

The public expenditure minister says Irish Water will not form part of the Bord Gais sell-off – but the opposition aren’t convinced.

# brendan-howlin - Monday 23 April, 2012

Public Pay

Nearly two-thirds of civil servants in line for pay increase this year

23/04/12 4,163 Views 112 Comments

63 per cent of civil servants – including 2,776 who already earn over €70k – are entitled to ‘increments’ this year.

Consultants

Over €7m spent on consultants since government took office

23/04/12 1,764 Views 26 Comments

Figures disclosed in parliamentary questions last week reveal the expenditure on consultancy services by the government since last year.

# brendan-howlin - Saturday 14 April, 2012

Labour

Howlin promises a ‘root and branch’ reform of ethics legislation

14/04/12 1,225 Views 35 Comments

Meanwhile, Joan Burton has asked delegates for patience in seeing through welfare reforms.

# brendan-howlin - Friday 13 April, 2012

Expenses

Oireachtas committee to scrutinise TDs’ new expenses regime

13/04/12 2,343 Views 30 Comments

TheJournal.ie first reported in February how a tweak to the expenses system meant TDs could claim twice for some costs.

# brendan-howlin - Thursday 12 April, 2012

EGovernment

Government unveils ‘master plan’ to move public services online

12/04/12 6,148 Views 51 Comments

The eGovernment plan hopes to allow adults renew passports, apply for driving licences, and file company documents online by 2013.

Austerity

Government policy is ‘not an austerity strategy’, says Howlin

12/04/12 2,558 Views 44 Comments

The Minister for Public Expenditure also said economists’ calls to pour resources into a stimulus strategy reminded him of “Fianna Fáil circa 1977″.

# brendan-howlin - Wednesday 4 April, 2012

It Could Be You

Howlin confirms plan to revamp National Lottery licence

04/04/12 3,025 Views 13 Comments

The next operator will win the licence for 20 years, up from the current 10, meaning a greater up-front payment to the State.

# brendan-howlin - Monday 2 April, 2012

St Patrick's Day This post contains a poll

€53,000 bill to send ministers away for St Patrick’s Day

02/04/12 4,978 Views 91 Comments

A series of parliamentary questions reveal costs of €53,142 to send 12 ministers around the world to mark the national holiday.

# brendan-howlin - Saturday 17 March, 2012

Daily Fix

The Daily Fix: St Patrick’s Day

17/03/12 8,878 Views 2 Comments

All the biggest news stories from the day, as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed.

Anglo

Investigation into banking crash needs to hurry up – Howlin

17/03/12 1,859 Views 57 Comments

Brendan Howlin also said there is a chance the referendum on public inquiries could be rerun to allow an inquiry into the banking crisis to take place.

# brendan-howlin - Tuesday 13 March, 2012

Ethics

Public submissions show support for ‘cooling-off’ period for political lobbying

13/03/12 1,014 Views 7 Comments

Submissions made to Brendan Howlin show general support for a two-year period before politicians can be hired as lobbyists.

# brendan-howlin - Friday 9 March, 2012

One Year In

TheJournal.ie’s progress report for the Government: Constitutional reform

09/03/12 275 Views 1 Comment

Political reform was a hot topic in the election that saw Fine Gael and Labour take power. So what’s happened since?

One Year In

TheJournal.ie’s progress report for the Government: Public sector reform

09/03/12 387 Views 2 Comments

The government promised to cut public sector numbers, increase accountability and improve performance. What’s happened?

# brendan-howlin - Tuesday 6 March, 2012

St Patrick's Day

Taoiseach and 16 ministers off around the world for Patrick’s Day celebrations

06/03/12 5,959 Views 129 Comments

Dinny McGinley is off to Glasgow and Michael Noonan will be in France. Here’s where else our government ministers will be jetting off to on 17 March…

# brendan-howlin - Sunday 4 March, 2012

Referendum

Howlin says a ‘better deal on debt’ would improve voting atmosphere

04/03/12 2,245 Views 88 Comments

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said the Government is continuing to work for a better deal.

# brendan-howlin - Saturday 3 March, 2012

In Numbers

Prime numbers: The week in stats

03/03/12 2,620 Views 3 Comments

Some people retiring, some people quitting, others starting new jobs, and some getting through an awful lot of printer ink…

# brendan-howlin - Tuesday 28 February, 2012

Retirements

Most Government departments seeking new staff to cope with retirements

28/02/12 2,139 Views 22 Comments

More than 1,200 staff have retired from the civil service since January – almost twice the number expected in the whole of 2013.

# brendan-howlin - Monday 27 February, 2012

Whistleblowers

Government publishes draft legislation aimed at protecting whistleblowers

27/02/12 2,097 Views 12 Comments

The final legislation is expected to be published by Minister Brendan Howlin later this year.

# brendan-howlin - Saturday 25 February, 2012

Snap Happy

Here’s how the government has spent over €104k on photography

25/02/12 7,198 Views 42 Comments

Figures revealed this week detail how over €104,000 has been spent by the government on photography since it took office.

# brendan-howlin - Thursday 23 February, 2012

Performance

Brendan Howlin publishes ‘report cards’ on all departments

23/02/12 4,787 Views 26 Comments

An “unprecedented” amount of information on Government budgeting and targets has been released, Howlin said.

# brendan-howlin - Wednesday 22 February, 2012

State Assets

‘It makes no economic sense’: Sale of state assets criticised by opposition

22/02/12 2,108 Views 23 Comments

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have both criticised the government’s announcement on the sale of State assets today.

State Assets

Parts of Bord Gais and ESB to be sold off to raise €3bn

22/02/12 3,251 Views 49 Comments

The government is considering selling parts of Coillte and Aer Lingus when conditions improve – and has insisted that there will not be a fire sale.

Bargain

Government to reveal which State assets are up for sale

22/02/12 2,368 Views 75 Comments

The bailout deal requires Ireland to sell off some State assets – and the full list will be announced by Brendan Howlin later this morning.

# brendan-howlin - Monday 20 February, 2012

Whistleblowers

Draft legislation to protect whistleblowers to be published

20/02/12 1,343 Views 19 Comments

The proposed legislation would extend protection to public and private sector workers seeking to expose wrongdoing.

# brendan-howlin - Friday 17 February, 2012

Daily Fix This post contains videos

The Daily Fix: Friday

17/02/12 4,318 Views 2 Comments

In the Fix tonight: Eircom Studyhub hacked; unvouched expenses; and Chris O’Dowd v Miss Piggy…

Leaders' Allowance

Controversial allowance for independent TDs will be reviewed

17/02/12 2,877 Views 21 Comments

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has pledged to examine the leaders’ allowance, which is also given to independent senators.

# brendan-howlin - Monday 13 February, 2012

Expenses

New rules may allow independent TDs to be paid twice for same expenses Exclusive

13/02/12 7,337 Views 80 Comments

A new regime means independent TDs and Senators are now paid two different kinds of allowance – to cover the same expenses.

# brendan-howlin - Friday 3 February, 2012

TD Expenses

Taoiseach, Noonan, Howlin among ministers claiming unvouched TDs’ expenses

03/02/12 5,286 Views 76 Comments

While the country struggles under immense financial pressure, eight cabinet ministers take expenses that can’t be audited.

# brendan-howlin - Wednesday 1 February, 2012

Your Say This post contains a poll

Poll: Should teachers receive allowances for extra qualifications?

01/02/12 6,082 Views 139 Comments

New teachers will not receive allowances for extra qualifications unless a “business case” can be made for them. Is this right?

Public Sector

Howlin: ‘Foolish’ to say there won’t be problems with public sector exodus

01/02/12 1,457 Views 12 Comments

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has admitted he can’t guarantee there won’t be individual problems caused by the exodus of public sector workers at the end of the month.

# brendan-howlin - Thursday 26 January, 2012

Public Service

Cost of public sector pay rises to be halved this year – Howlin

26/01/12 2,600 Views 66 Comments

The length-of-service increments will cost the taxpayer €90million in 2012 – down from €180million last year.

1 2 3 4

referendum

fiscal compact

NTMA: No access to ESM would mean no access to markets either

Patricia McKenna and Thomas Pringle are both seeking a referendum on the ESM treaty.
Referendum
Large majority of voters in favour of referendum on ESM treaty
Opinion
Vote No: The Treaty will bring the EU together – in economic stagnation
The credit union: an Irish institution
Opinion
Vote Yes: EU funds are like our credit union. Let’s not go to the loan sharks.
your questions
What do YOU want to know about the referendum?

Your say

View more polls
Poll: Are you satisfied with your quality of life?

Poll: Are you satisfied with your quality of life?

A NEW REPORT from the OECD has suggested people living in Ireland have some of the best lives in the world, with Ireland among the top countries in its Better Life Index.

The index finds that life expectancy, low pollution, positive experiences and a healthy work-life balance are among the factors that contribute to happy lives in Ireland.

It did note, however, that the gap between the rich and poor is wider in Ireland than elsewhere, while the gender gap in educational performance is also larger than average.

Today we’re simply wondering whether (assuming you live in Ireland) you’re satisfied with your quality of life.


Poll Results:





Read: How good is life in Ireland?


19
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Read Me

Selected opinions from around the web
David Hall
Column: The mortgage crisis is stoked by mistrust. Here’s how we might fix it.
By David Hall - @davidhall75

Aggressive banks are making mortgage resolution impossible, writes David Hall of New Beginning – and suggests a way to restore trust between lenders and borrowers.

Jim Clarken
Column: ‘Women are digging up anthills for the tiny grains inside’
By Jim Clarken

Children mine for gold in home-made pits, while parents risk their lives for food – Jim Clarken describes the harrowing scenes as a crisis unfolds in west Africa.

Michael Taft
Vote No: The Treaty will bring the EU together – in economic stagnation
By Michael Taft - @notesonthefront

Confidence and stability will be the last things to emerge from this dangerous experiment, writes Michael Taft.

Naoise Nunn
Vote Yes: EU funds are like our credit union. Let’s not go to the loan sharks.
By Naoise Nunn - @naoisen

A Yes to the Stability Treaty will give Ireland access to the ESM, writes Naoise Nunn – and keep us out of a potentially lethal game of chicken.

Seamus Breslin
Column: Parents bringing their children to be kneecapped. Yes, this is Ireland.
By Seamus Breslin

Self-styled republican vigilantes are terrorising a city, writes Seamus Breslin – and perceived neglect by authorities is fuelling the fire.

Mike Morris
Column: Another Priory Hall is coming down the tracks. Here’s why.
By Mike Morris - @nyderoleary

Phil Hogan is planning to introduce new regulations which are meant to make for better buildings. He’s making a major mistake, writes Mike Morris.

Jane Suiter
Column: Who are the winners and losers in the referendum campaign right now?
By Jane Suiter - @JaneSuit

With nine days to go before referendum day, Dr Jane Suiter of UCC analyses the parties and the latest polls to see how the campaign is playing out.

Micheál Martin
Column: Job creation is too important for party politics. Let’s work together.
By Micheál Martin

Writing for TheJournal.ie, Micheál Martin explains why Fianna Fáil’s new plan to tackle youth unemployment should be seriously considered.

Lisa McInerney
Column: National pride or bald-faced bigotry? Maybe neither, or both.
By Lisa McInerney - @SwearyLady

Being proud to be Irish is sometime looked on as a social gaffe, writes Lisa McInerney, but that’s not always fair… and it’s not always the best way to figure out who really is racist…

Lynn McDonald Byrne
Column: Some talk about the ‘magic’ of childbirth. To me, it was horrific.
By Lynn McDonald Byrne

For new mothers, the pressure can be so overwhelming it makes you ill. Lynn McDonald Byrne describes her experience of postnatal depression.

From BusinessEtc

HP Ireland: job losses will impact ‘every business and region’ HP Ireland

HP Ireland: job losses will impact ‘every business and region’

Shareholders file lawsuit over Facebook flotation
Facebook
Shareholders file lawsuit over Facebook flotation
Applause in auction room as woman buys back brother’s repossessed home
Irish auction
Applause in auction room as woman buys back brother’s repossessed home

From The Daily Edge

Weatherwatch: temperatures over 20°C, sunshine staying for the weekend Weather

Weatherwatch: temperatures over 20°C, sunshine staying for the weekend

VIDEO: Is this what you imagined when you read The Great Gatsby?
Work Can Wait
VIDEO: Is this what you imagined when you read The Great Gatsby?
Caption competition: What are Enda Kenny and David Cameron talking about?
Buds
Caption competition: What are Enda Kenny and David Cameron talking about?
Download the TheJournal.ie Android App

From The Score

I’ll play it cool at the Euros, Mario Balotelli warns Ireland Euro 2012

I’ll play it cool at the Euros, Mario Balotelli warns Ireland

Rushe: Dubs don’t have discipline problem
Capital Account
Rushe: Dubs don’t have discipline problem
Luke Donald craves maiden Major title
Golf
Luke Donald craves maiden Major title

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News in Photos

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  • In pictures: Ireland squad’s first full training session

News in Video

  • Mental health services inadequate, prisons below standards – Amnesty
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  • The Daily Fix: Wednesday
  • VIDEO: Is this what you imagined when you read The Great Gatsby?
  • VIDEO: DJ Prince Charles hits the decks, spins some tunes
  • Referendum roundup: 9 days to go
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