Rebel Ned...Bertie's pal...Health...Trouble in Toyland
Saturday December 01 2007
Fair play to Ned O'Keeffe, he had the courage of his convictions to stand up to Bertie Ahern and tell him he could no longer support the Government. If only some of the other "Independents" had the same courage we might get a government we could respect. Mary Harney could do worse than take a leaf out of Ned's book. As the TDs are supposedly answerable to us, the electorate, can anyone tell me when are we going to get an independent body to decide on TDs' and civil service pay awards?
The Taoiseach describes Padraic O'Connor as "a very good friend". But according to evidence at the Mahon Tribunal this week, he personally addressed last year's "settlement" cheque to "Padraig O'Connor". The first rule of good friendship: know their correct name.
I note the concerns raised by Fine Gael and Labour in the Dail debates on the no confidence motion in the Minister Of Health. Unfortunately both these parties have been in government either with or without Fianna Fail, and yet none of them did anything about this two-tier health system. Actions speak louder than words.
I heard Pat Kenny sign off his radio show saying he could not be on air the following day as he had to prepare for the toy show. How stressful for him. He only gets a million a year. The rest of us are not afforded the same luxury of living in Toyland. We have to work in the same job, every day, in the real world. Do Barbies and Nintendos have to buy television licences?
I've often seen the letters HSE in the Independent but I was never quite sure what they stood for. I know now -- Health Shambles Executive.
- KNOCKNAREA, SLIGO
