What are the Holy Cows in Irish political life?

[Question R24U]

What are the Holy Cows in Irish Political life? Those matters which can never be changed without a major fight (or more usually a proposal, a row, a climbdown and a pay off)?

Why? Because there are some policy changes in some area are impossible because they will be met by abosolute hysteria built up through the media. Misinformation is allowed to be repeated (eg how many times does one have opposition spokespersons gotten away with referring to income of €240 per week as opposed to Net income for medical card issue?) and people become geuinely scared. The Joe Duffy factor kicks in.

So what are these issues that are untouchables:
1) Medical cards for over 70s (obviously)
2) No fees in 3rd level education (student protests at an idea floated for those above €100k pa, FFS)
3) Children's benefit (the next major battle)
4) The Old folks bus pass (remember when Dublin bus tried to restrict it to non-commuter times).
5) The whole immigration debate is stiffled.
6) Public sector pensions.
7) Public sector reform is talked about endlessy, but never to any effect
8) Being pro-Europe (everyone aparently is, except when it comes to treaties).
9) Income tax rates - will they ever honestly rise? (on radio one it was said that the 1% levy was worth 5% on the top band, would that ever happen?)
10)...Any others?

[blinding]

Fianna Fail must be a holy cow but a cow that milks everyone else and that alone makes it the holiest of cows(and very profitable into the bargain).

[Big Bobo]

Why does everyone constantly rattle on about public sector reform without ever actually saying what public sector reform is.

[fiannafuddy]

Fianna Fail must be a holy cow but a cow that milks everyone else and that alone makes it the holiest of cows(and very profitable into the bargain).

I can assure you that Fianna Fáil is far from profitable, and most likley the most unprofitable of all the parties.


On the issue of holy cows.

Free travel
Fuel allowance
Electricity allowance
Free primary and second level education
Water
Residential rates
Corporation tax

There's nothing else I can think of

[fiannafuddy]

Why does everyone constantly rattle on about public sector reform without ever actually saying what public sector reform is.

Public sector reform, is pay scale reviews, no more pensions, large cut in numbers, around 20% and a do it or gtfo attitude from the state.

[Big Bobo]

Public sector reform, is pay scale reviews, no more pensions, large cut in numbers, around 20% and a do it or gtfo attitude from the state.

I've never heard one politician say as much.

[blinding]

I can assure you that Fianna Fáil is far from profitable, and most likley the most unprofitable of all the parties.


On the issue of holy cows.

Free travel
Fuel allowance
Electricity allowance
Free primary and second level education
Water
Residential rates
Corporation tax

There's nothing else I can think of

The party may not be making money but there have been plenty of FF stalwarts that have done very well thankyou very much.Sure its hard to blame them when the useful idiots go along for the ride.

[Big Bobo]

I can assure you that Fianna Fáil is far from profitable, and most likley the most unprofitable of all the parties.


On the issue of holy cows.

Free travel
Fuel allowance
Electricity allowance
Free primary and second level education
Water
Residential rates
Corporation tax

There's nothing else I can think of

The majority of FF politicians are just careerists out to further their business interests and egos.

And corporation tax must be raised immiediately. It's at 3rd world levels.

[irish_bob]

I've never heard one politician say as much.

well in fairness thier was no opportunity for any politician in the goverment to raise the issue untill bertie stepped down , bertie only ever saw votes when he sat down to negotiate pay talks and was the gift that kept on giving for the public service unions , there was an opportunity to takcle the elephant in the room last week but lennehan chickend out

a nod should be given to ruari quinn though who did raise the issue of public pay last week , it was very brave for someone from a party who are joined at the hip with unions

[BodyofEvidence]

well in fairness thier was no opportunity for any politician in the goverment to raise the issue untill bertie stepped down , bertie only ever saw votes when he sat down to negotiate pay talks and was the gift that kept on giving for the public service unions , there was an opportunity to takcle the elephant in the room last week but lennehan chickend out

a nod should be given to ruari quinn though who did raise the issue of public pay last week , it was very brave for someone from a party who are joined at the hip with unions

What do you have against grammar? And spelling?