The small survey that I have done on the idea of a new mayor for Dublin does not bode well for John Gormley’s big idea.

• Only one in three support the idea.

Clearly people have different reasons for their opposition.

• Some see it as simply another layer in an already bloated government for the city and
• Others feel the proposed powers are too limited.

I think this scepticism about the idea is entirely justified. It is not that having a directly elected mayor is a bad idea, but if it is to work, the new office must rationalise existing structures to make local government more efficient and more effective in the city. The new elected mayor must have real powers to deliver in areas that matter to voters. Continue Reading

In a crisis there is an instinct to adopt a plan and demand unswerving commitment to it. Often, the reaction is to brand those who question or criticise the plan as heretics, unpatriotic or populist. Perhaps the instinct is understandable. However, if the new EU initiatives are to succeed, there must be robust scrutiny of the plan to ensure that it works.

The Eurozone is in deep crisis because of design flaws when it was first established. These design flaws were not carefully watched after it was put in place. It has now developed into a full-blown crisis. Continue Reading

As the speakers struck up the tune “you take the high road and I take the low road” you knew the arrival of Rod was not far off. And right enough up went the curtain and out strolled Rod in one of his immaculate white jackets, surrounded as always by beautiful women. The voice sounded a little scratchier than you remember. The movements just that little bit more tentative but it was unmistakably Rod Stewart of old. Like all seasoned performers who recognise the toll which the years can take on a voice, Rod was strongly supported by backing singers and solo instrumentals on the violin, the saxophone and the trumpet. Continue Reading