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POLITICAL CORRUPTION, PUBLIC sector reform and the future of the Catholic Church in Ireland will all be debated at the MacGill Summer School, which opens today in Glenties in Donegal.
A number of prominent academics, journalists and government ministers will speak at the week-long summer school on the theme of Reforming and Rebuilding our State.
The keynote speech is to be delivered by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore tonight while Taoiseach Enda Kenny will address attendees at 5.30pm tomorrow on the main theme of the school.
Senator Averil Power and political scientist Elaine Byrne will speak tomorrow on how the events which led to the Mahon and Moriarty Tribunal were allowed to happen.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin will speak on the future of the Catholic Church in Ireland on Tuesday.
Media lecturer Roy Greenslade, Irish Times editor Kevin O’Sullivan and Leo Varadkar TD will speak on a debate on the media and democracy, moderated by Miriam O’Callaghan.
Other sessions include discussions on whether economic growth is possible in a time of austerity, the constitutional convention, and public sector reform.
Joan Burton, Michael McDowell, Diarmaid Ferriter and Alan Ahearne will be among the speakers at the school.
This will be the 32nd time that the summer school will be held. It is named after a writer from the Glenties area of Donegal called Patrick MacGill who wrote about social conditions in Donegal and the plight of migrant workers in Britain in the early 20th century.
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all these people do is talk about our country’s problems – when is one of these so called leaders going to actually do something positive for the country instead of just talk about it?
Corruption and the Catholic Church. Both go hand in hand anyway.
Thumb me down if you wish but back it up with a comment. You can’t. Guess you’re thumbing me down as you don’t like to hear the truth.
I just gave you a red thumb because it seems to push your buttons…
Somewhat misleading title, but sure then who has an agenda?
I see your point, personally I would have went for Child Abuse, Deceit & The Catholic Church.
They all go hand in hand.
Lol. Back at ya.
Rhubarb,Rhubarb,Rhubarb!!!!
Prominent government ministers is an oxymoron. Too early on a Sunday for this.
These talks sound very interesting, should give an insight into the mindset of the country’s leaders. Do they get published??
The event was streamed live last year, dunno about plans for this one.
If the theme of such meetings is “Reforming and Rebuilding our State” I can understand where such topics as Political Corruption and Public Sector reform would fit in to these debates. These are subjects which affect us all, but I can’t understand how “The future of the Catholic Church in Ireland” has any bearing on any of this. Surely politics and religion are seperate issues and neither should have any bearing on the other, as has happened in the past. Anyone wishing to discuss religion should do so with their priest, bishop or cardinal but not with their local politican.
The first and only way step forward is to have a total separation between (all!) religion and the state in this fair land of ours. “Freedom of Religion” also means “Freedom for ALL Religions”! As far as the State is concerned, real democracy and freedom can only be achieved when there is total freedom FROM all “Religion”! Real democracy means that religious beliefs need to be kept to the confines of our personal lives. And, most definitely not be imposed upon the majority of the populace as was the past practise here. This can only really be achieved when all religions are not permitted to, in any way, ever again have any influence on ALL the “Affairs of State”!
Very well put.
they will all go away have a jolly time talking pure crap come back a few pounds in the arses heavier and still spit the same shit to the people ….a knees up that shower are getting together for its in the blood ..nothing changes in ireland where religion and government are because truth be known there one and the same so to speak they live like paracites off each other …they both abused us and used us for their own gain …time the real truth came out and the real Ireland shows her fae and true colors …..Brave men died for Ireland and her people not for to abuse her people ……
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