Brian II is taking no chances -- with Lisbon or judges
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It was a humid and sticky morning in Tullamore as the Taoiseach arrived to launch a new technology facility at Isotron Ireland in the IDA Business & Technology Park. However, the weather wasn't foremost in Brian's mind.
For the members of the government are on a bit of a sticky wicket this week, due to the kerfuffle over the snail-like pace of the august members of the judiciary to cough up forthwith a percentage of their well-padded pay-packets pro bono publico -- or in non-legalese -- for the common good. In fact, a paltry 19 out of 148 judges have signed up to a voluntary scheme allowing them to feel the levy-induced pain of the rest of the common herd.
The miserliness of the magistrates has naturally caused much muttering among the cash-strapped public who have been busily 'Talking To Joe' on the matter, and there may well be wigs on the green before long (which, let's face it, is far more likely than ever seeing a wig in the red).
A few politicians have popped their heads over the side of the bunker to berate the Beak -- over the weekend, Heath Minister Mary Harney declared herself "disappointed" by the business, while Defence Minister Willie O'Dea reckoned the judges were showing a "poor example" .
But here lurks the sticky wicket for the government, and one which faced Brian Cowen in Tullamore yesterday. How can it pass judgment on the judges when a mortifying number of the Dail's own denizens are mounting a fierce resistance to every attempt by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan to claw back a few shekels from pensions, expenses and the like?
So the Taoiseach was taking no chances, and steadfastly refused to be lured into saying anything that would ruffle the feathers of the legal-eagles. There was no question of Biffo strong-arming the judiciary in the same manner he dispatched of Gordon Brown in Brussels last week.
"I think it is important to emphasise the independence of our judiciary under our constitutional system first of all. I think what we want to see, and what the judiciary want to see, is that independence upheld and maintained while at the same time a contribution being facilitated," he hedged, adding that "We're very well served by them". (And them by us, given that a recent study found the salaries paid to Irish judges are among the highest in the world).
But he did lob in a slight curve-ball by expressing himself to be "confident that in the coming months we will see that voluntary contribution being made".
Brian was far happier talking about the looming Lisbon referendum. It's already clear that one of the main planks in the government's campaign for a 'Yes' vote will be the danger that a second rejection will have the national snout unceremoniously removed from the EU trough.
"We've seen a big change in our economic fortunes over the last 12 months," he pointed out. "We've seen the role that Europe has played in maintaining financial stability in the State; our membership of the euro area has provided us with a means to establish financial stability which we otherwise would not have the capacity to do."
But already there is one difference between Brian I and Brian II. In between referenda, the Taoiseach has found time to read the treaty -- a wise move.
"I have read the treaty since I was last asked that question. The fact that I negotiated 90pc of it, saw about 16 different versions of it as it passed through the editorial boards at that time as well," he said a little defensively. "So you can take it I know a fair bit about it," he informed the media with a grim smile.
There was no way he was getting caught out by that particular googly this time around.
Someone could've tested the Taoiseach by quizzing him on the Protocol Relating to the Implementation of Article 9c(4) of the treaty. But it was too hot, and that just wouldn't be cricket.
