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Dáil talk
State of the Nation: Does anyone have confidence in this man?
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening in Irish politics right now…
EACH WEEKDAY MORNING, TheJournal.ie brings you a comprehensive guide to what’s happening in the political world.
Everyone’s talking about…
It appears no government minister is currently able to express confidence in the managing director of Irish Water, John Tierney (above), and as the Cabinet meets this morning to discuss the water debacle a shake-up of the utility company’s board is expected.
If Tierney remains in situ it will be a surprise given the inability of anyone in government to express confidence in him. Fianna Fáil has accused the coalition of looking to “throw someone under the bus” and drawn comparisons with the treatment of former garda commissioner Martin Callinan.
But whatever happens today one thing is for sure, the Irish Water debacle just isn’t going away and it’s unlikely government can do much to change this. Just look at the agenda for the day…
- Read: “No plan that I know of anyway”: Michael Noonan’s not saying much about this Irish Water overhaul
The agenda…
- The Cabinet holds its usual Tuesday meeting
- 2pm: Joan Burton takes questions on her social protection portfolio
- 2.15pm: The chair of the Commission for Energy Regulation, Garrett Blaney, is before the Environment Committee to discuss water charges.
- 3.15pm: Enda Kenny takes Leaders’ Questions and if Irish Water isn’t raised we’ll be shocked.
- 7.30pm: Fianna Fáil’s private members’ motion is on, yep, Irish Water. It calls for a full review of the utility.
What the others are saying…
- One million households have still to register with Irish Water with the deadline now likely to be extended to the 29 November, according to the Irish Independent.
- That same paper also reports that councillors in Kerry want the title of ‘mayor’ restored because they’re tired of explaining to tourists what ‘cathaoirleach’ means.
- The Irish Daily Mail says that interim garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan is the last member of the force still in the running for the permanent job with two civilian candidates also being considered.
In case you missed it…
- The case of Maíria Cahill prompted a war of words between the Taoiseach and Gerry Adams.
- Charlie Flanagan went to Europe to discuss how to fight Ebola.
- A plan to give Irish equal prominence on a new road signs will be reviewed.
- Paschal Donohoe isn’t happy with truck drivers.
On the Twitter machine…
Five tweets so far, no stopping him now…
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