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TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY caused a bit of bafflement this evening with his sudden reappearance on Twitter (after a three year absence) at 8pm on a Sunday night.
We can reveal that his return to Twitter isn’t about wanting to live-tweet Love/Hate, but to draw people’s attention to #littlethings, a mental health initiative:
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach told us:
We’ve been looking at this for some time now, the issue is something that’s close to the Taoiseach’s heart. This was seen as an appropriate way to enter Twitter.
The account is a joint venture between Fine Gael and Government spokespeople, and will be managed by his staff. But we’re assured that the tweets will all be the Taoiseach’s words.
His previous tweet (which now appears to have been deleted) was about his weekly message, and was posted on 8 July 2011. And before that he even took to Twitter to chat about televised debates and reply to some tweets.
But once Kenny was elected Taoiseach, his tweeting stopped.
TheJournal.ie had already attempted to get to the bottom of the situation last month, and learned that the inactivity was “down to a disagreement between government officials and the Fine Gael party over how the account should be used”.
As we explained at the time:
The Government Press Office, and its official news service MerrionStreet.ie, cannot takeover use of Kenny’s Twitter account as it’s an account in his name and not that of the office of the Taoiseach. But officials close to Kenny have vetoed the account being used at all.
Now it seems they have come to a little agreement.
- Additional reporting Hugh O’Connell
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Noonan and co buying votes today, still won’t get them back into power come election time…People don’t forget!!
so when ff, sf and all the other parties release there version of the budget are they Buying votes?
Ah so you’re voting for FF then? Good man…
Nope.
People don’t forget the opposition have plenty of hot air to buy your votes
I look forward to laughing at the same shinner response as always, very light on tangibles but hilarious all the same
“The major cuts in USC will be combined with the announcement that the deeply hated tax will be axed entirely by the end of 2020.”
Just in time for the next election.
Ive my bet on at work that Mary Louper will say ‘Shame on you’ eight times. Come on Mary Louper dont let me down
this country is a joke end of….
@Thomas Clarke:- Jaysus Dane you are out in force on this thread today. How many laptop’s do you own. Hopefully the economy will recover enough for you to actually give a driving lesson one of these days!!
The excitement is palpable. well done Enda today is your day :)
The ‘excrement’ -you’re welcome!
Bursting with pride as our finance minister reads out the budget. This is a great day for FG
Yes it is,Thomas-as most of them are landlords
Wow I never knew our national debt would be below the European average by the end of next year. Trojan work from FG
“Norway may have to tap its $856 billion sovereign wealth fund more than planned next year to cope with a rising number of people seeking asylum.”
How much will our lot claw back from us when the meeja are not watching?
its nearly “shame on you’ time from the shinners :D
What is this to cover up the past four years more people have left Ireland than in the 80′s and them putting up minimum wage to 9.15 is a joke wen everything else is going up the Irish people should make a stand
Thomas – I totally agree with you Trojan work from FG & Enda Kenny’s superb leardership in particular. He truly is a man for all seasons, and once he doesn’t lose the head, we can look forward to further sterling work in the near future.
Can’t wait to get my extra €5 per week knowing it’s only going to turn into €10 to be taken off me on increased excise duties!
Reduce motor tax and Carbon tax.
No pleasing some people.
If you got an extra €50 per week in a giveaway budget you’d be screaming that it’s a bribe.
An extra €5 per week is criticised for not being enough.
Stick your budget bribes where the sun don’t shine give us a general election instead
The Christmas bonus bugs me, I have to work all through Christmas and pay more than half my pay in tax to give a Christmas bonus to those who don’t work, while I get no bonus and pay yet more bills
I’d say this fg lb government have set a new record on the road closures around Leinster house. they obviously know they are hated they will have to buy a lot of votes today to stay in government
Barry giving you back your own money is not a ‘giveaway’.
Chris I understand your opinion but disabled, sick, elderly, carers are most deserving of this as there circumstances does not allow them the previlige of employment you and I have. I hope these most deserving people have a good Christmas this year.
The government should implement the policies of Syriza who were so strongly supported here by Sinn Fein and the left. No medicines, no money in the ATMs, chaos.
Nira they implemented the policies of FF/troika for the last 4 years, so they have form in using the policies of others. ; )
NIRA I’d say most people here would love to have been able to withdraw €60 a day as the where able to in Greece.
Dane Tyghe disappears and 2 new clowns posting the same bs appear.Shocking coincidence.
All politicians are a joke. The opposition saying it is an attempt to buy votes (which it is) and in the same breath the opposition will tell you how you’d be paying less tax under them…………………….and that’s not buying votes ??????????????
Anyone else concerned that this isn’t even a proper giveaway budget. FF actually had the money, FG are using borrowed money. Economy increased by apx 1.5bn and they are giving away 3bn.
its a great day to be irish :)
Colm, thanks for your party political broadcast on behalf of Sinn Fein.
Norman, change the record.
Tom take advice off a clown? I’ll pass. ; )
Tom Kelly get stuffed and troll somewhere elce
Norman, maybe you should take my advice. If you did maybe you wouldn’t be so negative and bitter.
Thats right colm if you don’t agree with someone insult and attack them.
That sounds just like sinn fein.
adams comments would make you want to vomit.
Tom Kelly when it comes to insults your right up there with the worst of them here. As for your SF comments I’ve never voted for them in my life and if for some reason I was ever to vote for them I won’t be seeking your approval have a nice day
Tom, again take the advice of a proven clown?I’ll pass. ; )
Cigs the only tax increase. Its party time folks :)
What about the pensioners getting 3 euros per week? Try paying rent, buying food, clothes, utilities, fuel, on 240 euros per week, one would want to stay home for the first 3 to 4 days every week to try & save a few euros, This shower of clowns haven’t got a clue, I think I speak for most of the pensioners & we definitely wont be voting for these gangsters again
That was a election budget nothing more nothing less. Not buying it for one minute. Time to get theses idiots out now.
Won’t hold my breath. Health needs sorting and money alone won’t fix it. This government haven’t the b,lls to sort it. Disabilities services is another one. Since they cut the same amount they gave away in the water bribe. It’s another one way down the priority list.
go on, do us a favor………..hold your breath :)
Shinners all flat out peddling doom and gloom its absolutely hilarious :D
Thomas you deluded fool. Where you think the support fg enjoyed when they took the last election went? That’s right people like me. So you keep throwing out your childish insults bit like tom above. My guess is its same person.
seriously cant stop laughing at you guys today. its absolutely hilarious watching you squirm :D
Comments from these FG-heads represent perfectly FGs attitude to the general voting population – smug, arrogant, and condescending. And with each one I read, the less likely it is that I will ever put a number beside a FG candidate for the rest of my life. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
So keep it up, Thomas, you’re doing the opposition a huge favour.
You’re sad thomas, its more than obvious this is another account, nearly in double figures at this stage.
Thanks Chris for your support. The journal comment section is where prospective SF transfer go to die. Reading any of the comments by the shinnerbots and its hard see why. Read any of their vile attacks on posters and its easy to see. It really is magical just handing them rope as they busily hang themselves. Middle ireland is always watching :D
Oh, I forgot to add “deluded” to that list…
you must be livid to see the irish people delighted with this budget :D
‘you must be livid to see the irish people delighted with this budget’ Dane I know you’re a deluded moron but you only speak for yourself not the Irish people. ; )
Its a great budget inst it norman :)
A thief returning your possessions is to be praised?
I see Kenneth/Mr Gilhooley/Billy Wiggle has returned as Thomas Clarke this time. Another sad little man.
Just remember folks, the best chance of holding onto the crumbs that are thrown at us today is to remove these sleveens from power before they get the chance to take it back in the next budget.
Ahaha, Shinners are overly worried today.
Shinners are going to cut tax, abolish water charges, etc etc etc but they are not buying votes, no they have pearse working it all out & Gerry who can’t even do basic maths
the shinners are terrified and they are right to be. How much are you set to benefit FC thanks to FG policies?
Thomas you mean the policies of FF/troika. ; )
USC 7% rate cut to 5.5%, lower rates down by 0.5% each. Entry thresholds increase
Tax credit for the self-employed worth around €500 next year
Home carers credit up from €800 to €1,000
Free GP care scheme to be extended to children under-12
Inheritance tax threshold increases to €280,000
Capital gains tax for self employed drops from 33% to 20%
Old Age Pension up €3 per week
Fuel Allowance up €2.50 per week
75% of Christmas bonus to be restored
Child benefit up by €5 per week
Pack of cigarettes up 50c
And No agreement on Rent controls or even how to proceed in the first place.
Child benefit up by €5 a week?
according to the IT Norman. I can;t link it for some reason but it’s front page.
Sgt so €20+ extra a month child benefit, even the times can be wrong.
I copied and pasted it directly as is, so it’s likely wrong on their behalf alright.
The big story is the lack of any agreement on housing or rent though. The Indo are running with that one.
Sgt read that story about rent, vested interests always win.
Capital gains is a big reduction. Lots of people will sell up and avail of that I’d say.
The Child Benefit goin up €5 is tat not the monthly children’s allowance so it’s €5 a month from €135 ton €140 an not on the lone parents of €220 a week? Or has tat increased too also by €5??
give with one hand, take away with the other.
What’s been taken exactly?
Please sir.
Can I have some more.
The great electorate purchase attempt begins.
What about increasing tax on these big international companies that have their headquarters in Ireland? Or have we all come to the realisation that they are only here for the tax haven status and lose corporation laws….
you mean the ones that would leave when you do that ?
They forget we are also an English speaking country in the eurozone, something the rest of Europe don’t have. But the scaremongering is , but they will leave.
if you think multi nationals set up in a country based on it’s language then I suppose you do fit well into SF
Tom time to learn and read. Obviously something your not too good at. I ssaid speaking English in the eurozone is also something we have. Nothing about coming here just for the language.
little one your stupidity is actually amusing
Thomas anyone ever tell you writing style is exactly the same as ‘james connelly ‘ ?.Funny that.
Like James Connelly the 1916 dude? They really were revolutionaries if they had computers and internet access in 1916 :D
No, lower case ‘james connelly ‘ one of the clowns Dane Tyghe ‘s multiple accounts.Just like the one you are now using Dane. How’s the driving school business? busy?
Same old trolls out and about today. Must of had there old accounts band yesterday. Dane /James.
No Thomas Clarke, stupidity is when you reply from a different account. Now that’s real up there in the stupidity ranks
The USA and UK are under growing pressure to stop companies funneling money through Ireland, this pressure is now on ireland. Ireland has already committed to closing the ‘double Irish’ loophole by 2021.
Facebook paid just over £4000 in corp. tax in the UK last year by using Irish tax avoidance techniques, all it takes is a uk government to introduce legislation to prevent this from happening – something a Corbyn gov would be happy to do. The power is not in Ireland, its wherever the facebook/google type companies make the most money.
And to the ‘We speak English’ argument, the Netherlands and neighboring countries have upwards of 85-90% fluent english speaking populations these days.
Duckface tax!!
A giveaway propaganda budget using borrowed money. Brave stuff from our visionary government. Did they learn nothing?
It’s like Christmas morning waiting to see what goodies we all get! Actually looking forward to a positive budget at last after all our hard work and sacrifices.
you wont have to worry about spending it with the stealth taxes sneaking in to counter any direct tax cuts.
on the €10+ euro a week rises you will see after the budget, bus fares, energy costs, etc, etc etc.
@Ceannaire:- Ah Dane, it doesn’t matter how many new profiles you make, you peddle the same tired, desperate message each and every time. People see through it for what it is, puerile progoganda!!
“It’s like Christmas morning waiting to see what goodies we all get!”
I don’t know what sort of p!ss poor Christmases you had. Actually Dane that would explain quiet a lot.
if you worked David , you would get more
Wonder how many times Noonan utters “certainty and clarity”..let the brainwashing begin
What a vulgar little political system we have. It should be illegal to make budgets before elections.
I’m just happy they’ve Drumm arrested
one extra bag of chips per year for me, a giveaway budget indeed!
So tax breaks for developers and multinationals while the poor, homeless and women can fcuck right off, you’re getting none of the goodies. Not surprised in the slightest
Ceannaire….if you’re the leader as you name suggests……does that make your other fake accounts, patjoejoe, james connolly, Diarmuid, Dane, billy wiggle, Thomas Clarke etc……your followers?
It must be sad to mentally remove your own posts talking to yourself and realise you’re in the minority as multiple personality disorders don’t count.
This budget will be like borrowing money from Peter to pay Paul. People spending money they didn’t have on things they couldn’t afford caused the crash in the first place. Now the lemmings in Merrion Square want to go down the same road.
#Herewegoagain
But Ireland offers special tax concessions to multinationals, these could be brought into line with Europe and taxed at European rates instead of being the tax haven of Europe.
Gov are in self preservation mode, I wouldn’t expect them to do anything on Corporation especially if changing it might lead to job cuts.
The live blogs are annoying to read since the start is at the bottom you have to scroll all the way down and read up backwards?
Cutting the universal social charge wow!! They need too scrap it,wasn’t it only meant too be a temporey tax,and they need too stop robbing the property tax too
The surchage of 3% on individuals earning above €100,000 should be increased, not lowered.
Absolutely, we should tax them all to make absolutely sure they leave.
you obviously didn’t read the OECD reports on how low high income tax rates are when compared to other European countries.
These people don’t respect you, don’t fear you, don’t serve you. But they are trampling all over you, your children and our future. They need to go.
“Who speaks of Syriza now?”
Last time I checked, they were still part of the Greek government.
What’s he on about? Most of the first part of Noonan’s speech seemed to be financial forecasts for a quarter past two and one minute later!!!
If they had enshrined Irish water belongs to the people in the constitution they would be home and dry….. too bad.
Why are they laughing for, bloody gangsters the lot of them…
My goodness! SF/IRA and AAA hate good news – even before its announced!
https://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/318576-episode-max-keiser-822/
“They look at the cartels at the heart of each and every so-called “free trade” deal being forced upon previously sovereign nations in the global economy. In the second half, Max interviews Irish MEP Luke “Ming” Flanagan, about TTIP, TiSA, Brexit, the Troika, the Anglo-Irish bailout and a shillelagh stick.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_in_Services_Agreement
Bye bye HSE, An Post, Trains, Airports, Buses, etc etc…
“”The agreement covers about 70% of the global services economy. Its aim is privatizing the worldwide trade of services such as banking, healthcare and transport.”
€1400 a year better off, thanks government!
very happy , about time the working man got a few quid extra
3 Euros a week for pensioners… They put carbon tax of 2 euro on a bag of coal and 50 cents on briquettes last year.. Expect pensioners to burn down Dail after that insult !! More realistically FG and LAB have torpedoed the grey vote.. very clever. No real intellect with these boys antagonising the people who always vote in numbers..
Irish people have a huge sense of entitlement thats one reason I left 8 years ago. In other countries you get a lot less.
child benefit is your weekly money thats gone up 5€ not lone parents is that not enough do u need more? im on disabillity and i didnt get 1c count yourself lucky
Is Noonan telling Howlin to pull his finger???
We won’t be fooled by the gangsters and their lies. Kenny your time is up call the election now.
have your say