A new Irish National Sport?

I'm Back!!!
All these drivers going through red lights at every junction, at every time of the day or night are driving me mad enough to start posting to this blog again!
But rather than ranting about them, I just film them.

Pensioners

I don't know why it is in this country that when the word "pensioners" is mentioned, people automatically think "poor people". So when Revenue and the Department of Social Protection coordinated their information, and found that over 100,000 pensioners who were getting both a private pension and a state pension were not paying sufficient tax, and when Revenue said that that's going to have to change, there was a major HooHaa in the media. Joe Duffy apparently had a field day on Liveline yesterday!

But what about all those other pensioners who had been paying their taxes? And all other tax payers? We're not here to bankroll these 100,000 poor pensioners! And anyways, Revenue has said that they won't pursue the small amounts. So spare us the sob stories.

I think it's only fair that these pensioners should be paying their taxes like everyone else. And apparently that's going to bring in 200 Million Euro annually. I'd rather that money was used for creating jobs for young people, the future of this country, than financing pensioners' winter holidays in Spain.

I'm delighted we finally have a government who's got the balls to take on these unpopular steps, for the greater good. They're not perfect, but they're definitely a whole lot better than the previous guys!

What do you think?

RTE Christmas Guide

Very disappointed in the RTE Guide. We've found three mistakes in the TV listings already, and that's only day Two. I only get it once a year, and for me, it's part of Christmas. But I don't think I'll bother next year.

Merging of Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland

I didn't even know we had two tourism boards! So, yes, merge them by all means. What took you so long?
(PS: couldn't help another gripe)

Calling it a day

I've come to the conclusion that life is too short for gripes. Civil servants who miss 3.6 million euro still get considered for top EU jobs, ministers get €3000 for cleaning their clothes, the Euro is in bits, the cabinet makes a law so that its members can drive through bus lanes (Titanic, anyone?), ministers are haggling about which department should bear the brunt of the budget cuts. It never ends. But griping about it is not going to change anything. So, good bye. I'd rather spend my time talking about books, movies, paintings and all the good things in life!

Going shopping from 9pm til midnight!

I was coming back from Rathfarnham via Barton Road East around 9:15pm, and I couldn't believe how bad the traffic was at Ballinteer bridge. And all that traffic was trying to get into Dundrum Town Centre for their special shopping event.

And of course not a guard in sight, just down the road from Dundrum garda station!

"We're a nation of great patriots, but not good citizens" said a man on the radio this morning. Well said!

Flu jabs

I asked my pharmacist if she could give me the flu jab, as had been advertised in the media. But, no, she said - the HSE hadn't even contacted pharmacists about it. And on top of that, pharmacists were going to have to pay for the training - €500.

It'll probably be in place by next year! Patience Patience!

The Catholic Church in Ireland

I couldn't believe my ears this morning when the Archbishop of Dublin spoke on Morning Ireland and referred to Child Sexual Abuse as "CSA". How can they reduce the rape of children to an acronym? He caught himself and the second time, he used the full term. But still. I don't know why I'm surprised. The clip is on the Morning Ireland website through this link.

Public Accounts

It's that time of the year again, for the report from the Comptroller and Auditor General. And like every other year, it shows squandering of our money by our cushy and inefficient civil service.

There are some areas of improvement, though. Under minister Joan Burton, the department of Social Affairs has managed to cross-reference information from the taxi regulator database and the landlords' register, showing some taxi drivers and landlords/landladies fraudulently getting unemployment benefits.

And apparently, our water mains are leaking as much as ever, despite 1 billion spent in the last ten years to fix the water network!

Musing

I'm not really a gripy person. I hear all these things on the radio and in the news, consultants getting a fully-paid year off before their retirement, FAS civil servants ignoring all their codes of conduct, Bertie Ahern having a lavish 60th birthday party, and to be honest, my blood boils for about 5 minutes, then I think "Whatever, my life is good, I have a husband who loves me, as much work as I can handle, a healthy cat, beautiful and vibrant nieces and nephews, and never enough hours in the day to do all the things I want. Why should I spend energy raging against politicians and wasteful civil servants? The world is not perfect. And I'm not the one who's going to change the world". But still, it's good fun to give out. So, bear with me. I will never have enough bile in me for a daily gripe, but I'll sign in whenever I hear or read something that really makes me go mad!

Teaching Maths

Apparently, our Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, can't find out how many teachers there are in our secondary schools who teach maths while holding no qualification in mathematics. Does he not have a database somewhere with the email address (or even postal address) of each principal in each school? And can someone in the department of education not send an email to all these principals asking them for this information by the end of the week? Really, how hard can it be?

Well, I just did a search for "list of secondary schools in Ireland" in Google, and I found on the Department of Education website a page that holds a spreadsheet of all secondary schools, with the name of the principals and their phone numbers! There are only just over a thousand schools listed. A couple of junior staff in the department could start ringing them - a ten-minute phone call is all it would take, surely. So that would be 48 schools contacted a day if one person was to do it. If he allocated 5 members of staff in the department to make these calls, he would have the information in just over 4 days, say 5 to allow for cigarette breaks in their 8-hour day.

Just do the maths, Minister, and stop looking for excuses! It's not rocket science!

Bord Gais buys hundreds of expensive office chairs

OK, I'm classifying this one under "Cute Hoorism". Price increases for gas were announced only a few weeks ago, and now it transpires that Bord Gais has just taken delivery of hundreds of expensive office chairs, the kind that in most places would only go to the CEO. Well, apparently, Bord Gais has 380 employees that will now be sitting in these beautifully-designed chairs. While we all have to turn our thermostats down this winter in order to save on our huge gas bills! Different planet they live on, quite clearly!

Bus times

We got the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown magazine in the post the other day. In it was an article about the new bus stops' displays that show real-time information (when is the next bus due at this stop). The article also mentioned that even for stops without the new fancy displays, you could go to the rtpi.ie website and find out the times - very handy in cases where there is only one bus an hour and you don't want to be standing in the cold for too long. So, we checked it out straight away. But.... it doesn't work. The links just give the current time and "No departures found". I wonder how much the County Council have paid for this and if there is a clause in the contract in case the system doesn't work!

Former sports broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh has confirmed his interest in running for the presidency


Ah please, what a joke! #1, he's in his eighties. #2, he's a sports broadcaster!


The fact that some political parties have approached him shows just how desperate they are to block the existing candidates.


The scary thing, again, is that he could well win.

Italy

Read an article in Newsweek recently about Italy. It's 10 times worse than Ireland - 4 layers of government, thousands of cars for ministers and other politicians, the politicians haven't taken one single pay cut, a fully-functional black economy that's depriving the State of essential revenue, ... The list goes on and on. It makes Ireland look good!

No decent candidate for President

I think it's really sad that we don't have a single decent candidate for the presidency. And I'm glad that Gay Byrne has decided not to run - he's an entertainer and a TV personality, not president-material. And yet, I think he stood out more than the other candidates. The only other one I can name, by the way is Gay Mitchell. Who else is running? Now let's hope Dana doesn't decide to put her name forward again!

Overseas aid

I've heard that we're giving away in the region of € 700 million in overseas aid annually. Very commendable... Except we're bankrupt, we're receiving aid from Europe and the IMF, we're cutting back services for carers. We really can't afford this. On top of that, apparently, the aid we give is in the form of cash that goes straight to the government coffers of  the receiving country, governments that are sometimes corrupt (the president of Malawi just spent 12 million on a private jet!). My opinion is that we should revise where we send that money, and if we're going to spend it, at least have full control on what is done with it - send Irish plumbers and carpenters to build houses and hospitals in Africa maybe? Otherwise, I would rather that money is spent to help people who need it in Ireland.

What customer?

I was at the Permanent TSB in Dundrum this morning, and the queue was long and slow. I miss the Business desk! But what really annoyed me is that they have a total of 3 desks - 2 for Permanent TSB customers and 1 dedicated to Irish Nationwide customers. Now, I wonder, has anybody done a count to assess what the split of actual branch customers is. In the time I was there, there were at least 10 Permanent TSB customers ahead of me, and only 1 Nationwide customer. Do the maths, as they say! Or maybe, I should switch my account to Nationwide!

Health Minister tackles backlogs

It's great to see our current government tackling all the difficult tasks - the Health department in particular. The new Health Minister is threatening hospitals with budget cuts if they don't look after patients who have been waiting over 12 months for treatment. Imagine that up to now, hospitals can let people wait 12, 18, 24 months and the hospital managers faced no consequences whatsoever.

I also heard on the radio this morning that the Health Minister is telling hospital managers and administrators that they should not have more of an A&E crisis in January than at any other time of the year. The story that there are more patients turning up at emergencies in January is a fallacy, apparently. What is really happening is that hospital staff is not available to the same levels after the Christmas holidays. My guess is that too many doctors and hospital managers are away on skiing holidays and nobody dares say boo to them ...

Glad to see that the new Health Minister Dr James Reilly is challenging the hospitals and the HSE. There is so much waste and inefficiencies in that area, and throwing money at it like Hearney did for years achieved nothing at all.

Thumbs up to Dr James Reilly!

FAS is dead

Long live SOLAS!
As if that's going to make any difference!
According to the article I've just read, SOLAS stands for "Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanunaigh Agus Scileann". Mmmm. How many civil servants did it take to come up with that!

Good for you, Enda

I've just read that Enda Kenny has strongly criticised the Vatican for its response to the Cloyne report into child abuse. Good for him. About time somebody stood up to the Church. We've had enough of the Catholic Church's culture of secrecy and of protecting itself at all cost, even when it endangers children in its care.

Joan Burton and welfare cheats

Good for you Joan Burton for going after welfare cheats!

Unpaid bills

Heard today that there is something like €77,000 in unpaid bills in the Dail bar and restaurant, by current and retired members. Apparently, politicians were given credit on food and drink there and no timeframe for repayment.

Imagine a canteen that gives free credit to the employees! It is said that the credit facility is there so they can pay for visitors or guests, but still, why can't they pay and then expense it (with receipts - don't get me started on unreceipted expenses!)?

OK, apparently, letters are being written to get the money back.But how much is it going to take to get that money repaid! How many stamps, envelopes, letterheaded paper, .....

People who have a chat car-to-car

The worst one was this evening. Two cars at the entrance to the estate, windows down, chatting, blocking access. I beeped once, they continued talking. I beeped a second time, one of them moved. The other insulted me before moving on. Nice people.

People who let out farts at the gym

There is nothing more annoying than people who fart at the gym. You're peacefully walking, running or cross-training, and an awful smell spreads out all around you. And you can't give out to anybody, as you're not sure who farted, and anyway, everybody has got their earphones in so they can't hear you anyway!

More Jackie Healy-Rae stories

Jackie Healy-Rae is in the news again, this time for his lack of attendance at a Dail committee on Social Welfare that he was supposed to be chairing. Apparently, he attended less than 50% of the meetings. I probably wouldn't care too much if he wasn't paid €20,000 a year on top of his Dail salary for chairing that committee. Who does he think he is?

Well, if you look at the photos on his website, he might think he is Jesus, walking on water! Maybe he is, for his consituents, for whom he's managed to get new roads built. But, given the location and the low density of population in his part of Kerry, there is nobody on those roads. Wouldn't you think that tax-payers' money would have been better spent on the road from Michelstown to Killarney, the main access to Kerry, a road that's still in bits. We're supposed to be working to attract tourists to this country. Yet, Killarney, one of the top tourist towns in the country, doesn't have a decent road that links it directly to Dublin. But of course, that's somebody else's consituency...

Cookery classes for civil servants

Another one of those stories that broke on the news yesterday, but then had vanished by this morning. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would most certainly ask "What's going on?".

It's transpired that some parts of the civil service are still living on planet "Celtic Tiger" - it was found that staff in the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have been enjoying cookery classes as part of their work outings (for team-building pursposes, no less). And check out the article for details of other spending on treasure hunts, opera, oil paintings and, wait for it, wooden yoyos! It makes my blood boil!

PS: I have it on good authority that it's not just the EPA that's spent money on cookery classes. Wouldn't it be interesting to do an audit of all quangos and civil service departments?

In my previous jobs, Christmas parties were cancelled as far back as 2005 in order to save money. But it is clear that the Irish civil service didn't get the memo. What will it take to change things?

The Black Economy - again

I talked about the black economy a few days back. And you know the strange thing? That report was on the radio news in the morning, and then, nothing, radio silence. It didn't even get a mention on the Six One News that evening. It's like the story was killed. I just can't believe it. Biggest Elephant in the Room. And finally, it gets a mention, and then, nothing. Why? I'd really love to know what happened there. Where are George Lee and Charlie Bird when you need them? And what about Shane Ross? He's gone very quiet lately.

Rabbit thrown in the Liffey

Weird story I heard on the radio this morning, about a man who jumped in the Liffey near O'Connell Bridge to rescue his pet rabbit. Apparently, some thug grabbed the rabbit from him (What was he doing with a rabbit on O'Connell Bridge? I know...) and threw the poor animal into the river. How cruel is that? What kind of a person does that? Crazy world we live in.
Anyways, all is well, the man managed to rescue his rabbit, gave him the kiss of life (so we were told on 2FM this morning) and saved his pet from death by drowning.
But really, what kind of thugs would get a kick out that?

Parking for civil servants

Apparently, over two million euro is spent by the State every year in car parking for civil servants in the city centre. How about they use public transport like the rest of us?

New Children Hospital

Apparently, it's been recommended by the committee who reviewed the plans that the new Children's Hospital be located at the Mater Hospital, in the city centre. I'm not sure of the ins and outs, and I can understand that a city-centre location poses its challenges, but there is a group opposing these plans. My question is: Would they be happier if it was located in Bray or Malahide? And would they be prepared to put up with the extra delay that this change of plan would cause?

Calls from Leinster House for RTE talent competition

The program was Celebrities Go Wild, some celebrity talent competition that was run in 2007

Well, apparently, it has emerged that 3,636 calls (worth €2,639) were made to support Michael Healy Rae, son of Jackie Healy Rae, from inside Leinster House.

I don't mind a father or a colleague supporting a son or a friend, but I strongly object to the use of an employer's money to do so. And who is the employer? The State, in other words the tax payers. It really feels like someone put his hand in MY pocket. Whoever did it should own up and pay back. That's all I'll say.

What I thought was even more shocking was that Tubridy didn't find anything wrong with this. Is it a case that RTE staff commonly use their office phones to make personal calls to family and friends in America and Australia? Wouldn't you like to know?

And you know the best thing I've just read in the article? There you go: "TDs and Senators are allowed to make calls free of charge so no rules were broken". In the current economic crisis, don't you think it's time the rules were changed?

The Black Economy

According to ISME, the black economy accounts for up to 16% of the country's total economic output. And in the meantime, those of us who pay taxes end up paying even more. Surely Revenue can do something to track down all these mobile-phone and cash-only businesses and fine them!

Oh? Do I really need to take my laptop out of my bag?

You're standing at the queue at airport security. It's busy. There are signs everywhere telling people to take laptops out of bags and put them on the tray. Well, the Businessman ahead of us must have been on a different planet. He put his bag on the conveyor belt, and it was only when the security guy asked him "Any liquids or laptops?" that the penny finally dropped and he took his laptop out, slowing down an already busy queue!

It would help if Dublin Airport had some desks at a staging area where you could get your bits and pieces organised before you join the queue.

AIB - how can we trust these guys with our money?

It has been reported that AIB has just sold a Bulgarian business it bought a few years ago.
The purchase price then was 200 Million Euro.
The Sale price?
One hundred Thousand Euro!
How can I trust them with my money?

Chewing gum on a machine in the gym

How gross. This is the first time that it's happened in Westwood - chewing gum abandonned in the tray of a machine on the gym floor. Let's hope that management at Westwood will take action, or the place will end up like Total Fitness!

Croke Park Agreement

Is the Croke Park Agreement a success? The top civil servants/union guys claim it's saved the country 300K in wages alone, as over 5000 civil servants have left. But, apparently, the majority of those departures are retirees, and we still have to pay their pensions! Zero sum is the word that comes to mind.

On the phone while driving

Holding the phone up to your ear while driving is bad enough, but doing so while negotiating a busy roundabout is criminal, in my view. But the young man I saw today probably really wanted to show off his new iPhone and a car kit wouldn't do the job! Recession? What Recession?

Cyclists going through pedestrian lights

OK, I'm going to put cyclists in the Other Drivers category. Cyclist goes through red light and when you step on the road in front of him with a pedestrian green light, he shouts abuse at you. We just smiled back!

Moaning politicians

Can't stand politicians and government representatives who moan on the radio that they inherited a mess and that's why they haven't done anything. Just grow up. And cancel the Dail summer holidays. There is a lot to be done - we can't afford for our politicians to take 3 months off!

What Solid White Line?

Irish drivers don't seem to understand the meaning of a solid white line. And they make things awkward for any other car going by. Two points in case: Military Road just off Ballybrack Village & Vico Road on a sunny Saturday morning.

Backsliding away

Apparently, the country is at risk of backsliding on its commitment to EU/IMF to reduce the public sector wage burden. And we're surprised because?

Weather

8.1 degrees this morning at 8. It's getting worse... No summer. And then it'll be Christmas before you know it.

Parking on Double-Yellow Lines

5 cars parked on the double-yellow lines across from the Stillorgan shopping centre this afternoon.
Three of them with their flashers, so that makes it all right!
And within less than 100 metres from the overflow carpark.
Sooo annoying.

Cronyism

Elected politicians who give jobs to their wives and other members of their families.

Going through red lights

When a driver goes through a red light at a pedestrian crossing... Then waves at you to thank you for your patience! As if I had a choice!

Signposts

 Here is one from John Kelly, via Twitter:

John Kelly tweets (@johnkellytweets)

Posted at 16:45 June 6, 2011

 on Twitter

"We win Nobel Prizes for everything but we can't do signposts."

Airfield

We love Airfield. No doubt about that. But there are certain things that they seem to be completely blind about:
The two picnic benches at the entrance haven't seen a lick of paint in at least a year, and they look dreadful! If you saw those on your way in, would you pay the  €6 entrance fee?

10 degree drop in 2 days

Friday: 23 degrees
This morning: 12.6 degrees

When someone skips the queue

When the lady skips the queue in Spar, then says to her child "go and ask Daddy for Mummy's wallet", and doesn't even turn back to apologise!

Motorway driving

Drivers who stick to the middle lane on the motorway, at 80 Km/H!

Hot Day

Where's the breeze when you want it?

Drivers

Drivers who ignore the one-way systems in shopping centre car parks. Most annoying!

The Weather

You plan a bbq for the weekend, and, all of a sudden, the weather forecast is not so good any more.

Gripe of the Day

Property Tax - the same for everybody - small house, big house