Calling for The Greens
to Leave Government

Independent Euro candidate and former MEP Patricia McKenna is calling for the Green Party to withdraw from Government. Her call is being backed by former Green Party Councillors Chris O'Leary and Betty Doran.

They are appealing to the Green Party to do what is needed for Ireland by pulling out of government, thus causing a general election. If the Greens stand behind what Fianna Fáil is currently trying to do, they will be participating in economic treason. If they allow NAMA - which has the taxpayers riding to the rescue of banks that were bankrupted with the help of Fianna Fáil leaders and their cronies - to be voted through, there will be no going back and the people of this nation will be footing the bill for generations to come. The Government has no mandate to go ahead with NAMA. The only democratic action would be to ask the people what options they prefer to take to help address the current crisis.

Related Links: Patricia McKenna's Website | Patricia McKenna on Candidate Watch | Patricia McKenna on Facebook | Green Party Website

Truth? We Can't Handle the Truth!

Hi folks!
In the most hysterical hatchet-job to date on the campaign against Shell's discredited and disastrous inland refinery experiment in north Mayo, Sunday World crime-fighter Paul Williams turns shock jock as he presents a "documentary" about the Corrib Gas project on TV3 at 9pm on Tuesday, 2nd June. To accompany what is set to be an entertaining farce, we bring you a one-off Telly Bingo game so you can track whether any facts, relevant information or editorial balance creeps into the show.

The Boxes You'll Be Looking to Have Ticked:

* Pipeline Safety
* Trevor Sargent
* The Giveaway of Irish Gas and Oil
* Michael D. HIggins
* Opinion Polls
* Joe Higgins
* Kevin Moore's Verdict
* Colm Rapple
* Shell's Lawbreaking
* Rossport 5
* Minister Eamonn Ryan
* Local Organisations
* Denis Halliday
* Parish Priests
* Goldman Prize
* Michael McCaughan
* Shell on Trial in New York
* Project-Splitting
* Experts
* The Paul Williams Factor

Erik Eblana: "Tax-Free Payments to Councillors Should End Now"

Independent candidate Erik Eblana, has called for a complete overhaul of the system of payments to councillors. Mr Eblana, from the Pembroke-Rathmines ward, also stated that any review must be done by an independent body, not including councillors or the council itself.

‘Appearances and transparency are critical when it comes to spending public money and getting best value for all expenditure incurred including over €400,000 on expenses alone for the 52 councillors on Dublin City Council, ’ Mr Eblana said.

‘In my view, as an outsider to the current political consensus, I would abolish the attendance payments to councillors for example. This is a tax free payment of €8406 paid for attending city council meetings in addition to the €17,604 salary and other expenses.

‘This is just wrong. As a councillor you are supposed to attend meetings. It’s your job! And if you can’t attend them or need a lure to get you there well then I’d question why you would go for the job of councillor in the first place.

Related Links: Erik Eblana's Website | Erik Eblana on Indymedia.ie | Erik Eblana on Facebook | Erik Eblana on Twitter

These Are Not Toy Soldiers

It was inevitable that the economic catastrophe caused by Fianna Fáil’s economic policies would dominate, almost exclusively, the Euro Election Campaign so far. However, it is also vital that we focus on some vital issues pertaining to the future direction of the European Union.

It is quite deplorable that the guarantees that the Government says it will have from the EU with regard to the Lisbon Treaty have not been published so that they could be debated during the current campaign.

However when it comes to the thrust toward militarisation of the EU firmly implanted in the Lisbon Treaty, no guarantees can change what are very categorical dictates to Member States.

Related Links: Joe Higgins column on how Lisbon would lead to more militarisation of the EU | Joe Higgins' Euro election Website | Socialist Party Website