Public affairs and political communications consultant. Speech-writer. Former Irish Govt Adviser (2004-10). Occasional columnist and commentator: Broadsheet.ie, RTÉ.
This article is an accompaniment to my recent Podcast episode entitled: “Shouting match or democracy? Dáil speaking time furore”. In this article I expand on some of my comments in the podcast, focusing on Sinn Féin’s tactics. I suggest that the aggressive approach to this issue from the Shinners stems from its comfort in being in situations of crisis and chaos and further add that this all stems from Sinn Féin struggling to reclaim some pre-eminence in Irish politics after its false dawn at the last general election
One of the soundest political lessons I even heard came from the late, great Ben Briscoe. It was back in the late 1990s now, not long before my disastrous 1999 local election run.
It happened in Leinster House. I was there to meet up with Ben before attending a public meeting with him in Crumlin, at 8.00pm. We met in Ben’s office on the 4th floor of the five Storey block, and after a short chat we headed down to his car, which was parked at the back of Leinster lawn.
As we turned to exit Leinster House, Ben looked up to the live Dail Chamber monitor to a colleague from another party speaking in a debate. Ben nudged me and jokingly said, “ah, there he is, talking his way out of this place again.
This is just a story. An anecdote. It’s not a deep piece of political philosophy. But it still makes a point. The amount of time one speaks in the Dáil, doesn’t equate to getting things done.
As Taoiseach Michael Martin prepares for his upcoming visit to the White House for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, he faces a diplomatic landscape fraught with challenges. The visit comes at a particularly sensitive time in US-Ireland relations, with trade imbalances, defense spending, and international policy differences creating potential friction points. In this article I consider some of those friction points, but refrain from offering advice. This article expands on many of the points i raised in my recent podcast:
Mulvaney’s Controversial Advice
Former Trump Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney recently suggested that Martin should consider “sitting out” the White House trip, arguing that the downsides might outweigh the upsides 1. This advice, while coming from someone with deep Irish connections and experience as a special envoy on Northern Ireland, misses a crucial diplomatic reality: declining the invitation at this stage would inevitably be perceived as a snub by the White House.
Mulvaney’s concerns stem from Ireland’s positions on Gaza, its EU membership, and potential trade disputes. The Trump administration has consistently viewed Ireland as benefiting unfairly from its low corporate tax rates and the reporting of profits through Ireland rather than the United States.1.
derekmooney.ie 