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Everyone’s talking about…
The government has responded to opposition motions of no confidence in the Taoiseach with its own motion of confidence.
Three hours of Dáil time have been set aside for the debate this afternoon.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin both tabled a motion of no confidence in Enda Kenny in the wake of the findings of the Fennelly Commission.
They have accused Kenny of effectively sacking former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan last year.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the debate, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said Kenny’s behaviour “was shabby, it was underhand, it was shifty”. He added that the Taoiseach is “trying to bury the report”.
Kenny has claimed the Fennelly report vindicates him citing the commission of inquiry’s conclusion that “the former commissioner decided to retire, and that he could have decided otherwise”.
Agriculture and Defence Minister Simon Coveney echoed this sentiment on Morning Ireland, stating: “Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are desperately trying to create a negative story to harm the government on something that factually isn’t the case.”
The Irish Independent reports that former Justice Minister Alan Shatter will not speak during the debate, to the ‘relief’ of government figures. He previously described part of Kenny’s evidence to the commission as “fantasy”.
On the same programme, Fianna Fáil’s Niall Collins said “any reasonable interpretation” of the Fennelly report wound find that Kenny effectively sacked Callinan.
“The Taoiseach is avoiding accountability, it’s all government spin and news and media management and it’s simply not good enough,” Collins said.
Kenny, on the way into cabinet this morning, said the no confidence motions amounted to the opposition ‘playing games’.
In response, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams told Newstalk the government “can’t accuse anyone of playing games”.
He said the Taoiseach did interviews on the Fennelly report when no one had got a chance to read it.
“By the time the Fennelly Report was produced and digested, the Government’s line was already out there,” Adams said.
The agenda
Inside Leinster House
The speculation about a November election continues to dominate political conversation in and around Leinster House.
While the Taoiseach has said it’s his intention to go the distance and hold the vote early next year, there is an appetite among his Fine Gael ministers and backbenchers to deliver the Budget on 13 October and go to the country immediately afterwards.
“If he called it in the morning, I’d have fellas out putting posters up that evening. We’re ready,” one told us last week.
What the others are saying
In case you missed it…
Good day for…
Alexis Tsipras, who was returned to power after a snap election in Greece.
Bad day for…
Robert Dowds, the Labour TD confirmed he will not run in the general election in Dublin Mid-West.
On the Twitter machine…
Plenty of politicians will be doing the rounds at the Ploughing Championships this week – with an election around the corner, there’ll be plenty to chat about.
Originally published: 9am
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Wish I found something like that in my attic
A great museum well worth a visit.
Excellent, got to be one of his best that I have seen, that’s my opinion and taste.
Norway eh, not so long ago they were poor, now they have too much money to know what to do with and Van Goughs stuffed in the attic.
Paintings that is, Not the family.
good stuff
It’s beautiful
True, Declan. I’m not a huge fan of some of his most famous work but this one appeals to me greatly.
Are they sure it’s not fake? It’s not very good is it?
It’s an absolutely amazing painting, will see it later this year
Good for u . Hopefully we will all have time to devote to such activities – as they are as necessary as food itself .
” What is this life if full of care
we have not time to stand and stare ”
The original owner bought it ten years after it was supposedly painted. He says it was a forgery. I would tend to believe him. Why did he think that. He was a collector so he would have known what he had bought.
Looks like a kid painted that
moron
Hmm! I wonder why this wasn’t authenticated years ago. There are 50million+ reasons why this painting has been ” authenticated”. Seems a bit fishy to me.
The brush strokes look almost too van Gogh, and the palette is not quite right. But then, no one asked me. And I would authenticate mouse droppings for art if I got a share ins 50milllion windfall.
Thing is art is false economy but a very gpod false economy. Its almost celebrity orientated this goes from 50 euro up to 50 million cos of his name. Could not sell a painting when alive. I see amaxing talent in local artists. Had their paintings had a famous name attached then it goes up to stupid money.
Sure id take 50m for it but looking at it honestly id offer 100 eurp for it max to have it over fireplace
And may i ask how you came to this conclusion without seeing the work?
You may. I have an iMac large screen computer with a zoom. Had a good look and made a general observation. Not a conclusion as I would have to be an ” expert” for that with a 50million motive, not just a run of the mill BFA.
Point taken
Oh, you zoomed in with your iMac? Please tell me more about how you spent over a thousand on a computer that is really worth half that, while you discuss the price you feel this painting should be.
€1300 actually.
have your say