The Yes and No sides
Treaty supporters say it is good housekeeping, while opponents say it institutionalises austerity
A Oireachtas committee report on the fiscal treaty, published this month, has identified 10 areas of dispute between the Yes and No sides in the referendum.
The report, by a subcommittee of the Committee on European Union Affairs, was a compilation of the evidence of 61 witnesses across 24 separate sessions.
It took in the views of politicians, ambassadors from EU states, academics, economists and interest groups.
The report gives excellent, readable summaries of the main arguments of all witnesses.
The areas of dispute identified were:
1. Purpose of the treaty: Supporters said it was good housekeeping and upheld fiscal discipline, while opponents said it protected banks, institutionalised austerity and accepted neo-liberal policies over Keynesian ones.
2. Economic effect: Opponents said it would delay recovery by not allowing investment and growth. Supporters argued it would improve market confidence, create better conditions for recovery, and guarantee access to the ESM.
3. Balanced budget rule: Those in favour said such rules were unavoidable given the size of the deficit, while those against said the treaty ignored the threat of structural unemployment.
4. The debt brake rule: This 0.5 per cent deficit rule will come into full effect in 2018. This rule is not as harsh as it seems, said supporters, while opponents said that if growth is absent it will mean further austerity.
5. European Stability Mechanism: It is a blackmail clause, according to No advocates. It is reasonable to make its availability conditional on adhering to fiscal rules, said supporters.
6. Alternatives to ESM: This involves both the debate on whether or not ESM funding will be available in the event of a No vote and if other sources, such as IMF funds, could be tapped. Some opponents suggested taxes on wealth and property as alternatives.
7. Consequence of Yes: Supporters largely referred to a restoration of confidence and availability of ESM funds; some on the No side said it would mean further austerity and a loss of sovereignty to unaccountable EU officials.
8. Consequences of No: Loss of access to ESM funding would be the first of a series of very damaging and long-lasting consequences, according to proponents. Those opposed said it would allow the Government to force a renegotiation within the EU.
9. Recovery: This area covers measures such as economic stimulus, including federalisation and eurobonds. Views differed on the relevance of the treaty to such measures.
10. Legal issues: This revolved around the existence of a possible veto, which might be achieved by the Government refusing to ratify other EU treaties, including article 136 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
There have been deeply conflicting claims from both sides as to whether or not the article 136 “veto” can be used.
Ireland’s Small firms sector (ISME) are facing ‘wipeout’
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME) has warned that the sector is facing “wipeout” unless measures are drafted to deal with huge business costs.
The body was reacting to the latest retail sales figures, which revealed a drop of 2.7pc.
It said that a third of companies are anticipating cutting staff next year.
The sectors that suffered the largest month-on-month drops were hardware, glass and paints (-6.2pc), department stores (-3.6pc), clothing and textiles (-2.9pc) and motor trade (-2.6pc). ISME’s chief executive Mark Fielding (above) said that retailers were being “wiped out” across Ireland due to increasing costs, consumer uncertainty and a deteriorating domestic economy.
Health Minister Reilly to start dismantling the HSE soon
The Government has approved the Heads of a Bill that will see the abolition of the HSE Board and the setting up of a new structure of seven directorates for the health executive.
Health Minister James Reilly has said the legislation providing for the directorates will be law by later this summer.
He said the new directorate structure of the HSE will provide a ‘new administrative architecture’ designed to guide the organisation towards the roll-out of universal health insurance (UHI).
Ahead of the legislative changes, the HSE is to recruit new directors for hospitals, primary care, mental health, social care and health & well-being. The other directorates will be shared care and child/family services.
The Department of Health said the new management arrangements reflect the need for greater operational management focus in the delivery of key services and greater transparency about funding, service delivery and accountability.
The new directorates, while representing a radical reorganisation of the HSE, are in effect a temporary structure, as the HSE will eventually be phased out under UHI.
The HSE’s functions are set to be transferred elsewhere as part of the move towards the UHI system, although it is as yet unclear exctly what structures will replace the HSE.
A White Paper setting out how UHI will be implemented is due to be published this year.
It is not clear at this stage what the role of the current HSE CEO, Cathal Magee, will be in the new directorate structure.
3kg Californian sea lion pup born at Dublin Zoo
Dublin ZOO is celebrating their recent arrival of a healthy Californian sea lion pup.
Born last week, the male pup weighs around 3kgs. It shares a habitat with his mother, his three-year-old sister Flo and another female called Cassie.
Californian sea lions are born on land and without the ability to swim, so the young pup spent his first days on land with his mother Seanna. She has since been giving him some lessons, and Dublin Zoo staff say that he is already a comfortable swimmer.
Team leader Eddie O’Brien said that the Zoo is thrilled with the pup’s birth. “I’m delighted to say that mum and pup are doing very well,” he said. “Sea lion’s milk is so rich in nutrients and fat that our new arrival will grow very quickly.”
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