A government in trouble? August 31, 2016
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Uncategorized.trackback
As noted yesterday by SoS, events are overtaking our beloved government coalition. And how:
Independent Alliance Ministers were undecided last night on whether they would support the proposal from Minister for Finance Michael Noonan to appeal yesterday’s ruling from the European Commission which directed Apple to pay €13 billion in back taxes to the Irish State.
The Cabinet will meet this morning to discuss the ruling. Mr Noonan will seek formal approval for the decision to appeal the directive but Fine Gael Ministers have already said repeatedly that the decision will be appealed, a position also endorsed by the Taoiseach.
And:
If the Independent Alliance Ministers do not agree to the appeal, it will place the future of the Coalition Government in immediate jeopardy, according to sources in Fine Gael.
Certainly this throws a mighty spanner in the works. And it is an absolute gift to the opposition. Any predictions on how it will go? Will the Independents support the proposal?
The Cedar Lounge Revolution 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_of_Discord
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What opposition though? If Labour and (most likely) FF both support the corporations over the national exchequer then are they likely to bring down the government on this particular issue? Could those more conscientious independents simply be squeezed out of government and the remainder continue, ‘in the national interest’?
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That’s a great point. You’re dead right. FF aint going to break this model.
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that’s the way I see it. Some of the IA can vote against this, but it will still be carried by FF/FG/LP. I don’t even see why the IA would have to be squeezed out of government. I don’t think there’s a constitutional problem with even ministers voting against the government?
But it would lay bare the reality that this is in reality a FF supported government, whatever their pretence at opposition. And that would be a good thing.
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At the moment it’s all too up in the air for FF to see it as a chance to shaft the government and go for an election. I’d say they’ll let things play out and if the govt falls on its face or makes a complete hames of everything, FF will seize the day.
Strange seeing Michael Noonan still up there as spokesman for Ireland on the international media. I had him dead and buried a while back with the various illnesses he had. But, in fairness, he does what he does quite well. He comes across as calm and wise as he says what the big corporations want him to say.
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I hope that FF and so-called Labour has to brought in to push this scandalous legal appeal against the interests of the country’s own citizens through the Dáil.
It would immediately discredit FF’s ‘leftward’ turn. As for so-called Labour – lost souls, the lot of them.
No better issue for a government to fall over.
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There’s a point there re FFs swing to the left. I actually think Apple’s location in Cork also mitigates against FF doing anything radical on this as it’s in Martin and McGraths back yard.
The vast amount of money on offer really is a problem for FF/FG/Lab as any spending demands made can be met by the 13 billion.
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The problem for the permanent government here is that it takes away their eternal excuse; universal health care/ affordable housing/ decent transport/ proper school buildings…. of course we’d like all that stuff but *sad face* we need to stay competitive, high taxes drive out investment you now how it is.
So lads, here’s a shitload of free dosh; let’s do some of that…
But they don’t want to and won’t, because this is the society they want…
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Okay, the government is in a sticky corner over the Apple controversy. If the Independent Alliance and Zappone don’t cohere with Fine Gael, trouble beckons. That being said, Kevin (Boxer) Moran has already publicly split the IA ranks supporting the appeal . A compromise with IA will be cobbled together when they get their call for a recall of the Dail and a vote on whatever. Fianna Fail will abstain on some waffle grounds, for instance, “a strategic decision has been made”. Yes, those in FF who made special tax arrangements with Apple and MDCs way back (and FG supported) won’t have their hands tied on this one. Nor will they be tarnished by voting with Fine Gael and safe in the knowledge that the appeal will go ahead anyway.
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