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Superintendent Noel Cunningham Leah Farrell via Rolling News

Garda Superintendent says new report of 400,000 more falsified breath tests 'could be described as a guesstimate'

The report published yesterday details how and why checkpoints were faked.

GARDA SUPERINTENDENT NOEL Cunningham has said the latest report into the breath test scandal revealing that there may be another 400,000 falsified tests “could be described as a guesstimate”.

President of the Association of Garda Superintendents Noel Cunningham’s comments come after the Policing Authority published a report, carried out by consultancy firm Crowe Howarth, into the breath test scandal which revealed that there may be another 400,000 falsified breath tests.

The report, which was published yesterday, looks at both the breath test and the fixed charge notice/summons scandals. It also detailed how and why checkpoints were faked.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Sean O’Rourke, Cunningham was adamant that the latest report might not be accurate.

“They looked at a longer period, they went back then to when the breath tests started, so that influenced that number. I saw in the report in relation to the additional 400,000 and I think at best it could be described as a guesstimate… and it should be read like that,” Cunningham said.

He went on to deny that there was implicit pressure put on gardaí to perform checkpoints and inflate numbers, despite contrasting findings in the report.

“I don’t accept that, I accept that there was implicit pressure on members of the Garda Síochana to perform the checkpoints, because we have to look at what our function here was, our function was as we said back in May, to reduce drink driving and certainly there was implicit pressure to make sure that checkpoints were done,” he said.

I know it was said that it was in some policing plans to increase the number of actual breath tests but it certainly wasn’t one that I was familiar with, I’m sure it exists because Crowe Howarth have found it.

In its assessment, the Policing Authority says:

We believe that there was significant pressure within the organisation to be seen to deliver against targets that were set – whether at divisional level within the annual policing plan, or for a patrol setting out for its tour of duty with an expectation that it would undertake the three MIT checkpoints that it had been authorised to conduct, or at some other level within the organisation…

The report found that many members of the force “indicated that the number of checkpoints scheduled during a tour of duty (10-hour patrol shift) could be up to three or four, regardless of the time of day”. However, not all of these checkpoints took place.

A number of garda members in a busy urban station told the authority that they “were frequently under significant pressure when on patrol, and at any given time might have six or seven backed up calls awaiting their response”.

They said they simply couldn’t manage to perform all of the checkpoints authorised, due to this pressure.

They had developed a “habit” of “entering erroneous data onto Pulse”, says the report, entering false data in respect of checkpoints not operated.

While garda health and safety requirements said a minimum of two members should be present at a checkpoint, in some rural areas up to 80% of patrols were undertaken by a single member. Some gardaí said that management would frequently schedule checkpoints knowing they could never be carried out.

Implications

In response to O’Rourke’s questions about what should happen to those, if identified, who had claimed to set up checkpoints that did not happen, Cunningham said that while they should be dealt with, he wasn’t sure what value it would add given that it would be an expensive process.

“If we’re going down the road of dealing with this then right across the board that is going to be a very long term, it’s going to be extremely expensive and I’m just unsure what it will arrive at the very end, what will be derived from it, what value added will come from it,” Cunningham said.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said that disciplinary action will be taken where there is evidence of wrongdoing in relation to the scandal.

“Yesterday’s report once again underlines what has been a particularly bleak chapter in An Garda Síochána. An unacceptable catalogue of major deficiencies and an unacceptable litany of instances of very bad behaviour on the part of the gardaí,” Flanagan said.

There is a process underway under assistant commissioner Michael Finn where he will assess the situation as far as responsibility is concerned.
Yes, it is very important that where there is evidence of wrongdoing that there would be certain culpability in that regard and that there would be a process to ensure that disciplinary action will be taken.
Initial reports

Earlier this year, an internal report authored by Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan revealed a discrepancy of more than a million breath tests over an eight-year period.

The report into Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT), which was published at the start of September, found a discrepancy of over 1.4 million between the number of tests counted on the Garda PULSE system and the number actually registered by the force’s Dräger breathalyser devices.

This figure, which accounts for the period between 2009-2017, represents a 71% disparity between the number of tests recorded and those actually carried out.

It was reported earlier this year that between 2011 and 2016, just over 933,000 false breath tests were recorded on Garda PULSE systems. However, it was subsequently revealed that a further 500,000 false breath tests were recorded but not carried out.

Read: How and why under-pressure gardaí faked checkpoints

More: ‘It’ll cost an absolute fortune’: Over 100 solicitors in contact with gardaí over fixed charge notice error

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54 Comments
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    Mute Mark Wallace
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:34 AM

    If we actually want the Scandinavian (even German or Austrian) model then we have to accept that everyone and not just the rich, will need to pay more tax.
    People are listening too much to the populist idea that we can pay for all thses services while Joe Soap pays less tax.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:55 AM

    @Mark Wallace: The “ rich “ don’t pay taxes!

    143
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    Mute John Harkin
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:55 AM

    @Mark Wallace: i live in Sweden. I pay more tax from a paye perspective but overall if you plug my monthly gross income into the Irish and Swedish systems the difference in take home pay is very little actually. However the difference in terms of public services, cost of health care and so on is very noticeable.

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    Mute John Harkin
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:58 AM

    @Mark Wallace: I live in Sweden. I pay more tax from a paye perspective but overall if you plug my monthly gross income into the Irish and Swedish systems the difference in take home pay is very little actually. However the difference in terms of public services, cost of health care and so on is very noticeable

    17
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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:06 AM

    @Colette Kearns: but the squeezed middle do

    36
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    Mute Gerry Ryan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:07 AM

    @Colette Kearns: exactly

    18
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    Mute Laughable
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:11 AM

    @John Harkin: except the rich don’t pay their fair share here and the corporates definitely don’t pay their fair share, some companies paying less than 1%, even .005% of corp tax on their profits.
    The rate is 12.5%, we need an effective minimum %. I’m no expert on it but paying less than 1% that cannot be right.

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    Mute John Harkin
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:20 AM

    @Laughable: I’m not disagreeing with those points. I was more so replying on the assertion that Joe Soap would have to pay more tax to achieve the Swedish model. That’s not necessarily true. The tax system here is graduated and the rich pay more, which is how it should be. What’s also important is that the government spends tax revenues transparently and with proper consideration. I’m not sure that’s the case in Ireland. Giving the government more money doesn’t fix problems in that regard, if anything the waste probably gets higher.

    58
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    Mute Aidan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:34 AM

    @John Harkin: not just “not sure”, there is no transparency. Where is the due diligence on the children’s hospital? How can they explain where the money came from for Irish Water etc.

    49
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    Mute Thewestisbest
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:13 AM

    @Laughable: Should the one million workers who pay no tax have to pay a % minimum as well? Seeing as they are the ones who appear to need more access to these public services.

    33
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    Mute The Risen
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:39 AM

    @Thewestisbest: Workers who pay no tax have to spend every cent of their wages to keep their heads above water, and in doing so pay tax via VAT.

    34
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:54 AM

    @Thewestisbest: hmmm a lot of comments here are being selective in what they mean by ‘taxes’- the income tax bands are only ONE aspect of tax generated -5 bn a year in motor and fuel taxes are collected etc – we pay very high taxes here on everything – in fact did you know almost ALL paye income tax collected is needed just to pay for health alone ??? The USC was suppose to be temporary ? The corporation tax take has been in the billions and Ireland has been doing very well ( especially on those revenues that are for digital transactions and profits generated in other countries but booked here ) – and anyone arguing these should go up are missing what’s really happening ( they are likely to come down) – we get the 12.5% on the irish transactions and punch way above our weight in terms of the additional millions we are getting atm – and finally Denmark – we already are the second most expensive country to live in Europe ( behind Denmark ) – so maybe we need to look at exactly how effective and inefficient we are with the taxes collected for a hint on what we might need to do for the future ( our bloated services dont need more money – they need reform for 21st century )

    41
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    Mute Laughable
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:58 AM

    @Thewestisbest: can we start with the ones that can afford it like the corporations and take it from there maybe?

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:15 AM

    @The Risen: The mad Shinner Bot strikes. What a revelation. People who spend money pay VAT. Maybe a VAT exemption for everyone under 30 k.
    Just tax the rich. Unfortunately, their bottoms are not glued to their chairs. Like Smurfit, Desmond, McManus ,O Brien they are domiciled elsewhere. Tried high tax model in Uk under Labour when Militant Trotskyist faction took over in the Sixties. Up to 98 pence in the Pound tax. Anyone with money went abroad or hid it. Sort of madcap Shinner politics that gives you Boris J.

    26
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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:16 AM

    @John Harkin: At last someone who knows what they are talking about.

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    Mute Joe
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:17 AM

    @The Risen: what do they pay VAT on?

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:24 AM

    @Colette Kearns: So Michael O Leary gets away scot free.

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    Mute Liam O Connor
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:30 AM

    @Mark Wallace: Tax and tax, spend and spend , elect and elect, if a bucket is leaking you don’t keep rowing water or milk into it, if a car is on its last legs you don’t keep throwing none into it, nearly every area of the public service is inept, bloated and inefficient, just look at the health service every year for the last 30years it has got massive increases in spending while the service gets worse and worse, simple fix the entire system first ,before gouging more money, but please no more ,reviews , reports, expert indepth studies, conjobs!!

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    Mute J
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:32 AM

    @Colette Kearns: define rich

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    Mute Liam O Connor
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:35 AM

    @David Glynn: your correct Michael o Leary pays all he’s taxes here, but the Darling of the Irish media and the late late in particular ,Bono pays nothing!

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:35 AM

    @Laughable: Tax them to the hilt. The likes of Google. Over 5000 employed in very well paid jobs. Theres a pile of taxi drivers outside their HQ ferrying people around who might not agree and multiple other knock on benifits. And when they relocate to another EU country you can write the answer to the question the IDA will have to answer.
    ” Why did Google relocate their HQ to….”
    According to the Central Bank the main driver of growth in the economy is the Pharma Industry. Get rid of them too with stupid policies.
    As to they won’t go argument , well Fruit of the Loom and Dell did.

    23
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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:03 AM

    @David Glynn: Thanks John. I like history. Can stop us making the same mistakes. I really like the Scandanavian model. Been to Sweden and Finland. Like the safe feeling and the clean streets and the respectful people. Did not like the prices. But our prices are outrageous now and we don’t have the quality services either.

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    Mute Joe
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:31 AM

    @The Risen: seeing as you haven’t answered my question I’ll answer it for you!
    No VAT on food, children’s clothing and footwear, prescriptions, rent, education.
    So they’re not paying VAT on keeping their heads above water. More lies from the Shinners

    27
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:48 AM

    @Joe: Google:Value Added Tax:Citizens Information website!

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:55 AM

    @The Risen: Its an absurd point. “The cost of
    Living is high” – yes it is. And something should be done about it.

    But it applies to everyone so it’s a poor excuse to avoid taxing the less well off. Everyone should be paying some tax.

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 12:23 PM

    @Liam O Connor: But he. pays VAT

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 12:25 PM

    @Nuala Mc Namara: Another bot back. Jesus they are paying VAT.Contributing.!

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    Mute Joe
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    Feb 28th 2020, 1:16 PM

    @Nuala Mc Namara: I don’t need to look this up. I know that VAT is not paid on essentials. Saying that those who pay little or no income tax pay tax in the form of VAT is incorrect.

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    Mute Mark
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    Feb 28th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Mark Wallace: I have said it before i am below the 40k mark for salary and would have no issue paying more tax if we get the services for it. The Services in Ireland are diabolical to say the least.

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:01 PM

    @Joe: David Glynn&Joe,here are the facts according to Dr Michael Collins:”Most people contribute to the Exchequer via indirect taxes” eg VAT,Ireland has a “mainly taxation system rather than an income tax system!”
    Dr Michael Collins UCD was a Senior Economist at NERI.His main research interests and publications are in the areas of income distribution, taxation, redistribution, economic evaluation and public policy.
    He was on the Commission on Taxation (2008-2009)&the Government Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare 2011-2014.
    He’s a former chair of Irish Social Policy Association, Member of National Competitiveness Council, the TCD Pensions Policy Research and the Living Wage Technical Group.
    Are the 2 of ye seriously suggesting ye know more than him?What a joke!

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:17 PM

    @David Glynn: Your answer is below addressed to both you and Joe!
    By the way,for someone who talks about democracy re votes etc,you’re very disrespectful of other people with different views writing comments here,not only disrespectful but as near to hate speech at times as I’ve ever seen here before.I respect other voters choices&I like politicians from all parties and I’d never use the disrespectful language you use, I find it intimidating and aggressive at times.

    13
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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:23 PM

    @Joe: well joe I am a full time family carer looking after an 18 year old young man that needs 24/7 full time care. I receive an allowance of €219 per week only source of income and you are not correct about the poorer people paying VAT. I pay vat on everything with the exception of basic food. For instance if you can afford to buy a luxury item such as lets say a cake or pk of biscuits that has vat, hair shampoo, toiletries etc. have vat. I would have to pay vat on any non essentials. I pay vat on my car the car insurance, fuel, home heating, Electricity. I and many other family carers are the only people expected to work for the allowance we receive. I am not entitled to any day off and expected to drive my cared for person day and night 24/7 to any medical appointment throughout the country. My son has no entitlement to anything and he’s disability allowance to keep him is €203 per week and yet it fall shot of the cost €350 per week to keep him. He and I cannot afford clothing, can’t afford a cup of coffee out to pay vat, by the end of the week there’s barely enough money to get basics. So please don’t say we do not pay VAT on almost everything we purchase, as I have to keep receipts for up to 4 years for my son in case the disability services ask me to produce what I buy my special needs son and I can see the VAT plain as day either 13% or 23% depending on what has to be purchased.

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    Mute Joe
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    Feb 28th 2020, 4:39 PM

    @Charliegrl80: yes but the point is that wealthier people buy more goods and services that attract VAT. So the claim made above was false. The majority of basic necessities do not attract VAT. A car is a luxury by the way. I am not trying to say that people pay no VAT, but making out that people who do not contribute through the PAYE system make a significant contribution on things purchased just to keep their heads above water through VAT is completely false!

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    Mute Joe
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    Feb 28th 2020, 5:27 PM

    @Nuala Mc Namara: you’re muddying the waters. People who are not buying luxury items are not paying a lot of VAT. The fact is Ireland is a wealthy country and people take things for granted and want everything for nothing. Sorry no can do! The middle classes(the wealthy according to you) pay enough as it is and get nothing in return. Delighted to pay in if I get back out as happen is Denmark etc. Where your benefits are linked to your contributions.

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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Feb 28th 2020, 6:56 PM

    @Joe: When I worked and by the way I worked from the age of 14 to 50 and was also an abused/slave in an religious run industrial school from the age of 5. I had to give my work to care for my son who needed 24/7 care I so have paid into the system most of my life. A car is not a luxury but a necessity for us as my son cannot walk and we have no transport where we live. And next time your buy groceries just take a look at your receipt and you will see VAT taken out even though you say it’s not. Most of the products you buy are imported and do carry a VAT.

    these items are what comes under the 0% (Zero) VAT rating includes all exports, tea, coffee, milk, bread, books, children’s clothes and shoes, oral medicine for humans and animals, vegetable seeds and fruit trees, fertilisers, large animal feed, disability aids such as wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids.
    It’s only kids clothing that has no VAT.

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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:30 PM

    @Joe: ‘VAT is a tax on consumer spending so everyone who pays for goods and services pays VAT’&’VAT is a tax charged on the sale of goods or services and is included in the price of most products and services that we use every day”.
    From Government’s Citizens information website.
    The most important reasons why 58% of people said they voted was health, homelessness/housing.These are vitally important issues which are not just affecting huge sections of society but are a threat to the economy and competitiveness according to Government Advisory body and Irish Competitiveness Council.
    The ‘middle classes’ aren’t the wealthy,the following are the facts regarding incomes in Ireland:
    :60% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €30,000
    :75% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €40,000
    :85% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €50,000
    :90% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €60,000
    :95% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €85,000
    :99% of individuals have gross incomes that is less than €100,000
    :1% of individuals have gross incomes that is MORE than €100,000
    :0.3% of individuals have gross incomes that is MORE than €200,000
    :0.3% of individuals have gross incomes that is MORE than €275,000
    SF proposals is for individuals who have gross incomes that is MORE than €100,000 which is 1% of workers!
    By the way Dr Rory Aherne has said that those with lower incomes pay a higher percentage of indirect taxes from their incomes compared to those on higher incomes!
    Spin all you like and try to discredit those who challenge you but that won’t work with me,just because I do challenge you doesn’t mean I’m unemployed whch is an incredible naive response!Similar response got in the past about me highlighting the homelessness/housing crisis accusing me of wanting ‘a free house’, when I’m actually a home owner!!!

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:54 PM

    @Joe: Where do you live? We pay VAT here in Ireland on almost everything! Check your household bills sweetie!

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:00 PM

    @Nuala Mc Namara: Oh he won’t like that! Nice one.

    5
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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:01 PM

    @Joe: Wrong, so you do need to check your facts!

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    Mute Denis McClean
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    Feb 29th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @Joe: VAT is VAT regadless of where it comes from but while on the subject, why is food subject to VAT?

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:23 AM

    Only 43% voted for FG and FF. Why does the media always refer to their combined vote? You’d think it was a single party with the a common agenda …

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    Mute smart cat
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:26 AM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: their the same end of the political spectrum so there inclined to bulk them .

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    Mute Vic's Burd
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:01 AM

    @smart cat: if that’s the case the other Centre-right/right leaning smaller parties and Independents should also be included. The figure would be closer to 50%.

    This article avoids looking at the various factions within the Left parties that is preventing them from forming government with each other. No point expecting the likes of FF/FG to change to Left ideology and alienate their voters.

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    Mute Laughable
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:13 AM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: they never say the left parties got about the same %, media is biased.

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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:31 AM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: Ah now, Anne Marie, you can’t believe that .

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:52 AM

    @Anne Marie Devlin: Only 24.5% voted for SF, and the SF sort of Change is different to the Change of Greens, S Dems, and the diverse demands of the large number of Independents. No matter what way you see it, 44% still want FF& FG involved . Remember now, Sinn Fein policies are way off and could not possibly be afforded, apart from their other ideas and beliefs.

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    Mute Anynews43
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    Feb 28th 2020, 2:12 PM

    @Vic’s Burd: if they can claim 50% of seats, then they can make a government! They just have to work together.

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    Mute nicknack
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:15 AM

    Very good article rory.we need to pick other models from other countries and work on helping a better life for citizens.

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    Mute Paul Delaney
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    Feb 28th 2020, 7:30 AM

    Excellent précis. Watch now how the forces of conservatism, at all cost, align to try and deny the people the change they want.

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    Mute Vic's Burd
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:06 AM

    @Paul Delaney: why should they change? They got voted in under their ‘conservative’ mantle. There’s enough numbers on the ‘left’ to form a government for change…

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    Mute Aidan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:37 AM

    @Vic’s Burd: because it’s the greater interests of everyone that they shift even a tiny bit to the left, not just the interests of them and their mates. How anyone could look at the amount of people homeless in an of our cities and not see the need for change is beyond me.

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    Mute Liam Mernagh
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:16 AM

    @Aidan: they changed to the left on the wrong issues and paid dearly for their change at election time

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    Mute Pat Coyne
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    Feb 29th 2020, 7:47 AM

    @Paul Delaney: The word CHANGE has now entered the weasel-word category.

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    Mute Daniel Kevin Sullivan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:24 AM

    Rory appears to have missed or decided to ignore the graph floating about on social media recently showing that the bottom 60% of earners party significantly less tax here than in other countries. Try running for election telling them that their taxes will need to increase to fund his Nordic model.

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    Mute Thewestisbest
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:16 AM

    @Daniel Kevin Sullivan: Nail on head. Post of the day. The truth hurts.

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    Mute DK
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:50 AM

    @Thewestisbest: “What do we want? Everything. Who’s gonna pay? Somebody else”

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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:04 AM

    65% of 24% is not a shift in ideology.

    We need to address actual issues of health & the collateral damage of a global banking crisis.

    Reform is needed. It’s always needed.

    Legal profession is a milking us.

    Medical consultant salaries are false economy. Increase capacity of med school & offer more opportunities for Nurses to grow.

    Social welfare benefits an insurance for sick pay & time between jobs.

    Improve day care.

    More outsourcing in public sector. Transformation is needed & they are failing.

    But also .. do not burden tax payers already paying high rates of tax.

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    Mute Kevin Lonergan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:35 AM

    @Rúraíocht: The last thing we need is more outsourcing in the public sector. Look at the expensive disaster that is Jobpath for an example. Look at the cost of agency healthcare workers instead of directly employed staff. Look at how much local authorities are paying private contractors to refit empty properties before moving new tenants in. Every example of public services being outsourced has led to much higher cost to the taxpayer.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:15 AM

    @Mark Wallace: good luck with that .. Came up on train to Dublin yesterday morning and I couldn’t believe the amount young and old people drinking alcohol and all IRISH is well mostly males ..I thought should they not be working somewhere ,you want people to paid more Tax. When you say to yourself what’s the point of working paiding all tax when we already have a generous welfare state…by the way I believe in a first-class free health care all its citizens from the cradle to grave no problem with that paid what ever tax for.

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    Mute Connoroconner
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:17 AM

    “Are we in favour of US-style pro-market, individualism, small state, low taxes and high inequality? Or are we in favour of prioritising society and quality of life, public services, regulating the market (particularly housing), public investment, higher taxes and reducing inequality”
    Sinn Feins policy is neither of the above. Closer to the latter except with lower taxes. I’m not sure how that’s going to work. Simply taxing the rich or those earning over 100000, is not going to fund the spending increases their plans would need. They’re promising too much too soon. But in the words of Mary Lou, I’m sure it will work itself out.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:30 AM

    @Connoroconner: tax the rich

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    Mute Thewestisbest
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:16 AM

    @Bobby wilson: Or tax anyone earning more than you.

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    Mute Connoroconner
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:03 AM

    @Bobby wilson: its won’t be enough, and that’s assuming all the rich dont feck off to another country or move their assets into off shore accounts. Which they will.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:25 AM

    @Thewestisbest: that’s much

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:04 AM

    @Connoroconner: The second option please.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Feb 28th 2020, 11:57 AM

    @Connoroconner: as night follows day…

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    Mute MickN
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:31 PM

    @Connoroconner: Most already do move assets away

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    Mute Emma McCarthy
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:10 AM

    Good analysis overall, but when you break down the exit poll further it is SF voters who are the most reluctant to move to a Scandinavian style system.
    Only 57% of Sinn Fein voters support higher spending on public services over lower taxes. This is even lower than, but far more in line with FG (59%) and FF (63%) and far lower than the ‘other left wing’ voters (green 88%, Sol PBP 88%, SD 71%).

    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/detailed-election-2020-exit-poll-results-how-voters-answered-15-questions-1.4167016

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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:10 AM

    Complete crap.

    Ireland voted for status quo.

    If anything the majority of Ireland wants tax reductions & better services brought about by public sector reform. Currently blocked by unions.

    Granted SF did well. But that was a protest vote for homes.

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    Mute Laughable
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:13 AM

    @Rúraíocht: we’ll see at the next election i suppose, won’t we.

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    Mute Mick Murphy
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:16 AM

    My problem with this stuff is it seems the mantra is rich is bad and poor are more deserving. I’d be closer to poor myself but still can’t agree with this. If I was rich and suddenly I was getting lumped with all the taxes I’d haul ass somewhere else. I’ve worked hard and have loans for my house and car etc. Haven’t been on holiday in years and sometimes struggle to make ends meet. I don’t see that as the governments problem though. I also don’t see how a government can do all the things the author suggests without taxing the hell out of people. I’d rather decide where my money goes than government. You can hang on to socialism in my opinion

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    Mute Connoroconner
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:10 AM

    @Mick Murphy: the Sinn Fein policy is a mix of the two ideologies and is un-doable. Low tax and top class public services. And whatever chance we have of reforming the public services to make them more efficient, which will probably never be done anyway, but it certainly won’t happen with a left leaning government. Typical example is the crazy money spent on the printer last year. The govt get the rap for this, but in actual fact it was civil servents from start to finish in that debacle, and no diclipinary action has been or will be taken.

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:48 PM

    @Connoroconner: Straighforward matter for the government to pass legislation changing oversight of the public service and accountability.

    They don’t want to.

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    Mute Paul Lanigan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:03 AM

    High inequality? Are you serious? We literally have the most progressive tax system in Europe…….unless what you mean by unequal is that a small percentage of the population pays for everyone else…?

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    Mute Shazam37
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    Feb 28th 2020, 3:50 PM

    @Paul Lanigan: Actually we have one of the most unequal societies in the OECD. BEFORE social welfare kicks in redistributing wealth then we leap frog loads of people.

    So the free market driven ideologically lift yourself up by your bootstraps methodology is failing appallingly and the state has to step in to level the playing field.

    Surely not a sensible way to do it?

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    Mute Emma McCarthy
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    Feb 28th 2020, 8:12 AM

    Good analysis overall, but when you break down the exit poll further it is SF voters who are the most reluctant to move to a Scandinavian style system.
    Only 57% of Sinn Fein voters support higher spending on public services over lower taxes. This is even lower than, but far more in line with FG (59%) and FF (63%) and far lower than the ‘other left wing’ voters (green 88%, Sol PBP 88%, SD 71%.

    (ref Irish Times exit poll)

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    Mute Martin McFly
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:39 AM

    I’m yet to meet a person face to face that said they voted for Sinn Fein. I believe the Russians have tampered with our elections. It would explain their massive support on Journals.ie as most accounts here are BOTs.

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:57 AM

    @Martin McFly: The Risen, Angela mcNamara and larkin About are examples. All plugging the same line. Pay for nothing , we got a mandate, doesn’t have to apologise, move on, that’s all past. When that fails its you are full of hatred, need to see a doctor, part of the FFG cartel.
    Honey words for the Greens and potential partners. No matter how stupid independants are no critiscism.

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    Mute Neuville-Kepler62F
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:42 AM

    2020 Election : Voters Program for Government :-

    “All politics is local and there is nothing more local than a man’s or woman’s wallet”
    “Its the Economy Stupid … the ‘domestic’ home family economy .. stupid!

    ”People are not angry with FG / FF … they are Furious!

    ———————————————
    - 2 Tier Family Homes … Owners and Landlords v the “Locked Out” – Rack Rents, No Affordable homes and Evicted Homeless. – Referendum needed to fix it permanently … https://www.change.org/p/irish-housing-crisis-referendum-on-family-homes

    - 2 Tier Car Tax … Post 2008 new car class on Low Car Tax v pre 2008 old car owners on excessive High Car Tax – irrespective of miles traveled . Incompetent Greens forcing us all into dirty toxic diesels … Refund backtax to those wrongly taxed by Green FF since 2008. https://www.change.org/p/unfair-irish-car-carbon-tax-law

    - 2 Tier Health … We have VHI (FG/FF) so we skip the queue v rest of you take your ‘Place’ in the Queue and wait …or take the Belfast Bus .. and 11% of GDP put into health by ALL taxpayers. (This one is obscene)

    2 Tier LPT … A tax on Families who own their own homes v No LPT tax on families in social homes … next tax food – you cant tax Life Essentials (shelter)… TDs (and Media) just dont get it. Tax all second homes … thats wealth!

    - 2 Tier Pensions … 3 pensions (1 Private + 2 Welfare ‘PRSI’) v wait until you are 68 yrs for your only Welfare pension. Wrong answer FG/FF. One Man – One Pension to allow all retire at 65.

    - 2 Tier Mortgages … €30,000 forced deposit for some v no restrictions on Vulture funds or LA buying up homes … more obscene stuff .. no street protests?

    -2 Tier Tax reliefs – Landlords get €780 Million HAP subsidy every year v USC on ordinary workers to pay for it …

    … tip of the iceberg of what is making voters furious ….. please add your own …

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    Mute Liam Mernagh
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    Feb 28th 2020, 10:12 AM

    If the author is as stated, a lecturer in social policy, then we are all in trouble if he gets an advisory role from his beloved socialist government.
    Politics is generally defined as the art of the possible, but our author is a total ideologue with a one sided view of society which is outdated.
    Whilst the idea of every body having a home of their own is great in theory, it is totally impractical unless everyone drops to a common level of poverty.
    Even J C who many said was crucified for socialism preached about the use of talents and incentives. Our author wouldn’t have any of that!!

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    Mute John Phelan
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    Feb 28th 2020, 1:34 PM

    As a previously self declared apolitical citizen, who now, in my twilight years, have begun to realize that politics DO affect the lives of normal folk, I can’t but wonder where this sudden rise in popularity for Sinn Fein has come from. I think it represents the frustration of the average Joe and Mary with the non performance and constant bickering of the previous main parties. I believe that most Irish voters yearn for radical change, but would prefer to get it from a less radical party than the one now trying to form a government. While they got a huge increase in their recent votes, I suspect that many of their new found voting base might have been driven more by frustration with the lack of progress in key areas than by any Paulian conversion to republican/socialist politics.

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    Mute Mark Andrew Salmon
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:27 AM

    To change to the Scandinavian social welfare model would require a fundamental shift in thinking. Firstly the electoral system would need to be reformed to align with the scandinavian list system to minimise the impact of parish pump politics. Secondly people would have to be able to put the good of society as a whole above that of the individual. Massive infrastructure projects would be required to implement some of the solutions that go with the scandinavian system such as centralised heating, state creches, and the like. Reforming public services will not cut it. Almost 50% of the workforce in Denmark are employed in the public sector. I don’t see the will required for this in Ireland to be honest.

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    Mute jamesdecay
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:59 AM

    @Mark Andrew Salmon: maybe we could politely ask Norway to re-invade Ireland again, and we could become a vassal stage once more. Learning Norwegian would be a small price to pay for all that excellent child care, etc.

    It’s not like we don’t have history!

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    Mute frank mcglynn
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    Feb 28th 2020, 2:20 PM

    Like so many other commentators the author tells us that there was a vote for change which he defines as the combined ‘left’ vote as opposed to the conservative Ff/FG vote. He also says that the combined left received roughly the same vote as FF/FG at 43%. How do we categorize the others 16%, the independents? While I don’t have exact figures I suspect that only a minority would fall into the ‘left change category: two Healy-Rae’s, Lowry, Collins, McGrath, Verona Murphy, Naughten, Fitzmaurice, Harkin are hardly lefties.

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    Mute nicknack
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    Apr 5th 2020, 3:13 PM

    Great article from my good friend

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    Mute Keith O Hanlon
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    Feb 28th 2020, 9:56 PM

    Mary HARNESS a head like a horse

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