EVERY WEEK, TheJournal.ie casts its eye over events inside and outside Leinster House that have got people talking.
As the saying goes: ‘You win some, you lose some.’ So here are our political winners and losers from the past seven days:
1. Mattie McGrath
You may not agree with what he said but the Tipperary South TD delivered a stunning rebuke of the government in the Dáil this week. In 10 minutes he raced through his many grievances with the coalition. It was a highly-entertaining piece of oratory:
2. John Deasy
The Fine Gael TD is out in the cold – not that he’s bothered – but got a boost this week when he was made vice chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee. But it’s unlikely the Waterford TD sees it as anything other than the leadership trying to appease restless backbenchers, and it’s unlikely to work.
3. Enda Kenny
As was always going to happen the Taoiseach got the backing of the Dáil this week, easily winning a motion of no confidence. But it was an opportunity for ministers and backbenchers to say lots of nice things about him. Brendan Howlin even said Kenny will go down ”in history as one of our finest Taoisigh”.
1. Leo Varadkar
The Health Minister said it really bothered him that people were protesting about €3 a week in water charges when there are much bigger problems in Irish society. That may be the case but it was poorly timed when thousands took to the streets to protest the charges and some of them really can’t stretch to €3 a week after years of austerity.
2. Róisín Shortall
The independent TD got the boot from the Dáil this week after getting into a row with the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett over the debate on water charges. It was entertaining but was it really in anyway productive?
3. Joan Burton
Poor Joan got pictured with giant spliff. Accidentally of course.
Shane Ross
We had the independent TD in to talk to us this week and while he’s up to something we’re not quite sure what it is yet. Is his ongoing talk of a new alliance all a bit boring at this stage or is it good that we could potentially have a new political force?
Is Shane Ross a winner or a loser this week?
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