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AS THE MEDIA gathered in the library of the Royal College of Physicians today for the Labour leadership announcement, nobody was expecting anything particularly dramatic.
It was well flagged that Labour TDs wanted to back Brendan Howlin for the top job and there would be no national contest.
There would be a standard announcement, Alan Kelly would show some good face and we’d all go home.
What we didn’t expect was the conspicuous absence of the deputy leader. By just one of their seven TDs not even turning up, was the party airing its dirty knickers in public?
Nobody had predicted Alan Kelly’s royal political snub. He was not at the podium as the small audience waited patiently for the ceremonials to begin.
The process
‘Who will be the next Labour leader?’ was a question knocking around since before Joan Burton even stepped down.
And today was D day for Alan Kelly who has been trying to woo just one of his Dáil colleagues to be his seconder. As noon approached, the deadline for leadership nominations closed. And the Tipperary man was out of time.
No consolation points.
The media gathered, pretty safe in the knowledge that Brendan Howlin had clinched it.
How would Alan take it?
Alan Kelly made his ambitions for the leadership known in the full spotlight of the Late Late Show last week, so it would be no surprise that having none of his colleagues willing to back him is bruising to him.
As the Labour Party members filed in one by one, heads turned to catch a glimpse of Alan Kelly.
He was nowhere to be seen.
Howlin said in his acceptance and celebration speech that “Labour doesn’t offer theatrics”.
However, that was exactly what was on offer today. The elephant in the room was that someone was missing and you can’t fudge the numbers or hide in the shadows when there is only a handful of you to begin with.
Howlin missed out on the leadership twice before but Kelly’s absence didn’t allow him to revel in his new position.
Following Howlin’s speech in which he hit out at the new government and the ‘left fringes’ and promised to reinvigorate the party, questions followed.
“Where is Alan Kelly?” “Have you spoken to Alan today?”
Howlin said he had sent Kelly a message earlier in the morning but got no reply. No one seemed to know where he was.
Many might think Kelly was right to be a no show. Why would you bother to turn up to a group that didn’t give you a shot at the leadership or allow the membership to decide its next leader?
His colleagues had nothing but kind words for Kelly, saying they hoped he would remain within the party.
“I know Alan to be a friend and a colleague and a man of great passion and ability,” said Howlin.
“Alan will speak for himself.”
During his speech, the Wexford TD also said this was “not a game”. But did the whole leadership debacle play out like one?
“You said you don’t regard this as a game, do you think Alan Kelly does?” TheJournal.ie asked those at the podium.
“No I don’t,” answered Howlin. He said there were people in the room that gave their whole lives to the Labour cause, and who would defend the Labour Party to the death.
“Are you hurt Alan didn’t turn up today?” was the follow-on question.
I am hugely disappointed, but I understand his disappointment too.
Today is not about Alan Kelly, it is not about Brendan Howlin, today is about how we collectively, with the same values advance the system, advance our party…
Today was about Alan Kelly though. He might not have been in the room but the message of Labour having a bond that can’t broken was hollow when one of its members clearly didn’t feel part of the gang today.
So, was this a case of throwing the toys out of the pram?
The mood today was that his no show would be something Kelly would regret as it might simply reinforce whatever reasons were in people’s’ minds as to why Kelly might not be ready for leadership.
Labour sources said there was no mood within the party for a contest, others said they would have liked to have their say. One common thread was that Alan Kelly’s past was too raw and too recent.
“He was damaged by the Sunday Independent interview for sure,” one source claimed.
I think he just needs time, time to distance himself from things. He’s plenty of time for the leadership, he only 40, he’s only been a TD for five years, there’s no rush.
There have been soundings that Kelly is thinking of leaving the party. However, sources say this is doubtful. This afternoon, he took to social media to dampen those reports:
On the Late Late Show, the former Minister for the Environment said he could trace his family in the Labour family for generations. He also spoke of his desire to lead the party. Stepping away now to become an independent TD for Tipperary would be a bitter pill to swallow and there are no leadership contests in that plan.
But then again, maybe Kelly would like to be a lone wolf in the political landscape.
The party remains hopeful today that Kelly – their “good friend” – will return home to them. Howlin said:
Alan Kelly’s heart is in the Labour Party – he told the nation that this time last week.
His place is at the heart of the Labour Party. He described his parliamentary colleagues as family, his brothers, his sisters and his cousins . His family is open to him always, I am hopeful and confident in the future and that his roots are still in the party.
Today is a disappointment to him, he wanted a different outcome. All of us have gone through that before, in some shape or form. At the end of the day, the bonds that bind us and the values that combine us together are infinitely stronger…
Before leaving, Howlin said he would be ringing Kelly again this afternoon, then one journalist spotted him looking down at his phone.
He asked if Alan has finally replied to his text. Howlin said it is him and read out the content to the room. It contained best wishes plus a nod to his achievement:
It’s a great day for you and your family.
All’s fair in love and war, as they say. Is the same true in politics? We’ll have to wait and see.
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Can’t get Staff?? Paying them with their own Tips. Pure Greed.
Slight error. Legislation is to be passed, to try ensure tips given to staff, actually get to them.
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This is 100% welcomed by many and rightly so. Credit due here where it’s due.
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The bad news is that the government has chickened out of doing away with “Service charges” that are stuck on the purchase of tickets.
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Additional Service Charge add ons, have been banned by other European countries – mainly because (a) actual staff don’t get the money sent and, (b) A lot of the time it’s computerised ticket processing, little or no staff actually involved.
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In other words, the sellers get to profit twice for the same one sold item. #RipOffIreland allowed to continue. General public left exploited. Ticketmaster, etc, wins.
@Jeff Rudd: was in a Spanish restaurant last night. They added a service charge to the meal of about 10%. Happens everywhere.
@Dave Connolly: In that case, you were robbed. In some EU countries they have been already outlawed. As regards Spain, google a news report by Paula De Biase, Jan 28th 2022. These charges do not apply everywhere.
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This was seen (and mentioned by media) in contrast, regarding the selling of recent Bruce Springsteen tickets. It was pointed out that Italy and other EU states had done away with their ticket service charges – while In Ireland they were still allowed to be applied.
@Dave Connolly: Service charge tips are indeed, still allowed to be added to meals – as long as the staff get them. A “Service charge” on a ticket is not legislated for in Ireland even though the companies make out this is because of staff work done – whereas it’s software automated most of the time. In other words, an extra slap-on charge for the companies to even more profit.
Tipping good service in a gastro pub or restaurant, is an important part of the service industry. Without tipping, there is no incentive for staff in providing an excellent experience. Otherwise you will get basic service as if you are in a diner or your work canteen. Nobody wants this on a night out. Service in restaurants in the better restaurants is top class, because of the tipping culture. Tipping should not be automatic or mandatory. It should only be the customers choice.
@John Costello: but if the mission was to incentivise staff would you not tip them before your meal instead of after it? After all they don’t know if you are going to leave a tip at all. That doesn’t offer much incentive.
Can anybody explain to me why restaurants apply a service charge to tables of 6 or more? The argument that this is due to the extra work involved with a large party does not make any sense as the same 6 people seated as 3 tables of 2 would be less efficient (i.e. greater service required) and yet would not attract the group service charge.
@Kevin Collins: That’s a good point! I often wondered about that myself.
@Kevin Collins: turn around of tables
Small table pax stay on less
Larger groups stay longer
@Mark Walsh: hmmm I suppose that explains it alright. I’d still think larger groups spend proportionally more – if you calculated it on a per minute, per square metre basis that is.
@Kevin Collins: if there was 3 tables of 2 all with a €60 bill then normally they would leave a €10 tip each bringing it to €30 tip –
But one table of six with a €180 bill and no SC would round bill to €200 leaving only a €20 tip.
Why do people tip, i never do, their getting payed for the work they do if they want to work for slave wages that’s their problem
@Noel Donohue: I hate this tipping “culture”. But it’s an excuse to underpay staff. I really hate it in the states where they tell you how much you are tipping them.
@Noel Donohue: You’re a real prince.
@Noel Donohue: I didn’t know it was Christmas already…..You complete and utter GRINCH
Hello Mr. Pink
@Noel Donohue: When you are out do people realise they are in the presence of greatness themselves or do you tell them?
Spolit little lad I would imagine.
@Noel Donohue: poor spelling aside, that’s a very dim comment.
@Noel Donohue: I’ve never heard of anyone who wanted to work for slave wages. You know jack**** about their circumstances but still feel the need to put them down on this forum.
@Noel Donohue: Lots of people out there on great salaries having put themselves through college who made ends meet in their student days working in the service industry relying on tips.
@Noel Donohue: because they want to. Nobody is forcing you too give any either.
@Noel Donohue: well Noel’ I hope you kids when they are trying to go through life and maybe end up in the service industry won’t be serving tools like yourself
Lots of genuine decent intelligent people tip
We know where you stand in the above rankings
@Noel Donohue: I hope you inform the staff at the start of your meal that you not believe in tipping
In many nordic countries, service is included in the price you see on the menu. A tip is only encouraged if you were satisfied with the service.
A stark contrast to the United States, where staff live off the tip.
@Finn H. Schoyen: I worked as a waiter many years ago in Boston. My wages were crap but weeks I’d be clearing nearly a $1000 in tips. It was crazy.
@John Barry: you must have been working in Hooters!
@John Costello: research shows tipping does not improve service. I suggest you watch https://youtu.be/q_vivC7c_1k
The industry needs to pay its staff properly.
We wouldn’t expect to tip any other industry to just get good service, instead we just expect good service for the money we pay. Do you go to clothes shops or dentists and tip for good service?
Trade unions are the answer. American workers on pittance wages are fighting back and the same can be done here.
25 years later the government wakes up to realise that it is wrong for employers to dip into their staff tips. There is slow change and then there is standing still until someone pushes you. A complete joke
@Radek Warchola: exactly. 35 years ago it was happening when I worked in hospitality. Its shocking how slow this is
@Dearbhla O Reilly: legislation to protect hospitality workers and nurses specifically should be drafted and presented to the government and the president for signing. The abuse in the sector is shocking. And the goverment does nothing.
Will this cover food delivery apps such as deliveroo? Hopefully it will
@Decky Morgan: Yes, service charge will be changed to delivery charge
@Mick Hyland: but will that delivery charge go 100% to the rider? If not, what percentage do they get?
@Decky Morgan: if you tip a delivery rider in cash that goes to the rider. If you add it on to paying by card It likely doesn’t. Pay in cash.
I cannot believe this is still happening.
I think set service charges should be banned as it should be at the discretion of the customer. I always tip but prefer to give it seperately from my bill
I always ask the staff does the service charge go to them as a tip. If it doesn’t I have it removed and tip them in cash. Alot of places out there where it doesn’t go them so just ask.
I always tip but always ask if staff get tips if not its straight into the hand of staff that attended the table..
Was in a restaurant in Dublin on Monday night and they now have the cheek to just include the gratuity on the bill automatically…
Is this new law not just then ensuring that the employees all get taxed on their tips?
@Sarah Lou: should they not be taxed on income?
I, like a lot of others, get taxed on every red cent I make.
@Caoimhghin Whyte: Oh wow thats amazing, I myself as a self employed individual am tax exempt on all fronts….. m*ppet
While its good for the staff to get the tips directly, it should have always been this way. Now it will actually happen. Good out of the box thinking here for a change
Fairly shocked this happens.I worked in bars and restaurants when I was in school and the staff got the tips
Restaurant staff in general in this country earn decent wages, most kitchen workers do not receive tips as they are generally divided between the floor staff, maybe this is something that restaurant owners should monitor. Some senior chefs come out with less money during the high season than some of the floor staff because of this.
Service charges are a joke and they should not be allowed except when booking a table for more than 8 people and it should only be used as a reserve on a table, at that they could easily be renamed.
Ask Adrian he is on the radio all the time spouting muck about staff shortages. No wonder.
Please note all CC tips, that you think are going to the waiter are not. The government received 21% of it.
Tips received by Electronic payments are classed as revenue & taxed again by way of the employees wages PAYE System . Leo should sort out this also as it might entice experienced staff back. Service charge is a smoke screen.
Tip in cash if feel your server deserves it. They won’t forget your face the next time.
have your say