Category: The State

Fianna Fail mafia

Fianna Fail extremist Brendan O’Connor, writing in last Sunday’s Independent, issued the following hilarious warning:

“If Bertie Ahern is effectively hounded out of office anytime soon, just let me warn you now that the country is going to feel a massive sense of collective shame and regret.”

This piece of idiocy was immediately followed by an even more hilarious mafia style threat:

“And when the hangover kicks in we will look for people to blame. And it won’t be Bertie’s own loyal backbenchers or Brian Cowan. Maybe Enda Kenny and Frank Connolly should organise to be out of the country that week.”

O’Connor is right in one respect; Fianna Fail is a family. He writes about the great tradition of loyalty to the leader, about the (Fianna Fail) family putting on a united face.

Brian Cowen, speaking recently in defence of Bertie the ‘ward boss’ said that loyalty (to the leader/party) was the greatest virtue.

Mary Hanafin, speaking on Today FM last Sunday spoke passionately about how members of the ‘family’ look after each other, how loyal they were to the party. A panel member remarked that it sounded like she was talking about the Sopranos. And of course that’s exactly what Fianna Fail is; a mafia.

Public Affairs Consultant, Peter White was in no doubt when he spoke on the Marian Finucane Show last Sunday.

“There’s only one human quality that Fianna Fail espouses and that’s loyalty to the brotherhood, the party and there’s only one other organisation in Europe that has the same approach – The Mafia.

The untouchable golden circle

Sometimes it’s just some small unexpected comment or story that tells us what kind of a country we live in.

An angry caller to last Friday’s Liveline was wondering why people like Bertie Ahern never seem to come under the same scrutiny as ‘ordinary’ citizens.

“One time I had a small business and I had a tax audit. I said to the tax inspectors, why are you hassling the small businesses’? They told me straight out:

‘we’re not allowed go after the big guys.’

They said it reflects badly on Irish business in general, that they have too many smart accountants and smart solicitors and they have friends in high places.

You can ask anyone who has ever worked in Revenue and they will back me up on that. That’s how it is, there’s an untouchable golden circle.”

Great patriots or corrupt politicians

RTEs Washington correspondent Robert Shortt reported yesterday on a corruption scandal unfolding in the US capital.

The case involves Harriette Walters, a tax assessment manager, who fraudulently approved up to $50 million in improper tax refunds over a period of 20 years.

What’s interesting about Shortt’s report is his attitude to those involved and his use of language.

His headline “Corruption scandal unravels in US capital.” leaves the reader in no doubt that this is a story about corruption.

Shortt and indeed the American people would be astonished if it was suggested that the word corruption couldn’t be used until a court case or a ten year tribunal had completed its work.

There’s a completely different culture here in Ireland. On Morning Ireland (1st item) last Friday, RTEs Cathal MacCoille, challenged Fine Gael spokesperson on Justice Eugene Regan on his description of Bertie Ahern as a tax dodger.

“You have used the phrase in relation to the Taoiseach which is a serious phrase, indeed in many circumstances it would be a libelous phrase, calling him a tax dodger.”

If Ahern was an American politician we wouldn’t be witnessing media sources timidly suggesting to opposition politicians that they should be careful about their language. Instead, we would be getting reports of Ahern being hauled before the courts in handcuffs to face justice.

Shortt goes on to tell us that the Walters case “Puts the extent of planning corruption in Dublin almost literally in the halfpenny place.” It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Short is not actually Irish or that he has been in Washington for a very long time because, clearly, he has no idea of the extent of the planning corruption that has occurred in Dublin over the decades. The Walters case involves a mere $50 million; planning corruption in Dublin is several multiples of that.

Later, he breathlessly informs us that the most amazing aspect of this story is that it went on for 20 years without anyone noticing. If he was reporting in Ireland he would be in danger of suffocation:

Just a few examples, National Irish Bank and Allied Irish Banks robbed the State and their customers for years and nobody noticed. The Ansbacher and DIRT scams operated for decades and nobody apparently noticed. Planning corruption in Ireland is widespread and barely concealed but apparently nobody notices.

He tells us that it was a diligent bank employee who noticed something wrong and reported it to the authorities. Once the corruption was uncovered, US authorities immediately swung into action. 40 people are under investigation by the FBI, homes have been searched and Walters is in jail. Remember, this is just the initial reaction to the corruption.

This does not happen in Ireland. Reports of corruption from diligent officials are invariably covered up or, if they become public, are side tracked into never ending and powerless tribunals or in some cases, simply ignored.

We had the recent case of Jim Flavin of DCC. Last July, the Supreme Court found that he was guilty of insider trading involving sums of up to €50 million – Nothing has happened.

Flavin is still walking around a free man, still at the helm of DCC, still enjoying all the benefits and respect that all non corrupt citizens are properly due. It can also be said with absolute certainty that Flavin will never be brought to justice; he will never see the inside of a jail.

Because Shortt is working and reporting from a jurisdiction that recognises and acts on corruption he automatically and naturally uses words like rampant corruption, jail, prosecution and embezzlement. Such straight forward and open reporting on corruption is extremely rare in the world of Irish media.

Shortt completes his article by making reference to poverty and corruption. I believe he would be genuinely astonished to learn that most Irish people and a good section of the media are completely ignorant of the direct link between the election of corrupt politicians and the serious consequences such voting habits have on Irish society. If they were so aware we would see corrupt Irish politicians and officials languishing in jail instead of being feted as great patriots.

Copy to:
RTE
Robert Shortt

A one party corrupt State

Last Thursday’s Irish Examiner carried a hard hitting editorial concerning the latest episode from Bertie’s fantasy land.

Unfortunately, the writer is, like most Irish citizens, still labouring under the illusion that Ireland is a normal democracy. For example he writes;

“It is unimaginable that he thinks this kind of two-fingers-to-you buffoonery is acceptable or plausible to anyone other than a card-carrying Fianna Fáil lifer.”

Poll after poll, election after election over many decades makes it absolutely clear that the majority of Irish people are more than happy with this type of ‘two fingers-to-you buffoonery’.

The editorial goes on;

“What is at stake now is not the political career or reputation of an individual — it is the integrity of our political process.”

The integrity of the political process was completely wiped out in the 1980s when it failed, with the happy co-operation of the Irish electorate, to put the corrupt Haughey in jail.

The media and the Irish people seem to be completely unaware of a brutal reality that faces them every day.

Bertie Ahern and his fellow Mafiosi are not worried or angry about the possibility of Mahon uncovering evidence of corruption; they know that the Irish people have long ago accepted the corrupt ways of Fianna Fail despite the horrendous consequences this has for many of their fellow citizens.

No, Ahern and his fellow Mafiosi are angry by the very fact that they are being questioned at all, that there is still a minority of people out there who have not yet accepted that Ireland is, effectively, a one party corrupt State.

Smothered in love letters from Revenue

I see the Revenue Commissioners have offered yet another amnesty to tax evaders (Sub. Req’d).

Ireland is the only country in the world that operates a policy of continuous amnesties for tax criminals, all other jurisdictions preferring the option of law enforcement.

The latest amnesty is aimed at single premium insurance accounts and was launched in 2005 when Revenue asked insurance companies to write to their customers inviting them to obey the law like everybody else. While this strategy had some success many of those involved declined the offer.

Revenue responded by issuing yet another batch of letters directly to account holders again inviting them to obey the law and promising not to prosecute if cooperation was forthcoming.

Let’s consider exactly what’s happening here. Initially a number of citizens decided to cheat on their taxes through their insurance accounts. When Revenue became aware of this widespread tax criminality they asked the insurance companies to invite the tax cheats to obey the law.

When the criminals replied with two fingers Revenue then decided to write directly, again inviting them to obey the law with promises that if they do they will avoid prosecution.

Remember this is the third occasion in which these criminals have consciously opted to break the law and they are still receiving invitations to meet their obligations.

Irish tax criminals are justified in their two finger response. Revenue has opted for the lazy and cheap option of writing letters of invitation instead of rigorously enforcing the law.

The message sent out is loud and clear – Tax evasion is well worth the risk. Even in the unlikely event of detection the only real danger involved is the possibility of being smothered in love letters from a weak and ineffective Revenue.

Copy to:
Revenue

Operating in the wrong country

When a tearful Bertie Ahern was interviewed by RTEs Bryan Dobson in September 2006, he mentioned that he appointed people to State boards because they were his friends. Bryan Dobson didn’t seem to notice that what the Taoiseach was admitting is considered a crime in real democracies.

I wonder was Dobson thinking of that infamous interview when he was reporting on the travails of former French president Jacques Chirac on last night’s Six One News? (11th item)

Poor old Jacques has been placed under judicial investigation for giving out jobs to 40 political sympathisers while he was mayor of Paris.

Despite denying any wrongdoing Jacques will still have to face some sort of accountability.

How he must envy Irish politicians who live in a country where they face losing power if they don’t’ give jobs to political sympathisers

A powerful 'nobody'

Janette Byrne describes herself as a nobody (Irish Independent) .

In fact she is more powerful than any politician or bureaucrat. If the power she holds could be instilled in even a significant minority of Irish citizens then this country would be rid of the likes of Harney, Ahern and their army of faceless, unaccountable bureaucrats. Here’s her letter (Emphasis mine).

I write to you in light of the recent uncertainty surrounding the exclusion of oncologist John Crown from ‘The Late Late Show’ panel.

I had the honour of being a ‘Late Late Show’ guest over a year ago (September 29, 2006). I was there, in part, to highlight my book, ‘If It Were Just Cancer’, but also as a founder member of the lobby group Patients Together. I am just an ordinary person, a cancer patient who suffered the indignity of A&E, a filthy ward, the fear and terror of not getting a bed and, as a consequence, being denied the right to avail of my urgently required chemotherapy.

From the day I was given the all clear, I vowed that, on behalf of the other girls, women, and men, not as blessed as me, that I would highlight our suffering. I wanted the nation to know, what it meant to be seriously ill in modern Ireland. I am not an academic. I am not a mover and shaker.

I grew up in a close, loving family of eight in Finglas in what was known as a “Corpo-bought” house. I left school at 15. I worked as a hairdresser, had a son at 19, worked in a tyre outlet and then as a rep. I eventually started my own business in 1994.

My new position in the spotlight on ‘The Late Late Show’, in the papers and on the radio was terrifying. I lost many hours of sleep with the worry of letting everybody down. My mother believes I survived at God’s will to do this work. I am inclined to believe I am driven by those gone before me, goading me to stand up and be heard.

Where am I going with all this?

The night I appeared on ‘The Late Late Show’ was one of the most privileged in my life. My family, friends and supporters were dotted around the country watching, my heart was bursting with pride and fear. I wanted to say something that would touch the Irish people; I wanted to make them understand how we, as patients, are being failed. I was sick with nerves, but I knew the girls on the ward were with me in spirit.

I made it through the show but fell into my son’s arms crying and shaking when it finished. It was just all too much for me. I remember one of the researchers hugging me, “Well done Janette, you were brilliant and you have caused such a fuss”.
I was surprised and worried. What had I done?

She explained that “certain people” had been screaming down the phone wanting to know: “Who made the decision to put her on the show? Why were we not told she would be on?” The researcher took delight in their annoyance given that they can find it hard to get any comments or even returned calls from these people.

And here they were, hopping mad, phoning more and more irritated as I continued speaking. What in God’s name could make these people so irate? Little old me rattling on about the indignity of our health service, what was I saying that incited such fear and upset? I have found the answer.

I was telling the truth.

I was an ordinary person telling how it is. I had nothing to gain and nothing to lose. Until that moment, I had never realised how powerful the ordinary person who is willing to stand up and be heard can be. I find it so sad that we have a section of our community who want to silence the truth.

Following the show and my naive decision to gate crash a HSE press gathering, I received texts from a renowned health correspondent saying he had received calls questioning who I was. Who was funding Patients Together? Who was yanking my chain? How many members do we have, etc?

I will save these scrutinisers any further time-wasting and stress worrying about me.

I am a nobody, a taxpayer, an Irish citizen, an honest and loyal person who whispered a promise to the dead that I would be their voice until our overcrowded, under-funded, diseased Health Service learns to treat us with dignity and care.

Really you have nothing to be afraid of.

Janette Byrne
Patients Together
Finglas Park
Dublin 11

The cold and impartial hand of the law – mostly

I see republican Thomas ‘Slab’ Murhpy has appeared in court on alleged revenue offences. The police, Criminal Assets Bureau, Revenue and the courts all working together to make sure this citizen, who is suspected of cheating the state of about €2.5 million is brought to justice.

After all, it is only right in a functional democracy that people who cheat on their taxes should feel the cold and impartial hand of the law.

Meanwhile, that toothless tiger, the Director of Corporate Enforcement is still struggling to have the corrupt Bailey brothers disqualified from the management of any company (Sub. required) on the grounds of serious misconduct and fraud.

Last year, these corrupt businessmen made the largest tax settlement in Irish history, €22.17 million, when they came to ‘an understanding’ with Revenue.

We don’t know why the forces of the state failed to act in this instance but I would like to reassure any concerned citizens out there that it had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that these fraudsters are major contributors to a number of political parties – the very idea!

(Previous post on this matter)

No comment needed

Letter in today’s Irish Times

REASONS TO BE ANGRY

Madam,

In February 2002 my father reluctantly applied to Galway County Council for a disability grant to have a stair-lift fitted. On October 27th, 2007 – more than five years later, and with no communication in the interim – Galway County Council sent the following reply:

“I refer to your application for a disabled persons grant received in February 2002. I regret to inform you that your application has now expired. If you wish to reapply please contact this office in order to get an application form.”

Has a more pointless and bureaucratic letter ever been written? I laughed out loud when I read it. Then I got angry. I thought of my father who reared us and who expected so little from the State. I thought of the grotesque pay increases granted to our betters in politics, law and and the civil service. And to a Taoiseach who leads (I use the word loosely) a population of 4.2 million people and now gets €310,000 a year.

I thought of the widespread anger at the shambolic health system and poor education facilities and of Susie Long and her needless death for the magnificent might of her principles. I raged at the moral bankruptcy of our leaders who think “vision” is a new PR company. I raged at incompetent Ministers, at the wasted millions on computers, voting machines and infrastructure and the overbearing laws and bureaucrats confusing and inhibiting our daily lives, instead of assisting us. I ranted at the fantastic, preening selfishness of tax exiles who willingly accepted this country’s nurture then fled with the loot.

Then, like everybody else I got over it, and accepted that that is just the way it is. Sure what else is to be done? There was one consolation, though. My father didn’t live long enough to be humiliated. He died on June 22nd, 2003.

I remember a retiring former US ambassador to Ireland saying that the thing he most noticed about the Irish was that we had no sense of outrage. He was wrong. We have just forgotten what to do with it. Or am I just another gormless eejit for thinking it should be different? – Yours, etc,

TOMAS FINN, Cappataggle, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.